Gday, I have a quick question regarding my little society finch family.
About 2months ago I bought for the first time two society finches. They have since had 4 babies who are now almost 3wks old. Still in the nest. Sadly yesterday the female suddenly died leaving the male to now have to look after the babies on his own. My question is should I buy another society finch to help feed and look after the babies or leave as is? He is still feeding them and seems fine however Im worried this will be too much for him and I dont want to lose him too. After the excitement of watching the babies developing it is very sad to now lose her especially not knowing why. Im hoping it wont be long for the babies to come out of the nest but in the meantime any advice on what to do would be much appreciated.
New Society Finch Owner
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Merino05
- Pip
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Wed Sep 17, 2014 10:19 pm
- Location: Townsville, QLD Australia
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Rox
- Proven
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- Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Re: New Society Finch Owner
Hi and welcome!
I would leave them be for now. A bird can raise a clutch alone and dad sounds like he is coping fine. Once they have fledged and eating on their own, I would remove the youngsters and then introduce a new hen. Society's reach maturity quite early, so you don't want to leave the chicks in with dad for too long. You could end up with some inbreeding, which should be avoided.
Good luck and keep us updated!
I would leave them be for now. A bird can raise a clutch alone and dad sounds like he is coping fine. Once they have fledged and eating on their own, I would remove the youngsters and then introduce a new hen. Society's reach maturity quite early, so you don't want to leave the chicks in with dad for too long. You could end up with some inbreeding, which should be avoided.
Good luck and keep us updated!
Roxanne
Gouldian's, Blue Breasted Cordon Bleu's, Orange-cheeks, Violet-eared, Black-cheeked waxbill's and Peter's Twinspots
Gouldian's, Blue Breasted Cordon Bleu's, Orange-cheeks, Violet-eared, Black-cheeked waxbill's and Peter's Twinspots
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Sally
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Re: New Society Finch Owner
You have gotten good advice from Rox already, I just wanted to add my welcome to the forum! There's lots of good reading at www.finchinfo.com, where you will find many articles on breeding, diet, housing, and the Society finch. If you put your general location in your profile, it makes it easier to answer locale-specific questions in the future.
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Merino05
- Pip
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Wed Sep 17, 2014 10:19 pm
- Location: Townsville, QLD Australia
Re: New Society Finch Owner
Hi, Thanks for all the info. My male society is still going strong, still feeding the chicks which are now 3 weeks old but still in the nest.
I've been keeping a close eye on him. One of the chicks was flapping its wings yesterday in the nest so Im hoping it won't be long for them to venture out.
I bought a bigger cage so I'm hoping to have them continue to live together. I hope societies families can do that. I thought id move them when the chicks are all out of the nest. I don't want to breed them so I thought I would take the nest out. For now I'll keep a close eye on this busy dad.
I've been keeping a close eye on him. One of the chicks was flapping its wings yesterday in the nest so Im hoping it won't be long for them to venture out.
I bought a bigger cage so I'm hoping to have them continue to live together. I hope societies families can do that. I thought id move them when the chicks are all out of the nest. I don't want to breed them so I thought I would take the nest out. For now I'll keep a close eye on this busy dad.