Questions about setting up green singer pair for breeding

[Nerine]

Last winter I bought a male green singer. In May, I bought two GS siblings and was unsure of the sex; however, one started singing a lot a couple weeks later, the other one was quiet, so I suspected I had a brother and sister.

Both siblings have now molted, and I definitely have a male and female. I want to set up the young female with the older male I bought last winter come January. They will be going into a 18x18x30 flight cage with a canary nest in a quiet room away from the other birds. I have already added egg food and fresh greens to their diet.

Do green singers have a preference for a particular type of nesting material? Do both birds have to be carefully introduced to each other before putting them together in the breeding cage? Currently, I keep the siblings in one cage, and the older male in another cage; both cages are in the same room but several feet apart, so all birds have seen/heard each other.

Is there anything else I should be doing? Thanks in advance for your advice!

[Dave]

I'd like to know people's thoughts on Green Singers, as well.

[lovezebs]

Nerine Dave

Some years back, I had a couple of Green Singers, and kept them in community without any issues.

When they went into breeding mode however the male brcame increasingly aggressive towards the other community members and even his own mate.

I finally pulled them out of community into a seperate cage, and offered two different types of nests. One was a small Canary style nest, the other a nest of my own making, which was bigger and more roomy.

The silly things mated and began laying eggs in the seed cup. After 2 eggs were layed, I transfered them to the nest and after some confusion, my female finally sat on them.

As I recall, I used coco fiber and just shredded kleenex for nesting material.
I offered regular finch seed mix, spray millet, home made egg food, and I think live mealworms, along with a variety of mixed greens.

There were three eggs in all, but sadly it was not meant to be. If I remember right, one egg was infertile, one had a crack in it with the chick dead in the shell, and the third (and only good egg in the clutch) I accidently broke.

Shortly thereafter, I rehomed the pair with a lady who really really wanted Green Singers. It's a move which I regret, because within a few short weeks my female, was dead, and the lady had sold the male off .

[Nerine]

lovezebs

Thanks for your reply....sounds like successful breeding of green singers is bit tricky, but I'm up for the challenge!

[lovezebs]

Nerine

Have fun, and good luck

[OAvila1986]

Nerine good luck post pictures!

[lovezebs]

Nerine

Anything new with the Green couple?

Should we be planning a baby shower yet?

[Jen]

Nerine
I also hope to hear of your success with your Green Singers. I have not had any luck with my pair but listening to their song is worth everything. I have had my neighbors comment saying they can "hear my birds singing when they are taking their morning walk". I know they are listening to my guy "Green Hornet" (yes, my grandson named him) singing his little heart out! Beautiful birds with wonderful musical talent!

[Nerine]

lovezebs

I have been eagerly awaiting.....;)

See this post:
http://www.finchforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=36470

[Nerine]

Jen

I will definitely post about my progress with them!

[Sally]

I haven't bred Green Singers, but I have Gray Singers, which are closely related. They also originally used the mineral cup for laying eggs, but accepted the transfer of their eggs to the canary nest I set up for them. The biggest difference in diet that I noticed was that they wanted LOTS of veggies. Mine raised babies without live food, but I'm sure live food would help ensure success.