When to buy, Where to buy (Ontario)

phoebefinch · Post by **phoebefinch** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 2:53 pm

You may have seen my other post about getting some finches. Well, the cage will be taken care of by sometime next week, so now I have to figure out the birds. I'm wary about purchasing pet store stock. I know there have got to be breeders around me (Toronto) but not much comes up in the search. I don't even know what species I want yet (or how many --- though I'd probably start with a pair) but maybe I'll be influenced by what is around me.

Another thing I was wondering is if there is a specific time of year to buy decent birds. Sorry if that's completely ridiculous, but I know birds here don't tend to breed in the winter (though maybe birds from the southern hemisphere would breed in our winter, thinking it's summer). Do captive-bred finches breed year round?

My ideal time for getting them would be early January, but I guess I'll have to see what the answer to my last question was first!!

Ah well, at least it'll give me some time to do some more research. I'm such a newb.

FeatherHarp · Post by **FeatherHarp** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 3:07 pm

Hello Phoebefinch...I was able to Google these breeders near Toronto. I got them off of this website. I know others that are from Canada will be able to help you too!

Click Here---->Ontario Breeders

JOSE CARLOS
208 Christie St.
Toroto, Ontario M6G 3B7
BREEDER'S COMMENTS: PARADISE BIRDS!!! I Breed Zebra, Society, Europian and Goudian Finches, canarys and more!!! And free delivery in central, south, and north of toronto!!

CARLSON & AMY TEAKLE
Kitchener, Ontario
BREEDER'S COMMENTS: Breeders of Gouldians, Longtail Grassfinch (Shafttails), Canaries, and Societies. Interested in learning more about various types of finches, and always willing to answer questions. Located in Kitchener, Ontario - 1 hour from Toronto and Niagara Falls.

phoebefinch · Post by **phoebefinch** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 4:38 pm

FeatherHarp wrote:Hello Phoebefinch...I was able to Goggle these .......

Apparently I'm google challenged - I was basically coming up with nada!

Thanks!

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 6:28 pm

Jeepers, I better get my fingers typing and add my name to that Breeders' website!

I'm in Barrie (1 hour north of Toronto) and I breed Lady Gouldians and have 2 available and also have 3 Society Finches available at this time. However I don't know what you are looking for. LOL

Phoebe - you can also check the "marketplace" forum on this FinchForum. I'm not sure if there are other local breeders on here.

My daughter also breeds various finches and is located in Guelph (1/2 hour from Toronto).

You'll have fun deciding which finch type you want.

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 6:34 pm

Well I checked into adding my name and I can't find a way, but I did see this note:

"The Finchlover Directory has temporarily suspended accepting additions. (Feb. 6, 2001)"

So I'm not sure how up to date it is.

Kiko · Post by **Kiko** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 6:41 am

Phoebefinch you are very lucky to live near L in Ontario and her daughter, from what I know on the board here they are very responsible finch breeders. If I can get to Toronto in the spring they will be on my visit list!

There is a show coming up nearish to you. If you can, go and look at all the finches and talk to the breeders. Don't buy just yet, but you should learn oodles! You might get accessories at a cheaper price too!

I went to a show just to look, and ended up being enthralled with the jewel-like finches, and talked with breeders, and thats what started my own foray into finch keeping. We have a similar but smaller show here in Ottawa in October. If you can go back for the parrot display, do! I find them so beautiful but incredibly noisy, so fun to visit but not to own, for me!

From Kijiji Toronto:

Street address: 12942 Heart Lake Road,, Brampton View map
Location: Toronto
Date Listed: 22-Oct-08
Canadian Finch and Softbill Society with the Canadian Assoc. of Colourbred Canaries 2nd Annual Show

Many Finches and Softbills from all around the world will be on display and for sale. Exotic Wings & Pet Things (519-699-5656) will have a booth selling Birds & Supplies with many brands represented. On Sunday there will be a display of Parrots by the Parrot Club of South Western ON and will be answering questions. There will be canary clubs on hand to sell and show birds all weekend. Fun 4 all hope to see you that weekend!

