New Finch Owner - Cage Question

[ohboi_jc]

Sorry, here's the pic. Excuse me, I'm new to forums & finches.

[ohboi_jc]

Okay, a bit concern guys. My unsexed finch has not stepped out of the nest box to eat or anything. Is it afraid or is this the period of adjusting? It's been 5 hours or so and no activity. It was really active at the store, maybe it's sad or I removed a bonded pair? My male is great, he's exploring, sung a few times & then went to snuggling in the box. Hope to get responses and feedback about this behavior.

[Sally]

I hate to be the one to say it, but this cage was designed for cockatiels or other small parrots. Once again, it is not a very good cage for finches, as the size of the cage won't permit much flight. This cage would be suitable for a cockatiel or a parrotlet, while finches need much more horizontal room. And to try to keep more than the two Societies in this cage would be asking for trouble, such as fighting/illness from overcrowding and stress. Utilitarian as they may be, cages that are listed as suitable for finches are what you need, for the safety and health of the birds.

One other caution: I kept birds in Hawaii in the 1970's, sometimes on the balcony of my condo. I didn't know any better at the time, but you will have to be extremely cautious to prevent escapes. Once out of the cage, the chances of the bird returning are slim.

[Sally]

Societies do love to snuggle in a nest, but 7pm is a bit early for bedtime. I would watch this bird carefully tomorrow to see what happens. If it continues to stay in the nest and not come out to eat and drink, I would return it to the store.

[ohboi_jc]

I hate to be the one to say it, but this cage was designed for cockatiels or other small parrots. Once again, it is not a very good cage for finches, as the size of the cage won't permit much flight. This cage would be suitable for a cockatiel or a parrotlet, while finches need much more horizontal room. And to try to keep more than the two Societies in this cage would be asking for trouble, such as fighting/illness from overcrowding and stress. Utilitarian as they may be, cages that are listed as suitable for finches are what you need, for the safety and health of the birds.

One other caution: I kept birds in Hawaii in the 1970's, sometimes on the balcony of my condo. I didn't know any better at the time, but you will have to be extremely cautious to prevent escapes. Once out of the cage, the chances of the bird returning are slim.

Thanks Sally! I've solved the bar spacing problem from 5/8 to 1/2 and now I will take on the other issue by giving Nerien's idea a shot. I just want to observe the bird's behavior for the first couple of days. Thanks for the heads up with the balcony. The stand has wheels so ill be sure to wheel it in when I clean.

[Nerien]

Be sure to securely tie or clip all cage doors and hatches closed before taking it outside. People have had the wind blow cages over, or wild birds like hawks and wandering cats take a shot at it, and when the cage goes over, the doors knock open and birdies are gone before you can get to it.

Because we have cats, even tho all my cages are located and secured against cats getting near them, we clip every door and hatch as well, just to be sure. Every now and then a cat finds a new way past our defenses, but no harm done because we are so crazy about prevention.

Your cage looks very pretty, but is indeed a bit small in terms of flying space. If you could hook two together, the birds would love it. Just be careful about overcrowding, it can bring down the health of all your birds so quickly, and cause fighting and plucking issues. There is a number-of-birds calculator on this site, tells you how many are recommended for a certain size cage. Then you also have to worry about are they peaceful or aggressive species, and how they will behave in the size cage you have. Zebras are listed as "pushy", but if you read the troubles most people are having with them, I think "aggressive" or "impossible" is more appropriate. Or maybe zebras just actually need more space than is currently thought, and that's where the trouble arises. So much information and real life experiences are available here, so do read away!

Welcome to the world of finches. You're going to love it.

[Ginene]

Your cage is lovely...but I agree with the ladies. Width is the key, when it comes to finches. I'm not sure what the measurements are for your cage, but 30"W is a good width (although wider is even better). You can probably strap 2 of these together...maybe back to back??? Try not to eliminate any of the access doors when you do it. You will need them. Then you just have to put a large enough platform on top of both stands to safely support the enlarged cage. Hope your society finch does better today. If not, I would trade it for another one like Sally suggested. Good luck!!!

[ohboi_jc]

Here's an update for this morning. Both of the bird was singing this morning and eating so I am very happy for that. Unfortunately, the pet associate and I was off with the pairing (these darn society are so hard to sex). Is it okay if I introduce a hen to the cage? Will they fight over here? I just want a happy family! I will take pictures when I get home of the finches and their new home on the balcony.

[Nanajennie]

Great news! and yes, your cage is adorable, but the issue is the size of the distance of the bars and the vertical vs. horizontal cage. Be careful with that cage out on the balcony

I hope you can get a new one that is just as adorable!

Great news about the little birdy!

[Nerien]

If you have two males, they will still be a happy family. Societies are almost always just happy to have anybody else. Not picky at all. If you have a male and a female, and they have any place to nest, you will have babies. Lots and lots and lots of babies, who can then start having babies of their own in just a few short months, lots and lots more babies. They're kind of like mice in feathered form.

So I wouldn't worry about getting a female, if you do indeed have two males. The guys will buddy up just fine. If they are both male and you add one female, it should go fine, but you could end up with trouble, it does happen.

Also, female societies do chirp and sort of sing, enough to fool you if you're new. I had mine for 6 months before I saw "him" lay an egg, and this "guy" had displayed all kinds of male behavior compared to his companion who was obviously not a male, even mounting her (which was really just dominance, it turns out). When a male society "sings", he will also be doing what many of us call "the puffy dance". He puffs out his feathers so he looks all pear shaped, stretches up his neck, and sings a repeating song over and over while bouncing up and down a bit, some actually bounce, others just stretch higher and lower. Once you see the puffy dance, you will have no doubt in identifying a male after that.

But I really wouldn't worry about whether you have two males or two females, or one of each. They won't, and you won't have to worry about being overrun with babies by the end of the summer.

[ohboi_jc]

What would I do without you guys! So much info and amazing group of people we have here. I can't stay off the forums even when I'm at work, lol.

Nerien, that is such a funny story! That gave me a laugh & I did not know that about female finches. Thanks for the info. I will observe them more tonight when I get home (I'd rather watch the finches than watch television). I can't wait, what a bundle of joy they are!

[Ginene]

ohboi_jc
I have 5 males in one flight. There was suppose to be 2 females in the pack...but ALL sing and do the puffy dance. Love it!!! And they actually all love each other. I just put a nest in their cage for sleeping (as there are no hens) and 3 of them sleep in it at night, while the other 2 sleep together on a perch. Very cute...I was secretly hoping for an egg...wishing maybe 1 was a female...but nope, nothing!

[ohboi_jc]

Here's an update with pictures. I couldn't wait to rush home from work & see how they were doing. They seem really happy, singing and flying everywhere. I even gave them their first egg food and boy did they enjoy that!! I am just happy that they are happy and active.

[ohboi_jc]

Woot! I don't have to get my posts approved anymore! Here's another pic of the male. I'm not sure why the pics are sideway.

[Ginene]

Looks great!