FINCHforum

Hi everyone, does anyone has an experience of breeding firefinchs without fostering of Society finchs but by the parents? And if so, what is the minimal cage size for a breeding couple in order to get the parents nesting?
Thanks

I have had very limited success with my Red-billed Fire finches. The first pair that bred for me built their own nest in a 30x18x18 cage that they shared with a pair of Goldbreasts. They raised four babies, while the Goldbreasts raised their own clutch.

Since then, my Fires tossed. Right now, I have three pairs of Fires sitting, and they are in 34x18x18 cages, one pair to a cage. One pair is using a wicker tubular nest, one pair is in a wicker hooded nest, and the third pair has ignored both manufactured nests and built their own in a plastic plant. Only time will tell if there are eggs, or if they are fertile, or if the parents will feed.

Others have had success with their Fires--maybe some will chime in here.

My Fires raised their own babies but not in a cage. I let them go in a room that is 10 x 10 and that must of been what they wanted... space. Three clutches in a row

They used a wicker nest and in two cases built their own. They use everything and make the nest nice and tight with curves. Lots of feathers lined their nests too.