Tiny cage - ok for otherwise mostly free-flying finches?

[Sheather]

Hey!

I am interested in getting a pair of female zebra finches to add to my collection, and was wondering how well they could do in a cage 8 inches by 13 inches x 9 inches (at top of rounded top), because this is the size I already have.

But here's the kicker - I know such a cage is like a prison, but these zebra finches would effectively have free-run of the unused kitchen-turned-bird room (12 x 12 feet, bright and sunny, lots of stuff to perch on and nothing to get hurt on) and would be allowed free flight for at least 8 if not 13-14 hours a day almost every day unless something were to come up and I couldn't be home or something. Would a small cage like that be acceptable for two girl zebras for sleeping or for a few hours a day? I've also attached a 5 x 8 inch homemade wooden breeding box with large mesh windows to the back of the cage to give them a nice sleeping spot without taking up cage space and I've put a few small but twiggy natural perches to allow maximum perching spots but also room to fly as much as possible, and have lots of ivy tied along the back and sides for cover and to pull and play with when confined. They'd have an external water sipper bottle, but access to the sink to bathe when free (my java sparrows also effectively live uncaged in that room since I moved in here and like to bathe when I plug the sink and add 3/4 inch of water. Super easy to refresh too!)

[Colt]

I don't see a problem with the set up. Occasionally, as I'm sure you know from reading the forum, zebra finches can be pushy and unpredictable. So long as you keep a close eye on them and have a back up plan in the event that their cage size causes issues, I say go for it.

[dutch]

Sheather...free flight for 8 hrs in a room that size...perfect

so the small cage will just be used for sleeping really...that's brilliant

awesome setup

more people should do this for indoor birds.....birds need free flight

[Sheather]

Well I live upstairs to my grandmother in what is basically its own unique apartment, with bathroom and kitchen and 2 bedrooms - but I only sleep here and use the downstairs kitchen for kitchen purposes so the upstairs one is where I keep my birds now, and it's a perfect room to free-fly them because there's nothing to stain with droppings and nothing to get stuck in or behind. There is a fridge and an unplugged electric stove, and both are far enough from the wall so nobody could get stuck behind, and then there is a sink. The windowsills are wide and tall and have opening doors the finches love to perch and hop around on, and I've hung a few perches up from hooks in the ceiling for them. My Javas really only get caged at night, at least lately. They love that.

[lovezebs]

Sheather
Hi Dylan.
So the cage would be almost like a sleeping house really. Hmmmm.... If you need to get them into the cage though, what's your plan? Also, if your Javas and Zebra girls get into a scuffle, what's your plan?
Zebras can be... shall we say annoying? Both to each other and to other birds.
The idea of having a bird- room with free flying birds is very appealing. I would love a sun-room filled with trees, plants , flowers and birds, one whole wall at least made up of windows
Sigh .

[Sheather]

With an entire room to flit about, would they still get into scuffles? My Javas are the bullies from hell to the societies in a cage, but model citizens in an open situation.

I guess I could net them in an emergency but I'd expect them to go to their cage by themselves like the other birds do normally.

[ac12]

How do plan to get them into the cage at night?
I do not think they will willingly go into the cage, you may have to net them.

[Sheather]

?

I've never had a finch not know to go back to its cage. That is where its food is.

[mikeonthebike]

i brought mt 2 zebs indoors as 1 got ill from an external wild bird source.He died after treatment indoors.
i now have 2 zebs again and will never keep them outdoors.I have a small cage right in the corner of the ceiling (above head height) with their food and water and an external perch.They have free flight all day and sleep in their cage at night automatically.There is a perch fixed
between the window so they can view the birds outside.I have an aviery panel to put against the window which allows me to open the window too as they are free flying.
they come down on the table to eat and bathe as well.
just remove things that may harm them and check behind
furniture and provide a dim red night light too.good luck.