I was just curious if any of you have breed Java Sparrow (Padda oryzivora) as food supply. I am considering breeding them for my future spar, as you may believe me or not sparrows are endangered species in Poland and strictly protected by law.
They weight is up to 50g, they r setting up to 8 eggs I think even 5 times or more per breeding season. I guess if stimulated they will set eggs like hens all the time Also juv. have nice brown color, that can serve as good baggy. Cos adults have pretty odd color considering possible prey.
Another factor that works as advantage with those birds is that they r very easy available in every pet shop for around 15$ each. You are able to control they health status, to make sure you are giving your hawk healthy food without any parasites and illness. That can provide perfect food to feed up your bird with all guts.
What do you think guys ? I was planing to get 50 pairs that will provide enough food variety from they offsprings for whole season for one spar. I will also include some quails and day old chickens along with anything that we catch into menu.
if you can hunt sparrows since their protected what are you plaining on hunt with it? plus even when their is other animals for it to hunt wont ether nature instinct or the fact that you will be feeding sparrows wont i see them as a food source and go after them?
Well it may always happen, especially with sparrowhawk.
Don't forget it is Europe, quantity of wild birds is very very small comparing to what I have seen in BC Canada. Probably in 1 cherry orchard in Kelowna there is more quails, than in whole Europe (despite the fact that they r not the same species, just for comparison).
It is almost impossible to catch wild sparrow here if you don't want to, you may catch jay or black bird by mistake but that can happen with any bird.
I am planing to hunt on partridges in majority, than on magpies and jackdaw (if i get permit).
House Sparrows are not protected only the native ones are.
I bet they would work if you can produce in the numbers you gave. One of the Java Sparrows is close to two DOC's which a lot of people feed in the states.
I still have to calculate the price and breeding possibilities.
I also have really huge sentiment to male goshawks maybe ill get another instead of spar. I am having hearth attack each time when I go to field with my dog. Point ... fk where is my bird, its truly traumatic.