FINCHforum

I am expecting quite a few zebras in the next few weeks from my pair (7 eggs currently). I am prepared for the little beepers except that there are so many terms that I am unfamiliar with or cant keep track of I figured I could learn it if i had it all laid out in one spot where I could read definitive definitions in one sitting.

So I am calling all the "finch-perts" for some info...

There are various stages of the breeding process. Obviously starting with copulating. So from there, various stages of the process occur. Can you please put them in order and tell me exactly what defines this part starting and when the next process starts/ends.

Copulating
Laying
Brooding
Incubating
Weening
Fledging
Nesting

This is all laid out at the Finch Information Center under Breeding. If you have babies, or are going to have babies, reading that section is a must. Timelines for each species are listed at the bottom of each species page. Basically, it starts with:

Nesting - building a nest or lining a premade nest
Copulating - fertilizing the egg
Incubating - sitting on eggs in order for chicks to develop inside the eggs
Hatching - when the chicks break open the egg and emerge
Brooding - sitting on chicks until they have enough feathers to keep warm
Fledging - when the chicks leave the nest for the first time
Weaning - when the chicks are able to eat and drink on their own

I refer to my chicks as:

Hatchlings or Nestlings - between time of hatching and fledging
Fledglings - once they have left the nest
Weanlings - once they are eating and drinking on their own
Juveniles or Juvies - young birds between the time they are weaned and they achieve sexual maturity

This is from the finch info center like sally said the answers are there
http://www.finchinfo.com/birds/finches/ ... _finch.php

Thanks!