Parrot Finch - cage size??

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Tue Jan 06, 2009 11:50 am

For those of you breeding Parrot Finches - do you find they do okay in individual breeding cages? Or do they have to be in large aviaries?

Keeping my fingers crossed for the right response.

GOULDYGIRL · Post by **GOULDYGIRL** » Tue Jan 06, 2009 12:21 pm

I was just reading up on them this morning, and I'm sure you've read what it says in the Finch Info Center. Everyone who owns them seems to say they are the most active of their birds. As far as the best possible situation and I beleive that goes for all birds an Aviary would be about the best housing. Unfortunately, not all of us have that option. A lot of the wax bills seem very nervous and active, I wouldn't want to keep them in a cage situation either unless it was pretty large. Although my little fire finch buddy seems pretty calm compared to the other waxbills he lives with. I think he'd be able to handle a cage setting till I get my aviary built

I found someone who breeds parrot finches in my area so will definetly consider them down the road.

Renee

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Tue Jan 06, 2009 1:23 pm

Yes Renee that is where and what I read. Though I also read Waxbills do breed quite successfully in breeding cages as my Fire Finches currently are doing too - but they are not the same as the Parrot Finches.

Anyone here actually breed Parrot Finches - I know a few people on here have them...?

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Tue Jan 06, 2009 3:43 pm

Liz, they are the one breed along with my stars that have not breed for me. My parrot finches have bult elaborate nest all over the aviary.

I even had them sitting at one time, but they kept getting off at night. If they ever do lay eggs again, I am giong to snatch them up and share them with my society finches.

But let me say that they are very active and need alot of space. Mine will be out flying around in the dark. And they are first ones up.

Do you have some Liz or thinking of getting them?

Kiko · Post by **Kiko** » Tue Jan 06, 2009 3:59 pm

I know very little - but the breeder that I got my gouldians from had parrot finches. Red heads. He had them in the same 24inch breeder (or smaller) cages that his other finches were in.
He puts pairs into breeding cages purely for breeding, when the season is done they all go into aviaries. Dunno if that helps!
I *think* those might have been some of the birds where he moves one parent (the male?) out and moves a society in, to help raise them.

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Tue Jan 06, 2009 6:36 pm

I was just considering searching for some Sea Green's locally but if they have to be kept in a larger aviary as compared to keeping them in breeding cages - then I won't be able to do it. WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

Matt · Post by **Matt** » Tue Jan 06, 2009 11:15 pm

I have some of my Red Faced breeding in cabinets. I did have 4 pair as a small colony in an aviary but the dominant male wanted all the hens to himself, so I seperated them and put some into cabinets. I lost one pair due to heat exhaustion a couple of days ago but the others are sitting on eggs due to hatch on the weekend.
They seem to go down to nest quite quickly in cabinets. When I first got my Sea Greens I put them into a breeding cabinet for their quarantine period. I didn't put any nesting material in to begin with but I noticed all the green seeding grass disappearing. Sure enough they were building their nest from any green food that was offered. After I put nesting material in, they went berserk with nest building.
I would be careful of their weight in cabinets too. Don't overfeed mealworms and soft food until they have young. To begin with, just give them enough to get them in the mood.

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 11:15 am

Matt - what size measurments are your cabinets, please?

Post by **Sally** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 11:41 pm

I have one pair of RH Parrot finches, but I haven't tried breeding them yet. They have been shuffled around from cage to cage, but I think I am going to try them in a 30x18x36 cage. Mine are definitely little fatties, so you will have to watch that keeping them in a cage.

Matt · Post by **Matt** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 5:50 am

My cabinets are 1300 x 600 x 450mm with a central divider. No bigger than a standard Gouldian cabinet.

FINCHIE · Post by **FINCHIE** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 2:52 pm

I can't get my Blue Faced Parrot finches to stop breeding. They are in a planted aviary with more females than males.

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 3:02 pm

Thanks for all the shared information! I'm still not positive if I should try to get a pair. I might try to get a cage around the size of a HQ Flight...

williep · Post by **williep** » Mon Jan 12, 2009 2:48 pm

L, the biggest problem housing them in breeding cages is definitely over weight. Mine gained weight quickly but since I moved them to my large aviary they are doing very well. They are sitting now and I hope for some baby parrots soon! If you do keep them in breeding cages make sure there are plenty of plants around and that they are able to spend time on the ground, mine spend almost 50% of their time hopping around and bathing.

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Mon Jan 12, 2009 3:05 pm

Thanks Willie. Are you suggesting plants for them to pick and eat or plants for privacy... I'm wondering if I can put fake ivies on the outside of their cage for privacy IF that's what they need.

My Strawberries and Fires seem to spend quite a bit of time on the ground of their breeding cages as well.

williep · Post by **williep** » Mon Jan 12, 2009 3:45 pm

Privacy! They originate from rain forests so are used to have lots of foliage around them and are quite shy nesters in my experience. They always pick the most private nest in my aviary. Their current nest is in between 2 large leaves and some bushes, you can hardly see it.