Picking up my first finches on Friday!!

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sundancekid
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Picking up my first finches on Friday!!

Post by sundancekid » Mon Sep 15, 2014 2:32 pm

First a serendipitous story:
After searching and searching for responsibly sourced societies (I don't like to support pet stores that mass produce) in my area, I was about to give up and order from an out of state breeder. Not only was that going to be expensive, I was worried about possible complications of shipping. Then, about a week ago, I stumbled upon a Petfinder listing for a pair of Zebras at an animal shelter an hour away. I never considered Zebras since they tend to be a little more...... temperamental.... than societies. But I figured, if they need a home, then I wanted to take them. So I called as soon as the shelter opened the next day. The girl on the phone said that those two were gone, but they had another group of three. I asked her to check to see how many of them had orange cheeks (trying to avoid a 2 male 1 female situation). She came back on the phone and said 1 is tan and white, 1 is brown and white and the third is black and white...... I quickly realized they were SOCIETIES!!!! They don't have them listed anywhere on their website/Petfinder, so I never would've found them if I didn't call about the Zebras.

They've been there for 3 months and I don't have any history on them yet. No idea on age, sex or why they ended up in the shelter. I only know that the shelter director was adamant that they stay together. I would have never considered splitting them up anyways.... someone would end up alone :cry: I'm *technically* outside the adoption radius, but the lady was impressed with my knowledge and decided to waive it as long as my application looked good. I applied everything I've learned here to fill out that application, so thanks everyone :-BD The picture below is what I was sent from the shelter. Notice that one of them is a crested. I always thought they were a little goofy looking, but I already love him/her :) No idea how big of a cage they've been in, but it looks kind of dirty. I'm hoping they've been in a quiet area. All those dogs barking would be stressful!

I also included a picture of the cage I'll be bringing them home to. It's mostly set up, but there's one more platform that's going in, an outside hanging bird bath and another water tube. I also have to jerry rig something so they can't get out of the gap where I removed the grate. The cage is 31"W x 20.5" D x 53" H with 1/2" bar spacing. It's currently in the living room, but I will be keeping them in an extra bedroom where it's quieter for the first couple of weeks. I've asked what brand of seed they're eating right now, so that's at least familiar. I will be getting Volkman finch mix from a local store for the long term. I'm ordering F-vite and have a sample of Lady Gouldian's Herb Salad to see if they like that. I will be giving them a bagged egg food (is that ok???), but I'm not interested in breeding. I just want to make sure they're all healthy. Can you all think of anything else I should do to prepare? I'm so excited!!
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Finches: Blossom and Bubbles

Parakeets: Frankie and Joey

RIP Buttercup
Fly free JoJo

CHIRP
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Re: Picking up my first finches on Friday!!

Post by CHIRP » Mon Sep 15, 2014 2:41 pm

Enjoy Enjoy Enjoy, before long those little feathered friends will creep in your heart, and each one has his / her manner, good luck, I wish you all the very very best!!!!!!! :) Just make sure they can fly nicely, those birdies LOVE to fly. They need space.

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wilkifam
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Re: Picking up my first finches on Friday!!

Post by wilkifam » Mon Sep 15, 2014 2:53 pm

A society palace! Great set up. They are lucky you found them and Vice Versa!
Lori

Gouldians
Societies
Java FInches
Bourkes
Scarlets
Myers Parrot - Murphy
African Gray - Nzinga
2 GSD's - Heidi and Chiko
1 Minpin - Ted
1 Heinz 57 - Buster Brown
Chickens

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Gráinne Barrett
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Re: Picking up my first finches on Friday!!

Post by Gráinne Barrett » Mon Sep 15, 2014 4:11 pm

sundancekid
They are really nice societies and if there's nothing wrong with them, take them away! :mrgreen:
Gráinne
_________________________________________________________________
Finches, hookbills, canaries and diamond doves!

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MiaCarter
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Re: Picking up my first finches on Friday!!

Post by MiaCarter » Mon Sep 15, 2014 9:50 pm

How lovely!
They're very cute and they're going to love that palatial cage you've got! That's a huge cage for 3 societies. Lucky birdies!

Societies are some of the sweetest birds out there.
I think you're going to love them!
Humum to....
13 Zebra Finches....and 2 squeeps!
3 Society Finches
6 Gouldians
1 Weaver
1 Pintail Whydah
2 Cockatiels
2 Parakeets

....along with 1 MinPin, 1 Pug, 1 JRT, 1 Yorkie, 2 Chihuahuas and 15 cats.


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www.PetFinchFacts.com

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lovezebs
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Re: Picking up my first finches on Friday!!

Post by lovezebs » Mon Sep 15, 2014 10:09 pm

sundancekid
Very cute birdies.
Now I won't swear to it, but it looks to me like the black and white is about to do the puffy dance and song routine, which would mean he's a male. But don't quote me on that. Is the little crested, missing his tail?
Goodluck, and have fun with your new feathered kids.

By the way, very nice flight cage.
~Elana~

Linnies~ Canaries ~ Zebras ~ Societies ~ Gouldians ~ Orange Cheeks ~ Shaft Tails ~ Strawberries ~ Red Cheek Cordon Bleu ~ Goldbreasts ~ Red Brows ~ Owls ~ Budgies ~ Diamond Firetails ~ Javas ~ Forbes Parrot Finches ~

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sundancekid
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Re: Picking up my first finches on Friday!!

Post by sundancekid » Mon Sep 15, 2014 11:10 pm

lovezebs
I was also wondering about his tail. I thought it looked odd, but then thought maybe it was because he is crested? I don't know anything about crested. I will just have to see when I pick him up. If he doesn't have a tail, would that affect his balance?
Finches: Blossom and Bubbles

Parakeets: Frankie and Joey

RIP Buttercup
Fly free JoJo

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lovezebs
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Re: Picking up my first finches on Friday!!

Post by lovezebs » Mon Sep 15, 2014 11:52 pm

sundancekid
Societies tend to lose their tails very easily. There's been a couple of times now, when a couple of my Socies almost gave me a heart attack, when I tried to catch them for whatever the reason. One minute you have a bird in your hand, and then you have a hand full of tail feathers and your bird is flying out of reach. They can somehow loosen their tail feathers with great ease when stressed.
The one good thing about it, is that they do grow back, and fairly quickly. Make sure you feed a very good diet, including mashed hard boiled egg to give extra protein.
I bet you can hardly wait till Friday.
Oh, and don't forget greens, fresh veggies and a little bath tub, as Socies love to bath at least once a day.
~Elana~

Linnies~ Canaries ~ Zebras ~ Societies ~ Gouldians ~ Orange Cheeks ~ Shaft Tails ~ Strawberries ~ Red Cheek Cordon Bleu ~ Goldbreasts ~ Red Brows ~ Owls ~ Budgies ~ Diamond Firetails ~ Javas ~ Forbes Parrot Finches ~

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