Just adopted a little boy zebra finch
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- Pip
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Wed Jan 18, 2017 8:50 am
- Location: Suffolk county, NY
Just adopted a little boy zebra finch
Hi everyone, I just became a finch mama for the first time! I have had birds my whole life, but I've never had a bird so small and fascinating.
He was in a neglect situation, but now he will be a spoiled little baby. Right now, he's in a parakeet cage, and while he's singing and seems rather happy, I've decided to make him a large flight and get him a little friend when he had more room.
So, today I scoured the thrift stores in the area, and found the find of a lifetime! A China cabinet that's actually a double cabinet. Is about 6 feet long, has 4 doors and is relatively deep as well. The hutch sits on a cabinet as well, so the total height is about 6 feet tall, maybe a little more. It cost me...$14.99. Add in the 5.00 tip I gave the nice gentlemen for helping me load it and it's mine for $20!
I'm now trying to decide if I should paint it- it's 1970's brown, and I think I'd like a brighter look. I'm going to remove the glass and put in small gauge chicken wire (I like the look better than screen) and it already has lights so I'll replace those with uv bulbs. I'd like to put a stone looking piece of linoleum on the bottom, and possibly a small live ficus then hang silk ivy or some kind of foliage around the top and sides.
What colors do you suggest? What kind of background too? I'd like to go natural/antique looking as possible, I like the look of bamboo, but I'm afraid of his teeny feet getting caught!
Also, any idea where to find small hole chicken wire? The local stores only carry the 1 inch holes and I think that might be too big, right?
Thank you so much!
Tweets
He was in a neglect situation, but now he will be a spoiled little baby. Right now, he's in a parakeet cage, and while he's singing and seems rather happy, I've decided to make him a large flight and get him a little friend when he had more room.
So, today I scoured the thrift stores in the area, and found the find of a lifetime! A China cabinet that's actually a double cabinet. Is about 6 feet long, has 4 doors and is relatively deep as well. The hutch sits on a cabinet as well, so the total height is about 6 feet tall, maybe a little more. It cost me...$14.99. Add in the 5.00 tip I gave the nice gentlemen for helping me load it and it's mine for $20!
I'm now trying to decide if I should paint it- it's 1970's brown, and I think I'd like a brighter look. I'm going to remove the glass and put in small gauge chicken wire (I like the look better than screen) and it already has lights so I'll replace those with uv bulbs. I'd like to put a stone looking piece of linoleum on the bottom, and possibly a small live ficus then hang silk ivy or some kind of foliage around the top and sides.
What colors do you suggest? What kind of background too? I'd like to go natural/antique looking as possible, I like the look of bamboo, but I'm afraid of his teeny feet getting caught!
Also, any idea where to find small hole chicken wire? The local stores only carry the 1 inch holes and I think that might be too big, right?
Thank you so much!
Tweets
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- Jute Junkie
- Posts: 526
- Joined: Tue Jul 26, 2016 12:39 pm
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Re: Just adopted a little boy zebra finch
Awww...what a lucky little guy! I would stick to 1/4" hardware wire or cloth in housing finches. Keeps the finches and babies in and the predators out. If your birds will be indoors, you might be able to get away with 1/2" wire/cloth.
~Sharon
Orange Cheeked Waxbills, Gold-breasted Waxbills, Societies, Gouldians, Bronze Winged Mannikins, Spices, Canaries, Javas, Pin Tailed Whydahs, too many Koi to count, a husband, and a rescue puppy!
Orange Cheeked Waxbills, Gold-breasted Waxbills, Societies, Gouldians, Bronze Winged Mannikins, Spices, Canaries, Javas, Pin Tailed Whydahs, too many Koi to count, a husband, and a rescue puppy!
- lovezebs
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Re: Just adopted a little boy zebra finch
Tweets
Hi, and welcome to the Forum,
You didn't mention what species of Finch your little guy is.
I'm sure this little fella will be most appreciative if you build him a lovely new home and get him some companionship.
