Instructions
Determine what type of birds you already have. Certain finches are more aggressive than others. Mixing non-aggressive finches with aggressive finches puts your non-aggressive finches in jeopardy. After you determine what type of birds you have, choose a bird that is similar in personality. Consult a bird book or an online site or ask a veterinarian to find out the aggressiveness for each type of finch. For example, the cordon bleu and the fire finch both have gentle personalities and are ideal finches to put together.
Figure out how many birds you end up with once you add a finch. Finches are happier when they are in pairs. Housing three finches together tends to alienate one of the birds and often leads to the odd bird being picked on or hurt.
Figure out the gender of your finches. Often, male finches feature feathers that are brighter than females. Depending on the species, males also feature brighter-colored beaks than females. To fully determine the gender of your finches, consult a finch bird book or a veterinarian. Many websites also feature information on sexing your finches from looking for visual characteristics of male and females to the behaviors to look for in each gender. Keep an even number of each gender together. This creates less fighting among the males. Three birds of each gender is an ideal living situation; the potential of competition is less than if you have only two pairs of finches.
Ensure your finches have enough space. Each pair of finches must have at least 3 square feet of floor space to avoid overcrowding.
Move the cage around. Before introducing a new finch to other birds, move the nest boxes, perches and feeding areas around in the cage. This makes the cage seem new to all of the birds.
Add more feeding and watering spaces in the cage. A new finch is often picked on by other finches. At times, the new finch may not be able to get to the food or water if there are not enough places to feed. Add more feeding and watering areas to ensure that the new finch keeps a healthy diet and is not denied any necessities.
Place the new finch in the cage with the other birds. Allow the other birds to become acquainted with the new addition. New finches may be chased or picked on as the other birds grow accustomed to another bird in the cage. Allow this to happen as long as the new bird is not being hurt.
How to Introduce a New Finch
Finches are social birds. They enjoy the company of other finches and are relatively gentle. However, when you decide to introduce a new finch into a group, you must take precautions. A new addition to the cage is stressful for both the new finch and the other birds. From choosing like-minded finches to keeping a watchful eye on the cage, taking the proper steps to ensure the safety and happiness of all the birds is key in making the transition successful.