Nest Hole Size

Icearstorm · Post by **Icearstorm** » Wed Aug 23, 2017 7:35 pm

Does anyone know the smallest hole diameter a Java finch can fit through? I would like to breed my society finches in the communal flight, but the Java finches want to take over any nest area, including platforms and open bowl nests. My Java pair doesn't seem particularly aggressive, but I would rather exclude them from a nest site than risk breeding-related aggression.

I might end up having to measure the circumference of the Java finches and calculate from there...

cindy · Post by **cindy** » Thu Aug 24, 2017 10:22 am

I personally recommend not breeding societies or keeping societies in with javas.... first they will hybridize if trying to breed. Second both can be invasion on other birds nest, even tossing chicks. pulling nesting material out... unfortunately the nest hole size the javas may use but societies may not... the javas can get into finch size nest holes even though parakeet boxes are recommended for them.

Also keep in mind societies can carry some nasty stuff that will not effect their chicks but may effect the chicks of other species.

Best suggestion if you want to breed pull your societies and do so in a separate cage so both species can raise chicks peacefully and undisturbed.

sparrowsong98 · Post by **sparrowsong98** » Thu Aug 24, 2017 3:58 pm

cindyy wait how much bigger are javas?

Icearstorm · Post by **Icearstorm** » Thu Aug 24, 2017 5:19 pm

cindy

I doubt that they will hybridize, as the two species almost always stay at least half a foot apart and ignore each other; when the Java finches come close, the societies fly away. As for tossing, I didn't think about that. The Java finches left the last brood of society chicks alone, though that may change, as the Java finches are now bonded.

I could make a custom-sized hole, though it would only work if the society finches have a smaller keel-area cross-section than the Java finches. A contraption involving a wood ring and toilet paper roll attached to an otherwise-closed nest box comes to mind.

I do not intend to breed the Java finches at this time, as more Java finches in the flight could intimidate the societies, and the other cage is occupied by gouldians. I'm just trying to see if I can safely breed the society finches; if not, then I'll keep everyone from breeding in the flight.

cindy · Post by **cindy** » Thu Aug 24, 2017 6:54 pm

some birds do not like the boxes with the small holes.... Societies typically pile in a nest and like to look out.

Caution using toilet paper rolls since that are in close range of the toilet... when flushing certain contaminates can become airborne... they caution not to let hookbills play with toilet tissue rolls to avoid bacteria from fecal matter that becomes air borne when flushing the toilet.

I would still advise breeding the societies in a single cage and later moving the family out to the flight when the chicks wean... less worry and less risk to the societies/babies.

Icearstorm · Post by **Icearstorm** » Thu Aug 24, 2017 8:18 pm

cindy
Thank you; I will keep that in mind. I've got some clean paper towel rolls I could work with instead.

Icearstorm · Post by **Icearstorm** » Fri Aug 25, 2017 7:04 pm

I took a few measurements today; it seems like the Java finches can fit through a nest hole around an inch in diameter, while most of the society finches need 0.8 inches. This may be too precise to make.