Keeping finches
(ASNSW Avicultural Review - December 1998)
(Printable Version - PDF file - Free Adobe Reader download)
Paul Menegazza
Paul has been keeping birds for more than 30 years and has been involved with Bird Clubs for over 20 years. Currently he is President of the Wollongong Finch Club and Vice President of The Avicultural Society of NSW. He is a very strong supporter of captive breeding.
He says Bird Clubs are vital to improvement in standards of bird keeping. Joining a bird club enables you to meet other breeders and learn how to be more successful at keeping and breeding your birds.
Paul has kept a wide range of birds, even white peacocks, but his favourites are finches and neophemas. He has bred 529 Silver King Quail. He has over 20 aviaries, mostly of the larger size. He has been able to breed every species he has kept.
Security is important. He has three fox terriers and gets not cats or intruders. This helps to avoid thefts and bad types.
He feeds his birds quite a lot of greens, seeding grasses and thistles. Most birds love lots of grass, it is a natural food.
Buy young birds to start off a colony. Build your aviaries larger, rather than smaller. Let the birds feel comfortable. Compatibility is important, watch closely which goes with what. Aggression should be avoided, don't keep them together.
Sexing is not always easy. Let them pick their own partners. Watching the body language of the birds often gives you clues. Boys chase girls, girls act shy. An established breeding pair is much more valuable than just two birds.
Nests ... some build their own. Some like a nest box (finch box size). Use ti-tree paper bark, light grasses, coconut fibre, wick baskets are popular, and beware of placing the nest boxes in an accessible position, high and dry.
Avoid next inspections, if you possibly can, it stresses the birds. The young will be out flying soon enough.
Keep an eye on who is nesting, check incubation times, and feed live food, where possible.
The future? Please educate our kids.