Species Recommendations?

[moonrise]

After zebras and societies, which finch species is generally the easiest to breed?

The reason I ask is because I'm going to my first bird show/fair in the morning (YIPPEE!!!! ), and I'd like to expand my breeding horizons a bit.

I *love* the appearance of gouldians, owl finches, and cordon blues, but those all sound pretty complicated. I do have lots of potential foster parents, though.

Thanks!

[lovemyfinch]

I would have to say go with your gut.
You will know what you want when you set your eyes on it.
If you really like the gouldians, I say go for it.

[debbie276]

I personally don't think gouldians are any more complicated then any other bird. They do like thing much or calm and quiet then the zebra and societies though.
Let us know if you get anything

[G8love4finches]

If you want to factor in the songs they sing, I find the zebras louder than the others....It is a personal preference though, I know the zebra lovers on this forum love their song....The Gouldians have a soft song, and the Owls have a unique "meow" type call....I think you are going about it right, by learning as much as you can....A warning though, going to a fair for a pair of birds will be hard, there will be a number that you will WANT to bring home....It will likely be very exciting, but try to stick to your decision....They will all be adorable!.....This comment is from an "official finchoholic."

[tobyneilson]

I love my owl finches,the only advice i can give on breeding them though is that they do not like to be disturbed at all, with zebs and societeies you can get away with sneaky peaks etc,not a chance with owls,which is really annoying as i have a pair of owls that look like they are feeding,constantly nippping in and out,but the nest opening is at a angle i cant see easily so i ahve no idea how many chicks or alt,just hope they are doing a good job

[JohnBoy]

Shaftails are very good breeders, cage or aviary.

[lovemyfinch]

Shaftails are very good breeders, cage or aviary.

And also very amusing to watch bobbing up and down

[moonrise]

I'm back. We spent waaaaay too much money!

There weren't many breeders there, but there were two that had finches. It was so fun to see the different species in person! There wasn't a single gouldian in the place, so we didn't get to see any of those, but we came home with:

two pairs of owl finches - adorable!!! ($75 each from one breeder, $70 each from the other breeder)

a crested society finch - male, almost white, also adorable!!! ($8)

another pair of societies - a white & tan female to go with the crested male, and another regular-colored female to go with a single male I already had. ($8 each)

There LOTS of other finches as well, and we were >>thisclose<< to getting a pair of shafttails ($30 each I think), but decided to go with a second pair of owls instead.

We picked up some nests and some nesting materials too. They had food in bulk packages, but it was all for cockatiel-sized birds and larger, so we didn't get any. (We've got two cockatiels, but we've already got enough food to last them awhile.)

The fair is open tomorrow, too. Budget-wise, we've spent more than enough, but those shafttails sure were pretty! We're going to try to resist going back!

[debbie276]

Wonderful purchases!!

[managermania]

Where is the bird fair?

[nelloyello11]

Sounds like you had a great time! I am anxiously awaiting my first fair, but unfortunately, I have to wait until June!! I have a feeling I will be coming home with more than the one pair I am planning on...
Please post some pics of your new lil ones once they relax and get comfortable!

[moonrise]

Thanks, y'all! I'll get some photos soon.

The bird fair is in Chattanooga, at Camp Jordan. Open today until 5pm, and tomorrow from 10am until 4pm.

Edited to add:

I also remember seeing:

star finches
parrot finches
St. Helena
cordon bleu
gold-breasted
spice
cutthroat
black & white mannikins
green singing finches
saffron
parson's finches
cuban (I think - not 100% sure)

There were others too, that I didn't recognize.

There were some zebra finches, but the vast majority were normals. I saw a couple of white females, and a black-cheeked pair, and a couple of CFW males. One of the breeders had some English zebras.

[tobyneilson]

Wish i lived in USA for these bird fairs all have near me is budgie shows,and there never seem to be any selling there

[lovemyfinch]

Another member of finchers anonomous Don`t worry the only cure is to buy more

[G8love4finches]

It sounds like bird fairs would be SO fun!!.....I wish we had bird fairs here, but all I could find last year was one bird show.....They did have one bird importer there and one of the most recognized Gouldian breeders in this part of the country....I did come home with 10 birds though....Maybe it is good we don't have bird fairs here or my flock would be double it size!!