Breeding Age

[Queen_Bee]

I have just seen a pair of Cordon Bleu finches being offered for sale in my city. They are definitely on my wish list and I am hoping to hear about them today. I don't have much info on them yet, but in anticipation of going to see them, can anyone tell me what is the age these birds should be bred to? The ad says they are a 'mating' pair, but I don't want to get birds that are too old.

Thanks for any info!

Jacqui

[Kathryn]

I wish I were able to help. Good luck! Please keep us posted!

[Queen_Bee]

What is the optimal age for breeding finches? Cordon Bleus in particular? What would be considered too old?

Thanks for any info,

Jacqui

[Sally]

It is very difficult to generalize with finches, as each species has a different life cycle. For Cordon Bleus, even though I have quite a few of them, I can't tell you the life span or best breeding years, as I have not had them long enough, and my current breeders are not closed banded--it is anyone's guess as to how old they are.

An average life span for finches would be 5-8 years, though with good care, many live much longer. Certain species, like Green Singers, have a longer life span. I recently lost a Strawberry male that I know for sure of 10 years, but don't know how old he was when he was purchased by his previous owner.

As far as breeding, again it varies by species. I can tell you that I have a pair of BCCBs, unknown age, that have produced for three breeding seasons now. Granted, they tossed all their babies the first two seasons, but each time, they had 4-6 babies in their clutches. Once the hens get old, they start producing smaller and smaller clutches, and this hen is still going strong, and she must be at least 4 years old. So for CBs, I might guess at breeding from 1 to 5 years of age. If I wanted to purchase CBs for breeding, I would try to find closed banded first, and I would prefer them to be as young as possible (yet don't breed them before say 10 months of age).

I have heard Strawberries have a very short breeding life, only 2-3 years, yet I have a 2005 closed banded male that is my big producer. So you can see that there is no absolute--I would assume that good care will not only prolong their lives, but prolong their breeding lives.

[Sally]

I am going to merge this thread and the other thread under Breeding, as they both ask the same question.

If you are lucky, the birds you are considering are closed banded, and you will be sure of their age. In my area, very few are closed banding their birds, and so their age is unknown when I buy them. There is a certain amount of trust involved--do you feel good about the seller? I sometimes buy birds regardless, just trying to get new bloodlines, and hope for the best. Other times, I trust the seller, so band or no band, I will get the birds.

[Queen_Bee]

Thank you very much Sally. If they aren't close banded and look healthy then I guess I'll take a chance.

Jacqui

[Sally]

I love my CBs, both RC and BC. They are such colorful birds, with a delightful song, I think you will really enjoy them. My bird club recently gave a talk to kids about birds, and I did the finch part. I brought a cage with a BCCB, a Red-billed Fire, a Goldbreast, an Owl, and a Society, and the one the kids all liked was 'the blue one'--me too!

[Queen_Bee]

Sigh I never did hear back from the person who was offering them for sale. I will be dragging my hubby off to some bird shows this fall, so hopefully I can source a pair that way.