There are some members on the forum who have created some lovely flights out of old furniture pieces. Regretably I'm not one of them .
Good luck with your project.
Hi, and welcome to the Forum,
You didn't mention what species of Finch your little guy is.
I'm sure this little fella will be most appreciative if you build him a lovely new home and get him some companionship.
There are some members on the forum who have created some lovely flights out of old furniture pieces. Regretably I'm not one of them .
Good luck with your project.
~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 ~
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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- Pip
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Wed Jan 18, 2017 8:50 am
- Location: Suffolk county, NY
Re: Just adopted a little boy zebra finch
The birds will be indoors but we do have a Ragdoll cat that, while he's really harmless, may try to climb the cage at first. He leaves our other bird (a cockatiel) alone after his initial curiosity.Shannylee wrote: Awww...what a lucky little guy! I would stick to 1/4" hardware wire or cloth in housing finches. Keeps the finches and babies in and the predators out. If your birds will be indoors, you might be able to get away with 1/2" wire/cloth.
I'm going to look into the hardware wire! Thank you!
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- Pip
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Wed Jan 18, 2017 8:50 am
- Location: Suffolk county, NY
Re: Just adopted a little boy zebra finch
Thank you for the welcome!lovezebs wrote: Tweets
Hi, and welcome to the Forum,
You didn't mention what species of Finch your little guy is.
I'm sure this little fella will be most appreciative if you build him a lovely new home and get him some companionship.
There are some members on the forum who have created some lovely flights out of old furniture pieces. Regretably I'm not one of them .
Good luck with your project.
Atticus (fiance and kids have a sense of humor) is a zebra finch!
I'm getting started on the new cabinet home in the morning. A friend of mine has zebras and gouldians so she will provide me with a little companion or 2 for Atticus.
- Sally
- Mod Extraordinaire
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- Location: DFW, Texas
Re: Just adopted a little boy zebra finch
Tweets What a lucky little guy, to have been saved from a neglected situation and now to have a really big home! The hutch sounds great, what a fabulous find! In the Housing forum, there are many topics members have posted about how they converted hutches/china cabinets into indoor aviaries. As far as color, I'd say whatever pleases you and fits into your color scheme.
I would also recommend the 1/2" hardware cloth in black, it makes for better visuals and will keep your little guy in. I used to have an indoor aviary, the lower front was plexiglass, which kept my cats away from the birds, though they stalked them at first.
Welcome to the forum! There's lots of good reading at www.finchinfo.com, where you will find many articles on finch care. If you put your general location in your profile, it makes it easier for members to direct you to where to get supplies, etc.
I would also recommend the 1/2" hardware cloth in black, it makes for better visuals and will keep your little guy in. I used to have an indoor aviary, the lower front was plexiglass, which kept my cats away from the birds, though they stalked them at first.
Welcome to the forum! There's lots of good reading at www.finchinfo.com, where you will find many articles on finch care. If you put your general location in your profile, it makes it easier for members to direct you to where to get supplies, etc.
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- Pip
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Wed Jan 18, 2017 8:50 am
- Location: Suffolk county, NY
Re: Just adopted a little boy zebra finch
Thank you for the welcome!Sally wrote: Tweets What a lucky little guy, to have been saved from a neglected situation and now to have a really big home! The hutch sounds great, what a fabulous find! In the Housing forum, there are many topics members have posted about how they converted hutches/china cabinets into indoor aviaries. As far as color, I'd say whatever pleases you and fits into your color scheme.
I would also recommend the 1/2" hardware cloth in black, it makes for better visuals and will keep your little guy in. I used to have an indoor aviary, the lower front was plexiglass, which kept my cats away from the birds, though they stalked them at first.
Welcome to the forum! There's lots of good reading at http://www.finchinfo.com, where you will find many articles on finch care. If you put your general location in your profile, it makes it easier for members to direct you to where to get supplies, etc.
I've been scouring this forum and online for pictures of what I'd like my end product to look like, funny thing is, I love all of them. I may have to have several!
