Introduction
Breeding finches is an art that anyone can learn to master over time. Breeding finches will require the proper environment to be successful. You should know that breeding season for most finch species begins in early spring. Some species prefer a cage-placed breeding box, while others enjoy the wider spaces of an indoor or outdoor aviary.
The Basics
The best time to start breeding your finches is when they are about 8 months old. Particular finch species employ nesting arrangements unique to them. Therefore, it's critical to acquire breeding knowledge specific to the species you plan to breed.
Use the information you gather on finch reproduction to optimize your set-up. For instance, unlike other varieties, breeding Zebra Finches is somewhat less involving because they are casual breeders. Their nesting requirements will be more relaxed than that of Gouldian finches.
Before you take money out of your pocket to buy a breeding pair, examine the birds. First, check out the condition of the feathers. You'll want to start out with finches that have vibrant plumage with a healthy sheen. Always purchase breeding finches from a reputable aviary or dealer. A successful breeding program always starts with healthy birds.
Finch breeding is a hands-off endeavor. The temptation is to anxiously hover near the breeding cage. But this will make the expectant couple nervous. Worse yet, the pair might toss fledglings out of the nest because the parents feel unsafe. Give your breeding finches their space to hatch and raise their babies.
The Process
Wild finches inhabit dry regions. Breeding activity in the wild is often curtailed due to a limited food supply. Pet finches have the advantage of consuming wholesome and abundant food, a prerequisite for raising a healthy brood of fledglings.
Encourage your pet finches to breed by keeping your birds warm and well nourished. This will create optimum conditions for eliciting breeding behavior.
Offer your pets a mixed blend of grass, millet, and canary seeds. Supply daily fresh water. Place food such as spinach, chickweed, and lettuce in a separate feeding bowl.
Optimum cage conditions will encourage your finches to breed throughout the year. All finches molt in the summer. This is a good time to give your pets a break from breeding by removing nesting boxes.
When breeding finches, you'll want to maintain two cages. Set up one for regular housing and a second as a breeding cage with a nesting box. And only one pair per breeding cage please! Multiple couples will most likely squabble. It's also vital that the breeding cage is large enough to comfortably maintain a pair.
Breeding finches' dietary habits are different from that of non-breeding finches. Provide breeding pairs with live food such as insects or meal worms. Make sure there is a good supply of fresh seeds on-hand. Natural foods seem to encourage better breeding results. And then there is the dietary requirements of the youngsters, which ideally should be 100% live food.
Supplying the proper nesting material is critical for breeding success. After the clutch is complete, mom will tend the nest. Dad will pull nest sitting duty to provide her with breaks for food and exercise. Eggs hatch between 12 to 18 days after laying.
Helpful Tips
It's important to remember that when finches are molting they are under stress. This is not a good time to make changes, such as introducing a new mate.
Aggressive finch breeds relish taking over the nests of less aggressive species. Society and Zebra finches are notorious nest thieves. Keep mating pairs in segregated cages to avoid altercations. In larger aviaries, separate aggressive finches from their more timid cousins.
Nesting pairs will abandon chicks if they sense the nest location is exposed to danger. Examples of disruptive conditions include noise and unfavorable temperatures. Insure that your pets have an undisturbed environment.
Conclusion
Finch breeding is relatively easy to do. Just take the time to learn the basics, paying special attention to researching the breeding differences between species.
A common sense best method to maximize a successful outcome is to try and copy mother- nature. Provide your birds with the resources they would have in the wild and let instinct take over.
How to Give Your Pet Aviary Birds the Right Start for the Breeding Season Room for Flight Equals a Happy Finch Guidelines for Housing Your Spice Finches Flight Cages For Finches
0 comments:
Post a Comment