Cage size/species question(s) for experienced keepers...

newlinta · Post by **newlinta** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 10:15 pm

I'm just getting into finches and have done lots of research...
I've built a cage/flight that is 4'wide,2'deep and 3'high.
This is about as big a cage I can fit in the room they are going in right now.
I'd like to make it a planted(or at least potted plants) and as "natural" as possible.
My questions are:
1. how many finches can I really keep in a cage this size?
2. what 2 or 3 species are compatible and suited for a "beginner"?
3. does anyone else have a totally planted indoor flight?(not potted
plants, but dirt substrate,grass,bushes,plants,water feature,etc)
Any input would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Tim

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 1:17 am

Well, according to the FIC, you can comfortably house 6-8 finches in your cage. I would say the best beginner finch is the Bengalese aka Society finch. Peaceful, inexpensive, hardy, readily available with a song that sounds like a wind up toy.

The Finch Information Center link (to the left) has a list of the different species. They are classified as passive, pushy and aggressive.
Obviously you're not going to want to keep any aggressive finches with passive birds.

Most of us start off with an easy to keep species and then as we learn, get the more difficult to keep/breed varieties.

If you plan on breeding your birds, and you plan on keeping them in the same cage, and you can comfortably house only 6-8 birds, I would keep the same species.

I've only heard of one person who had live plants in his indoor cage that were planted at the bottom. It was just grass though.

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 2:56 am

If you don't plant in pots you will have a major problem with cleaning out.Looks great when new...but not for long.A couple of pairs is my advice,there are more problems with overcrowding than anything else.

mickp · Post by **mickp** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 5:51 am

most people start with either zebras or societies(bengalese) finches. both are easy to keep and breed. there are many different varieties of both available.
if you do plan on letting the birds breed in you cage then I would only have 2 adult pairs, cos when any young come along and fledge you will suddenly find your cage over crowded.

adamharbeck · Post by **adamharbeck** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 8:40 pm

Hi newlint,

I agree with atarasai, society finches are probably the best species for you to start out with. They are very entertaining and deffinately the best suited to captivity. Zebras are probably a bit too aggressive to house with them so I would try to find a more peaceful type. Chestnut Brested Munias would be good but there is a risk they will interbreed with the societies. You might also consider just keeping one pair of Javans .

Adam

Kiko · Post by **Kiko** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 6:49 am

"3. does anyone else have a totally planted indoor flight?(not potted
plants, but dirt substrate,grass,bushes,plants,water feature,etc)"

Thats an interesting idea. I would think that in the long run, it wouldn't be viable. Birds poop a lot. In the wild, that poop is not concentrated in a 4x3 area, and wind and rain change the 'floor' constantly.
In large aviaries with dirt floors, they rake and change the dirt. Plants are in pots or planters, which can be removed and hosed off.

I like your thinking though, a natural and possibly self-contained house for the birds.

adamharbeck · Post by **adamharbeck** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 8:54 am

i don't think a fully planted abiary would be feasible at that size. An option might be to "landscape" a couple of kitty-litter trays with added drainage holes and swap them out when they start to look a bit scungy. You could grow seeding grass in them and add them to the cage one they are mature enough to eat.

I visited the Hong-Kong Zoological gardens at Christmas and the planted aviaries there were absolutely amazing, one day i hope to recreate one in my own yard.....