New to finch keeping

[vettepilot_6]

Flap,
Is 6x3 metres squared big enough for them?.

Thanks Nathan

Doublebars or Owls would be okay by themselves in that size aviary...but you might get lucky if there is not too much interefence.....

[jusdeb]

Do you twitch when you log off ?
Do you log in just to have the forum on standby in case you need to know something ?
Are you eating breakfast at the computer ?

If the answer is no then give it time . Let the obsessing begin . Nice to have you here Dave .

[flap]

My wife thinks I am becoming obsessed.

Your wife is probably right!

Nathan - it depends how many other birds you have in there. If you had only the two pairs of DBs in 18 square metres that would be plenty of room! Remember what you were told in other threads, 2 square metres per bird is ideal.

Deb - have you been spying on me??? ;)

[djb78]

I think that the two finches you want to keep are a good starter, they will coexist good together and breeding requirements are similar, live food is required for good breeding results. Once you have these breeding regularly they are a good springboard for many other types of finches.

[SamDavis]

David,

I'd say double bars and orange breasts are a great start. However, in my experience double bars are not easy to breed and I strongly suspect that many on the market are actually wild caught - which is probably the reason why they can be difficult to breed. I haven't kept double bars for many years as there's literally hundreds of wild ones around our property.

Welcome to your new obsession!

Sam

[Nathan Morleyy]

Ok flap,
So I Have plenty of room for my double barred finches.

Thanks Nathan

[BENSONSAN]

Sam knows I agree with him and I think the same... Anyway just thought I would say that I totally agree with Sam. Double bars are beautiful tho. Funnily enough I think the Europeans breed plenty even in cabinets.

[Diane]

welcome Dave.
Cant deny the finches you have chosen to start with are quite the charmers, Obs I have a couple of pairs and Ive just got some of the Double bars so will seen how they go for me.
*typed post while sitting at the computer eating breakfast, after checking the birds in my pjs*
That's not too obsessed...is it?

[Tiaris]

G'day Dave,

I think you have made the right start by starting with species slightly up the scale of avicultural care from Zebras, especially since you have already grasped the basics of bird care with parrots. I am a very firm believer that to start with these next level species is the best introduction to finch aviculture as it soon equips you with the standard of care and range of regular tasks required to later successfully keep & breed most species which are available to choose from. I see many people start with Zebras and from this they get a false sense of confidence regarding finch breeding generally & don't realise the extent to which most other finch species require a significant step up in housing, diet and aviary management for any degree of consistent breeding success. Simply adding other finch species to existing Zebra finch aviaries is frought with problems and poor breeding results. Choosing species which you find attractive, researching their requirements (which you are obviously keen to do) and doing your best to put it all into practice is the perfect way to introduce yourself to, enjoy and learn from a new species.
Orangebreasts are my favourite foreign species too - beautiful little birds.

(I don't wish to put down Zebra Finches. I actually think they are beautiful little birds. I just wish to emphasise the difference in care required for their successful breeding compared to most other finches. They are one species which is very much best suited to being housed on their own.)