Are You Interested In Breeding Zebra Finches?

Zebra Finches are easy to care for and that includes when they are breeding. The little birds are great pets due their quirky little personalities, and they are one of the easiest types of finches to breed. It has been said that they will even help to rear the young of other finches like rare types of Australian Grass Finches.

There are many ways the male and female are different. The males have a number of distinguishing features. Some are: orange cheek patches, stripes on the throat, a chestnut colored flank with white spots, and black bar on the breast. Females lack these features and are gray in those areas mentioned. There little beaks are generally a brighter red in males and an orange color in females. The younger male birds, Juveniles, look like females, but with a black beak. Once the Juveniles reach 90 days, the beak and adult colors are usually complete.

Spring is breeding season for the finches. They need a specific environment for successful breeding. Some will do very well as a single pair in a breeding box, while others need a large aviary with many other birds around. A compatible pair of Zebra Finches will nest in almost any environment. They are good parents and rarely have breeding related problems. Both the male and female share responsibility in raising the young. The male will weave the nest using nesting materials like grasses, feathers, or commercially prepared finch nesting material in the cage or aviary. As soon as the hen lays her eggs, it is your job to remove any excess nesting material from the cage. This prevents the male from covering up the eggs in his enthusiasm to make improvements.

The female will lay one egg every other day until the clutch is complete. The average clutch size is four to five eggs. After the eggs are laid the hen who will spend most of her time on the nest. The male will often relieve her for food and exercise breaks. Twelve to eighteen days later, the eggs will begin to hatch.

Parents will need an unlimited access to calcium, such as cuttlebone and high protein foods when chicks are in the nest.

In approximately 18 days, the chicks will feather out and start to leave the nest. By the time the chicks are about a month old they will be eating completely on their own and, thus, can be separated from their parents. The male Zebra Finch will finish feeding the chicks and can rejoin the female after the chicks are completely weaned.

Wonderful Finches As Pets

Why are pet finches becoming a more popular choice amongst people of all ages and experience levels? Because they are small yet hearty, always look pleasant no matter what the variety, are quiet yet make a pleasant sound when they do sing and are fun to look after.

They are also very entertaining as they play amongst themselves. They are very content in their own groups and don't need a lot of human contact.

For these reasons they are popular with a wide variety of people. From the single person living in an apartment in the city to the family living in suburbia the finch is a great pet to have.

Finches come in varieties such as the Society Finch, the Gouldian Finch and the Zebra Finch and also a wide variety of patterns and colours. They are generally very sociable and can be kept with other finches without a problem but with other species such as Lovebirds, Parakeets or other hook bills it would be best avoided; these birds tend to be more aggressive by nature.

One of the best things about having pet finches is their ability to play amongst themselves because as sociable as they are they don't need to contact with people to be happy, they won't behave like other animals might if you can't give them attention all the time.

This is also a reason why your finches may not be great at being finger tamed, although with time and patience it might be possible.

So what about when it comes time to do something like trimming your finches nails? It is actually very simple and safe for both the owner and the finch, lay your palm on its back and wrap your fingers around the finch with your thumb and forefinger gently on either side of its head. It won't usually bite but if it does it won't usually be harmful or dangerous.

It is important to keep in mind that like most bird species your pet finches need room to move within their cage or aviary so make sure their accessories are kept to a minimum; literally one mirror, toy or branch which can be changed around at various times to give them variety and allows them the freedom to fly from perch to perch.

In the wild the finch loves to roll in damp grasses to bathe themselves so as an alternative why not put some damp grasses or dandelion leaves at the bottom of the cage or aviary for a couple of hours as a treat for your pet finches.

The finch is a favourite amongst bird enthusiasts because while they have a cheerful bird song are also a lot quieter than most other bird species, and while they are hardy and have an entertaining and unique personality they are also a lot less costly in the long run than most other species, such as many parrots and soft billed birds.

Pet finches are enjoyed for their colour, busy nature, unique personality and cheerful bird song.

Cages for Finches

As people become more and more busy it helps to have a pet that doesn't need as much interaction as some other ones, such as certain breeds of parrot. They are capable of entertaining themselves quite well, but at the same time they must be happy in your home so it is up to the owner to make sure the cages are suitable for the finches to live in.

The size of the cages is the first thing to take into consideration, each should be at least two and a half feet in length with the bars very close together, to prevent them escaping.

They are very small and active so it is essential that they have enough room to take short flights from perch to perch. Sometimes owners have a second cage for when they are cleaning the main one.

It is important that the cages for your finches are not cluttered but several accessories inside are necessary-

Two finch feeders should be available at all time, one for food and one for water, a few extra dishes placed in the cages at different times with treats or grit, a small nest box for your finches to sleep in at night, another dish put in the cages several times a week for your finches to bathe. At the bottom of the cages sprinkle grit or grit paper.

The last thing to consider is a perch for them to rest on or fly from, the size will depend on the size of the cages, and will also aid in exercising the finches feet.

