Breeding Hand Feeding
Hand Feeding Finches
Why Hand Feed Finches

How To Hand Feed Finches

Long Term Effects

Hand Feeding a Zebra Finch.

Why Hand Feed Finches?
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How to Hand Feed Finches.
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Establish a Breeding Strain
This is about raising birds that otherwise might not be produced. The fact of the matter is, no matter how hard we try to reproduce a natural environment, we cannot duplicate all the conditions a species will encounter in the wild. Furthermore, sometimes it is not our intention to try and produce a natural environment, but to entice a pair to breed in smaller cages that are set up for our convenience and enjoyment. some species may only lay eggs and not hatch them or if they do, not raise the young.

Develop a Mutation
Most often when working with a new mutation, a breeder has very few birds to work with. Sometimes only a single bird. While the birds may be capable of raising the offspring on their own, the number of young that can be produced in a season is relatively low. By fostering the eggs, many more of the mutant birds can be produced. This will help ensure that there are sufficient numbers to establish the new variety. The offspring can then be paired to many unrelated lines to help broaden the genetic base for the new color.

Air Sac Mites
It has been reported that using the Society finch to foster Gouldians can help break the cycle of the Air Sac Mite in your Gouldian population. It is believed that the Gouldian parents transfer the mites or eggs to their young while regurgitating food to feed them. Not much is actually known about the life cycle of the Air Sac Mite, so this is not proven, but does make some sense. The Society finch is not as susceptible to contracting the mite as the Gouldian or Canary and if used to foster the Gouldians, will not transfer the mites to the young the way the infected Gouldian might. These young should not then be mixed with the old stock as this would expose them to the mites, but if kept isolated, this may help break the cycle.

Long Term Effects of Hand Feeding.

Loss of Natural Parenting Ability
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Sexual Imprinting
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Abnormal Learned Behavior or Songs
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Suggested Reading
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A Red Headed Finch hen about ready for weaning
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Comments and suggestions are always welcome. E-mail me at roy@efinch.com

Copyright 2000 Roy Beckham