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Question:

December 20, 2019

Breeding finches


Hi. I have question. My finches had laid eggs and recently they have fledged and are at their 18th day. The problem is, the male parent is picking their feathers and they have lost their tails. I assume that this is because the male wants to mate and build the nest, but is desperate for material and picks the chicks and even the female parent’s feathers. The question is, should i remove the nest box?


Answer:

Hi Pouya,

Yes, the nest should always be removed as soon as all of the chicks have left it. Otherwise the parents try to nest again too soon. You need to make them rest for a few months between clutches and may have to put the male in a cage by himself if he won’t leave the female alone. Also, if the chicks are eating on their own and no longer being fed by the parents, it is time to put them in another cage. The adults will pick on them to drive them away so that they can nest again. When you find homes for the chicks, don’t give a male and female together because related birds should not breed.

Thank you for asking Lafeber,

Brenda

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