FINCHforum

Hello! I have two red headed gouldians. Looking at them makes me feel sorry for them because they look bored. I understand finches don't enjoy toys so I am frustrated...
I tried installing plants but the birds defecate on them.. So I could use some wise ideas to make them feel happy.
The cage is not too big but it is a normal breeding cage for finches.
Thanks in advence.

Welcome to the forum!

Actually, finches can enjoy toys. There are many things you can do to enrich their environment.

A swing or two would be much appreciated.

Millet spray can be hung from the top of the cage so they have to hang on it to get some. Clip ends of millet sprays across the upper corners of the cage. This will give them a perch they can snack on!

Gouldians love and need greens in their diets - and there are several ways to deliver them. If you are using the "tougher" greens like kale and collards, you can clip a leaf to the side of the cage and let them tear off pieces as they love to do.

For some of the more tender greens they love, like dandelions and green endive and chickweed, you can get the little florists tubes they use to put stems in with water - only you will place greens instead of roses. The tubes can be clipped to the side of the cage - the birds will really appreciate tearing the greens apart - and the greens stay fresh throughout the day.

You can also grow little pots of wheat grass. Use organic soil and plant some wheat. You can also grow your bird's seed. It grows enough for the birds in a week's time and they adore it.

A small amount of hay - the kind you can buy for rabbits in the pet stores - will be played with and chewed on. You just need to be careful as this can sometimes stimulate breeding activity, so if you don't want that, you might skip this one.

Little toys you can find in any pet store are very much appreciated. They will peck at little bells, pick at wicker things and beads, etc.

Change out their perches - and locations. Use millet spray for a corner perch as described above. Cut some branches outside. Try a sandy perch. There are many alternatives.

Lastly, give them as much horizontal space for flying as you can. This alone will help them maintain their good health. Just like us - if we sit around watching TV all day, we will be bored and dull - but if we get out and do things and exercise, we will feel much, much better.

Others will have more ideas. I look forward to new ideas here, too!

Super ideas Martie

Martie had great ideas, couldnt really add to that.

My gouldians LOVE their swings.

Wow!! I see joining this forum was a good decision.
A great answer by martie.
I will use it as my bible from now on.
Thank you!!!

Ditto on Martie's ideas - all very good! I was told many years ago that canaries don't like toys either, but on a whim I'd introduced them to various small budgie toys (swings, bells, beads, ropes, etc.) to which they seemed to take delight in. Just can't give a male canary a mirror. Bob

I let my finches fly outside their cage daily. They are not bored at all, they love to investigate everything and love to look out of the window to the trees and other birds. Can you let yours out of the cage?
My zebras love their swings but the javas can't be bothered, they prefer to hang upside-down on the cage walls or the blinds on the window.

How do you get them to go back in the cage, Diana?
Thanks

Lagirl277 wrote: How do you get them to go back in the cage, Diana?
Thanks

When they were new to me I only let the fly in the evening, making sure the environment is 'finch-safe', like there is no place where they can fall and from where I cannot take them out if necessary. And when I needed to catch them I just turned the light off and grabbed them. These days they go in by themselves for the food, after a while and I just close the door behind them or turn the light off and close the door because some of them try to get out again when they see me coming, cheeky buggers! They needed a few days to get used to the cage, to where the door was and to learn to get in and out and now they are unstoppable, they fly in and out through all doors.

Thanks Diana. I don't think my wife would appreciate me letting them out of the cage... But it sure seems nice!