How do I house my birds?

[Pikori]

I have 3 society finches, 1 female, 1 male, and one supposedly female.
For about a month, i put a piece of cardboard in the middle of the cage to separate them, which might not have been the best idea, but i couldnt get the supplies or buy a new cage.
They had already bred 3 times this year so I knew I couldn't let my female take any more.
So the 2 females on the top, while the male was left alone on the bottom.
but he's starting to look kinda bad. really tired and I think he's losing feathers around his neck. probably plucking.

I'm in no position to sell the birds, and there might be a slight chance I could buy another bird, but what can I do? I doubt I can buy another cage, but the situation i have right now should probably be changed.

Is there any possible chance I could put the birds together? My male would breed quickly right after each clutch because the babies didn't survive.

I know I can't exceed 3 clutches a year, but is there any way I can make it work?

[debbie276]

Your birds had 3 clutches and no chick's survived?
You could throw out any eggs layed, just because there are eggs doesn't mean they have to hatch.

[lovezebs]

Pikori

First of all, how big is your cage?
'Minimum' size for two or three Society Finches, is L30 in x W 18 in x H18 inches.

Society Finches, are renown for the fact that they breed often, lay many eggs, and raise large families. They are extremely social birds and need the company of others of their own kind, to live healthy happy lives.

This brings us to your lone male. He is probably not doing well, because he's on his own. He should be housed together with at least one more Society finch. Personally, I would either get him another male Society for company (if you can get another cage for them), or house him with the girls, without the cardboard thing.

If you don't want chicks, you need to remove all the nests from your cage, along with nesting materials. If any eggs are laid, you need to remove them everyday and toss them .

You mentioned that your females laid three clutches this year, but that non of the babies survived. This is odd within itself, because Societies, make wonderful parents, and will not only raise their own chicks, but also the chicks of other species.

What sort of a diet are you feeding your birds? Their diet, should include a good finch seed mix, hard boiled eggs, and a variety of vegetables and greens. Your females in particular should have access to cuttle bone and crushed eggshells from the hard boiled eggs (for calcium, which is very important for females who are laying eggs). I would also add some bird vitamin drops to their drinking water.

Good luck.

[wildbird]

None of the birds should be forced to live on the bottom of the cage. He may not survive, if you leave him there. The cardboard should be removed. A better way to separate is to divide each side with a wire divider, but in your case, I wouldn't do that either. The cage size is very important as stated above. You should really have two cages, with at least two birds in each, if you don't want to raise them. Two males in one cage, and the females in another. You mentioned that you might be able to get another bird. Could you exchange the male for a female? If you put all the birds together and the female keeps laying eggs, you should remove them and replace them with fake eggs. They can be purchased at the website ladygouldianfinch.com. It is not good for the female to keep laying eggs.

[Lucille]

I'm in no position to sell the birds

Give away the male. You said there is a slight chance you could buy another bird. Give away your current male, and when finances are a little better and you can have a larger cage and food and supplies, then you can think again about breeding.
If three clutches have died, you need to find out why before even thinking about another clutch. Give yourself time to learn, everyone will end up happier for it.

[paul-inAZ]

Are you sure your 'male' is a male? Could it be a female?
Hens will lay sterile eggs with no male present.

[wildbird]

Don't give your male or any bird away for free. There are people out there that will take them to feed their snakes. It's cheaper than buying mice. Can you post a picture of him?

[Happybird]

I have two Societies and three Gold Breasted Waxbills. All females. One of my Societies lays eggs from time to time (despite my nagging her not to ) but if it were me, I'd rehome your male.

[Pikori]

This is the picture of my male. He does sing quite often and has bred with my female so im quite positive he's a male

[Pikori]

And this is the situation with my cage.

[debbie276]

Looks like a very nice habitat

[DanteD716]

Pikori absolutely nothing wrong with the way you are housing them. He seems to be getting just as much light as the birds up top. Societies are very social birds though, I think the best bet would be to get another male and separate them into two pairs, or same sexed pairs to avoid breeding. Your birds have enough room in the set up they are currently in, no need to be hasty and give one away

[Pikori]

It would probably be best to get the same species for the male right? a society male? would it be possible to get a different species male or would they fight? I heard males get aggressive with each other if there are females around...

[Pikori]

And one of the problems about how I housed them is that some of the dust and seeds get to the bottom, so I think Im going to have to construct something a little more permanent than just using cardboard.

[lovezebs]

Pikori

Nice flight cage.

I would get your boy, another Society boy. They will be fine together, and your current boy, will be happy for the company.

Societies as a rule, are not aggressive with one another. That's why a whole flock of them can live together quite happily (and often will attempt to cram themselves into one nest) both males and females.

If you like Society finches, why not stick with Societies? They are lovely, friendly little birds, with sweet personalities.