Some finch experts suggest materials collected from outdoors, such as the branches of maple trees, pear, poplar or elm trees.

Perches made of cement are good because they help to keep the finches toe nails trimmed, but at the same time can be harsh on the bird's feet so it isn't a good idea to use them exclusively.

Cages also need toys, bells, plastic rings or other shiny objects to keep your finches entertained. Other toys available are beads, ladders, mirrors and swings.

It is good to have a collection of them using a few at a time and changing them often to give your finch some versatility.

A bird protector is a great way to prevent mites; it is a small disk you attach to the side of the cage. This is a good option but is literally just that, a complete option, and is not going to make much of a difference if you have it or not.

Usually the cages should be cleaned once a week. It is a very simple process; Lay brown paper bags or newspapers to size cut to size, or paper towels at the bottom of the cage. Use hot soapy water to clean the whole cage, inside and out, and also the accessories. Rinse and dry it.

When creating the inside of your cages it is necessary that the they feel comfortable, this will make it a much more enjoyable experience for both you and the finches.

Gouldian Finch Care: 8 Important Tips

Northern Australia is the native habitat of the Gouldian Finch. The other names of the Gouldian finch are the Lady Gouldian Finch, Gould's Finch and the Rainbow Finch. Both sexes of the Gouldian family can be identified by their colors of bright yellows, tropical greens, and black. Red markings, usually on the cheeks, will also be seen. The best way to tell the difference between the female and the male is by what colour and/or patterns are on their chest. The males chest is a bright purple and the females' is a light mauve.

Gouldian finches are more difficult to breed and care for than other types of finches and below I have outlined some useful tips you should consider:

1. Gouldian finches need a lot of space to exercise and fly about. You should consider whether to buy a cage or an aviary, this depends on the number of Gouldian finches that you have. After you decide on a cage or aviary, you should then choose a permanent location to keep these birds as they do not like changes in their location.

2. Gouldian finches like humid and warm conditions. These environmental settings should not be taken lightly so do make sure you provide the right conditions before choosing where to place them permanently.

3. Gouldian finches love seeds, which are their primary food source; therefore a nice mix of quality seeds should be given to them every day. You also need to provide additional nutrients and vitamins. Grit as well as crushed egg shells should be added to their daily diet. Lettuce, watercress and spinach (greens) also are necessary for a balanced diet. In addition your finches require calcium so providing Cuttlebone is a must; especially when breeding.

4. A clean cage or aviary is essential as it keeps the birds in healthy living conditions. The cages must be cleaned and disinfected on a regular basis; usually monthly but more often if necessary. All containers in the cage or aviary should be cleaned daily and the gravel in the bottom of the cage should be replaced with clean gravel at least once a month (or more often if needed).

5. Fresh water should be available daily as stale water can attract bacteria and spread disease. Ideally you would clean the water container at the same time. Plastic containers are not ideal and should be avoided.

6. Gouldian finches are extremely sensitive about being touched and petted. Try not to handle them unless it's absolutely necessary as this stresses them out.

7. Gouldian's lay on average 4 to 6 eggs and these will hatch between 15 to 18 days after the egg has been laid. It is of the utmost importance that the breeding parents are not unnecessarily disturbed and extra food and clean water be provided each day. Try to use the hand feeding formula as well. The formula is a special diet that should be given to the parent birds. This should be done before the eggs hatch so that they get accustomed to the new diet. Once the chicks are hatched the parents will regurgitate this mix and feed the babies.

8. Never breed Gouldian finches which have a different head color. The reason being is that such a mating results in an imbalance in the sex ratio of the young. It's an interesting scientific concern that points to the mortality rates of the young which have been recorded as high as 80%. So this is why breeding Gouldian's of the same head color is recommended.

These important tips will require your additional research for a thorough understanding of the Gouldian finch's needs. Keeping finches is a satisfying and proud journey that I know you will enjoy in order to successfully care for these beautiful birds.

There Are Many Types of Finches Which Make Good Pets

There are many types of finches which make good pets so everyone should be able to find some of these birds that they find suitable for them. The birds come in a wide array of colors, of patterns, and of characteristics. You need to research the different finch types to find the ones that have the qualities you want in your pet.

Many people like to keep Zebra finches as pets. The Zebra finch has a stripe pattern that resembles the pattern found on a zebra. They are relatively mild-mannered birds, they prefer the company of other birds to humans, but that is a common finch trait, and they sometimes are singers. Mostly the males are vocal. These little birds can be from three to five inches long, and they are fairly easy to breed in captivity.

The Strawberry finch is often chosen by pet owners because it can live comfortably in either an indoor cage, or in an outdoor aviary. These little birds have a bright red patch on their chest that looks very much like a strawberry.

An ideal bird for the first time bird owner is the Society finch. This type of finch cannot be found living in the wild, they are an utterly domesticated species. These little creatures are never more than five inches in length, and they are relatively inexpensive. You can find them in most pet stores, and they are very easy to get to breed. They have a mottled coloring of brown and white, except some are more grey and white.

