[Search for users] [Overall Top Noters] [List of all Conferences] [Download this site]

Conference 7.286::pet_birds

Title:Captive Breeding for Conservation--and FUN!
Notice:INTROS 6.X / FOR SALE 13.X / Buying a Bird 900.*
Moderator:VIDEO::PULSIFER
Created:Mon Oct 10 1988
Last Modified:Tue Jun 03 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:942
Total number of notes:6016

538.0. "Finch eggs!" by SALSA::DEFRANCO () Mon Apr 22 1991 16:43

    I bought two pair of finches about 5 weeks ago.  They are housed in a
    16 x 24 x 24 inch cage.  I thought this size cage would be large
    enough to allow for some flight but not large enough to encourage
    breeding.  Guess what, I was wrong!  
    
    I discovered 2 eggs in their nest on Sunday morning. (Oh, that's
    another thing; the breeder told me they like a nest to sleep in but
    they probably wouldn't breed.)
    
    At any rate, I must admitt that I'm excited and now want to do what's
    right for the new parents and hopefully new chicks.  I think the eggs
    belong to Juliette but all four finches seem to take duty and sit on
    the eggs for short periods of time then Juliette takes over for the
    night.  Is this normal zebra finch behavior or are they just all
    playing aroung with this new situation?
    
    Also, if the eggs do hatch, how long will it take?
    
    How long before the little ones are eating on their own?
    
    What, if any special foods should Juliette (mommy finch) be eating? 
    She gets seeds, pellets, veggies and eggs right now.
    
    Any information will be appreciated!
    
    Thanks,
    
    
    Jeanne
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name		DateLines
538.1just like rabbits!!DECLNE::TOWLEMon Apr 29 1991 14:116
    	My wife, Kathy had Zebra finches and Owl finches before and I found
    that finches are just like rabbits.....they have one batch of
    youngsters, get them going, and lay another batch!!!  We fed them
    scrambled eggs, and crushed egg shells, because the first batch of eggs
    had soft shells, so we had to suppliment their diet to get harder
    shells.  From 4 finches, we ended up with 15 in a hurry!!
538.2Babies, Babies, everywhere!SALSA::DEFRANCOMon May 06 1991 15:2631
    
    Guess what?  Yup!  I have baby finches!  This has been amazing.  I
    wasn't sure that these eggs would hatch but it looks like one hatched
    on Saturday, 2 on Sunday and the last one today.  
    
    I really can't get a good look at them but I do see that they are all
    moving and alive.  The recent article in Bird Talk about breeding
    finches came at just the right time for me and has been very helpful.
    
    The adult finches are so cute.  I do know who the parents are because
    they spend the most time in the nest, but they do let the other male
    and female finches help out once in a while.  I'm also very surprised
    at how trusting they all are of me.  They all talk to me and seem to
    enjoy it when I talk back to them (especially if I try bird talk).  
    
    I suppose this will help to make the new chicks even more tame and
    trusting of me.  
    
    I don't know what I'm going to do with all these finches now!  I do
    know that I will remove the nests to put a stop to all this baby making
    business!
    
    My cage is 24" x 17" x 24" high.  Is this large enough to house 8
    finches or should I consider another cage or possibly another home for
    the babies?  
    
    Thanks,
    
    
    Jeanne
538.3AKOCOA::LAJEUNESSEFri May 10 1991 13:5214
    Hi Jeanne,
    
    You think this is amazing wait until you see how fast the chicks grow
    and are out of the nest!  I think its something like two weeks.  
    
    When I had mine it was like I couldn't stop them.  They bred like crazy
    until I took out the nests.  
    
    I don't think you would want any more then 8 in that size cage.  What I
    did was got some Hardware cloth and made a large flight for mine.  It
    was reasonably cheap and it worked great.  
    
    Mark
538.4Babies Growing!SALSA::DEFRANCOMon May 20 1991 17:0911
    Well, the babies are two weeks old and look like real birds, feathers
    and all.  Looks like I have two normals, a white and I think a fawn but
    then again its hard to tell since they are so scrunched up in the nest.
    
    I expect a few of them will be ready to fly by next weekend and the
    smaller ones may take a few more days.  This has been such fun!  Can't
    wait to do it again!  Oops, Who said that!!!!!
    
    Jeanne