How to be Successful at Breeding Zebra Finches

It is not uncommon for bird entusiasts that may have had birds for several years to begin breeding finches to take their hobby to the next level or just for the pure enjoyment of it.  Finches are some very tough birdsa that are extremely easy to care for and they have exceptionally charming personalities.  You can choose to breed Zebra finches, which is the easiest followed by Society finches, also known as House finches. There are both types of birds that are even willing to rear the young from other rare species like the Australian Grass Finch or the American Goldfinch.

Determining Sex

Depending on the type of finch, determining the sex may be obvious based on appearance or song while in others, it may be a bit more challenging.  Fortunately, breeding Zebra Finches is relatively simple because there are distinct difference between the males and females.

Although Zebra finches comes in several different mutations, there are a few distinguishing features of both sexes that remains the same for every finch.  Males have orange cheek patches, a black bar across their breast, stripes on their throat and their flanks are chestnut-colored with white spots.  On the other hand, females are predominantly gray in these areas, have a black tear under their eyes and lighter beaks.

Juvenile Zebra finches are pretty much the same to look at, especially the females. Only Juvenile’s are born with a black beak.  Adult colors are typically prevalent around three months old.

Nesting

Breeding finches will require the proper environment to be successful.  You should be aware of that their breeding season begins in early spring and while some birds may thrive as a couple in a special breeding box, other birds prefer an aviary, escpecially and outdoor aviary, with other birds around.  In the occation of breeding birds, Zebra finches are the perfect bird to have, they are happy in almost any environment.

Both male and female Zebra Finches share parenting responsibilities but it is the male who will do the most weaving.  You should supply them with appropriate nesting materials such as feathers, grasses or commercially prepared materials but once the female lays her eggs, remove any excess debris.  In some occations though, the male will continue adding onto the nest if there are more materials left and he might even cover up the eggs! You should not allow that to happen.

Clutch Information

Breeding finches, especially Zebra finches is extra special because the female will lay one egg generally every other day until she reaches four or five so if you miss seeing one laid, there is always a chance to catch the next show.  After the clutch is complete, the hen will primarily incubate the nest however, the male will provide her with breaks for food and exercise where he will happily take over with the responsibility.  Approximately 12 to 18 days later, the eggs will begin to hatch.

Parenting

If you have had finches for a long time and wondering about breeding more birds, you should know that the parents will have special needs.  They require foods that are very high in protein while they have chicks in the nest and they need access to calcium at all times.  The easiest way to ensure their calcium intake is by providing them with a cuttlebone.

At around 18 days old, the feathered chicks will begin leaving the nest and by the time they are a month old, they are capable of eating on their own.  At this time they can be safely removed from their nest.

Breeding Zebra Finches is rewarding and relatively simple.  These birds are easy to care for and since they make such outstanding pets, you will never have difficulty selling them!