My concern with anything I put on the front is the sheer weight of my cat. He's 18 pounds and has literally zero cat instincts. I'm going to go and feel the materials before I buy, maybe I can judge from there! He's really hefty! I'm afraid he won't retract his class and drag any cloth. Seriously. He's like a dog in a soft, long fluffy coat! My dog has taken little Atticus under his protection though, and sits in front of the cage he's in now and gives the cat the hairy eyeball if he comes close.
The dog is a good soul.
I'm going to change my profile to show my location, you're right about local suggestions! They're always welcome!
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- Callow Courter
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Re: Just adopted a little boy zebra finch
Tweets remember if you choose an oil based paint, stain, or primer let a fair amount of time elapse before Atticus moves in so the petroleum fumes can dissipate.
- Sally
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Re: Just adopted a little boy zebra finch
Yes, and there are a lot of low VOC paints that you can use. If it is safe for children, it should be safe for our birds. One advantage to having plexiglass on the bottom half of the aviary is that the cats can't get to the mesh.Lucille wrote: Tweets remember if you choose an oil based paint, stain, or primer let a fair amount of time elapse before Atticus moves in so the petroleum fumes can dissipate.
- lovezebs
- Mod Extraordinaire
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Re: Just adopted a little boy zebra finch
Tweets
Here are a few pictures to give you some ideas
http://www.finchforum.com/viewtopic.php ... ilit=Drool
Here are a few pictures to give you some ideas
http://www.finchforum.com/viewtopic.php ... ilit=Drool
~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 ~
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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- Flirty Bird
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Re: Just adopted a little boy zebra finch
That is one lucky little finch!
I also love the look of that small-sized chicken wire. It has a rustic, country, shabby chic look. It's called Sparrow Wire, and I buy it on Amazon, but I've never been able to use what I've bought because it's always a mess. It's very crooked and untidy looking, and doesn't even remotely resemble chicken wire. If you do find some and really want to use it, maybe you could ask for a sample first.
I also love the look of that small-sized chicken wire. It has a rustic, country, shabby chic look. It's called Sparrow Wire, and I buy it on Amazon, but I've never been able to use what I've bought because it's always a mess. It's very crooked and untidy looking, and doesn't even remotely resemble chicken wire. If you do find some and really want to use it, maybe you could ask for a sample first.
2 owls
2 red-faced parrot finches
1 parrot finch hybrid
4 societies
7 gouldians
2 canaries
2 cocker spaniels
2 red-faced parrot finches
1 parrot finch hybrid
4 societies
7 gouldians
2 canaries
2 cocker spaniels
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- Pip
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- Joined: Wed Jan 18, 2017 8:50 am
- Location: Suffolk county, NY
Re: Just adopted a little boy zebra finch
So, I've been busily painting the China cabinet, I bought "cameo white" and its a child safe paint from Benjamin Moore.
I'm trying to figure out how to post pictures...I'm guessing I can't just upload from my tablet?
I'm trying to figure out how to post pictures...I'm guessing I can't just upload from my tablet?
- lovezebs
- Mod Extraordinaire
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- Joined: Sun Dec 15, 2013 11:51 am
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Re: Just adopted a little boy zebra finch
Tweets
Yes, you can, I do it all the time.
Put in a small message
Go down, and click on 'preview' box
Go down, and click on 'choose file' box
When a box pops up, go into gallery or files, or document (whichever shows up on your tablet)
Find the picture you want, and click on it
Which should bring you back to your Forum page
Click on 'preview' again, and your picture should pop up on the page.
There are other ways of doing it, but this works for me both from phone and from tablet.
Good luck.
Yes, you can, I do it all the time.
Put in a small message
Go down, and click on 'preview' box
Go down, and click on 'choose file' box
When a box pops up, go into gallery or files, or document (whichever shows up on your tablet)
Find the picture you want, and click on it
Which should bring you back to your Forum page
Click on 'preview' again, and your picture should pop up on the page.
There are other ways of doing it, but this works for me both from phone and from tablet.
Good luck.
~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 ~
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 ~