A bit of unfortunate news to report: I had originally adopted three new Societies (for a total of five Socs), but almost immediately after I got them home, I discovered that the choc Soc could not fly. There was something wrong with his wing. It was bent at a slightly strange angle. Not super-noticeable, which is why I did not see it at the store, and as he was kept in a relatively small Petsmart sales floor cage, I did not observe him trying to fly before I bought him. I went back and forth for a couple of days with what to do about him. I felt horribly guilty at the thought of returning him. But after observing him for several days, it became evident to me that he was having a lot of trouble getting around the cage (he climbed around using his legs only), which I knew would become a real hindrance with the added height of the F040. Also, he was not getting along with the other Socs. So I made the decision to return him to Petsmart. It was very sad, especially since he had the sweetest little song...but I did not think that I was prepared to take on the care of a disabled finch--certainly not one who was lame from the beginning (of course, I would care for a finch that became injured or ill while already in my care).
That leaves me with four Socs, who are now living together peacefully in the F040. In the "nest cram" pics, the hens are on top (Cress, my chestnut pied--although it is hard to tell her color bc of the shadow; and the new gal Calla, black-eyed white) and the cocks on bottom (Cranberry, choc pied, who is Cress's mate; Caramel, fawn pied, who is Calla's). I wasn't going to put in a nest at first, but I decided to do so for now. I think it promotes a sense of community among the four of them
. And Cress, at least, was laying eggs regardless of whether or not she had a nest. No eggs since I put them together (and no eggs from Calla at all in the time I have owned her, although I know she has laid before), and if there are any in the next few weeks, I'll be removing them, as I am going on vacation during the second week of September and all ten of my finches have to be boarded for a week (that's another story entirely, which I will save for another thread). Anyway, sorry for the epic post! Hopefully those of you not interested in the drama of my flock felt free to skip to the pics (which I will have to post in two rounds).
