Keeping It Neat & Clean

[Rapunzil]

Hi All-

I'm new to the forum and to finches, but have owned various types of birds over the course of my lifetime.

I have a large flight cage with a parrot finch, pair of goulds, green singer and owl finch.

I was wondering what people here feel are the best feeders, waterers and bedding that help to cut down on the mess outside the cage.

Thank you!
Cindy in NJ

[ac12]

I use water tubes. This keeps them from bathing in their drinking water. Glass tubes are easier to keep clean, but drop them and they break.

And for a similar reason, I use outside hanging baths, to prevent them splashing water all over the room. When I used a bowl type bird bath, they would splash water on the wall, furniture and many feet outside the cage.
I would suggest something like this one.
https://www.birdsupplynh.com/catalog/pr ... 009ccfc6cc
It is one piece, so you don't have a water leak at the joint. The PlenPlax one that PetSmart sell WILL LEAK water. I had to run a bead of epoxy along the edge to make a drip rail, to stop the water leak.

As for feeders.
I converted my purchased birds to pellets. And all new birds are raised to eat pellets. This almost eliminates seed hulls on the floor. I say almost because I do give my gouldians seeds with their veggies and egg.
Spray millet seems to be the worst offender. The hulls seem to be lighter so they are more easily blown out of the cage when the birds fly.
If your birds will eat from it, I understand that a seed hopper will greatly control the wasted seeds and mess.
I use seed troughs. This prevents the birds from going into the seed dish and kicking out the food when they exit the dish.
https://www.birdsupplynh.com/catalog/pr ... 009ccfc6cc

I line the sides and back of my cages with sheet plastic. This blocks any poop, bath splash, etc from going out 3 sides of the cage reducing the mess.

[trljr14]

Cindy,how are the birds doing,tom.

[Rapunzil]

Hi Tom!

They are doing very well! I learned that Goulds can stress easily, so I try to minimize activity in and around the cage. But whenever I do the daily water/food change, I'm surprised that they seem rather calm, not flitty like I thought they would be. My parrot finch is the most flighty.

I have a beautiful pair of red factor canaries that I got last week, and I've been keeping an eye on them with the finches. I noticed yesterday the canaries were getting a bit aggressive with the finches so I placed them in a separate cage. I think I'm going to take them to the pet store to exchange for other finches.

Cindy in NJ

[trljr14]

Cindy,i guess with all finches some types are aggressive,so i guess some cnaries are more aggressive then others.My birds are in the living room,with constant noise and ive had no problems with them even breeding.Some are flighty when i feed and change water,others arent.You should post under species about which canaries are more passive with the gouldians,tom.

[WeimerHeimer]

As far as "reducing the mess" like seed hulls getting thrown outside the cage, I buy Acetate in a roll. You can buy it at most craft stores. It comes in different widths and thickness (mils). Here's what I'm talking about: http://www.amazon.com/Clear-Acetate-Rol ... B000FABGQ2

I measure the TOTAL distance AROUND my cage and ADD an extra 2-inches, that will give you a TOTAL LENGTH plus some extra. Then from the roll I will cut at least an 8-inch wide x "whatever length" you need. Then take that long Acetate strip and band it around the outside of the cage at the bottom of the cage. I just tape it together with some Scotch Tape where the two pieces over lap in the back of the cage. We find it keeps at least 90% of the seed hulls inside the cage and off the floor. The clear Acetate is almost invisable and does not detract from your cage at all.

[WhiteMagicWoman]

That's a GREAT idea! While I only have two little Zebbies, you'd think I have a whole flock with all the millet spray leftovers all over the place.

I will try the acetate. Thanks!