Question on breeding Societies

[peter121378]

Hi All,

Below is a pic of my setup w/ my new societies that I got last week. I've provided nest and nesting material (coconut fiber and hay), their diet consists of egg food, vitamin supplement in water, seed, millet, some egg shells and cuttlebone. I've heard the male sing a lot throughout the day and I'm guessing the other is a female since she just chirps never sings like the male. You can probably tell from the pic the left one is the male since I caught him singing, that's why his neck is stretched out.
I've seen them preen each other and they both sleep side by side "on top of the nest". They never go inside the nest I got them. The only thing they did w/ the nesting material was separate it since I put the hay on top of the fiber so now they made two piles one of fiber and one of hay. Is there a reason they're not mating? Should I change something? Now quick note, when I first had them I put them in the same cage as my female Gouldian and she (Gouldian) starting picking at the same nest w/ her beak while the Societies were there, could it be that she claimed it and the Societies may want a new/different nest/box? Any tip/suggestion would be appreciated.

[hanabi]

peter121378

This is just a suggestion, but I always provide my breeding pairs with four different types of nests, so that they can then choose whichever one they prefer. Once they start building a nest in one you can then remove the others if you wish. Some of my Societies prefer canary nests, others won't touch them and prefer urn-shaped wicker nests. Providing variety won't hurt the breeding process and will probably hasten it.

Once they start breeding they won't stop so before long you'll be wanting to slow them down

Cheers.

[wilkifam]

Societies like those open front wood or plastic nest boxes. I don't use the woven ones because they are dangerous, birds tend to get toes caught in them, then end up hanging by a leg. ALMOST nothing can stop society finches from breeding. If they are in with gouldians who are nesting they will sometimes even take over the nest.

[lovezebs]

peter121378

Hi Peter.

Really unusual for Socies not to go into a nest. Societies will normally go into any and every nest (and anyone else's nest) to sleep .

I would remove this nest and check it to see if all is well with it. Then I would place a bit of nesting g material inside and replace it in a different corner from where you have it now. Also as Ross said, I would hang up another nest or two in different areas of the cage. You don't have to run out and buy a bunch of new nests either. You can use a sturdy cardboard box, or a small old Easter basket. Socies, are usually not very fussy . Just make sure that it's secured well to the side of the cage.

Good luck

[peter121378]

Thanks guys for the feedback. Will try this weekend and let you know.

[Sally]

This is a popular nest box with Societies. They like to be able to look out of their nest and see what is going on in the cage, unlike so many other species that want privacy.

http://glamgouldians.com/product-finch-nestbox.php

[slwatson]

peter121378

When my societies bred, I used a similar nest like the one you have hanging, and made sure I started it by adding some coconut fiber to the bottom. They added the rest. I didn't have any issues with legs coming out of the bottom, but the first nest I used (a small hamster ball) was a disaster. I had a baby get it's wing caught in the opening of the ball. It was awful

[peter121378]

Would age have anything to do w/ it? Meaning are they too young?....Reason I ask is because remember I got these from a breeder that didn't have not even an estimated age.

[Barbara]

I am not a expert .My society babies are all doing well fledged almost 2 weeks ago I used the exact same nest as yours,I lined it with kleenex and striped and cut kleenex pieces put it at the bottom of cage but it blew everywhere so clipped some with a clothespin in a few different spots seemed to work fine the male builds the nest before the female will look at him for breeding once she approves it was funny he would take a piece of the kleenex and was waving it in front of her then she must of approved of his hard work in she went they laid 5 eggs and 4 hatched good luck

[peter121378]

Barbara

Thank you Barb. I will try the Kleenex material plus different nest boxes and remove the current one since all they do is sleep on the roof of it every night.

[Babs _Owner]

peter121378

Get a twisty-tie, pull it up through a loop at the top of the nest and secure it to the ceiling of the cage.....so they have no way of getting on top of the nest. Stuff some nesting materials inside the nest with some of it sticking out. The male should go to work on it shortly.

I'd make the bottom of the nest nice and fluffy so they enjoy it. My male societies cant stand the sight of an untidy nest.....they always get in there and fix it (even with just males in the cage).

[hanabi]

my new societies that I got last week.

If you have only had them for a week I think it is probably a little early for them to start breeding. They need to get used to their new surroundings and feel safe enough before they settle down and start nest building.

[Sally]

my new societies that I got last week.

If you have only had them for a week I think it is probably a little early for them to start breeding. They need to get used to their new surroundings and feel safe enough before they settle down and start nest building.

Oops, totally overlooked that statement. Fully agree, if you have had them only a week, they are still getting used to their new home. Give them a little more time, and they should breed for you.

[Barbara]

I think there just funny little birds I had mine for quite a while was told they were both males, thought it would be cute when I heard even males love to sleep in nest well needless to say they were a pair as soon as I put nest in it didn'the take long to get my four babies I call them enie,menie,minie,and moe they look so much like the dad only a slight difference in there white breast here is a picture ,may-be breeding them is like a watched pot will never boil

[peter121378]

hanabi
@Sally
@Babs

Thanx Babs, I'll do that.
Sally n Ross I think you're right so I'll just be patient n let them get comfortable in their new environment, thanx.