The Gouldian finch is also known as the Lady Gouldian, and they are very popular as house pets. They cost a little more than the Society finch does but their bright color combinations makes up for the additional cost. These birds are a little larger than most other species of finch. They are usually five to six inches long at maturity. The males are very colorful with black heads, their bodies are green, their breasts are purple, and their bellows are yellow. The females of this species have much duller colorings, and they are usually smaller than the males. This type of finch likes to move around a lot, so if you want to raise them you will need a larger cage for them to enjoy.

The Spice Finch comes from Asia and is a very easy to keep little bird. They are sometimes called the Nutmeg finch, and even though they are less than five inches when mature they require a larger cage for their activities. They are aptly named because they are cinnamon colored little creatures.

You will find many species of these birds to keep as pets, the Orange finch is quite popular for its' coloring. There is a vampire finch but they are rarely kept as pets, you will have to look at the birds available in your area, because there are many types of finches which make good pets.

Finches As Pets Are a Great Choice

If you have been considering getting a pet, but you have not yet decided what type of animal you want yet, then here are some things to consider before you purchase your new companion.

You need to think about your lifestyle in order to choose a pet you will have time to take proper care of. A dog is a high maintenance pet. They must be exercised daily, they must be trained to not use your carpet as a bathroom area, they chew on everything around them until they are close to two years of age, and they require a lot of your attention. They will need several visits to the vet the first year, and at least two visits per year after that. They will need bathing, and flea medication, their nails need trimmed, and depending on the breed they may need monthly visits to a grooming salon.

Cats are a better choice for the busier person, since you do not have to walk them, but you do have to give them a litter box in your house to use. They will scratch in the litter and scatter it about the room it is in, and their litter boxes can cause your entire house to smell awful. Everyone that visits will immediately know you own a cat. 

They also require frequent visits to the vet, as well as treatments for fleas, and for hair balls. You have to worry about them getting overweight, and if you do not have them spayed or neutered you will have a whole host of problems to deal with every sixty days.

Tropical fish can be expensive to buy and upkeep. The equipment you need to start your fish tanks out is expensive, and you must be diligent in monitoring the water temperature, and the ph levels to keep the fish happy, and healthy. The fish do not need frequent trips to the vet, nor do they need constant attention, or for you to walk them. Fish need you to maintain a properly clean environment, which involves you taking the fish out of the tank and cleaning the tank on regular intervals. You must have aerators to supply oxygen to the water, and keep the filters clean in those also.

Parrots and snakes, turtles and lizards, all have unique problems with their upkeep. If you want to get a low maintenance, easy to care for pet you should consider the finches birds.

Finches for pets are a great idea for anyone who already has a busy lifestyle. Finches pets are fairly inexpensive to buy, they require only a rather small inexpensive cage, food, and water. They do not need to be walked, they are fairly quiet to have around, and they do not mope or pout if you cannot pay them enough attention.

When you get one of these little feathery creatures they keep their own selves groomed, they are active and entertaining to watch, and what noises they make are sweet music to your ears.

An Indoor or Outdoor Finch Aviary?

An aviary is commonly known as a bird house and because of its larger size it gives your finches a lot more freedom to do what they love and what comes naturally which is to fly. So bearing that in mind, having an aviary is highly recommended especially if owners already have or intend to keep more than two finches.

The beauty of having an aviary is that it can be situated either indoors or outdoors plus an aviary requires the same basic facilities of a smaller cage but just on a slightly larger scale. There are many aviaries available to suit your needs (and the needs of your finches) but the practical requirements for having an indoor or outdoor aviary are essentially the same. There are a few differences to think about and special considerations to make depending on your choice of an indoor or outdoor aviary setup.

Many aviaries are available that will suit every owner's needs and these will come in various sizes. If you are skilled enough and plan to build your own aviary you certainly can and will save a lot of money. Either way, you should consider the costs of both types of aviaries and also the permanent space where the finches will be kept before making any decisions. The aviaries can be as decorative and pleasurable according to your imagination however don't forget to think about what finches need too!

All aviaries should only be made out of non-toxic wood or a metal frame which should consist of a fine wire mesh. The outdoor aviary's floor should preferably be made from concrete, as it is easy to maintain and keep clean. With your outdoor aviary you should ensure a slight slope to the floor as this provides better drainage and easy cleaning. Having an unclean aviary is not conducive to your birds' health, and the last thing you need is unnecessary vet bills.

Most finches love to have a bath so putting a bird-bath in the aviary will also help the birds to be healthier and it keeps them happier in the process. One thing to remember which is extremely important is to clean the bath out regularly - this will prevent the growth of bacteria and other nasties that will harm your birds. Both aviary options should also have perches which can be in mixed sizes. Bowls for holding water and seeds should be made of stainless steel and not plastic. Since plastic containers often allow the build up of bacteria, it is better to use stainless steel for this purpose instead.

