Forbes Parrot Finch query ?

[Mick M.]

Hi .

How do others keep/house these fellas ?
Any tips on housing/breeding them ?

Regards ,
Mick .

[finchmix22]

Which type of parrot finches are you wanting to keep? I keep mine in 64 inch double flights with lots of greenery and multiple nest choices. Only one pair per flight since they will interbreed across the different species of parrot finches. I have in one flight a pair of Peales and in another flight a pair of RTPFs and then I have two separate pairs in 30 breeder cages, but they don't like to breed there. They prefer more space. My Forbes tossed babies in the breeder cages, but raised clutches successfully in a 32in single flight. With all species, they need lots of seed, eggfood, freeze dried bloodworms, veggies and fruit occasionally. They have lots of greenery inside the flights and multiple bath spots, feeding stations, nests and perches. I give them Emu feathers, coco fiber and sometimes dried grasses for nesting. Each nest has a nest pad, since some of the younger pairs have not learned to make a good nest and that way, the eggs can still be incubated.

[Smurf]

I'd imagine they'd be much the same as RTPF's, for breeding cages i use 41" x !6" doubles ( 2 x 20" cage fronts with optional divider for nest checks ), my cages are probably the absolute minimum size and the larger the better as they need plenty of exercise or they get obese, diet is versele laga froeign finch seed, egg food/soak seed mix, greens/mixed veg, live food should be given very sparingly unless rearing chicks ( mealworms, waxworms etc as the're not fussy ). Access to bath is also important

Breeding cage setup

Nest box inside facing out as in top cage is best for parent rearing, bath normaly hangs on right hand nest door

One thing i would say is try to get young birds or closed rung adults (2013 would be oldest i would touch if readily available).

[Mick M.]

Big thank you to Deborah and Padraic .

Extensive replies from both , photos a great help Padraig .
Its a pair of Forbes 2013 bird's .

Regards ,
Mick .

[finchmix22]

The Forbes need as much space as you can give them, so I'd definitely put them in a flight cage. Here is a pic of one of my flights.

[finchmix22]

That is an older picture without all the greenery I put inside for parrot finches. I'll try to take a pic of one of the Peales flights so you can see the setup better. The pic in the previous post of an A&E Double Flight .

[Mick M.]

Thanks again Deborah ,

I have a typical wooden garden shed type for all of my birds . Going to section off one end maybe 8 foot long 6 foot high and 3 foot deep with access to outside flight through a pop hole , have a couple of pairs of mannikins that didn't breed this year and they'll be going in there too .
From some research these like some privacy and cover , would a half open front nest box do for them or do they prefer to make their own from scratch ? Feedback welcome .

Mick .