More changes... (photos)

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Sheather
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More changes... (photos)

Post by Sheather » Fri Feb 05, 2016 10:43 pm

I decided to really downsize and reduce the population to just two finches.

I just don't have room for so many cages, or time to keep them as scrupulously tidy as I like. I've kept my dear little Apollo (my first ever baby finch to hatch!), who has just turned two years old, and his young son, Twix, who is a few months old now. They're happy together, singing all day, and I can give them a nest again, let them build, and not have to worry about birth control. I set them up in a new pretty little mini-flight, 24 x 16 x 24, and decorated it with silk plants, wreaths, and branches, and once they take a few days to get used to their new home, they'll regain their daily free-flight opportunities. The new cage is just the right size for the spot I wanted it for, big enough to give two birds some flight without being enormous and ungainly like the former setup I had all the finches in (three stacked 30 x 18s).

In addition, I'll still have three other cages; Sebastian the canary and Sparky the dove each have a 30 x 18 flight to themselves (stacked), and Sam, Arthur, Sydney (budgies), Freddy and Todd (cockatiels) have a spacious F40 between them. This is the level I think I'm going to keep it at. No more - nine is manageable. Nine is the number I had when I moved her and got this room for the birds, before I went overboard...

@Elana, I have no idea how you can keep so many cages and not get burned out. O_O

I've redesigned the layout of the room again. It has been very minimalist for a while, but I miss having a more elaborate environment for them to play on, so I picked up a bunch of pretty silk flowers and found some really nice grapevines growing wild near the house and suspended a nice artificial canopy for the birds to enjoy. It has to be a bit different from my old set up since the cockatiels now would destroy the flowers if they could reach them, so they're all hung from the ceiling itself and off the branches. It shouldn't be as much work to keep clean with only a few birds, and who go back to cages for some of the time now. The teils and budgies especially are loving the new scenery.

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~Dylan

~~~

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lovezebs
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Re: More changes... (photos)

Post by lovezebs » Sat Feb 06, 2016 2:42 am

Sheather

Hi Dylan.

Kids are looking good.
Glad you've figured out a way to keep things managable.

My birds are not just a hobby, they are therapeutic for me :)
~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 ~

debbie276
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Re: More changes... (photos)

Post by debbie276 » Sat Feb 06, 2016 4:38 am

Beautiful set up!
All the best
Debbie
long time breeder of lady gouldians:
Green
SF Pastel (SF Yellow)
Pastel (Yellow)
Blue
SF Pastel Blue (SF Yellow Blue)
Pastel Blue (Yellow Blue)

GREAT articles on avian lighting:
https://mickaboo.org/confluence/downloa ... ummary.pdf
http://www.naturallighting.com/cart/sto ... sc_page=56

finchandlovebird
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Re: More changes... (photos)

Post by finchandlovebird » Sat Feb 06, 2016 9:55 am

that is one fantastic setup =D>
Dolly J

1 Canary
, 1 Parakeet
Raised Gouldians & Scarlet Chested Parakeets in past years

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tam
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Re: More changes... (photos)

Post by tam » Sat Feb 06, 2016 12:14 pm

Nice setup,beautiful birds!

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Spreckles
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Re: More changes... (photos)

Post by Spreckles » Sat Feb 06, 2016 1:33 pm

Bet we can guess who has some of your feathered friends. First time in my life I wish I was in IL. I love your set up. I get it about the management because free flight involves a lot of poop cleaning. Just how do they manage to splash the walls with it? I have 9 birds but there are far too many more varieties that I want and I do want some other types such as canaries and Bourke's to go into my flock so....more poop cleaning.

I tried to get them into their cages yesterday and that was terrible. i like to let them do it when they want too but we are going to have people looking at the house to sell it. I let everyone out this morning with profuse apologies. At some point a walk in aviary will need to be in my future. Sitting with these birds is so relaxing.
I will miss your crested zebra and Taffy. Who else did you part with?

Love the branches. You are an artist with your set up.

Karen

Sheather
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Re: More changes... (photos)

Post by Sheather » Sun Feb 07, 2016 1:19 am

Spreckles well... the aforementioned downsizing hasn't happened yet. I had the four other finches and two diamond doves separated, planned to go today, but well things happen and the person changed their mind, so they're still with me for right now.
~Dylan

~~~

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Spreckles
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Re: More changes... (photos)

Post by Spreckles » Sun Feb 07, 2016 2:20 pm

Sheather

I sure wish I could help you out! Are you opposed to USPS?
They would still get to free fly

Karen

Sheather
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Re: More changes... (photos)

Post by Sheather » Sun Feb 07, 2016 4:21 pm

Spreckles - Yes. I'm not shipping, sorry.
~Dylan

~~~

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Spreckles
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Re: More changes... (photos)

Post by Spreckles » Sun Feb 07, 2016 5:24 pm

Sheather

I understand, can't blame a girl for trying.

Karen

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lovezebs
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Re: More changes... (photos)

Post by lovezebs » Sun Feb 07, 2016 5:46 pm

Sheather

It just wasn't meant to be Dylan.....
They know where they have it good my friend, and they don't want to leave :P
~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 ~

Sheather
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Re: More changes... (photos)

Post by Sheather » Sun Feb 07, 2016 8:47 pm

A really nice family picked up the four finches and two doves today. They're going to an indoor aviary with a variety of other little birds and will be very spoiled.
~Dylan

~~~

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Sally
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Re: More changes... (photos)

Post by Sally » Mon Feb 08, 2016 12:27 am

Glad that has worked out for you! The important thing is always to keep it enjoyable and manageable. When it becomes work, it just isn't as much fun, and this hobby is supposed to be fun, right?
3 Purple Grenadiers, 1 Goldbreast + 1 cat.

National Finch & Softbill Society - http://www.nfss.org

debbie276
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Re: More changes... (photos)

Post by debbie276 » Mon Feb 08, 2016 7:10 am

Great news!
Enjoy :)
Debbie
long time breeder of lady gouldians:
Green
SF Pastel (SF Yellow)
Pastel (Yellow)
Blue
SF Pastel Blue (SF Yellow Blue)
Pastel Blue (Yellow Blue)

GREAT articles on avian lighting:
https://mickaboo.org/confluence/downloa ... ummary.pdf
http://www.naturallighting.com/cart/sto ... sc_page=56

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