A finch aviary whether indoors or outdoors will also help the birds to breed more successfully. Having an outdoor aviary allows the finches to feel like they are in their natural habitat. However when placing an outdoor aviary, take into consideration the finches will need some shade and also proper protection from vermin and predators. Indoors, the reverse applies to the light versus shade situation where you should provide appropriate and adequate lighting for day and night. You can also consider the aviary a little safer than an outdoor one and utilize different materials for the mesh.

An indoor aviary should not be overcrowded with perches or toys as this obviously restricts the finches flying space. It's important to ensure that an indoor aviary is well ventilated and kept in a reasonable amount of sunlight or artificial lighting.

Whether you choose an outdoor or indoor finch aviary, both have advantages and disadvantages depending on your wants and needs. So now that you have read a small introductory piece of a much bigger picture, I'm sure you can go ahead with confidence and progressively meet all of the requirements and needs of your finches in order to decide whether to have an indoor or outdoor aviary.

An Aviary For Your Finches

Often people make the mistake of thinking that finches are very small birds, therefore they will do just fine in very small cages. This couldn't be further from the truth. While most finch birds are rather small, measuring from 4" to 6", they still need room to roam.

Small in stature, these birds are built for hours upon hours of continuous flight. This is one of the reasons they are such active little birds, because they need to make use of all that energy. Because of their natural need for activity, it is imperative that their living area provides them with enough room to reach full flight when moving from perch to perch.

In an ideal world, and outdoor aviary would be the perfect solution to providing your birds with plenty of space to safely roam. Outdoor aviaries can be a bit expensive, but you can cut the cost if you should decide to build the aviary yourself.

There are many books on building your own outdoor aviary, but here is a quick guide on what you will need.

To start you will need the following equipment: wire snips, pliers, a hammer, a miter say, a drill, a heavy-duty staple gun and staples, sandpaper, bendable wire, 100 square feet of small wire mesh screening, slim carpentry screws or fasteners, 12 one-inch by one-inch by four-foot lengths of lumber and 8 one-inch by one-inch by three-foot lengths of lumber.

You will need to sand all the lumber so there are no rough edges or splinters in the wood that might injure you or your birds. Then use the miter saw to square all the corners of the lumber. Assemble 2 four-foot high by four-foot wide frames using your screws or fasteners. Stretch, cut and staple the wire mesh over them. These two frames make up the front and back walls of the aviary.

Assemble 4 four-foot high by three-foot wide frames with your screws then stretch, cut and staple the wire mesh over them like you did earlier. Here you are creating the top, bottom and sides of your aviary.

Screw all six of the screened frames together into a four-foot high by three-foot wide by four-foot long box shape. From the left side of the aviary, cut open three sides of a small door in the wire mesh about 12 inches wide and 12 inches high, bending the screen on the left margin of the door. Cut a descent length of wire to loop in the door to use as a latch.

Now this is just a very basic aviary, there are much more spacious and beautiful models you can build, but this will get you started. If you don't have room for this type of aviary, you can buy smaller, indoor aviaries at bird supply stores and some pet shops.

Which ever you choose, your birds will have plenty of room to fly around and active finches are happy finches.

The Zebra Finch Flight Cage

The zebra finch makes a great pet and can provide hours of entertainment and joy for the whole family. However, it is critical that they are housed in a suitable environment. If you are going to have a pair of zebra finches, a regular cage may be fine. However, it is highly recommended for multiples that you use a flight cage to house your birds. Doing so will allow for plenty of room while creating a happy living space for your birds.

Size

Because they enjoy flying on a regular basis, it is not as important to have room vertically as it is to have space horizontally. Remember, birds do not care as long as they have plenty of space to zoom back and forth between perches.

Flight cages can be purchased or homemade. In fact, in many cases, homemade flights are not only more economical options, but better suited to your space. However, remember to space the bars no wider than ¼ inch or you risk your birds escaping or worse, getting their heads stuck. The typical flight cage can house numerous birsa and is at least 3 feet wide, 4 feet high and 6 feet long.

Furnishings and Lighting

Provide several perches of different material in your flights. Remember to keep the flight path open, but try to stagger the position of the perches. Placing some up high will provide a sense of security for your zebra finch. Consider adding toys, particularly shiny objects for your birds to interact with one another and play.

They need sunlight. In fact, when they are breeding they require 14 to 16 hours of light a day! If natural sunlight is not available, choose several full spectrum fluorescent lights and place them at the top of your flight. You can also place them on the roof of the flight for a dramatic effect.

Placement

While it is true that zebra finches are social birds, that does not mean that they enjoy lots of foot traffic or outside noise. In fact, most breeders will tell you that they do the best in a quiet, semi-removed space. Obviously that depends on how big your flight is and whether or not it is indoors or outside. Either way, take care to avoid heavily trafficked walking areas or indoor heating or cooling vents.

The zebra finch flight cage is a great way to house multiples and keep them all happy. Providing enough room for your birds to fly freely will keep them happy and content.

