Thinking of taking the plunge (Society Finches)

erin p-d · Post by **erin p-d** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 7:39 pm

Hi Everyone..
As to my posting in introductions, I have decided that a pair of society finches would be the best for the first time. Because this is a first for me, I would like this experience to be pleasant and not filled with alot of worry which I know I will anyways.. Which is better??? A pair of females? A pair of males? Or one of each?? I am not confident or knowledgable enough to try breeding.. I am looking for a pair of society finches that I can admire and enjoy and give a good home to but at the same time, I want the pair to be happy. I know it is hard to distinguish the sex of this type. I have no choice but to buy from the pet store that I first fell in love with finches, seeing as I do not know any breeders in my area. The pet store manager seemed to know about finches and that she knows that she has a male and female..She is expecting more in this week but I am not ready yet to leap into it. I still want to pick out the right cage and accessories for society finches. I would like to have the cage and everything ready before instead of rushing and buying just anything that is available.. I have no plans to purchase any more than a pair at this time.. Does anyone have any ideas on a size or brand name of a cage that would be suitable for a pair?? I would appreciate any input or suggestions that you could give me..
Thank you..

B CAMP · Post by **B CAMP** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 7:55 pm

Well you have made the right decision I think ,any combination will be fine together, but if you end up with a male and female,they will try to breed. My opinion on a cage try to get as large as you can,the cage should be at least 36 inch's long, longer is better than taller Finch's fly across not so much up and down. And after you have this pair you will want others,thats another reason to get as large as possible

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 8:08 pm

Hi Erin - you're not all the far away from me; I hope you're enjoying this frigid winter we are having.

As for gender of Societies - you can go with two males that will sing to each other whereas two females will not sing as much as they will sound like a pair of crickets (I'm serious)!

A male/female pair will be fine too and you don't need to know anything about breeding - they will take care of it all, honest.

Going over to cages (btw, it's great that you're getting ready with everything before buying your finches), the most important thing to remember is width is more important than height. A good sized cage for a pair is 30x18x18". Or you can go larger too, of course. Finches really appreciate as much room as possible for flying.

Do let us know how your purchases go.

BillD · Post by **BillD** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 8:50 pm

You are doing the research which is great. Think you may have breeders closer than you think.

Agree with everyone that you should get the longest/widest cage you can. Finches love to fly horizontally. Most pet shops carry cages for hookbills, which are more vertical. You will find alternatives on the internet (ebay and such). All depends on the room you have and when you want to get it. A lot of people have good ones in here.

I have a pair of Chocolate Self Societies and I just love them. The male sings every morning when I give them their bath. Someone on the forum gave me a great tip to clip the millet sprays with a binder clip (from office depot) from the top of the cage. Was great advice and i'm sorry I cannot remember who it was.

I did the same as you. Researching and getting everything set up before I welcomed my 'new' arrivals. Just be prepared for things you didn't think about. There will always be some. hehe..

Best of luck and please let us know how it goes.

franny · Post by **franny** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 8:57 pm

Hi Erin,

If you keep a nest in the cage, they will definitely lay eggs. So you could get two males and they will be best buddies and sing to each other. They have a cute little song and dance.

But if you'd like to keep a pair, then you could just not put a nest in the cage, and hopefully she won't keep laying eggs. If she does you can toss them, but be sure she gets a cuttlebone and/or ground oystershell to replenish her calcium. If you get two females, you'll still have the issue of them laying eggs, so my choice would be either two males, or a couple, so you can choose to let them raise babies later if you want to.

A popular cage seems to be one called the Single HQ flight cage. You might not be able to find it in a pet store, though you may find a store willing to order the right size cage for you. Or you can order them online, but shipping could make that pretty expensive. It's hard to find cages big enough in the stores. Usually the ones that are 30 to 36 inches long, have a wider bar spacing. You don't want bigger gap than 1/2. Try your local Mom & Pop type pet store, as they will sometimes be able to order you a breeding cage, which is more reasonably priced than those "pretty & colorful" cages you usually find in the pet stores...the ones with peaked roofs, etc. Decorative, but not really practical for placing perches, or for catching the birds when you need to.

