How to Raise Finches

By eHow Pets Editor

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

Cages
Perches
Variety of food
Drinking water bowl and bath container
Male and female finch (for breeding purposes)
Nest (for breeding purposes)

Step 1:
Provide the finches with large cages. Although the birds are small, they have active natures and require plenty of extra room. If you have a pair of finches, you'll need at least 2 perches mounted far enough apart so that the birds can fly (not hop) between them.
Step 2:
Select finches that seem to have similar characters and make sure their cage has ample room for all of the birds you plan to raise. This is the best way to avoid aggression problems.
Step 3:
Feed the finches a diet of both dry and sprouted seeds, finch pellets, insects, small morsels of veggies and fruits, and hard-boiled eggs (including crushed pieces of the shell). It is also important to provide clean water at least once a day. The calcium found in egg shells is especially important when you raise birds that are nesting.
Step 4:
Provide the finches with clean water in a shallow container for bathing purposes. Replace the container with fresh water daily.
Step 5:
Place a male and female within a cage to breed the birds. The cage must have a nest suitable for the birds. The finches will not breed without a nest.
Step 6:
Allow the parents to care for the chicks once your finches have babies. They regurgitate their own food to provide nourishment for the chicks. It is important to keep feeding the parents a proper diet including an extra dose of calcium.
Step 7:
Relocate the new finches to their own cage once you notice them eating the food you give to their parents. At that point, it is safer for the young birds to be in a separate cage. However, use caution when placing siblings in the same cage. Remove the nest or inbreeding could occur. Birds that are inbred may have health defects.

Tips & Warnings

If you decide to raise different types of finches. Make sure the species are compatible. Some are more aggressive than others. Visit the Finch Information Center for a list of compatible birds (see Resources below).

Resources

Finch Information Center to determine which birds are compatible.

More Puppy Pages

How to Breed Finches

A finch can be a great addition to your home. They are colorful, cheerful and active birds. If you are considering acquiring a male and female for breeding purposes, it is important to realize that breeding finches requires research, planning and...

Finches can sing, dance or merely serve as an attractive pet that catches the attention of your guests. With so many different finch species to choose from, it is important to become familiar with the traits of each type to make sure you are choosing the...

Finches are among the easiest birds to breed at home. You can almost always find a ready market for your birds at local pet stores or through classified ads.Iif you want children to experience the joy of watching new life, breeding finches is more...

If you plan to add finches to your pet family, it is important to properly set up a cage to house the birds. The finches will spend their whole lives in a cage. It is crucial to make sure that they have the space needed to thrive.

Breeding lovebirds isn't easy, but it's very rewarding if you have the time and energy. These sweet little parrots make good parents, and the chicks become used to human contact, making them great pets. You can even breed lovebirds outdoors if the...