What started out as a yardsale purchase of 3 normal (Black/grey/white) zebra finches has now grown int o a home with 7 finches since the addition of two pairs of fawn/white finches. We had originally 5 fawn colored finches but lost one male due to a "defect" according to the pet store where we purchased him. Now, as everyone knows, finches prefer to be kept inpairs, and we have tried to even up our numbers, but have yet to find another male to replace him. However, the "widow" seems perfectly happy to mate with the other males here and there-she has only laid one egg so far, which she promptly put a toenail through, and has yet to lay any others. One of our fawn pairs have laid 4 eggs and are fostering another egg which was abandoned by the other fawn pair and our dark zebra pair have laid four eggs so far also-so we are anxiously awaiting the hatching of 9 eggs-unless they lay more first. I anticipate the first hatchings at some time this weekend, but the dark pair have only just begun hatching, so the next couple of weeks should be BUSY and EXCITING around here. I, personally cannot wait for my new "grandchildren" to arrive-although I suspect my husband thinks I've snapped a nut or two with my obsession over these impending births! I have begun feeding nestling food along with soaked seed and dampened cornbread and eggs to the expectant parents-who so far seem to look at me as anyone does an overprotective doting grandmom! I think they just tolerate me because I come with food and clean water for their many baths whenever I examine the little nests. Oh, as far as nests go-they seem to prefer the seagrass nests over the willow ones so far-I think because the openings are smaller and allow less intrusion. But-that would be humanizing them....now, I have to begin thinking of baby names..........