New Aviary, Birds confused, won't eat

[redcomrade3]

Hey everyone,

I built a new 4'x6' aviary for my two Zebra Finches, and I have a cuttlebone next to one of their favorite perches (How do I get them to know what to do with it? They just look at it...) and I have a bird feeder hanging from the ceiling of the aviary, filled with seed, yet they have no idea what it is and they won't even go near it. I have a little bird-bath on the ground, and they have no desire to go on the ground and check out the bath. Their drinking water is in a little tub clinging to the side of the cage next to their food, and they haven't discovered that either. All they do is jump from one perch to the other (I have about 5 perches in there, and a nice looking ladder, but they only go between two of them, back and forth).

So, how do I get them to discover their food, drinking water, bath, and cuttlebone?

Thanks,
Austin

[Sally]

How long have they been in the new aviary? Some birds just take a little time to get used to a new cage/aviary. Have you offered spray millet? Most birds think that is candy, you could either hang it near one of the perches they use, or put it on the bottom of the cage. The feeder probably swings when they land on it, they'll get used to that. Are you using the same water container as you did before? If possible, place that same container near one of their favorite perches. As far as cuttlebone, did they like it before? Some of my birds really like it, others totally ignore it.

Are you using the same bedding on the floor of the aviary? I recently switched to hay on the bottom of my cages, and some birds took quite a while to feel comfortable landing on it.

Some of my birds will adapt quickly to new surroundings, others act like I sent them to Siberia! Please keep us posted on how they do.

[Ursula]

Sally said it all.

When I transferred my budgies and finches from cages to the new big aviary, the finches (waxbills) immediately started flying around and checking everything out. The budgies sat 2 weeks(!) in the same spot in a tree and didn't fly much at all. I had to also put in lots of millet and their old seed cups and waterers close to where they were hanging out, before they realized that they can actually fly around all that space and that the big hanging feeder is full of seed...

GIve them time and lots of treats meanwhile, and everntually they will love it. Bigger is always better!

[redcomrade3]

Just an hour ago I saw them for the first time on the hanging feeder! They also got the water, but the bath is still a mystery to them. The cuttlebone is new- I only had them for 2 weeks in a smaller cage while I was building the aviary, and just recently i got the chance to go back to the store and get a cuttlebone. So, the bone has only been in the aviary, new to them, for about a day. I'm wondering if they'll have the curiosity to scrape their beaks against it (if that's what they do?) or chew on it for the calcium. I'm not sure how it works...

[lovemyfinch]

They seem to know instinctively if they need the cuttlebone. So if they feel the need, don't worry they will. find it. I find that most of mine seem to put the edge in their mouth and then sidle up and down.
As for feeling lost. Imagine that you were a small child left in a tiny play plen for months on end. Then one day the magic fairy brought you to a huge playground......I sure wouldn't want to stop to eat or drink
They are like kids in a candy factory, or me at a bird fair enjoying the space and freeding. Enjoy this is when they are at their best.

[Ursula]

Just an hour ago I saw them for the first time on the hanging feeder! They also got the water, but the bath is still a mystery to them. The cuttlebone is new- I only had them for 2 weeks in a smaller cage while I was building the aviary, and just recently i got the chance to go back to the store and get a cuttlebone. So, the bone has only been in the aviary, new to them, for about a day. I'm wondering if they'll have the curiosity to scrape their beaks against it (if that's what they do?) or chew on it for the calcium. I'm not sure how it works...

My finches never go to the cuttlebone that I have in the aviary for the budgies. Therefore I add liquid calcium (plus vitamin D) to the water once a week.

[flrancho]

Just wanted to say congrats on building your birds an aviary and that they now seem to be adjusting well to it. Wish you the best of luck.

I have no advise to offer you, but I myself will be assisting in building a 6 ft long flight cage for my finches in the coming weeks and your post helped me out some with not having to panic if my finches don't take to it right away.