Pet Birds - The Popularity of Native Australian Birds in Aviculture

Lots of popular pet bird species originate from Australia, most of the well-known pet birds are native to this country but not allof them. Many are from the Americas, Africa, and Asia, but the most popular by far and through the sheer numbers in captivity are the Australian species, which range from small finches, right through the range to large parrots.

Famous breeds like the budgerigar (know as parakeet in some countries), cockatiel, zebra finch, lorikeet, and the cockatoo all became available throughout the world via importation from Australia.

When our ancestors first discovered the Australian continent they found many types of animals that were unique to this part of the globe, such as the now infamous 'duck-billed platypus' and the 'echidna' (egg laying mammals! How strange must that have been?); marsupials such as the 'kangaroo', 'wallaby', 'koala' and many new and unique bird species; many of which were vey brightly coloured. So they desired specimens of these birds to take home, and in doing so boosted the fondness of exotic pet bird keeping.

Starting with the smaller breeds; Australian finches that are popular as pets include the 'star finch', 'gouldian finch' and the well known and readily available at a low price 'zebra finch'. However there are many more.

Small to medium sized parrot-like species from Australia include the most popular small pet bird of all, the 'budgerigar' (or 'parakeet'). The almost as popular 'cockatiel' is also an Australian native, plus no end of other well known pet birds. The list is almost endless: 'lories' and 'lorikeets' (several types of these), parakeets such as 'turquoisine', 'bourke', 'splendid' 'elegant' and 'red-rumped' to name a few, there's loads more. The medium sized 'eclectus parrot' also hails from this part of the world.

The 'rosellas' are also medium parrot from Australia and about 6 different varieties are used as pets; 'Eastern', 'Northern', 'Western', 'crimson', 'green', and 'pale-headed'. All are unique and different in their own way but are closely related. Rosella are known for their strikingly rich colouring, making them a very desirable pet.

Finally the big daddy of Australian pet birds, the 'cockatoo'. There are about 20 different species of cockatoo but not all are popular as pets, and believe it or not the famous 'cockatiel' mentioned earlier is a member of this bird family but of course nowhere near as large as some of its cockatoo cousins. All birds in the cockatoo family are distinguishable by the crest of feathers on the top of the head.

Many breeds of Australian birds live in massive flocks in the wild. The sight of hundreds of budgerigars, cockatiels, finches or lorikeets flocking together is an awe-inspiring sight, and very noisy.

To summarise there is a massive range of Australian birds available as pets all over the world. Many are very colourful, easy to keep, very hardy and all have unique and sometimes entertaining characteristics. The least costly of exotic pet birds are also native Aussies. Is it any wonder that these pet birds are so popular?

Keeping Finches Happy Is Easy

If you want to get a pet that is easy to care for, makes very little mess, does not take up much room, and is very easy to keep happy, you want to get a finch. Keeping finches happy is easy to do.

When people get their first pair of these little feathered charmers they are scared that they will do something wrong in their attempt to care for finches. Actually keeping finches is easier than keeping a dog, or a cat.

When you have one of these birds for a pet you provide it with a cage that is at least 30" long. The cage does not need to be really high, as finches fly more sideways than they do up. Inside that cage make certain you have a place for plenty of fresh drinking water, and a food dish. Place a perch, or two inside the cage spaced far enough apart that the birds have to maneuver a little to change from one perch to the other. Do not situate them where they just step off one and step onto the other one.

Go to the store and pick up finch supplies for your new pet. Find out what finches like to eat, and make sure you have some on hand. Then you are ready to pick out your birds. Yes I did say birds, not bird. You see, finches are very social beings and if you only have one the little creature would quickly become depressed, and would not be happy. To ensure that your pet is happy, and healthy, you must provide it with a friend.

You do not necessarily have to have a male and female pair. You do not even have to have both finches be of the same variety. You simply need to give them a friend to hang around with. If you do decide that you want two different varieties of birds to reside in the same cage, make sure that the two you pick have close to the same characteristics. If you get one type that is easygoing, and you get one type that is slightly more dominant. Then the easygoing bird will soon become an unhappy bird. To make sure you have happy pets do a little research on which types of finches can live in harmony in the same cage.

If you do decide you want a male and a female these little fellows are fairly easy to keep satisfied enough that they breed in captivity.

Your new pets are not really keen on being handled, so you will not want to pick them up a lot. Basically if they have food, water, a friend, and a place they can stretch their wings a little, then you will have pets that are content in their surroundings.

All you will need to do is sit back and let them entertain you with the way they interact with each other. You can share little bits of fresh veggies with them every now and then, to give them a special treat.

Top Five Ways for Breeding Finches

Anyone that has finches for pets will eventually consider breeding their birds. The delight you get from your pets makes you want to see your birds have little ones, and watch them grow.

To begin breeding finches you need to get your birds a nest. Some people provide store-bought nests for their pets, some people construct the nests for them, and some people will provide the animals with the materials to build their own nests. Do not be upset if your birds do not like the first nest you give them, this is absolutely normal. Just remove the one they did not like and try another one. Continue to replace them until the birds accept one, and after that you will always know which nest to provide for your breeding finch.

