FINCHforum

After some very strange/nosy behaviour by my societies during clean out nights (when their cage is placed next to zebs with chicks in), ive decided to introduce a nesting box and the temptation of fresh millet spray inside and at entrance, within minutes they were inside and exploring as well as the shafty ....

Only time will tell wether they wish to procreate for me .. 1 good point is that when i uncovered the cage this morning they were all inside asleep so i feel happy that they have a new bed at least

I am new to finches, too, and have four Societies, an Indian Silverbill, and a Spice all in one large flight cage. They LOVE their nest box, and try to cram all six of them in it for sleep. Sometimes they succeed...sometimes it is too tight and one or two are left out. So, I added a second nest box...but they all still prefer to cram into one!

Those look like happy finches to me. When I moved my young shaftails from mom and dad I put them in a 30x18 cage with an open face nest box, they were in and out of it all day long. They love sleeping in it and just hanging out in the opening. It is the simple things in life!!!!!

Thanks Cindy, they are really happy, only thing that will make them happier is completion of aviary, to which the snow has now thawed and touch wood has gone completely .. (feels warmer lol) ..

Looking at this pic, is a good way of telling male to female in shafties beak size ?? I'm sure i read this somewhere but thought i would ask you expertise advice as i know you have great knowledge on these

thanks again

I think it's the bib size that might help in determining the gender - at least with my pair it's a dead give-away! Nice birds!