Chuck’s Pet Center

Zebra Finches

Care Sheet
 

Average size:  4” Long

Average life span: 5 years

Diet: Whether you decide on a pelleted/extruded diet or a seed diet is up to you.  Either way there are good mixtures of each.  We feed Sun Seed Vita Finch seed along with Sun Seed Peak Health (an egg based supplement) and fresh fruits & veggies.

Provide fresh, clean water daily.

Vegetables: Corn on the cob, celery, green peas, carrots & beans.

Fruit: Apples, peaches, bananas, melons, strawberries, grapes, pears, papaya

Treats & supplements: 8 in 1 Conditioning, Song Plus, Moulting & Color Plus, Sun Seed Grainola Honey bar.  Treats should make up no more than 25% of their diet.

We also recommend 8 in 1 Oyster Shells instead of grit to aid in digestion as well as L/M cuttlebone

Housing: Zebra finches do best in cages that give them enough room to fly around.  A cage that is 24”x16”x16” is sufficient for a pair.  Most home temperatures will work well.  Avoid drafts and dampness.  We suggest Sun Seed processed corncob, aspen shavings by North East Bedding or 8 in 1 gravel paper.

Cage cleaning: Cage, food & water bowls should be disinfected weekly.  Substrate or papers should be changed at least weekly.  Sometimes more often if your birds are particularly messy.

Perches: Finches require 3” of perch per bird.  Offer varying perch diameters to promote foot health. We recommend the cement Poly Perches.  If perches are constructed of water resistant material they should be disinfected weekly with a mild bleach solution. (32 parts water to 1 part bleach).  If perches are wooden, feces should be scraped off as needed.  Replace any worn or damaged perches.

Breeding:

Zebra Finches are gregarious little birds.  This makes them very easy to breed.  We suggest that they be at least 6 to 9 months before being bred.  There are many things to consider when breeding these birds.  You will soon have more finches than you know what to do with if you’re not careful.  Adequate space is a must! 

Another must is a proper diet.  Provide everything already mentioned with the addition of hard-boiled egg chopped up in a blender (shell & all) as well as plenty of cuttlebone to prevent calcium deficiency and egg binding.

Provide a covered nesting site, whether it is a bamboo basket or wooden nesting box.  Both these items are available at Chuck’s Pet Center.  While you’re purchasing these items you should also pick up the convenient, pre-packaged nesting material so your finch pair can build their nest.  Be careful not to give them too much because they’re notorious for overstuffing their nests.

Your finches will lay 2-10 eggs with the average being 5-6.  They’ll hatch in about 13 days.  The chicks are pink with a few down feathers.  Mom & dad will takes turns caring for them.  The only thing you need to do is provide plenty of food and fresh water.  When the chicks are ready to fledge (come out of the nest) make sure you offer them Sun Seed Nestling food.  This is a nice transition between parental feedings & solid food.  Your baby finches wean out at about six weeks of age.