queer actions from my finches

[darrenjackson1]

Can some one please tell me why our two finches seem to sleep in the feeding tray hanging from the side of the cage ??
we've only just bought the birds and we are really new to this forum, all help is gratefully accepted , thanks Darren and Kim

[lovemyfinch]

Welcome to the forum.

Just a couple of quick questions so that answers can be had.
What kind of finches do you have? Is it a male female pair or same sex?

[Raleighwheels]

To me, it sounds like they are trying to use it as a nest.

[Ameza]

I have two male juveniles brothers that started doing the same thing, cuddling in the foodbox. Since they are of the same sex I just put a little nest in their cage and now they cuddle in there.

Your birds are probably looking for a nest, if they are young they simply might feel more secure in a nest like enviroment or if they are of the opposite sex they might want to nest and breed.

Good luck ;)

[darrenjackson1]

they are different sex finches so ive been told when i bought them, if they want to nest is there any specifics i need to be aware of to help them , and thank you [/u]to you all who have taken the time to answer my query ,

[lovemyfinch]

If you have zebras, all you need is a nest and nesting materials, feed them egg food, and make sure that they have their calcium. They will do the rest.

[darrenjackson1]

hi i have two finches the same as Amezas in the pic, when you say feed them egg , what do you mean , how do i prepare this and what bedding should be used for the nesting box ??

[franny]

You hard boil some eggs, then mash them up to a fine crumble (add a bit of dry commercial eggfood mix, or some cornmeal to make it a bit dry). Also mash up the eggshells as fine as you can and add that to the mashed egg. This is about the best thing you can feed a bird... it's got all the protein they need.

You can also add some very finely chopped up veggies such as broccoli florets, to the egg, if you want.

If you can get coco fibres for nesting material they will love it, also some small white feathers, or some meadow grass hay. Also some folks on here use those little cotton puffs that people use for make up, and tear them up into smaller pieces. Finches seem to like the lighter stuff to line the bottom of the nest.

[darrenjackson1]

Thankyou for all the info you gave us, well our birds have layed an egg we are delighted , so wondering where do we go from here?

[L in Ontario]

See Fran's post above for foods. Congratulations on the egg. They should be able to handle things on their own - you get to watch and enjoy Mother Nature.

[darrenjackson1]

Aweee ty , we have another 2 now so thats 3 altogther , so in order to let things happen naturally, the eggs will survive without an incubater?

[lovemyfinch]

The parents will be their incubator.

[darrenjackson1]

great ty for hat , were soo excited :) hope they survive!!

[darrenjackson1]

My boyfriend tells me not to greet my birds every morning as i do will someone please tell us , would this effect the hatching of our now 5 eggs!! ? & is 5 eggs a normal clutch?
If the chicks do happen to survive, what do we feed them?any advice welcome cheers

[L in Ontario]

Ummm how do you greet your birds?