Also known as Society Finch
Sexing is extremely difficult as there are no visible differences between the sexes. One way to do it is separate the birds into smaller cages in view of each other and watch for the bird that starts to sing and dance this will be the cock bird so then put a split ring on him for future reference.
Bengalese finches are very sociable little birds which can be housed as a pair in a medium size pet bird cage or a breeding type box cage with wire front up to a colony in an outside aviary with dry draft proof shelter for them to get away from the inclement English weather.
A good quality foreign finch mix, a slice of apple and greens given intermittently as a treat. Mineral grit fine oyster shell and cuttlefish should always be available, as should fresh water supplied daily for drinking and in a shallow dish for bathing.
There are several types of nest receptacle for these birds to use the most common being the half fronted cube type nest box being favoured by serious breeders as checking the contents is easier, nesting material can be coconut fibres short lengths of sisal and their own feathers to line it.
Once they have chosen there favoured site they will build a nest from the material supplied and once the nest is finished they will perform the courtship routine. After five days the hen will start laying eggs at one each day, the clutch usually consists of four to eight eggs and the hen usually starts sitting after the third egg is laid.
Hatching should take place about twelve to fourteen days after the third egg is laid. The chicks will usually hatch at one a day the parents then start feeding the fledglings each pair rear their young differently, closed ringing should take place at eight to nine days depending on size of chicks.
Usually twenty-two to thirty-two days after hatching they will usually fledge which means leaving the nest for the first time finches are born knowing how to fly but not land so tend to miss the perches in the beginning but soon catch on. At four weeks it is best to remove the nest box to prevent the parents from starting to nest and lay eggs again. As the parents are still feeding the youngsters its at this time you should start introducing soaked / sprouted seed to the youngsters in the cage to help them to get used to eating seeds at about four to six weeks they will be self sufficient and ready to be removed from the parents. Then after eight weeks they should be moulting into adult plumage don’t attempt to breed with them until they are ten to twelve months old.
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