LPM 222: Diversified poultry production and current concepts in poultry management and marketing [Livestock Production Management (Regional Interest)] (1+1)

FINCHES

African finches

• The best known member of this group  are frequently described as waxbills, because of their dull reddish beaks, said to resemble scaling wax in appearance.
• Imported birds require particular care. Keep them warm, especially when first obtained, and subsequently during the winter months.
• The cocks of other species, notably weavers and whydahs, develop nuptial plumage at the onset of the breeding season. They need considerable amount of livefood (Insects and invertebrates), if the chicks are to be reared successfully and, parity for this reason, breeding success is more likely in a planted aviary, where the birds will be able to forage for insects themselves.

Australian finches

• The Australian finches are well known in avicultural circles throughout the world, having been domesticated over many years. They have proved generally keen to nest, either in cages or flights, and various mutations have been developed in some cases, notably the Zebra Finch, The Asian species tend to be duller in overall coloration than their Australian counterparts, and, with the particular exception of the Bengalese Finch, are not as suitable for breeding in cages. This is because they appear to need the close stimulus of others of the same species in order to encourage reproductive activity. They can be kept in mixed groups, but should not be housed alongside the smaller waxbills, which are liable to be bullied, especially in fairly confined surroundings.