Aussie Finch Forum

I've recently purchased a pair of Java finches. Im just wondering in relation to breeding them what is the best set up.
They are currently in a largish cage.
Just not sure what kind of boxes etc to provide them.

They will nest in most boxes,and if they are housed with other finches keep an eye on them,they can be a bit of a bully.
Jack

Mine have bred in a mixture of nests but I find a decent size 20cm x 20cm wood box best. And a moderate size 3m x 2m x 1.5m avairy. Seems to suit them best. If housed with other birds as mine are make sure to have the goodies put in a couple of locations to reduce competition squabbles between breeding birds.
LML

finchbreeder wrote:Mine have bred in a mixture of nests but I find a decent size 20cm x 20cm wood box best. And a moderate size 3m x 2m x 1.5m avairy. Seems to suit them best. If housed with other birds as mine are make sure to have the goodies put in a couple of locations to reduce competition squabbles between breeding birds.
LML

That would be great! I can contact them if I into trouble.

Once you get a compatible pair. As I have, they will breed regularly, then the only problem will be seperating them after the 2nd or 3rd nest so they do not overdo it.
LML

I had a pair in a canary style double breeder. They laid one nest of clear eggs before I gave them away. I have read that clear eggs are quite common when cabinet breeding Javas.

I had a number of unsuccessful years when I first started with them. Non pairs and non compatible pairs. Then inexperienced hens. But once you get a compatible pair who have had their "practice" nest. They are free breeders. Anyone want to buy 2 or 4? Yes they are on the Classifieds. And the cocks are beautiful singers, comparabile to canarys.
LML

I bred them for a few years in the Philippines in a small mixed aviary (2.5m X 2.1m X 1m cage containing 3 pr Javas, 1 pr cut-throats, 1 pr hanging parrots). They chose 1/2 open nest boxes in favour of fully enclosed boxes or can baskets and would sometimes build in the space between the box and the rear wall). Only once did they use a fully enclosed box which became fouled & mouldy but didn't affect the chicks survival but really stank so I think I was lucky). I didn't find them aggressive but I did find the number of toes declined so I wouldn't recommend keeping them with hanging parrots and they didn't breed at all. Nests were made of course grasses and they largely ignored feathers but that may be what they grew up with as I've heard others really like them.

They enjoyed green seed and did like unripe rice but not mature (dried ripened) rice even when the hull was removed. If you want to grow rice it's not too hard but it's difficult to get fresh paddy however if are careful you can sprout freshly dehulled brown rice and start some plants. Even here in Brisbane there's no point planing it after the start of December as it will get too cold and the crop will be sterile. Once you have seed let some ripen and keep the dried seed in the freezer so that it maintains viability for your crop next year as the germination is a lot better with the unhulled (paddy) rice. if you keep rice at room temperature germination percentage drops off dramatically after about 8 months.

Mine also just use mixed grasses for nesting material. And love the green seeding grasses while raising chicks. Havent tried rice.
LML