Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I had a clutch of zebra finch eggs. one moring I caught the hen throwing them out of the nest. I quickly candled them and found only one egg fertile. I decided fostering would be the only option, but first I had to repair a crack in it. The foster parents I chose weren't finches because I couldn't find a pair interested. So I turned to a pair of canaries with a clutch of their own. The canaries clutch was five days younger. The embryo has developed more and is a few days from hatching. When it hatches, should I let the canaries have a go at rearing him/her? Or should I hand rear him/her. If anyone can help fast it would be greatly appreciated.

Fighterfish2000

What an interesting situation! I've heard of cases in which wild birds of one species reared the babies of another. Cowbirds are parasitic experts at getting birds of another species to rear their babies. I suppose it could work, since there are such cases in wild birds. I'd watch carefully to be sure the canaries don't hurt the finch baby. If they do, I suggest hand rearing the finch.

Let us know what happens!

>>I had a clutch of zebra finch eggs. one moring I caught the hen throwing them out of the nest. I quickly candled them and found only one egg fertile. I decided fostering would be the only option, but first I had to repair a crack in it. The foster parents I chose weren't finches because I couldn't find a pair interested. So I turned to a pair of canaries with a clutch of their own. The canaries clutch was five days younger. The embryo has developed more and is a few days from hatching. When it hatches, should I let the canaries have a go at rearing him/her? Or should I hand rear him/her. If anyone can help fast it would be greatly appreciated.
>>
>> Fighterfish2000
-----
Canarymom

Finches: Melanie, Fritz, Casey, Sandi, Bunkie, and Sarah
Canary: Paulie
Budgies: Sammy, Curaco, and Pablo
Cockatiels: Elmo, Andy, Cleo, and Marley
And
My Rainbow Bridge Flock who are now singing in that other World

Thanks for your help again. The chick hatched and the canary fed the finch, for the first few days until her chicks hatched. The canary chicks picked on him so I removed from the nest. Fortunately I was given a pair of owl finches, which fostered him very well. He is now very close to fledging and is begining to sing like an owl finch.
Thanks
Fighterfish2000

What good news! How about posting a picture when he fledges?

>>Thanks for your help again. The chick hatched and the canary fed the finch, for the first few days until her chicks hatched. The canary chicks picked on him so I removed from the nest. Fortunately I was given a pair of owl finches, which fostered him very well. He is now very close to fledging and is begining to sing like an owl finch.
>> Thanks
>> Fighterfish2000
-----
Canarymom

Finches: Melanie, Fritz, Casey, Sandi, Bunkie, and Sarah
Canary: Paulie
Budgies: Sammy, Curaco, and Pablo
Cockatiels: Elmo, Andy, Cleo, and Marley
And
My Rainbow Bridge Flock who are now singing in that other World

A female society finch makes a great foster parent.They can be used for many small birds.