FINCHforum

Hello,
I have today put my new pair of spice finches into my large cage of mixed finches (1 pair Gouldian and 1 pair spice finch) and immediately they have started playing with the nesting material and are looking at one of the nest boxes. The box is wooden but is not accessible from outside of the cage. When I put the box in the cage I put some coconut fibre in the bottom of it to start and interested finches off. After being out today I returned to find that most of the cocnut fibre has been pulled out and blocks most of the opening. The star finches keep pulling the fibre out. Should I intervene and push the fibre back in or should I let them just get on with it and sort out the nesting box as they want it. Will they build a whole nest from scratch? Is there any particular nesting material that staf finches use?
Any advice greatly appreciated as always!!

I've been following your posts...have you put spice finches in there,or do you mean bengalese? You say you have five birds...this would make seven??

Stars are not easy to breed and like privacy,you might struggle in a mixed cage.They like to build their own nests in foliage.Having said that I had a pair that hatched and raised chicks indoors next to the TV.If the birds want the fibres out the nest...leave them to it.

Don't overstock that cage no matter how tempting,it will stress your birds especially when nesting.

Hi,
At the moment there are 5 birds in the cage: 1 pair spice, 1 pair star and 1 gouldian hen. There will be 6 when I can find a partner for the Gouldian and then that's it. I am very tempted to get more as you say but trying to be strong . I dint want to overcrowd them so I think 6 is plenty.
I'm not too worried about the breeding yet as I'm still learning, it will be a bonus if they do. Have put the nesting boxes etc in there just to see what happens. I still need to get the feeding sorted properly and make sure they get a great diet.

Thanks for your message!