Basic rules for keeping amadins

Among domestic birds, finches are becoming more and more popular. These birds have a spectacular appearance, pleasant voice, beautiful plumage. They are not too demanding in grooming, although they can be timid. Cheerful finches are sure to add variety to your life.

Birds belong to the weaver family, where there is a rich species diversity. At home, Japanese finches are most often bred - they are the most not capricious in their care, although they are as laconic as possible in appearance. Also very popular are zebra birds, more energetic and active. Less often houses contain finches:

• red-faced;
• diamond;
• parrots.

It is necessary to maintain and care for the finches correctly so that the birds reproduce, develop and do not get sick. The place of keeping largely depends on the capabilities of the owner. It can be a cage or an aviary, the main thing is to properly equip the birds' housing. In an apartment, birds most often live in cages, this type of placement is compact and does not take up much space, in addition, it is much easier to clean the cage. First of all, pay attention to the material of manufacture. Cages are made of metal, wood, or combined.

Characteristics:

• metal cage quite durable, light enters well, the service life is long, a big plus of metal in hygiene, ease of care, but they are quite noisy, all the jumps of birds are audible to households;
• wooden cage aesthetic, beautiful, in it birds are less audible when moving, but this species is not too hygienic, less durable in comparison with metal, in addition, they require more reverent care;
• combined models combine the advantages and disadvantages of both varieties.

An important point: not every metal cage material is suitable for birds. Buy aluminum and steel models, but skip the copper ones. In the process of oxidation, copper releases harmful substances, this can lead to poisoning of birds. You should also pay attention to the shape of the cell, its size:

• the rate of space for one pair is more than 45 cm in length and more than 25 cm in height;
• when birds breed, it is necessary to provide them with 2 times more space than usual;
• the shape of the rectangle is more comfortable for birds to stay, for cleaning in a cage;
• give up the domed models, there the finches will not be visible;
• the round shape disorients this breed in space;
• give up cells with unnecessary decor: balconies, turrets, otherwise they will often have to be washed from accumulations of dirt.

The design of the cage is another nuance that requires careful attention:

• a removable tray will make cleaning easier;
• a small door below the perch will allow you to clean and put food and drink without the risk of the bird flying out.

For high-quality development and comfortable stay of birds in aviaries and cages, it is necessary to properly equip them. You will need:

• one feeder for grain mixture;
• feeders for additional types of feed;
• drinking cup;
• a place for mineral dressings;
• two or more poles;
• bathing bath;
• nesting place if breeding is planned;
• attributes for cleaning the cage: scoops, brooms, brushes, rags.

There are a number of requirements for containers for drinking and feed, which should be taken into account:

• plastic, glass or porcelain products are preferred, they are quite hygienic, they are easy to wash;
• give up products made of wood, copper;
• it is better to place containers on the wall of the cage or on the floor, not under the perches, otherwise feces will get there;
• the drinker and the feeder are located in different areas of the cage.

Poles are preferable made of wood, the size is selected according to the girth of the paws, otherwise the finch will be uncomfortable to sit. The optimal number of poles is at least 2, they are not installed very close to each other, then the birds will fly over. When installing the perches, keep in mind that the tail of the bird should not touch the walls of the cage. The bottom of the cage or the floor of the aviary is lined with the following materials:

• wood shavings;
• sawdust;
• river sand;
• pieces of paper.

Amadines are exotic species of birds, so there are many features of keeping in the house, although usually birds of this breed are not too capricious. First of all it is necessary to choose the location of the cage.

This largely depends on the species of bird. The Japanese are calmer, they can be placed at any height from the floor, they are not frightened by the approach of a person. Zebras are more anxious, the optimal place for installing the cage is a closet, shelves at a height.

It is very important that the birds are in a well-lit area, hidden from drafts. If the house is heated by a stove, fireplace, cages cannot be placed and hung under the ceiling, they can burn out.

Features of the content:

• the ideal range of temperature fluctuations is from 15 to 24 С;
• overheating and hypothermia are equally harmful for amadins, and they tolerate the latter more easily;
• a temperature of more than 25 C for several days will lead to a deterioration in the condition of the birds;
• if the temperature is below normal, it is necessary to increase the nutrition, so the bird will more easily endure the discomfort;
• the average moisture level is optimal for the development of this breed;
• it is necessary to ensure that the fluctuations are not too sharp, especially in the direction of decreasing temperature.

