Spiecies for cages

Alec's Finches · Post by **Alec's Finches** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 9:26 pm

Can i have a list of spiecies for cage breeding. I would perfer a list. Thanks

Post by **Sally** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 10:30 pm

Most species can be cage-bred, if the cage is large enough. You need to be more specific. Are you interested in waxbills, grassfinches, etc.? Do you want passive, pushy, or aggressive species? Are you wanting species that are easy to breed, or are you looking for a challenge? Do you want the additional work and expense of providing live food? Have you figured out what you will do with the babies? Unless you want 20 different species, you need to decide what your goals are, do some research to see which species will meet your needs. Once you have narrowed it down, then you can be helped with specifics.

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 3:06 am

Well said Sally...there are many things to consider before choosing species.

Alec's Finches · Post by **Alec's Finches** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 6:45 am

what about grassfinches?

Alec's Finches · Post by **Alec's Finches** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 6:49 am

and poohbear, ive seen your cabinet cages in another post before, what spiecies do you have in them?

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 7:27 am

None at the moment unfortunately until I move house.

But I have bred all sorts in cages including gouldians,hecks grassfinches,stars,javas,mannikins,and of course bengalese and zebras.

I consider cage breeding to be the most successful way of breeding finches provided the cages are as long as possible.
But,I still prefer to keep birds in flights or aviaries for most of the time...the pleasure in keeping finches for me is to see them with plenty of space to live life as naturally as possible with room to fly.Not just hopping from perch to perch.
But it is a fact that breeding results are better when pairs are kept seperately in a cage situation just for breeding.One of the perks of cage breeding is being able to keep an eye on the chicks without unduly disturbing the birds (Nestboxes mounted externally)...and the possibility of replacing chicks in the nest if thrown out,which is sometimes impossible in an aviary situation.

Alec's Finches · Post by **Alec's Finches** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 6:45 pm

pooh, what are your cage dementions?

Post by **Sally** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 8:47 pm

Grassfinches:

Zebra - definitely pushy
Lady Gouldian - great, lots of variety of colors
Star - great, inquisitive, lively, funny
Owl - great, sweet
Shaft-tail - can be pushy, also can be characters
Diamond Firetail - hard to find

For cage breeding, the Zebra has to be the easiest, but difficult to get rid of all the babies--the rabbit of the finch world. Lady Gouldians can be hard when they are young, but they get better. Stars love to build nests and lay eggs, but they aren't always the best parents. Owls can be a little harder to breed. I know nothing about breeding Shaft-tails or Diamond Firetails.