Zebra finch breeders often provide their birds with wicker basket nests that are full of material to encourage their breeders. When these animals breed in the wild they will look for a place where they can hide completely, and this makes them feel safe. If you give them the ability to feel safe this will encourage breeding.

If your pets are not breeding you can try buying a heater from the pet supply, like they place in reptile cages; the heater will make the animals feel better and be healthier. Healthy birds are more likely to breed than sick ones.

You can try providing your animals with plenty of material to put in their nest. Sisal fiber is an excellent choice in materials as the finches breeders who do this on a regular basis will tell you.

One of the best things you can do for your pets is to make their environment as close to the natural environment they would have been in. They need to feel safe and secure, and they need to have what they consider a good food supply. This is not hard to accomplish, you can keep the feeder full for the animals, and plants make them feel like they have places to hide from danger. Buy fake plants for this purpose, or you can try providing them with cover by placing a blanket on the sides of their cage.

If you have children in your home, do not let them bump the cage a lot, or poke their fingers or other objects through the bars. If the birds are frequently disrupted by their cage being jarred around, then they will not feel safe and secure.

When you notice the male fussing with the nest, and then doing their mating song and dance, you should notice an egg in the nest in the next couple of days. The female may not begin to sit on the egg until she has laid 8 eggs. This is called a clutch of eggs, and she can only lay one per day. After they begin to sit on the eggs you will have hatching in 10 to 18 days. The parents will give the young all the care they need.

Room for Flight Equals a Happy Finch

Finches are small, metabolic dynamos. They are very active because of their need to expend all of that natural energy. Keeping your birds in a cage that is too small for activity is a death sentence to these little beauties. They must have room for flight; it directly affects their health.

If you have the budget for it, an indoor aviary that is at least forty inches high is an ideal set up for a pair of finches. If you don't have the budget for an aviary, let's talk cages.

When choosing a cage, don't go for the smallest cage you can find just because these birds are small. These birds were built for hours upon hours of continuous flight in the wild, so they need lots of room for flight in their enclosure.

For one pair of finches, their cage should be at least 28 inches long and 20 inches high. This is the minimum for two birds. Whatever you do, don't over crowd your cage because congestion is very stressful to these birds and stress will lead to health problems.

The cage must be well ventilated and free from any drafts or direct sunlight which can over heat the birds. The cage should be placed in a well lighted area that doesn't have too much activity. Place the cage at eye level against a wall.

When looking to purchase a cage for your finches, flight bird cages are a great idea. Flight bird cages allow birds to reach full flight. These types of cages are meant for multiple birds and they have several perches and feeders. They are much taller and wider than most average cages and would make a perfect home for your finches due to the large amount of space. Flight cages allow the birds more room for exercise and activity. But don't forget, you don't want to over crowd your birds.

Within the cage you need to provide separate finch feeders for food and water, grit and treat dishes and a bathing dish. You will need softwood perches of differing sizes to help keep your bird's feet healthy and to help keep their nails trim. Finches will also enjoy a nest box to sleep in at night. Paper sprinkled with grit should be placed on the bottom of the cage or you can simply use grit paper. You will also want to place a "bird protector" disk on the side of the cage. This will help to prevent mites.

Your birds with thrive with plenty of room to roam, good healthy food and a stress free environment.

How Do You Build a Chicken Coop - 5 Essential Guidelines You MUST Know

1. The coops basic structure

Your chicken coop is essentially going to have two main parts. The first is the enclosed indoor shelter or henhouse. This is a place that should shelter your flock from bad weather and enclose them for the night. It will give protection from predators when they are asleep and most vulnerable. The henhouse should be big enough to provide 2 to 4 sq.ft. of space per bird.

The second part is the outdoor area or run. Think of the run as their place to hang out; to eat, drink, bath, exercise and socialize with friends.If enclosed, you should provide 10 sq. ft. of space per chicken. If you birds are kept confined most of the time, allocate as much space as you can for your birds. They will be happier and healthier. It's better to build a coop that is too big rather than one that's too small.

2. Predator-proof Fence

The entire coop structure - the henhouse and run - must be enclosed to keep your chickens in and predators out. Fencing should be no less than 4 to 6 feet high (1.2 to 1.8m) to contain your chickens. Do not use lightweight 1 inch mesh wire for fencing. Flimsy materials like that is no deterrent to predators.

Fencing should be made of medium to heavy-duty materials intended for outdoor use. Livestock fencing or poultry netting are good examples. There are some light breeds which can fly over 6 foot barriers. Keep them in by installing poultry netting over the enclosure.This also protects your flock from aerial predators like hawks or owls and other predators that can climb up and over the fence.

Be sure to bury the fence 6 to 12 inches below ground. This prevents predators from tunneling under the fence. Holes in the wire should be no larger than 1 inch. This prevents your chickens from sticking their heads out and chicks from easily slip through.

