FINCHforum

I have been looking around to see if I could find a list of "everything" one should buy before bringing home finches. If you have a list or wouldn't mind adding to this list, I would appreciate it!

I am leaning toward a 30x18x18 cage to start, with one pair of finches. I would love to get the bigger hq cage with half a dozen finches, but I think I will start small and manageable. I will be meeting with the local breeder at the end of March, so I won't be buying anything before then.

* Flight cage.
* Hospital/travel cage.
* Food dish (x 2 at least)
* Water dish (x 2 at least)
* Cage cover
*Perches, natural and different sizes, to go at each end of the cage, so birds have the length to fly.
* Fake greenery.
* Swing(s)
* Light for top of cage - some form of full spectrum

Food:
* Seed
* Millet spray
* Cuttlebone

Other:
* Scatt
* Hay
* flat dish for bathing


Emergency Kit:
From FeatherHarps list -
* Rubbing alcohol for sterilizing.
* Kwik-Stop for broken blood feathers, bleeding beaks/nails and minor skin cuts.
* Cornstarch to stop other bleeding.
* A topical antibiotic cream for wounds.
* Hydrogen peroxide to cleanse wounds.
* Pliers to remove broken blood feathers,
* Wire cutters for cage/toy injuries.
* Scissors and nail clippers.
* Gauze and bandages for wounds.
* Surgical tape for binding broken wings/legs
* Cotton swabs for use on small wounds.
* Magnifying glass to inspect injuries.
* Towels and washcloth for holding birds.

You have a good list going there! But one thing I didn't see on there was a bird net. I have one ready but have not had to use it....yet.

That day will come when one of your finches will try to make a break for it!

Very good point! Ok now it is on the list!

To the basic cage supplies, I would add some sort of heat lamp or heat source for your hospital/travel cage. If you have a sick bird, they need heat right away, so that's something you want to keep on hand. I guess that would go under the emergency kit. The 30x18x18 size cage is a really good basic size for a pair of finches--most of them will do quite well in that size.

Most of the cages come with feed/seed dishes but many of them are kind of deep for finches, so the birds jump down in the dish. One thing you might want to consider is the seed hoppers--they really keep down the mess, and on many cages, you can hang them on the outside, leaving more space in the cage. If you use a water dish, they will probably bathe in it, too. I kind of like the tube-style waterers, and then I give them a separate bathtub. For that, I also like the hang-on bathtubs, which fit most cages. You might want a few small treat cups. I use small clay saucers, 2" and 3" size, which I found at the hobby/craft store, or you can get small ones that hang on the side of the cage.

For food, I would add a mineral/oystershell mix--this is not bird gravel.

Thank you very much Sally. This is great!

* Heat Lamp
* Seed Hopper
* Tube-style waterer
* Hang-on bathtub
* treat cups - (2-3" saucers from dollar store)
* mineral/oystershell mix

Great list you have there! The only thing I can think of to suggest is eggs for eggfood (which you probably already have). A small item, but important nonetheless.

Thank you. Yes we always have eggs on hand, also organic greens, which I know they like. So I didn't put them on the list, but they are necessary!

ya might want to have guardian angel on hand, and a cage cover for finches id say really not necessary,

Thank you Fancie Flight - I guess I was thinking of budgies when I put cage cover on the list.

I had to go google Guardian Angel - some places recommend it as a supplement, others to use as necessary.
For my own info, here is the scoop on Guardian Angel:

Probably the most advance "sick bird product" for over a decade.
Combines unique ingredients that assist the immune system to act quickly and effectively when the bird is invaded by any infections germs. Supported with probiotics, prebiotics, vitamins, electrolytes and the renowned Birdcare Energy System (like Energise and Survive).


White Blood cell support system Vitamins and Rapisorb minerals.
Extra vitamin c to fight infection.
High Calorie Electrolyte to prevent dehydration.
Florish herbal blend to stimulate imune system.
Beneficial bacteria to maintain digestion.