Coop · Post by **Coop** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 9:18 pm

So far, we all agree! Do the research, get the new home ready, and then purchase the birds! Societies are a very prolific bunch so get ready if you get a male and female. The good news is you can eliminate a nest (although they love their little hiding spots) or you can remove the eggs when they lay a clutch. Chances are you'll fall in love and want a few more, so again, the looooonger the cage, the better. Fear not on breeding them. They are excellent parents - for both their own and other small birds. Most of all, ENJOY them

BillD · Post by **BillD** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 10:37 pm

You are getting the great advice of others. I'm a novice.

mine had settled in and layed an egg in their food cup, despite the bamboo nests I provided. They did fill the nests with coconut fibre, but I guess they thought the food cup was better. I removed the egg and there were no problems with them.

I provided a new nest box, but they are still seeming to 'set' in the food cup. I have several food cups and I'm not sure what to do..

franny · Post by **franny** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 11:54 pm

BillD, Why not switch to the tube type waterer/seed feeders? Not big enough to lay an egg in.

And I like them because they are outside the cage - easier to refill without disturbing the birds, and gives more room inside for the birds.

BillD · Post by **BillD** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 12:16 am

I am really considering that Franny..

Already have a water tube (inside the cage), but I still provide water in their water cups for now. They like to take baths in them, but I think they drink from the tube. I just introduced a bath today, like some others have, but haven't seen them in it yet. I'll remove the water cups eventually... want to gradually get them used to the changes.

I have the millet sprays hanging from the top of the cage now with clips as yall have suggested. put a new perch close to them. Had them in the cups before.. New today also..

I will get some tube feeders to replace the cups, but I want to introduce them gradually.. Guess I'm going to the store tomorrow to get some. better to get them now..

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 7:39 am

I think the tubes are fine for seed, but I do not like them for water.

My birds LOVE water and I have it provided in more than once place. I have a hanging bird bath, a fountain, a large standing bird bath and one more large shallow bowl. Of course I do have the space for this, but if I have them in cages I don't use the water tubes either. Just something about them I do not like..........

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 9:01 am

BillD - have you tried removing the egg from the food dishes and placing it in the nestbox? I did that with a Gouldian hen that kept laying in food dishes and on the floor - she finally got the message that eggs go IN the nestbox... now she's the perfect mother.

Finch Fry · Post by **Finch Fry** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 11:04 am

Hi.

Here is the smallest cage you should get.

http://www.petco.com/product/100285/Pre ... -Cage.aspx

This one is ok priced. If you just do a google search for finch cage or bird cage and look under small bird cages for the categories at various sites, you should find similiar. Amazon has them as well with free shipping. Just price hunt to get the cage delivered to your door for about 40 dollars.

Everyone is giving good advice for the sexes. Its just up to you.

Breeding (which is easy) need male and female
Boys will get along fine but sing their hearts out
Girls will get along fine but be quiet and could lay infertile eggs everywhere.

Good Luck!

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 3:00 pm

Maybe Liz or someone close to you can tell you if any bird marts are coming up in Ontario. Cages, at least down in the States, are so much cheaper at those places than Petco or PetSmart.

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 3:34 pm

Here's a link for a site of Canadian Bird Mart/Shows via the AACC - nothing on it yet for 2009 BUT bookmark it as it will be updated.

http://www.islandnet.com/~aacc/shows.htm

BillD · Post by **BillD** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 7:20 pm

L in Ontario wrote:BillD - have you tried removing the egg from the food dishes and placing it in the nestbox? I did that with a Gouldian hen that kept laying in food dishes and on the floor - she finally got the message that eggs go IN the nestbox... now she's the perfect mother.

I may try that. My female is setting on the food cup again (no eggs that I know of), but my male is roosting in one of the bamboo nests. Think he's trying to tell her something?

I'll remove all the other nestboxes and put in a tube seed feeder. Guess we'll see what happens.

Thanks for the advice. Didn't know I could move the eggs. Should I wear gloves when I do it? I always heard that birds can smell the human scent on their offspring and may abandon them. Not sure if that's true or not.