The next two features are inside the coop. They are essential if you are raising chickens for eggs, will let your hens hatch their eggs or raise chickens as pets. If you raise meat chickens or broiler these two features are not necessary.

3. Nesting Boxes

This is the spot where the hens come to lay their eggs and where you will find and gather them. You should have 1 nesting box for every 2 to 4 hens. The individual size of the nest box can range from 12x12x12 for average size hens to 16x16x16 for heavy breed hens. The nest box has to be bigger than a hen, allow headroom, and space to turn around. There should also be a "lip" in front of the boxes to prevent eggs from rolling out. They should also be covered in straw to protect the eggs.

Elevate the laying boxes off the ground to discourage chickens from scratching in them which could dirty or break eggs. Some folks create easy access to gather the eggs without disturbing the hens. Make the nest boxes along an outside wall so with a hatch to easily gather the eggs from outside the coop.

4. Roosts

Chickens like to sleep up high of the ground. They feel safer. The roost height depending on the age and health of your chickens as well as the height of your coop. You'll want the lowest roosts to be anywhere from 18 to 24 inches above the floor. Space them 18 inches apart. It is not recommended to have lots of roosts at different heights. Chickens like to perch as high as possible. This creates competition among the chickens for the highest spot.

Allow 8 inches (20 cm) of perching space for each chicken - 10 inches for the larger breeds.

Also, you want the roosts to be wide enough so the chickens can place their feet comfortably on them. Regular sized chickens require perches 2 inches across with rounded edges. No less than 1 inch across for bantams. The flat sides of 2x4s are very popular roosts.

5. Feeder & Waterer

There are variety of specially designed poultry feeders and waterers commercially available. Choose feeders and waterers that give your flock easy access while also discouraging mess and waste contamination. This prevents your birds from filling them with their poops and debris. It's also easy for you to both fill and clean them. Position the bottom of the feeder and top edge of the chicken waterers at the top height of your chicken's back.

These are the five main ingredients in your chicken coop. What you use for the coop, how you lay it all out and what materials you use it is really up to you. Like I said, you can go from buying one already assembled to just using some proven plans to... Going Wild.....

The Colorful Gouldian Finch

Talk about a beautiful rainbow! Gouldian Finches are one of the most vibrantly colored birds around. The Gouldian Finch, also known as The Lady Gouldian Finch or Rainbow Finch, is a colorful passerine bird endemic to Australia. They are found in northern Australia, their habitat being tropical savanna woodlands. Unfortunately this beautiful bird's population is declining in the wild and in 1992 they were officially classified as "Endangered in the wild".

Gouldian Finches can get up to 6 inches long, with the males being a little larger than the females. Both males and females are brightly colored with yellow, red, green and black markings. The males are more brightly colored than the females, especially in the breast area. In general males have deep purple breasts, yellow bellies, and green bodies with black, red or yellow heads. Juveniles have a different coloring; their heads and necks are grey while their backs, wings and tail feathers are an olive-green. 

Their undersides, legs and feet are a light brown. Due to breeding in captivity, there have been a wide variety of color mutations developed including the white breasted, yellow-headed, blue breasted, blue bodied, white bodied and rose breasted variations.

Gouldian Finches do very well when housed with Zebra or Society Finches. They are very social and active so they must have plenty of flight room. These birds are not hard to keep, however they can be quite difficult to acclimate to their new surroundings. They need plenty of exercise to avoid metabolic problems that can be life threatening. They can become ill if exposed to cold, even for short periods of time.

These birds are NOT the ideal finch to try to finger or shoulder train. These birds are happiest when enjoyed from a distance. They should always be bought in pairs. While not extremely difficult birds to keep, Gouldian Finches really should be purchased by experienced bird keepers.

Breeding comes naturally if the birds are kept happy and healthy by providing them with proper nutrition, a clean environment, mental stimulations (toys), social activity and plenty of exercise.

Due to their beauty and incredible color and pattern variations, these birds can be quite expensive. Since these birds are a bit more delicate than other finches, it is imperative that you purchase your birds from a breeder than you can go to with any question regarding the care of your birds and that you have an avian vet you can speak to and have exam your birds regularly.

Zebra Finches - Breeding and Raising Finches

If you are thinking about breeding finches, then breeding Zebra Finches is a slam dunk. These little birds are breeding machines. They will produce young birds at an amazing rate and they aren't particularly fussy about where they do it. Almost any enclosure will do as long as you provide an appropriate nesting site for them to lay eggs, incubate them and nurture them until they become independent.

The absolute minimum size cage for your Zebra Finches to successfully mate is a standard flight cage that measures at least three feet in length, that's a bit shy of one meter. If you provide a nesting box, I use semi-open baskets available at any pet shop selling birds, mainly because they are inexpensive, easy to clean and my birds seem to not object. I place the nest high and near a corner however as long as the nest is placed high in the cage, no worries, your finches will find the nest and produce baby birds rapidly.

