Senegal Fire finches ready to breed

[Chrismurdoch3]

So the other day I was sitting there watching the birds in the mixed flight, and I noticed my pair of fires were getting a little pushy with the gouldians, then I saw the male carrying around a piece of grass and was following the female. They just finished their molt about a month and a half ago and I was hoping with spring in full effect they were starting to get spring fever and wanting to breed soon. So I put together a breeding cage separate from the mixed flight for them and but the pair in it. Believe it or not in less than a day the male had the entire nest built up beautifully. I think they were ready to breed I'm very excited this is their second breeding year together and I'm hoping for the same success.

[wildbill]

nice birds and very easy to breed. actually bred heaps of them in normal/pinks and pieds. no livefood require to rear young but if given the opportunity they certainly will eat it and eat lots. preferred live food termites but that goes for any finch which requires live food.
mine really love lettuce and I think apart from seed I could/do rear them on those two food sources alone.
saying that I have never cage bred them but I have at time ran 20 birds in a colony. I once had one pair sear 6 young in one nest. never been repeated but it was a great sight to see.overall they are a very attractive and worthwhile addition to any aviary.
I would highly recommend these colorful and quiet finches to any-one interested in members of the waxbill family. If I had one complaint-they have a habit of breeding more males than females but not much you can do about that

[Chrismurdoch3]

Thanks wildbill and couldn't agree with you more. I have absolutely fallen in love with these awesome finches and don't think that I could ever get rid of them. Last year I was able to breed this pair off of just egg food and no insects and they gave be 2 clutches of three chicks each. They are just fantastic finches

[jamezyboo21]

I love the color of the fire finches. I have two pair and nothing just finished nest building. I'm expecting eggs soon. Last year they built nest and by the nextonth they had hatchlings.

[Chrismurdoch3]

Yes Jamezyboo21 they are very pretty The picture I posted doesn't do them justice, the male is such a dark but vibrant red especially when the sun is on him, I love it. But I hope to be expecting hatchlings next month as well. When I went in tonight the hen was in the nest, and the male built up the nest so that I can't even see inside of it.

[jamezyboo21]

Yeah I love how they build their nest. One pair goes all out. The male builds a nest on top of the actual nest they use and they stuff it full of white feathers and coco fiber.

[Chrismurdoch3]

As I was changing their feed today I got a quick glance and it looks like they have 2 eggs in the nest so far very excited for some tiny baby fires.

[Rox]

Congrats Chris!

I had red-billed firefinches and found them to be very willing breeders but I battled to keep hens alive during winter (my birds are outdoors), so I have given up on them. Beautiful birds but not as hardy as other waxbills.

I still have one of the youngsters I bred in my aviary. A male who has become my nemesis. I just can't catch the little %#@&!

[Babs _Owner]

Chrismurdoch3

Congratulations!! Make sure to get pictures of the little ones!

[Chrismurdoch3]

Congrats Chris!

I had red-billed firefinches and found them to be very willing breeders but I battled to keep hens alive during winter (my birds are outdoors), so I have given up on them. Beautiful birds but not as hardy as other waxbills.

I still have one of the youngsters I bred in my aviary. A male who has become my nemesis. I just can't catch the little %#@&!

Rox, they are very hard to catch, I have to surprise them at night and catch them or else I wont ever be aboe to grab them.
Babs, I will for sure get some picture when I can the female started sitting today to the clock is counting down 14 days and counting.

[ac12]

OK what is your trick ???

I had 2 pairs
- pair 1 laid 3 egg, then nothing after that. They died of old age.
- pair 2, no eggs, so far. But I would like them to mate, before they get too old.

[wilkifam]

Chris, Do you have any Chestnut Breasted Mannikins you want to part with? I'd trade Gouldians, or some really nice Society Finches.