Breeding Finches – Specifically Zebra Finches
Sweet personalities and hardiness make finches one of the most popular pets of today. Although the Society finch is one of the more popular finches, the Zebra finch is becoming even more so especially when it comes to breeding finches. The Zebra’s are not only easy to care for but when it comes to rearing their young, not only do they care for their own but others as well.
When determining the sex of a finch, there are a number of different characteristics that can be viewed. Some may differ in appearance, brightness of colors, behaviors or their song. To determine the differences in the Zebra’s there are several components you can look for. Keep in mind that breeding may affect some attributes but the ones to determine sex shouldn’t be affected.
To determine a male Zebra finch, there are a few things to look for such as:
• Orange cheek patches
• Stripes on throat
• Black stripe on breast
• Flanks are of a chestnut color spattered with white spots
In regards to checking the sex for a female, look for the following:
• Beak color brighter than males
• Beak color is more orange than red
• Lacks cheek coloring, stripe on breast
• Usually gray in cheeks and breast
The young Society finches, or juveniles, will appear to have the characteristics of a female except their beaks will be painted of black. The coloring of the beaks and body will change as the finch becomes an adult and is complete at about the age of 90 days. You will not find to finches alike, to breeding finches is an exciting process.
Like most of Mother Nature’s creatures, mating (or breeding) begins in the spring. Just like other creatures, each pair of Zebra finches will find their own environment that suits them to mate and raise their young. When breeding finches, providing the right environment is important if you want the process to be successful.
If your finches are in an aviary, providing grasses or straw for them to build nests is perfect. If the Zebra’s are in a cage, providing a box or a special breeding box is sufficient. Keep in mind, once the babies have hatched, you will need to have a bigger cage for the family to stay in until the babies can be separated from their parents.
Before, during and after the time you are breeding finches, providing fresh water and food is important. Calcium which can be offered via cuttlebone should be given as well as foods that are high in protein. The calcium will provide strong egg shells and stops the binding that can occur in females.
Zebra finch pairs will both share in the responsibilities of the caring and raising of the young. The male will build the nest from a variety of materials he sees fit. Once the Zebra eggs have been laid (one every day until clutch complete), the male will take turns on the eggs (average four or five) so the female can have a break and to eat as well as bathe.
It is important to note that once the eggs have been laid, remove all excess materials otherwise the male may want to cover them up and this could harm them.
The hatchlings will appear within 12 to 18 days from the date they were laid. At about a month, the babies can be separated. This is when you can move the babies to their own cages and begin breeding finches again next season.
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