What to do...what to do. Adopted new finches today.

[katlovesaandw]

Ok, just adopted via Craigslist 4 finches.
3 zebras(2 white F, 1 normal M) and a dark chestnut society F(OMG is she purty!)
They have lived together in a cage.
They smell. They lived in a pot garden.UGH
Cleaned as much out of their cage as possible to eliminate odor. Will scrub and clean it more tomorrow. Wish it was warm so I could put it outside to air and hose down BUT it is Winter so that won't work. Might put it in shower and use spray nozzle to do it with warm water, very lightly and clean it.
Eventually, the society will go into our large flight cage with our other societies. AKA the passive cage.
Not sure WTD with the zebras.
They cannot live with societies according to all I have read.
They did come with a HUGE cage and I can keep them if I want but need to find space.
Hubby is under impression that we will keep them a few weeks and then rehome them BUT if I change my mind, he would understand!LOL
Never planned on zebras, love my societies and only plan on adding passive breeds to the flight cage/aviary that CAN live with them.
Since they have lived with societies before, could I put them in there? Should I?
So....input.
WWYD?

[lovezebs]

katlovesaandw

Don't panic, don't panic!!!
All will be well.

Offer your new kids a nice bath a few times a day. They will enjoy it, and will smell better in no time.

Regarding the cage. Take birdies out and place cage in tub. Hose down with hot water. Use a sponge and a bleach solution to wash it off, can use tooth brush in corners. Hose off with hot water, to get all the bleach off. Hose off with cold water untill bleaching smell is gone. Wipe dry, and leave to air for a day or so. Check and repeat if necessary.

As to the Zebras and the Societies. They most certainly can be housed together. I had my Zebbies and Socies together for a long time. If these Zebras are used to living with a Society, then I don't think there will be any major problems.

Goodluck

~Elana~

[katlovesaandw]

Thank you lovezebs!

Cage is being cleaned tomorrow now that my inlaws are done visiting. I will have time.

And thanks for the zebra/society combo info. Good to know. I love the little zebs already! Their noises are SO freaking cute! So, whether I put them in with mine eventually or keep them separate.... I think they will be staying!!LOL

[lovezebs]

katlovesaandw

They're all cute, or sweet, or pretty, or have a lovely song, or stunning colours, or darling personalities, or...... That's how it starts.... the dreaded Finch addiction (may they never find a cure:-D)

I hope you enjoy your new feathered kids.

~Elana~

[MiaCarter]

Elana covered it nicely!

They should air out within a few days and baths will definitely help.

I know there's an herb you can put in the water to make them smell nice and it has cleansing properties. Sort of like a tea bath. I just can't remember which herb it is! Peppermint, perhaps? I'll try to find out for you.

I've also kept societies and zebras together without any trouble, so I wouldn't hesitate to give it a try. Societies are very easy going and social, so they generally don't push back if the zebras get bossy.
And many zebras aren't all that pushy, despite their reputation. It's really a matter of individual dynamics and environmental factors like cage size (bigger is better and more harmonious) and the presence of nests (nests = aggression.)

Best of luck with your new lovelies!

[finchick]

Okay... Maybe I'm just not "hip" enough, but what's a pot garden? Is that something you have in Portland, Oregon? Thanks.

[katlovesaandw]

Guy growing medical marijuana.
If you had a permit you can do it but as of July 1, 2015 it will be legal in Oregon so I assume more and more.
Pot is one of many nicknames for marijuana.

[lovezebs]

katlovesaandw

Are kids starting to smell better?

~Elana~

[katlovesaandw]

I think so! I really HOPE so, since it is Monday and I have daycare kids coming back. Sheesh, don't want those parents to think I do it. We are a drug free house.

But, cage is clean and no longer sticky. Removed all the branches, bedding, nests and replaced with new.

Gave them better finch food and they are chowing down on it. Still unsure about a water dish and bathing. I don't think they have either ever seen one(he had a water bottle in there) nor bathed because when I rinsed them off, they acted like it acid rain. And then pouted for an hour.

[lovezebs]

katlovesaandw

Can just see the day care parents sniffing the air when they walk in, lol!!

You'll be lucky if no one asks you for some weed.....

Regarding baths, just offer a container of luke warm water every day, they will give it a try eventually. Rinsing them off lol, does not make any bird happy.

Good luck

~Elana~

[katlovesaandw]

I knew it wouldn't but too bad. They were sticky and smelly too.
They got over it.

And I hope nobody asks. God, I would die. Just die.

[finchick]

Thanks for the explanation.

I seriously had this picture in my mind of wiring clay flower pots as nest boxes, since they all have holes on the bottoms. Just couldn't figure out how the birds got into the pots because the holes are a bit tiny.

Now I see. Interesting times...

[katlovesaandw]

Yep....
Was "interesting" to go get them. UGH
House stunk, cage was sticky, guy was sketchy, my hubby is an ex-cop, needless to say, we were glad to get them and get out of there.
We came home and stripped as much as we could off cage, then showered and washed our clothes.

We have a lot of these kind of places in Portland, just not something WE deal with or do.

He had other birds too but they lived in the house. Still wanted to take them....

[finchick]

LOL... I'm having one of those senior days. I just figured out why the cage was sticky... Need to keep up with how quickly our culture is changing!

So is "Portlandia" (the television series...) fairly accurate... <smile>

[katlovesaandw]

The few bits and pieces I have seen of it(Portlandia), YES!LOL It is finchick!!

I do childcare, as I said above and I have seen it all. Interesting clients!!

And yes, sticky from the plants sap, etc. since it was sitting out in the "garden".