FINCHforum

I have had societies for about a month now and I have had a lot of problems with them. At first they would not accept their nestbox so I changed it into a wicker basket. They do use this for a nest now. Ever sice I got the pair, I could notice that the male is always courting the female, but the female seems like she has no interest what so ever. I don't understand this at all. While he is singing and dancing, she is minding her own business-preeing herself or eating. I don't know what else to do to encourage them to mate. I have done everything from adjusting their diet to adjusting the enviroment that they live in. Can someone help?

Societies are difficult to sex. Sometimes a male will be intimidated by a more dominant male and won't sing, so you think you have a pair. Unless one lays an egg, you can't be certain it's a hen.

I would separate them to see if they both sing... or if the one sings and the other just chirps in response. It shouldn't take long for you to find out if you really have a pair. Once you know for certain, then you can begin working on why they haven't bonded.

pushtoowala wrote:the male is always courting the female, but the female seems like she has no interest what so ever.

Sounds like the story of my life!

Seriously though, tammie's advice sounds good. Do you know how old the birds are?

They are actually around 1 and a half years old. I think this is a good age for them to breed. I tried separating them and I got singing from one and just chirping from the female so now I am SURE that one is male and one is female. I still don't see what their problem is. Should I just give up and find the male a new female or should I just give them time?

I would just give them a bit more time. Normally Societies are very willing to breed. Could be this hen just wants to make him do his song and dance awhile longer before giving in. ;)

My star hen ignored my star male for quite awhile. I can home yesterday and they were in their nest TOGETHER! She has always ignored him... I just took away distractions and seperated the two of them into their own cage and now she seems more interested....


I would give it time.

It seems that the female has now layed 2 eggs in the nest. Thnkx for your help.

Ahh, good to hear. Soon you'll have Societies coming out your ears!

yap, now they are up to 3 eggs.
I was wondering , what should I give them now. I have been giving them cal grit and egg shell mixed in a a dish and a variety of finch seed in another dish. I also give them a change of water every three days-I have the water tube that goes on the outside. I add liquid vitamins to their water supply everytime I fill it up. I also give them the veggie mix that comes in the bags frozen at the store and they really love that stuff. Someone also told me that plantin the millet seeds in dirt and letting the finches eat them is also good for them. I have tried eggfood but they don't get near the dish. I have also tried to give them spray millet bu they dont get near that either. Any other suggestions.

Do not add vitamins to the water, they oxidize quickly (i.e. become useless) and only serve as a medium for bacterial growth. It would also be a good idea to change the water more frequently (daily is ideal).

Feeding boiled egg mashed shell and all is the best rearing food option--keep providing it and they may eventually be stimulated to try it once the chicks hatch. You can also try providing some soaked and sprouted seed http://www.finchinfo.com/diet/sprouting_seeds.php and a dish of pellets.