Finch popularity ?

[desertbirds]

I`ve read several articles over the last few years regarding the popularity of finches and bird keeping in general.The articles were a bit doom and gloom and contained verses like "the fall and fall of finches ". Is it just my perception or is finching keeping regaining some popularity ?.The Orange bird sale sounds hugely popular and i noticed the forum is up around 800 members.Whenever i log on i also notice several guests visiting posts.I also read that bird shops were closing down and sales were taking over.In Adelaide the same shops have been there since i was a kid and i think there is also a few other outlets to the south of the city.Garymc also recently stated that softbills were gaining in popularity. Whats your thoughts on the status of aviculture ? Its hard for me to judge being a bit isolated from it all.

[Jayburd]

I reckon finch keepers are rising in number, and we're getting that influx of younger people we needed. Parrot keepers I think have fallen a bit because their charges are so expensive and needing-of-attention and extra care, but since finches are a lot simpler (mostly) we're gaining in popularity...

[E Orix]

There has been quite abit of research and personal opinions.
The demise of the dealer and bird shops, this is happening but some are hanging in by selling other pet related products.
The main reason is the popularity of bird sales,gone are the days where you sold a few through a club but most times off to the dealer.There was even a time when the dealers actually did the rounds and visited the breeders on a regular 2 / 4 or 6 week rotation.
The demand for Finches is increasing and there are a number of reasons,some by outside influences.
I will not go into why I think the number of Parrots keepers are indecline except one outside influence and that is the Council bye Laws where the numbers are limited as people only have to quietly object and down comes the council ranger, also the house blocks in the city are getting smaller and smaller and the large banks of parrot flights are a thing of the past in the cities at least.So the alternate is a smaller aviary set up with quiet finches and the council sit back in most cases.
As for new members, there are a few more younger finch keepers it seems but like many many other times in the past the acid test comes when they turn 17 or so and the girls and boys start to look alot more interesting. A very few hang in there but luckilyn a reasonable number return quite early in their married life.
I think you will find that the biggest influx of new members comes from the 45year+ group, their families have grown up and left, and they are no longer involved with sport and a hobby or interest becomes a wise decision. So the very wise ones choose finch keeping
All I know is generally the good quality finches sell well at the sales.
At least that is my opinion

[Jayburd]

BTW desertbirds I liked your other avatar better ;) - but good pic.

[desertbirds]

I will put it back for you Jayburd,just so excited i can do one and post pics now that i had to have a play.
That makes sense E orix, i also thought that possibly there is a bit of a return to having a hobby like birds to get kids interested in something else other than computers and play stations.I heard there has been a big surge in keeping chooks too, a lot birds fetching $50 plus at chook sales.A friend just out of Adelaide advertised a heap of chooks of different breeds and sold out the first day and had to pull the phone of the hook such was the response.

[Jayburd]

yes there certainly has been a rise...

[Lukec]

I agree with the comments of losing the young keepers at 16-17 as i myself was far more interested in chasing the other birds, boozing and finally with a little cash flow Bikes fishing travel etc.

I now find myself at the age of 29 and settled down alot and married dead keen to get back into keeping birds but my biggest challenge like most i guess is affordability of housng with space.

Here in metro sydney i guess the average block is 600m2 and probably averages 550k plus which is alot to stretch for as a first home, meaning units are the best option and they are extremely expensive also with little room and strata conditions limiting the keeping of animals.

I do feel though here in AU we havnt really made an effort to make best use of available space like some of our European counterparts (mainly due to climate however) and thus there is little information about the keeping of finches in small flights and cages. I feel if we had more information on these setups and equipment to ease maintenance we might find more breeders emerging, especially finch breeders. I feel this hasnt been embraced by most bird keepers because of a mentality of "thats not how its done"

I really do believe this mentality can be changed, especially if some of the high profile keepers encouraged and detailed keeping birds like this.

Cheers
Luke

[jusdeb]

Was reading on another Parrot oriented forum that councils in parts of urban Qld were going to enforce new rules which were likely to shake things up in a bad way for parrot keepers ( will try and find the new council laws in the other forum ).

Also now when you visit a pet shop along side the routine zebs and javas you can now see more colourful and exotic finches which entices people to buy them.

Finches are more affordable , cost less to keep , take up less room , are quieter and resell well ( basic models here ).

You can have a varied collection or a commune , the options are much greater .

[E Orix]

Luke I agree with you, Because of us Aussies being spoiled by climatic conditions and space around our homes we have evolved as keeping birds in aviaries which I might add, I prefer it that way but we are light years behind the good European breeders when it comes to extensive indoor management of Finches.
While I was away I travelled with 3 from the UK, granted they are in the top level but their expertise was an eye opener when you concider their hurdles they have to get over.We are definitely lucky with the climactic conditions but also superior breeeders where out door aviaries are in use.

[Diane]

I do feel though here in AU we havnt really made an effort to make best use of available space like some of our European counterparts (mainly due to climate however) and thus there is little information about the keeping of finches in small flights and cages.

I think since the meteoric rise in house prices and the resulting downsizing in land sizes that up until now Australians havent had to think about keeping finches in small flights and cages, everyone still had the "quarter acre block" scenario firmly entrenched in their minds.

I will not go into why I think the number of Parrots keepers are indecline except one outside influence and that is the Council bye Laws where the numbers are limited as people only have to quietly object and down comes the council ranger, also the house blocks in the city are getting smaller and smaller and the large banks of parrot flights are a thing of the past in the cities at least.So the alternate is a smaller aviary set up with quiet finches and the council sit back in most cases.

Thats exactly right, the closer your neighbours are the more they know what goes on in your backyard.
I think we might start to find that finchkeeping goes underground, so to speak, well at least in garages and sheds
Been "shedding it" myself, I have been slowly taking over the large shed down the back with breeding cabinets, didnt think it had been noticed but it has.
So after this breeding season is over we will be sorting out the shed so I can get one area totally clear of tools and various other shed type equipment. Then I can set up my cabinets in a bit better manner then. Its planned at this stage that the cabinets will be at the lift up door end of the shed and this will be opened everyday creating a verandah type thing so it will be more like being outside. It will give me a bit more control over pairings without losing the outdoor aspect.