Societies in general

[4Ellen]

Hi,

I was here a few months ago, bought 2 male Zebra finches but took them back to the pet store because of one of the little guys looked like he had a growth on his beak. Some time has passed but I would like to learn about Societies. There is a woman who is rehoming many of her finches. I would actually be considered new to the hobby since I only had the Zebras for a short time.

Anyone care to share their experience with Societies? I'd appreciate any info! Thanks!

[lovezebs]

4Ellen
Hi Ellen.
~Society Finches (aka Bengalese Finches) are a man made species. They are not found in the wild.
~They come in a variety of colours, also pied and crested.
~They are sweet natured and get along well with each other and with other Finch species. In fact they will quite readily incubate the eggs of other species and will raise their young.
~They are very easy to keep. They eat a mixture of finch seed, hard boiled eggs, vegetables, fruit, dry mealworms, cuttle bone, fortified grit and spray millet. I add a bit of multi vitamine to their water every second day.
~ They breed quite easily and are good parents.
~ They need a cage at least 30inches wide, so that they can fly a little. Bigger is better. They love to sleep in nests or snuggy tents, but it's not necessary. Will also sleep on a perch, snuggled together.
~ Male and female are not easy to tell apart, but not impossible. Only the males sing and do a little pooffy dance. The females chirp, sounding a little like crickets.
~ If you're contemplating the Society Finch, you need to get at least two. One will be very unhappy and might not live long.
~ On the whole, they are lovely little birds and quite charming to have around. They make great beginner birds.
~Good luck.

~Elana~

[4Ellen]

Very interesting! I believe the woman told me she has a variety of types...pied, crested, etc.

What are the differences in Zebras and Societies besides the obvious of what they look like? Are Zebras louder?

[delray]

Zebras Are more aggressive than socieites. I have heard that zebras tend to be a bit loud. I was actually writing a whole thing about societies for you, but my phone froze and I was too tired to write it all over again.... Lol. Elana basically said it all though ( lovezebs ). Good luck!! You can't go wrong with society finches!!

[lovezebs]

4Ellen
Hi.
~As our Brian said, Zebras do tend to be MORE agressive and also louder, especially when you have a group together. They meep and beep and HONK and squawk. Unless you enjoy their sounds... what can I say?
~Now don't get me wrong, I love Zebras... most of the time. I have eight of them. I don't like Zebras, when they rip each others flight feathers off, when they attempt to poke eyes out, and when they bloody each others feet. I have been known to threaten them with the soup pot.
~Societies on the other hand will take baths together, snuggle together and preen each other in a group. Their songs are not too loud and their dances are bound to make you laugh.
~It's a decision you have to make. I know Zebras are flashier, and make you just want to rush out and get one of every mutation out there, but if I was you, I would give Socies a chance. I mean you can always get Zebras as well, somewhere along the way, right?

~Elana~

[finchmix22]

I agree with everyone. I started with Society and Spice finches and they are great finches for a newbie. I still love them. They breed like rabbits, so I'd try to get male pairs or female pairs. If you keep both sexes together, you'll have babies. They breed non-stop, if you let them. Zebras will breed like rabbits, too, but are aggressive and need to be kept in single pairs or large flights to avoid the more aggressive fighting. I'd go for Society's !

[delray]

You should create a poll To help u! lol but I am also for societies.

[4Ellen]

Thanks guys! Brian ~ sorry to hear your first written response didn't make it to the boards.

The woman who is selling the majority of her flock is separating 4 male Societies out of the group for me. I told her that I would like either 2 or 4 males. I'm really not interested in eggs...lol.

I have a 30"x18"x18" cage. The flight cage from Petco to be exact. Do they need nesting material for their nests? I think I read that the males create the nest when paired up with a female but I don't know if they still do that when there is 1 or 3 other males? And what kind of nesting material to get if needed?

[Sheather]

Males live to build nests, mates or not. Mine can spend hours working busily with newspaper strips, straw, tissues, and crinkled craft paper. Your group will all work to build. I like to provide several nests, at least two, and the birds will regularly build and dismantle them depending on their mood that day, it's cute and keeps them active.

Societies have much better personalities than zebras and are far quieter.

[delray]

4Ellen my societies also love to do things with the nesting material, and I have 2 males!!

I also have the Petco cage, it's perfect for societies.

Good luck.

[4Ellen]

Thanks Dylan and Brian! What type of nesting material do you use Brian?

[delray]

4Ellen I use shredded paper towels. They really picking the peices up and bringing it up to the best. It's very stimulating for them....

[4Ellen]

Thanks! Sounds inexpensive which is nice.

[delray]

Yes it is. And they enjoy it too. It's a win win.

[Sally]

IMO Societies are the perfect beginner finch, as they are hardy, easy to maintain, and they get along with each other as a rule. They have great personalities as well. The only down side to them is sexing them, but if the breeder can separate out four males for you, that is a perfect solution.

Four Societies should get along just fine in that size cage, and providing them with a nest and nesting material will give them something to occupy themselves. They can use a wicker nest, but they tend to get their nests dirty, so I'd go with a plastic nest box that you can stick in the dishwasher to clean regularly.