Aussie Finch Forum

Hi, i have a pair of Red faced parrot fiches, I have only had them about three weeks now and was not 100% sure at the time of buying if they were a definite pair...we tried to sex them...anyway...I have an new a d empty nest in there enclosure and they have started to build this nest so i know i have a lair now....bit it was not my intention to breed them straight away.....I was going to concentrate on there nutrition first to ensure strong birds ?...can someone suggest when is best to let these birds breed please?....and when to take the nests out ? Thanks.

RFPF breed when they are ready...so if they are building a nest... in their opinion they are ready...my neighbours RFPF are laying now..as long as you practice good feeding regime, you shouldn't have any problems....as far as taking nest out, I leave mine in and they stop 90% of the time after the 3rd nest...if you feel the hen is scruffy after 2nd nest remove her...RFPF like all Parrots finches will drive the hen fairly constant which helps bring them both into condition...Cheers

Thank you, I will consider this...I have only had them a few weeks and wasn't expecting or planning them to breed straight away to be honest !! We weren't every 100% sure we had a pair (obviously we know we have now )..however I might place the nest back in again in a few weeks time the hen is ok..she isn't a mess just a few feathers looking slightly fluffed up on her back/ neck area that's all but apart from that she good..I feed a good diet I hope..I try my best to keep it high nutritionally ...the weathers all over the place right now can't be great for babies ? X thanks again.

The ruffled feathers on the back/neck of the hen are likely a symptom of the courtship chase/catch/shag routine which parrotfinches go through. If so, this is not something she needs to recover from before breeding rather an indication that they are currently ready for action. Now (warmer weather) is the main breeding season for parrotfinches & their recent nesting attempt is an indicator that are in breeding condition now. I'd let them go for it.

Yep...I've let them go for it ..l.o.l nest back in birds separated and off they go...l.o.l naughty little stop outs. X