It is very important to provide proper lighting. This factor also affects development and health, like temperature and humidity. Daylight hours vary ideally from 12 to 15 hours. Birds need direct rays, so they should be outdoors for about 40 minutes a day during the warm season. If you do not follow these recommendations, birds can get sick. In winter, do not increase the length of daylight too much, this can lead to fatigue, sluggish behavior.

The development and health of finches at home directly depends on the quality and balance of nutrition. It is necessary to feed the birds in a variety of ways, maintain a balance, and provide a full-fledged complex. There are several types of food:

• grain mixtures - form the basis of the diet;
• plant feed;
• soft, protein feed;
• supplements of vitamin and mineral types.

The main part of the diet is grain mixtures, which are made up of various types of millet, oatmeal, and plant seeds. This type of feed must be added every morning. The quantitative norm is calculated individually, since all birds have different appetites. Average varies 1 to 1.5 teaspoons per adult bird.

About once every 7 days, the birds are fed additional types of food, for example, soft. It consists of boiled eggs, cottage cheese, combined with grain. It must be remembered that this product is perishable, therefore it cannot be left for a long time and put into a container for grain mixture. Several times a week it is worth giving the birds vegetable feed:

• salad;
• nettle;
• dandelion.

Periodically, you can add protein to the diet, that is, different types of dried insects. As for mineral supplements, the most relevant are chalk, shells, sand; mineral mixtures with calcium and phosphorus are periodically given.

Amadines are capable of producing offspring in captivity. Reproduction is a process that requires attention, but not too difficult. You need to know the following rules:

• for successful reproduction, it is necessary to increase the daylight hours to about 16 hours or slightly less;
• a separate cage and a nesting house will be required, it is enough to put a house for the instinct to work, it is better if there are 2 nests;
• the minimum age suitable for breeding is 9 months, the maximum is 5 years;
• the male and the female both must be ready for the process, the male at this time increases activity, singing becomes more frequent, the female tries to equip the house, takes a calling-in posture;
• if you notice that the birds are busting each other's feathers, then the pair has formed;
• these recommendations are common to all types of finches.

To tame a bird of this breed, you need to work with only one individual - this is the main rule of training. If you want to tame several birds, you will have to do it in turn. If there are more than one amadins, they are unable to concentrate and are distracted. Birds are trained as follows:

• separate the individual from the neighbors for the entire period;
• it is worth placing the bird during the training period in a small cage with a convertible top or a wall, otherwise catching will be inconvenient;
• wings are clipped without fail, otherwise the bird may accidentally fly out of the house, hit, spin in the fan;
• a short period will pass and the feathers will grow back, but contact with the bird will already be established;
• in the case of regular release of birds, periodic pruning is necessary on an ongoing basis.

The purpose of taming is to force the pet to sit on your hand. Algorithm of actions:

• choose a small room;
• close the doors;
• do not force a bird that has accidentally flown out immediately to return to the cage, sprinkle food on the floor of the cage;
• it is necessary to carefully force the bird to be in the corner and put out his hand so that the feathered one has no choice but to sit on it;
• be persistent and tolerant, this process will take time;
• it is necessary to train the bird every day;
• after the bird jumps on its own and sits on the arm willingly, for a long time, you can pull it out of the cage, only as slowly as possible;
• give up the attempt if the bird is afraid;
• after the pet gets used to the hand, and you can get it, gradually accustom him to sitting on the shoulder.

As soon as the bird at your appearance gives a sign that it wants to get out of the cage - the pet is tamed.

Amadins are quite a sociable breed, so it is better not to have one representative. These are flocking birds, they are bought in pairs. If you do not plan to breed, you can buy not a female and a male, but two males or females. Choose birds older than a year, be sure to evaluate their appearance when buying and follow a number of rules:

• there should be no bald spots, disheveledness, ulcers, inflammation;
• plumage is dense, healthy finch is well-fed, eyes shine;
• vigorous, active behavior;
• the voice should not be hoarse;
• transport birds in special small cages;
• after transportation, you need to withstand a month's quarantine so as not to add a sick bird to the flock;
• the best time to buy is autumn.

In the next video, you will find additional information on the maintenance and care of finches at home.