Zebra finches are fun, easy-to-care for pets and are probably the least shy and fearful finches, along with the Japanese sparrow and monk pigeon. They are recognized by their chirping and have different colors, including: classic, hare, silver, cream, white (albino) and multicolored.
Steps
Step 1. Get a finch cage
These have tiny openings, so birds can't escape. Cages for canaries or other cages with larger openings are not suitable for housing finches. There must be at least one perch per pair. Line the bottom of the cage with newspaper. Sandpaper should not be placed in bird cages, as it damages their paws. Try putting on swings or other bird toys, and decorations to keep the finches busy. As with all birds, if there are ropes in the cages, the animals can become knotted and suffer serious damage, even fatal.
Step 2. Buy finches
Go to a pet store or a specific bird shop. Choose bright-eyed, active, non-matted feathers that are obviously healthy. Finches are very social. However, it is advisable to keep only one pair in each cage, to minimize the risk of fighting. If you want to create a small colony, make sure they have enough room to fly and that the cage is not overcrowded.
Step 3. Feed the finch
Their main diet consists of seeds, which can be purchased in pet stores. Make sure the food dispenser is always full - finches adjust their diets to suit their needs and won't overeat. Finches can also eat some simple foods, such as vegetables and breadcrumbs. Avoid meat and spicy / sweet foods and remove all perishable leftovers every day. Provide fresh, clean water every day as well as some 'treats' such as cuttlefish bones and honey sticks.
Step 4. Check for symptoms of disease or behavioral changes
If a finch gets hurt or gets sick, put it in a separate cage in a warm room and call the vet right away.
Step 5. Provide nesting materials only if you want finches to mate
Provide several new, clean nests so the finches can choose the one they want to raise their young in. The female will lay a brood of around 8 eggs, which will hatch in a couple of weeks. Make sure you count the eggs, but don't disturb the animals. If after 3 weeks the eggs have not hatched, it means that they are not fertile and must be removed quickly, because the female will lay a new brood and it will be impossible to distinguish the new eggs from those that have not hatched. Separate the pair between broods so they can rest before breeding again. After 21 days, the chicks will leave the nest and start eating on their own. After 6 weeks they will have developed adult plumage and coloration.
Step 6. Separate the chicks from their parents after 6 weeks
They should be moved to a separate cage. Check out local stores to sell the chicks or barter them for food or other products for your finches.
Advice
- Males have brighter colors than females and can be distinguished by orange cheeks.
- Zebra finches are usually excellent parents. They won't need your help.
- If you want to touch them, do it carefully and very gently. Zebra finches are very delicate. Also, give them time to get used to you before taking them and make it a process to get to gradually.
