How to Care for Breeding Society Finches

Society finches are known for their social and easy-going nature. This makes them ideal in breeding pairs, especially for beginner or novice breeders. In fact, one of the most common problems breeders face is keeping the birds separated from one another. They commonly make a habit of all roosting in one nest box together, and therefore they tend to neglect the eggs that are laid. This is why many breeders recommend that you limit the number of society finches in each cage to four birds or less for optimal breeding success.

Things You'll Need

  • Box style cage
  • 2 softwood perches 3/4 inch diameter
  • 4 hanging dishes
  • Grit paper
  • Eggshells
  • Charcoal
  • Nest box 6 inches tall with open top
  • Sisal
  • Dry grass
  • Cuttlebone
  • Canary seed blend
  • Chickweed
  • Spinach
  • Egg food
  • Sprouted seed
  • Chopped apples
  • Chopped pears
  • Broccoli florets
  • Carrot tops
  • Thermometer
  • Full-color spectrum light with timer
  • Antibacterial soap
  • Spray bottle
  • Paper towels
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Instructions

    • 1

      House your finches in large box style cages constructed from either stainless steel or wood. Ideally, try to find a cage that has one open side because they are easier to clean. Make sure your softwood perches are spaced far apart in the cage. Hang separate dishes above the perches for food, supplemental foods, water and fresh greens. Keep the cage in an area where it will be protected from drafts, cold or hot air, direct sunlight and fumes. Position the grit paper on the bottom of the cage and sprinkle ground eggshells and charcoal onto it.

    • 2

      Hang the next box on the outside of the cage. Cover the floor of the nesting box with sisal and dry grass.

    • 3

      Feed breeding finches a canary seed blend including millet and cereal seeds. Keep fresh water available at all times. Provide fresh greens like chickweed and spinach as well.

    • 4

      Offer your society finches daily nutritional supplemental foods like egg food, sprouted seed, chopped apples and pears, broccoli florets and carrot tops. Hang a cuttlebone in the cage.

    • 5

      Keep the temperature at 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Check the room twice daily with a thermometer to verify the temperature. Position a full-color spectrum light directly above the cage, and set its timer to shut off after 10 hours.

    • 6

      Clean out the hanging dishes every day. Replace ground up shells and charcoal on the floor of the cage every two days. Change out the grit paper once every seven days. Fill a spray bottle with hot water and a mild antibacterial soap. Spray the surfaces of the cage, then wipe the cage with paper towels until it is clean and dry.