considering buying a finch

[ratfink]

I may get a spice finch for my father this christmas and have noticed there are 2 types of bottoms for the cages. One has a bucket like shape that extends outside of the cage and the other is a flat tray on the bottom. Having had animals around me my whole life I can already tell that with just the flat tray if the bird is near the bars it could easily get it's messes outside the cage. Would this type of bottom be enough to keep things clean or do some birds find ways to get it far outside the cage?

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... atid=18901

[dfcauley]

I may get a spice finch for my father this christmas and have noticed there are 2 types of bottoms for the cages. One has a bucket like shape that extends outside of the cage and the other is a flat tray on the bottom. Having had animals around me my whole life I can already tell that with just the flat tray if the bird is near the bars it could easily get it's messes outside the cage. Would this type of bottom be enough to keep things clean or do some birds find ways to get it far outside the cage?

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... atid=18901

They will find a way..... When finches fly they scatter seeds.
If you are thinking of getting one, I would suggest two. Finches are sociable and do not like to live alone like some birds do.

[cindy]

I have that cagge in white. I had my feed store get it at about $20 less. I have my lovebird, Louey in it. I did not care much for the stand and was afraid it would topple if my dogs during play knocked into it. Instead I went to Lowes and got a white 2 shelved cabinet (this was in their shelving section not kitchen or bath cabinet area). It already had the top to it, we changed out the handles and put caster wheels on the bottom. I store bird supplies and dog food in it.

It is a great cage, easy to clean. There are 4 spots at the base that allow food to pass through, just don't position your seed cups over that spot. When giving millet the hulls still fly out but most collect in the corners of the seed guards. Both the drawer and the grate can be removed at separate times for easy cleaning.

I have had all different kinds of cages before and love this especially for hookbills who tend to take their food and eat elsewhere in the cage. The big door may be a concern since it is the front half of the cage, cover the front with a towel and slip you hand in so a flighty finch does not escape. If you are using the seed cups and the doors provided for them it should not be a problem on a daily basis. The seed guards (are wide) and the bottom are all one piece, easy to remove and clean.

I did have my Gold Breast in it originally but moved them to a flight and gave this to the lovebird. Good quality.

The company does make other styles.

I will take a picture and post it with a top view so you can see how wide the seed guard and base is.

[L in Ontario]

They will definitely find a way to toss the seed shells and more outside the cage - no matter what you do to the cage. That seed guard is better protection than none at all. You can also hang clear plastic on the sides and back to help reduce the mess.

[cindy]

This is Louey showing off his cage. The front door is huge but for him it is great. The seed guard bottom is deep, it catches most everything.

[cartel]

Ah! Cindy your cheating Its a love bird,which crawls around most of the time and you were feeding pellets But i think that cage would be better that the standard cage bottom in regaurds to catching seeds.

[cindy]

Ahhhh but that little yellow bird does get some oat seeds and pellets, it is just easier to keep the pellets separate. He gets millet and NutriBerries to. Even when he flaps his wings the hulls and dropped food all don't go on the floor but end up in the corners of the seed guard.

This bird is one spoiled dude!

I have 7 standard cages and one large flat bottom flight cage for my finches and trust me this cage is less messy, there is less mess on the floor and easier to clean. I wish they had this cage in 30 x 18 x 18 size. I would take the bottom of this cage hands down to a standard flat bottom flight cage any day. And I am a clean freak and have tried multiple ways to control the mess my finches make.