Cage size and how many finches?

Shy2 · Post by **Shy2** » Sun May 25, 2008 9:53 am

This is the cage that I bought

Vision L01 Cage

So far I only have the little strawberry finch and an orange cheek waxbill.

This is the largest cage that I could find. Would I be able to add two more birds without overcrowding them, or am I best to just stick with the two that I have?

Thanks.

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Sun May 25, 2008 11:26 am

Personally I would stick with your two birds... It's a decent sized cage but I wouldn't call it large like the manufacturers do.
I suggest you get rid of those plastic perches and give the birds some natural ones of various thicknesses.Change 'em every few weeks...much better for the birds feet.
Paul.

Shy2 · Post by **Shy2** » Mon May 26, 2008 6:15 am

Thanks Paul. When you say natural perches, do you mean just branches from trees outside? Or can I purchase these in the pet stores?

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Mon May 26, 2008 7:17 am

Shy2 wrote:Thanks Paul. When you say natural perches, do you mean just branches from trees outside? Or can I purchase these in the pet stores?

I cut from outside. I get a few different size ones for their little feet.
I never hardly ever have to cut the nails of my birds. Also try to get one of those textured ones from the pet store.

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Mon May 26, 2008 7:25 am

Branches off a young sapling...Ash,sycamore, or similar.Cut to size and notch the ends to grip the bars.Give 'em a quick wash with a splash of bleach or similar in the water before use.
To heck with the pet shop these are free

...not too many and far apart as possible to give the birds some flight.
Paul.

Shy2 · Post by **Shy2** » Tue May 27, 2008 5:47 am

Thank you again for some excellent advice. I am not very good with tree names.

I do know that I have in my yard, a maple tree, a fire bush, rose of sharon trees (tons of them), and a Japanese maple. I will check the safe plant list.

I also have access to a pear and apple tree if that is better.

Well I checked the safe plant list, and it doesn't mention trees. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks again.

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Tue May 27, 2008 6:04 am

There are very few branches that can harm finches...fruit tree branches are ideal and even parrots that gnaw them to bits come to no harm with these.
Paul.

Post by **Sally** » Tue May 27, 2008 8:59 am

I would imagine any of those would be fine. I use a lot of Rose of Sharon, because I have a lot of those in my yard. Japanese maples are harder to grow here, so I would never touch them, only because they are also pretty expensive!

Shy2 · Post by **Shy2** » Tue May 27, 2008 8:28 pm

Thanks for the help with this. I will have to do some tree trimming this weekend.

Sally with the Rose of Sharon, mine are just starting to show the leaves. Shall I leave them on, or take them off? I have tons of these. They seem to grow like weeds in my gardens. Last year I must have pulled over 200 little seedlings and gave them away, and I don't have a very large yard.

My mother has fruit trees, so I can get some nice branches from her as well.

Post by **Sally** » Wed May 28, 2008 10:00 pm

Sherry, I usually look for branches that are the right size to just insert one end between two bars on the cage, and they will fit snugly enough to not roll around, then the other end tapers down. Mine are usually leafed out when I cut them, so I just strip off all the leaves--otherwise, they will wilt in a day or so and just make a mess on the floor of the cage.