SEXING
The society finch is sexually monomorphic meaning both the male and female look the same.  The only reliable way to sex them is to hear the male sing.  Fortunately, he sings very freely so you won't have to wait long to hear him.  Two females or two males will act like a pair if housed together.

HOUSING
The society finch will tolerate and even breed in a small cage but enjoy as much space as you can offer.  As the name implies, they are a very social bird and need companions of their own species.  If placed in a colony situation, they will spend all their time socializing and will seldom breed. They do not need to have a mate but will happily bond to a same sex partner if the opposite sex is unavailable.  They do like to sleep in the nest even when not breeding so it is best to always provide some kind of nest box.  They are avid bathers so provide plenty of fresh, clean bath water.  Societies get along with most other finches in a mixed flight.  Their inquisitive, social nature may interfere with the breeding of some shier species.

DIET
Societies will do well on a simple diet of seed, cuttlebone and water.  During breeding, it is helpful to provide sprouted seed and egg food.  The parents use these soft foods to feed their young.  If you plan to use your societies for fostering, it is important to feed them a diet you want fostered chicks to eat. (i.e. worms, fruits, or greens.)  The society will eat almost anything offered and are often used to introduce new foods to other species who are more finicky.  I serve Daily essentials 3 on their softfood daily and calcivet 2x/week.  During breeding, increase the calcivet to 5 times per week and add Proboost supermax to the softfoods to provide the increased protein needed.

BREEDING
The society finches are VERY FREE BREEDERS!!  They build nest a covered nest of grass, burlap, or drier lint.  They will use any container to build nest - nest box, wicker basket, plant, seed cup if nothing else is available!  If no nest is provided, they have been known to lay on the cage bottom or in their seed dish.  Both parents help in incubating and caring for the young.  6-8 small white eggs are laid with incubation commencing after the 3-4 egg is laid. The eggs hatch after 14 days and the chicks emerge from the nest at about 20 days.  They are fully independent at 40 days.  The new chicks reach sexual maturity at 4 months but it is best to wait until they are 9 months to breed them.