???? How to breed parrot finches ????

[annague]

They will start coming into condition whenever the light gets longer (just like birds in nature respond to the seasons). You will want to give them 14-16 hours of "daylight" for breeding... gradually lengthen the time they get light until they are up to 14,15 or 16 hours.

[lovepoodle]

I do 14hrs for my Gouldians, It's not enough for parrot finch? How to give them hard boiled eggs?? and How much for per finch? I don't want them to be over weight...

[CandoAviary]

I breed mine in flights or aviaries so being overweight is not a problem here. I shred the boiled egg with a cheese grater (to make the boiled egg look like meal worms) I ususually put these on top of a commercial eggfood(I prefer ABBA complete nestling food brand) I give about 1/4 egg per feeding, per pair. As the chicks get older or in case of a large clutch they can easily consume a whole egg in a day. You can give chitted/sprouted seed also...high protin but not as fattening. Also sunflower hearts. Mine love these and they are a great protein source.

[lovepoodle]

Thank you Candace!! I'll try that.

[annague]

Mami, I personally find it hard to control what they eat enough so they don't get obese in smaller spaces -- PF's are super high energy so they eat a lot of whatever is available, but, then again, mine are in very large spaces so I don't have to monitor their food intake but lots of people just cut them way down (foodwise) in non-breeding season and then put them in a small cage to breed and then back to the large cage to get in shape again.

[lovepoodle]

Thank you Anna !!! Im learning a lots from you...

[annague]

That's what we do, here, we share!

[Ratrodfink]

My parrots love small mealworms and eat them whole. They also love egg and greens. Actually mine eat everything and anything. I also leave a bowl of Avico Bugs-N-Berries in the cage all the time. Don't forget bathing. Mine bathe twice a day in the coldest water I can provide. Great little birds and one of my favorites to watch.

[L in Ontario]

I know nothing about parrots and never kept them, it just seemed like an odd pairing to me look wise. It's nice to know is an exceptable pairing and the nice variety you can get from it. I love variety I hope to get my first pair of Parrots in the summer so good to know what can go together:)

Renee

It's just like breeding different coloured Gouldians together. No problem whatsoever. Should get some great looking chicks from them!

[annague]

I noticed I forgot to answer your other question: yes, 14 hours should be fine for the PF's too --

Also, Ikhom has a Parrot Finch genetic forecaster on his site that is pretty neat and you can see what you can get from the parents colors.

[monotwine]

Lovely pair you have there.

Once your two have settled in nicely you will see that the male will start harassing the hen to mate and build a nest. If he is being overly amorous and she displays no interest, take her out for a bit and put her in an adjacent cage to give her some peace and get her into breeding condition.

Mine will breed year round in good conditions, so you would probably have to follow a similar route as you have with your Gouldians and seperate out the sexes during winter months. Only thing I find different is the moult (don't know if that is just my freaky bunch or others experience the same). Gouldians here seem to moult before summer and my Parrot finches moult now just before winter. SO you will have to watch the diets of the two that you don't have them on an off moult diet if you keep them together.

Parrot finches are real inquisitive and I find they will be one of the first to sample new food etc.
Enjoy keeping them.