Anyone Breeding Linnets?

[TailFeathers]

Hello,

Does anyone have experience breeding linnets? If so, what is their diet and care like. Are the cold hardy and where to get stock?

[isobea]

TailFeathers - I had a pair in an indoor aviary in Germany from 1981 to '83. They were definitely more flighty and more easily scared than my European goldfinches or the Europ. siskins. They definitely needed room to fly and I added quite a few evergreen (mostly pine) branches along the sides of the aviary to give them a sense of security.There seems to be quite a variety in their songs depending on which area or country they are from. So if the song is important to you, I would try to find a breeder close by where you could listen to the different birds. As for food: ABBA has a mix that is called ABBA 3800 Ultimate European/Finch/siskin Diet. I looked at the list of ingredients and it should be a really good mix. They also needed a lot of half ripe seeds from different weeds (grasses, dandelion, chickweed, shepherds purse, etc.). They are definitely cold hardy as they live in northern Europe year round. They used regular canary nest cups and nesting materials like my goldfinches and siskins. I'll have to take some time to see if I can find some additional information. This is just off the top of my head.
Iso

PS: I'm curious: What made you think of getting some?

[lovezebs]

TailFeathers

Interesting, I've never heared of them before. Now I'm going to have to google them and see what they look like.

~Elana~

[TailFeathers]

TailFeathers - I had a pair in an indoor aviary in Germany from 1981 to '83. They were definitely more flighty and more easily scared than my European goldfinches or the Europ. siskins. They definitely needed room to fly and I added quite a few evergreen (mostly pine) branches along the sides of the aviary to give them a sense of security.There seems to be quite a variety in their songs depending on which area or country they are from. So if the song is important to you, I would try to find a breeder close by where you could listen to the different birds. As for food: ABBA has a mix that is called ABBA 3800 Ultimate European/Finch/siskin Diet. I looked at the list of ingredients and it should be a really good mix. They also needed a lot of half ripe seeds from different weeds (grasses, dandelion, chickweed, shepherds purse, etc.). They are definitely cold hardy as they live in northern Europe year round. They used regular canary nest cups and nesting materials like my goldfinches and siskins. I'll have to take some time to see if I can find some additional information. This is just off the top of my head.
Iso

PS: I'm curious: What made you think of getting some?

Hey,

Thanks for the info. I saw them on YouTube, they looked beautiful with red plumage on their face and chest (males). They also have Avery beautiful song. I'm currently breeding canaries and a couple zebras, I just want to breed other birds and gain experience with them and see how it's like.

[TailFeathers]

TailFeathers

Interesting, I've never heared of them before. Now I'm going to have to google them and see what they look like.

~Elana~

Apparently there are two kinds. One is called european linnet. I then found another bird which is equally as beautiful called the red fronted serin. They have beautiful songs and plumage.

[isobea]

TailFeathers - I just checked the website for Birds Express. In their category 'Eurasia' they list European linnets for $85 (but currently out of stock). It might be worth checking their website periodically if you are serious about getting one. I assume they would be wild-caught, though, and probably even more flighty than the captive-bred ones I used to have. They would most likely need a pretty big aviary. But I do agree with you, the males are certainly pretty with their red faces and chests. My dad had grown up with them and was very happy when I bought them for myself.
Iso