Nov. 7, 8, 9
Open to the public Sat: 1:00 to 4:00
Sun: 10:00 to 3:00 with parrot display
Admission $ 5
Location: Brampton Fairgrounds
Judges: Zebra Finches - Allen Bennett, England
Foreign Finches & Softbills - Grant Rishman, Victoria, BC
Contacts:
Vince: 905-723-1978 mailto: vmoase@rogers.com
Julie: 905-832-2979 mailto: stillwateraviaries@sympatico.ca
**FOR MORE INFO PLEASE USE THE CONTACT INFO ABOVE****

phoebefinch · Post by **phoebefinch** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 9:29 am

Thanks, Kiko! I'm not sure if I'll be in town that weekend, but if I am, I shall pay the show a visit!!

Liz, does your daughter also have a website? What kinds does she breed? Your birds are cute! Wish I could take a couple now!

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 9:55 am

phoebefinch wrote:Thanks, Kiko! I'm not sure if I'll be in town that weekend, but if I am, I shall pay the show a visit!!

Liz, does your daughter also have a website? What kinds does she breed? Your birds are cute! Wish I could take a couple now!

If you haven't been to a birdshow before - they can be amazing.

My daughter and I both manage our website at http://www.gardenessgardens.com She has more variety than I do in finches. She has Owls, Whydahs, Waxbills, Cordon Bleus, Zebras in addition to Gouldians and Societies; whereas I am concentrating on Gouldians and Stars and have a few Gouldies and Societies available at this time.

No rush on getting your finches. IMO one should not rush into getting a pet of anykind. Get as much info as you can beforehand to ensure you are comfortable with your decision.

phoebefinch · Post by **phoebefinch** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 10:36 am

L in Ontario wrote:
No rush on getting your finches. IMO one should not rush into getting a pet of anykind. Get as much info as you can beforehand to ensure you are comfortable with your decision.

That's the plan. I like to research a lot before getting into things (especially because I tend to dive right in!) It's especially important when dealing with living things. I really like the cordon bleus, but I understand they're not great beginner finches. I think I'm leaning toward the gouldians, but of course the colours I like best are the most expensive!

What would be good to start? A m/f pair?

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 10:46 am

phoebefinch wrote: I really like the cordon bleus, but I understand they're not great beginner finches. I think I'm leaning toward the gouldians, but of course the colours I like best are the most expensive! What would be good to start? A m/f pair?

Yeah I would leave the CB's until you have a bit more experience. Gouldies too are not the easiest for beginners but not the hardest either. Zebras and Society Finches are considered by most to be beginner birds. But Gouldians are not all that difficult. Whether you want a m/f pair or a f/f pair would depend on how soon you want them to breed. You could get a couple of females for say 6 months or so and then if you're comfortable with them, they would have gotten used to their new location then you could start introducing a male for one of them or one for each of them. Of course you'd have to breed them in separate cages. You wouldn't want to have a threesome of Gouldians. Whereas for Society Finches - it's fine and they'd all get along quite well.

phoebefinch · Post by **phoebefinch** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 12:57 pm

L in Ontario wrote:Yeah I would leave the CB's until you have a bit more experience.

Noted.

Gouldies too are not the easiest for beginners but not the hardest either.

What about them makes them more difficult to care for?

Zebras and Society Finches are considered by most to be beginner birds.

I actually like the look of zebras, but it seems that they're noisier than others (I don't mind chirping obviously, but constant, loud noise would probably get on my nerves) and I'm concerned about them being a little more aggressive....chances are I'd want to eventually get a little aviary and add some more finches, but I understand this might not be possible with zebras? Another thing is that I've read that they are the rabbits of finches - as I wouldn't mind if my birds had some babies, I wouldn't want it to be constant.

I like some of the society finches (the crested ones are pretty cute) but they aren't quite as striking as other species. I'd get them if it was between starting with really easy birds or failing with harder-to-keep birds, but I'd much prefer to start with something a little more eye-catching if at all possible.