For the loyal FM readers out there, I am sorry. I am having a hard time maintaining the website and updating it with articles right now because of my work and studies. If you would like to contribute your knowledge in finch breeding through articles and post them here in FinchMe, just tell me. I’ll gladly accept any help.

Just an update with my zebras: the first pair has already borne three healthy birds on their first clutch, and they’re now on their third week as nestlings. I expect them to explore the whole cage in a matter of days. I’m having trouble taking their pictures because the parents are overprotective and won’t let me see the nestlings fully. I’ll probably be able to show them to you when they finally fledge.

On the note of the busy schedule, I have found a way to feature Filipino finch breeders through online interviews. The first one of this series will be a well-informed and trusted zebra breeder who has been a regular visitor here in FinchMe. His codename both here and in PPF is seonadancing, and I’m proud to introduce him here as one of the finest breeders with the largest collection of zebras in terms of quantity and mutations. Meet Mr. Stanley Lao of Project 6, QC.

Full Name: Stanley Lao
Address: Project 6, QC
Contact No.: 0917-5299576
Breeder Since: 2006
Breeds: Zebra Finches

Interview:

Why did you breed finches? And is it more of a hobby or a business venture?
An office friend of mine introduced me to breeding zebra finches and he said that it’s an easy way to get extra income. So I started with the thought of making a business out of breeding birds but it soon became an obsession to collect all the mutations available here. The change in mindset happened when I got frustrated that I cannot make my pairs produce offspring in the first month that I had my first few pairs, so instead of waiting to produce the mutations I wanted, I just went out and buy all the mutations that I can find.

When did you start breeding? What was your first pair(s)?
I think it was September of 2006. My first 2 pairs were normal-sized gray zebra finches.

Can you share some of the great experiences you had as a breeder? How about the not-so-great?
Seeing my first ever grandchild from my finches was one of my best experience. Producing 7 youngs in a clutch was also a memorable one. Producing my first visually OB cock was great also. Talking to fellow bird lovers was also a great experience.
Seeing dead chicks thrown by their parents was bad but what’s worst is seeing blood and dead birds all over the cages because a cat attacked.

What were the initial difficulties and current difficulties that you experience in breeding finches?
I used to handle all the cleaning and feeding for 40 pairs of zebras and that took an average of 2 hours every day. My biggest problem currently is the location since my aviary is not somewhere near my condo.

What’s your most favourite finch and mutation(color, form) from your stock? Please show us a picture.
After my initial stock of zebras, I began to concentrate on buying and producing jumbos and OBs. My favourite mutations are the jumbo white pied and the orange breasted Isabel.

How many pairs of birds do you currently have(zebras, gouldians, and canaries)? How much do you spend all in all every month to keep them(for electricity bill, food, vitamins, nests and cages, other supplies)?
All I have are zebras because ALBs bite too much, Gouldians are not as interactive, and Owl finches are too expensive. I have 35 breeding pairs plus about 30 more in flight cages. The cost to maintain the flock is about P3,000 a month. This is mostly on the different feeds I buy; electricity expense is minimal because I don’t follow the 16-hour rule.

What’s the most expensive bird you have ever bought?
I bought 3 Black Face Black Breasted cocks for P1,500 each.

What’s the rarest mutation you currently have?
I have a Jumbo Orange Breasted Isabel. The specific mutation is hard to come by in Jumbo form.

Who in your opinion are the best finch breeders of the country?
I think the best is still two of the pioneers – Raffy Yap and Evan Ong. I haven’t been to Evan’s aviary but pictures of his stock are mouth-watering. Raffy has the biggest sized zebras that I’ve seen. For Gouldians, it’s Jeff Mique of Bicutan, I don’t know how many pairs he has now but the last time I went to his aviary, the gouldians are everywhere. He plans to be the number breeder of gouldians in the country so good luck to him.

Have you entered your birds in a bird show(and won)?
I was so close to joining but my show bird got her feathers picked by her partner.

Can you tell us a well-kept secret formula, routine, or food mix that is essential in your success as a breeder?
It’s no secret that a balance diet makes for a healthy bird. I feed my birds 8 kinds of seeds plus I buy the 8-in-1 seed mix products to give my birds some variety. I give vitamins just twice a month and veggies once a month. Spray Millet whenever I can buy them. I have an eggfood mix that I give my birds and it’s a mixture of Eggfood + Aristopet egg and biscuit + Wheat Germ + Sing Song Singing Bird feeds + eggshell + 8-in-1 seed product depending on if the bird is moulting, conditioning, or has nestlings.

Who are your best friends in the breeding community?
Jeff Mique, alias Flare. He’s the one who helped me start this hobby.

Wala bang nagagalit sa mga kasambahay nyo or kapitbahay dahil sa mga alaga nyong ibon?
Wala naman, yun ALBs actually nung kapitbahay naming yun maingay.

Lastly, what advice can you give to other Filipino finch breeders out there?
I don’t think I’m in a position to give advice since I’ve been breeding for less than 2 years, but I guess in everything, we need to really take care of our pets. Let’s give them everything they need to be healthy and put them in a big enough cage so they can fly around. Observing is the best way to know your birds and don’t only rely on what you read on the internet or books.

Stan gets a little personal and shared us something about himself.

Aside from breeding zebra finches, I am also a Lego hobbyist and I think I have one of the biggest collections in the country. I used to love eating balut but after seeing day old chicks from my finches, I can’t at balut anymore. I’m a typical teenager who likes video games and sports but I’m not a teenager anymore.

Note: A week after this interview, Stan has informed me that there is a very big chance that he will be discontinuing breeding for the “sake of the birds.” He still gave the go ahead to publish this interview anyway, and as I’ve told him, he’ll probably suffer from withdrawal syndrome. Who can resist not having even just a pair of zebras?