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While in quarantine I allowed the Painteds to pair off at will.  I have found that allowing all species that I keep (save the zebras) to choose their own mates to provide better breeding results.  Once pairing had occurred, the pairs were set up in individual breeding cages housed indoors.  The cages measured 3 ft long x 2 ft deep x 2 ft high.  My experience with the Painted Firetail in its infancy I choose the cage breeding method to better control the monitoring of the birds characteristics, nesting interests and overall breeding habits. 

Being ground dwellers, the breeding cages were provided with aspen shavings as the floor covering.  Lava rocks and pieces of driftwood were also provided on the floor of the cage.  The interior and exterior sides and front of the cage were decorated with silk greenery to necessitate a feeling of seclusion.  Three perches per flight were provided.  One at a high level to provide a good roosting spot, one at the middle level of the flight in front of the nest provided and one lower to the floor of the flight.  All three are readily used by the individual pairs.   

This is where my experiences begin to differ from those provided by several Australian aviculturists.  I have read that Painteds prefer to build nests using chunks of charcoal and small twigs as preferred materials.  My Painted Firetails readily accepted a commercial "twig material" closed nest.  Nesting materials of choice were coconut fiber, down feathers, and Bermuda grass.  Although charcoal was provided it was not used in the nest construction.  I have however found that my pairs will line the nest with small pieces of the aspen from the cage floor.  The cocks bird have also been seen on many an occasion courting the hen while holding small pieces of aspen in their beak. 

The charming aspect of this specie is their early to rise nature.  Well, that is depending upon whether the hobbyist is an early riser him/herself…  My Painteds are always up with the sun. For lack of a better description the song of the cock bird resembles that of a squeaky windshield wiper.  I have learned to close the door to the room where they are housed if I am going to attempt to sleep in. 

Before I get into my experience with their breeding habits I thought I would provide information on the diet that I provide my Painted Firetails.  They are provided a top quality seed mixture which is 50% Sunshine Finch Supreme (natural without vitamins added) and 50% Noah's Kingdom Finch Seed.  They are provided spray millet at all times due to their voracious love of the stuff.  Beyer's Minerals with crushed eggshell and a sprinkle of charcoal is also provided at all times.  Mealworms are provided 2x daily for breeding pairs, and 1x daily for resting birds.   

An eggfood mixture consisting of Proteen 25 and Bevo Universal Insect Food is mixed in a large container.  Added to this is hard boiled eggs, couscous, sprouted seeds, Soluvet vitamins from VetaFarms, a powdered calcium supplement and on occasion a can of corn or peas and carrots.  This is fed out daily to breeding pairs and every other day for resting birds.  Vegetables consisting of: romaine, zucchini, cucumber, shredded carrots etc. are provided on alternating days.  My experience has shown that my Painteds are slow to accept vegetables but with continual offering they will eventually accept and enjoy them. 

Being ground dwellers they are wormed quarterly with Avitrol Plus and I have not noticed any adverse reactions to this worming product.  Ivermectin or more recently SCATT is administered quarterly as a cautionary measure.  Again, no adverse reactions reported using these products.    

I found the Painted Firetail hens slow to begin the egg-laying process.  Whether this was directly related to their acclimation or a trait of the species I do not know.  However, once the process begins I have been fortunate enough to have them behave like zebra finches!   

The courtship display of a breeding pair is an endearing aspect of the species.  The cock bird will hold a piece of something in his mouth (mine prefer small pieces of aspen) and begin singing to her.  He will stand on the perch; stretching out his neck moving his head from side to side and commence his song.  The hen will watch intently and will quiver her tail if she is so inclined and mating will occur on the perch.  My cock birds sing incessantly from sun-up to sundown and this song is heard even more often by young maturing cock birds.