taming finches

[broody rooster]

hey everyone i was curious how people had tamed their finches? i know they are mostly hands off birds but ive seen people stick in millet or bowls of seed and they land on the seed bowl eating completely unafraid of them and they werent hand raised so i wondered how they do it ? thank you

 

[nchls school]

A lot of time near the birds and a lot of patience offering treats.

 

[jak2002003]

My zebra finches and Gouldian Finches got tame on their own without me doing anything.

They live in my garden aviary.

Now when I go in with their food they will land on the feed tray when I am carrying it.. and also if I hold some millet spray out still they will fly onto it.. and on my arm.

I am sure its just because they are hungry.. not because they want my attention!

They always have seed in their hoppers.. but when I carry in their millet or boiled eggs and vegetables they go crazy to get it.

So see what feed you birds like the most.. and only give them that in small amounts when you are there so they get to associate you with the good food.

If you want a tame bird you can actually pet and that will sit on your hand I suggest a different species such as budgies or cockatiels.

 

[nchls school]

My zebra finches and Gouldian Finches got tame on their own without me doing anything.

They live in my garden aviary.

Now when I go in with their food they will land on the feed tray when I am carrying it.. and also if I hold some millet spray out still they will fly onto it.. and on my arm.

I am sure its just because they are hungry.. not because they want my attention!

They always have seed in their hoppers.. but when I carry in their millet or boiled eggs and vegetables they go crazy to get it.

So see what feed you birds like the most.. and only give them that in small amounts when you are there so they get to associate you with the good food.

If you want a tame bird you can actually pet and that will sit on your hand I suggest a different species such as budgies or cockatiels. 

I had a hand fed gouldian finch years ago; named Mosquito as he was just as pesky. A delightful pet.

 

[broody rooster]

oh i love my finches and my doves fill in the cuddlebug type pet

i just wish the finches wouldnt be so afraid of me yknow? i understand huge hand comes into a cage and they freak out

 

[jak2002003]

oh i love my finches and my doves fill in the cuddlebug type pet

i just wish the finches wouldnt be so afraid of me yknow? i understand huge hand comes into a cage and they freak out

Its much harder to tame them in a cage.. because they feel trapped in a small space with no escape from you.

You might try letting them fly around you room and you sit with their food on a tray next to you or on a table near you.

 

[Coturnix Quail]

Hey! Sorry I know this is really late, but, I have some tips on how to train a finch because I have 2 zebra finches of my own.

So, first off, you want to know what type of personality your finch has. Observe how your finch reacts to you when you put your hand at the bottom of the cage. Once your figure out weather its curious (like my birds) or scared to death, thats where you want to start. If your finch is curious, start out by taking out the food for 30 to 1 hour. Then, cup your hand and put seeds in it, and stick it in the cage (where the food bowl was). The key is to wait, and be VERY patient. Soon your finch should start eating out of your hand! (mine even stepped up) Try to be very still, because sudden movements scare them. Now, if your finch is scared, hold you hand at the bottom of the cage for about 15 minutes a day. Soon, they shouldn't be as scared anymore. If they still won't eat from your hand, put millet spray (a treat you can find in local pet stores that your finch should love) at the bottom of the cage, but don't give them too much! Once you see your finch starts to eat it, after their done, try using that to let them eat from your hand. After they start eating from your hand, (do this for about a month) try to go near them without a treat. If it doesnt work, try and try again. Eventually, they wont care. Then day by day go closer and closer. But if they flip out, take a step back. Soon as your close enough, get the treats, distract them with the treats as they eat, then gently push on their belly, if they fly away,try again but no pushing. After 5 minutes, push again. Only do this 4 times a day. Finally, one day they'll step up from there and thats where all the training starts. Hope this helps! Good luck!

 

[broody rooster]

thankyou!

 

[Coturnix Quail]

Your welcome! Good luck!