I want to hand raise

Sawyer · Post by **Sawyer** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 9:53 am

I don't actually have any finches yet but when I do get some I want to breed. And I wanted to hand raise a couple finches (canaries too) so they'll be really tame. And yes, its possible. Just read this http://www.robirda.com/flock50.html

So I'll let the finches hatch the eggs, then I'll take two babies once they're a week old. I'll need a brooder right? Or will a heat lamp work? I've hand fed one before (could still use some tips though, that was a long time ago and they're weren't finches). I'd like for the babies to be societies, unless i don't get socities.

The only thing i'm worried about is if something goes wrong and i need to put the babies back in the nest. Would the parents accept the babies back?

Any advice?

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 10:07 am

From what I know and have read - handrearing and/or handtaming a finch is more trouble than it's worth. Extremely difficult to say the least.

But if you're positive you have to try it - good luck and keep us posted on how it goes.

Really hard to say whether the parent (Society Finches) even less likely any other finch will accept the baby back. Rather doubtful, I would say.

Post by **Sally** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 11:48 am

Yes, that's a cute, heart-warming story--unfortunately, this is the exception. There are many things that can go wrong, and why condemn a baby to death for no reason. I am handfeeding three babies now, and I have lost 3 babies already this week. It is particularly heartbreaking when you get so attached to these little babies. I only handfeed as a last resort, to try to save their lives.

If you insist on going ahead, at least stay with Societies or Zebras--they are a little tougher and more forgiving of our mistakes. Starting to handfeed after the babies are a week old gets you past the most critical and demanding time. However, once you have committed to this, you have to stay with it--it is highly unlikely that the parents will take back the babies once you have started handfeeding. So once you decide to do this, there is no turning back.

Yes, you will need a brooder or at the very least a heat lamp. Finch babies chill very quickly, and they can die very soon from heat loss.

If you want a tame pet, why not go for one of the hookbills? Many of these are routinely handfed purposely to tame them down.

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 12:50 pm

I wouldn't encourage anyone to attempt it..except in an emergency.The odds against rearing them are stacked against you...and the poor birds.

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 2:59 pm

I was going to mention a hookbill too. In my friend's bird store, they hand feed both parakeets and conures. They love affection and don't mind being handled. Finches aren't companion birds and they don't like to be touched. Hookbills have more personality when it comes to human interaction.

mickp · Post by **mickp** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 9:13 pm

have heard of people trying this, hand rearing finches, a lot of responses say that the birds are great to start with but once they moult and attain adult plumage they tend to revert back.
as the others have mentioned it is easier to handfeed/raise hookbills they are not such delicate birds

Sawyer · Post by **Sawyer** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 5:57 am

Oh, never mind then. I'd be so mad at myself if I caused the babies to die just because I wanted to hand feed them. I'll just let the parents raise them then even though they won't be hand tame when they grow up.

I do have hookbills.. tiels, budgies, and lovebirds.