FINCHforum

Sadly I have not had finches for a while, since my last girl passed away in november. I was planning on waiting to get finches until the bird fair rolled around in my city, but my friend's finches had babies about a 6 weeks ago and she was trying to rehome the surviving baby, and asked me if I wanted it since I have a setup already. The timing is pretty perfect since the bird fair is a month away, and I could start quarantining a mate for it not too long after I got it. However, how much care do 6 week old babies need and is it even a good idea to get a finch that young? I have no experience with young birds, and I really do not have the time to give it a ton of care since I am still in school. I am pretty sure my friend could keep it a bit longer if I did think it was too young though.

sparrowsong98

Which species? If it's a gouldian I'd say no, as they can be fragile prior to mostly completing the juvenile moult. If it's a society or zebra and is eating and drinking on its own, then it should be okay, although waiting another several weeks could be good, as the bird may still be learning from its parents. Juveniles are also more susceptible to disease, and the stress of moving could further contribute to it. Some males also have a poorly developed song if they are removed from a singing adult when they are too young.

Icearstorm Its a zebra finch and my friend can't really wait to get rid of it because her male zeb is being very aggressive towards it and she doesnt have any other cages so she cant separate them. However, if it is a bad idea I do not want to take it because I would hate for it to die, especially since I am getting it from a friend. If you were the person being offered a 6-week old finch, would you take it?

sparrowsong98

I probably wouldn't buy a finch that wasn't mostly in adult plumage, but that's because I prefer to know what the bird will look like as an adult, not because it's necessarily a bad idea. Zebras are pretty hardy, and should be weaned by that age. Since the male is attacking it, it's probably better you take it now so it doesn't get injured.

Icearstorm I talked to my friend again, and I was wrong about the age. The finch is 12 weeks old and I feel much more comfortable getting a bird that age. Im getting her(?) on monday!

sparrowsong98

All right, that's good!

I just got the finch yesterday! My friend was not 100% sure he was ready to go so she wanted to wait a bit longer before giving him to me. He is a plain, normal zeb I think, but his adult feathers are not 100% in and his mom is a dilute so he could carry dilute genes right? His name is Pat-Fran (my friend was thinking of names that could work for either gender of bird when he was a fledgling and came up with Pat and Fran). I will post pics later

sparrowsong98 ooo post of a pic when u get it

Oops I completely forgot to post a pic! Here is little Pat-Fran.