I supply coconut fibers and, when available, a bit of soft grass for the mating pair to line the inside of the nesting box. Rarely will your finches build a nest on the floor of the cage as they might do in the wild; while they may lay eggs on the floor of the cage, these eggs are unlikely to produce young birds.

Once the eggs are laid, generally four to five eggs at a time, the parent birds take turns incubating them. They will hatch in a range of twelve to fourteen days after being laid. During incubation and for the next few weeks, your finches must be fed a diet that includes seeds and is heavily supplemented with insect protein; mealworms do just fine for the insect protein and are available at most pet stores in a live but dormant form from the refrigerator. The parents share the feeding responsibility for the young birds.

As the young birds near independence but have not left the nest, the parents sometimes begin to neglect the young birds and resume their courtship behaviors. If this happens, remove the nest from the cage and hand feed the young birds until they reach independence. Crushing seeds and mealworms and adding a tiny bit of liquid will work just fine as you feed the little ones with an eye-dropper.

The young Zebra Finches mature quickly and may attempt to mate as early as eleven weeks old. It is better, however, to separate them by gender until they are at least nine months old because early mating will produce lethargic young birds.

Finches Make the Best Pets

For anyone who is looking to get a pet that is low maintenance, highly entertaining, and extremely forgiving, finches make the best pets.

The finches are small and easily kept in cages. The little birds come in a wide variety of colors and patterns. Finches, birds are found in almost all pet stores, so they are easy to purchase. And because they are so common you can buy them in almost any price range.

Having finches as pets makes good sense for anyone who works odd hours, or who travels frequently for work. You simply place enough feed and water in the cages for the amount of time you will be gone, and when you come home your pet will be as happy as when you left. When you get back the cage will need some cleaning, but it will be the pets cage that needs cleaned not your rug. Other pets might have accidents on your carpets, tear up your furniture, eat your shoes, or even chew on your telephone and electric cords, but finches will remain in their cage, and be content.

If you have a dog for a pet when you return home from being away, the animal will often pout, and sulk. They will be mad at you for leaving them. If you have a lot of work to do they will demand your attention, even if they have to destroy something to get it. You have to interrupt anything you are doing and take them for walks, or let them outside. You must treat them for fleas and ticks, or they will cause an infestation of your home with these parasites. If all of that sounds like it could be more than you are ready to handle, you should look into finches for pets.

The little bird will never pout because you left, or you did not pet them, and they never need taking outdoors. These creatures really do not like you to handle them very much. They are happy in their little caged world that you provide, as long as you remember to feed, and water them, that is all they need from you.

Try and remember if you want to keep one of these birds as a pet, you will need two birds at least. They are very social with their own species, and are miserable when they are alone. Providing them with a companion will make all the difference in your little feathered friend.

You can, and will be very entertained by watching the antics of these small creatures. They each have their own personalities, and the different species of them have tendencies toward different characteristics of behavior. Some of these animals can sing beautifully, while some never sing.

You will find some species to be aggressive, while others are almost timid. Some of the birds are simply curious, they get along with others unless the others are nesting, and then the curious birds will not leave the parents to be alone.

You will have to explore the different species to find the perfect one for your home.

How to Buy Finches That Are Healthy and Happy

If you are new to the world of raising finches, then you may want a little advice on how to buy finches that are healthy and happy. Birds can be very difficult to judge when they are sick. Nature has taught them to mask any signs of weakness in order to not alert predators. So for you to be able to tell if the finch you are looking at is a healthy bird you will have to be observant.

If at all possible go purchase your bird from a breeder rather going to a pet store. Pet stores are great places for getting supplies for your feathered friends but they do not always know any real information regarding the finches for sale in their shop. They will know the basics of what foods to give them, but they will more than likely have no clue about the behavior of the species you are looking at. When you want to buy finches try to find a reputable breeder in your area.

The breeder is going to be able to tell you all the characteristics of the types of birds they raise. They usually do not have a finch sale until the birds are ready to leave, and most breeders would never allow a finches sale when the bird appeared sick.

Spend a little time at the breeders looking at the birds. Notice their cages, are they cleaned, and neat looking? Do the birds have plenty of fresh water inside their cage? Is there a ready supply of food for the birds to eat? Does the cage look small or cramped for the number of birds that are in it?

Try if you can to see more than just the few birds that are up for sale. If you can see where they house their breeding stock you will get to see exactly how healthy acting their other birds are.

The birds should appear neat and clean, but do not fret too much if you notice some missing feathers, the loss of some feathers can be considered normal. Look at the birds beak to see if it is shaped correctly, and notice the nostrils at the top of the beak. If there is any sign of the nostrils having a runny appearance you do not want that bird.

If the bird is just sitting listlessly, pass that one up as well. These little creatures are very social with each other and they are very active.

Not all the species of finches are singers so you cannot really judge anything by whether or not they are singing. A good rule of thumb to remember is the more brightly colored the bird is, the less likely it is to sing. If you want a song bird you will want a plain Jane variety.

You can look in your local classifieds and find advertisements for finches for sale, some of these will be very reasonable dealers with healthy, happy specimens.