Ok, fairly new to finches and have a few q's (mostly about young birds):
At what age do they wean?
When are they -supposed- to start hopping about?
What about vitamins in their water?
I'd like to raise some more exotic ones eventually (though not Gouldian's, I don't like them that much for some reason), what's a good breed to get started with?
Does anyone know if a hand raised finch will become 'untame' if it's kept in a cage with one that was not hand raised?
Can two diff species breed and produce viable offspring?
Should I trust our local PetCo for getting finches if I'm not too serious about breeding a lot of them?
Any random bits of wisdom you feel like sharing will be appreciated!
Newbie with Q's
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eclecticartisan
- Pip
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- Joined: Sat Nov 03, 2007 3:24 pm
- Location: Somewhere over the rainbow...
Newbie with Q's
Seth: Well, that's just one more thing for me to think of when I think of you; Converse's to the prom and purple hair. Geez.
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TammyS
- Callow Courter
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At what age do they wean?
Most finches will fledge around 3 weeks of age and be independent around 6 weeks of age.
When are they -supposed- to start hopping about?
Not sure what you meaning by "hopping" about?
What about vitamins in their water?
I do recommend that you give a vitamin to your birds on a regular basis. You can do so in the water if you give water to your birds in a container they cannot bath in - such as a water tube. And the water also needs to be changed daily when giving any type of supplement in the water. Otherwise, I recommend that you use a vitamin that can be given in/on food. I prefer to add vitamins to my eggfood versus in the water.
what's a good breed to get started with?
Some will advise that you should start with finches such as Societies or Zebra's. My recommendation is buy the birds you want - whatever that may be. I knew I wanted Gouldians, so my first finches were Gouldians. You just need to realize that the breeding requirements of each species can differ - if breeding is your goal. Then learn as much as you can from groups such as this.
will become 'untame'?
I have never handraised finches myself - but I have learned from those who have that it is best to keep handtamed finches seperate from other finches to keep them tame.
two diff species breed?
Yes, some species will cross breed - but not many.
Should I trust our local PetCo?
If you can find a local breeder - that would be best. The problem with pet stores like PetCo is that they usually know very little about the birds they sell. They don't know if the birds you are buying are related, how old they are, etc. If you buy from a breeder, they will give you this information. A breeder will also be available to ask questions regarding the care, health and breeding of the birds you select.
I hope that helps you out!
Most finches will fledge around 3 weeks of age and be independent around 6 weeks of age.
When are they -supposed- to start hopping about?
Not sure what you meaning by "hopping" about?
What about vitamins in their water?
I do recommend that you give a vitamin to your birds on a regular basis. You can do so in the water if you give water to your birds in a container they cannot bath in - such as a water tube. And the water also needs to be changed daily when giving any type of supplement in the water. Otherwise, I recommend that you use a vitamin that can be given in/on food. I prefer to add vitamins to my eggfood versus in the water.
what's a good breed to get started with?
Some will advise that you should start with finches such as Societies or Zebra's. My recommendation is buy the birds you want - whatever that may be. I knew I wanted Gouldians, so my first finches were Gouldians. You just need to realize that the breeding requirements of each species can differ - if breeding is your goal. Then learn as much as you can from groups such as this.
will become 'untame'?
I have never handraised finches myself - but I have learned from those who have that it is best to keep handtamed finches seperate from other finches to keep them tame.
two diff species breed?
Yes, some species will cross breed - but not many.
Should I trust our local PetCo?
If you can find a local breeder - that would be best. The problem with pet stores like PetCo is that they usually know very little about the birds they sell. They don't know if the birds you are buying are related, how old they are, etc. If you buy from a breeder, they will give you this information. A breeder will also be available to ask questions regarding the care, health and breeding of the birds you select.
I hope that helps you out!
Tammy
www.JustBirdStuff.com
www.JustBirdStuff.com
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eclecticartisan
- Pip
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- Joined: Sat Nov 03, 2007 3:24 pm
- Location: Somewhere over the rainbow...
Thank you!
By 'hopping about' I meant when do they generally start to get up and use their feet? Mine are nine days old now and I'm just curious as to when they'll quite scooting around and actually be 'walking' or hopping around in their little box!
Again thank you for your time and information!
By 'hopping about' I meant when do they generally start to get up and use their feet? Mine are nine days old now and I'm just curious as to when they'll quite scooting around and actually be 'walking' or hopping around in their little box!
Again thank you for your time and information!
Seth: Well, that's just one more thing for me to think of when I think of you; Converse's to the prom and purple hair. Geez.