New Finch Owner - Cage Question

[ohboi_jc]

Hello all,

I've been surfing and researching about finches for a while now and just recently ordered my first cage to house the finches (which I will purchase this weekend once I get the cage settled). I have attached a picture of the cage I ordered and would like any recommendations or advice on decorating, accessories or if anyone have a similar cage, how did the finches like it? It is a parrot cage but I don't think it should be a problem right? Spacing is .63" and it's 58" x 18". I was thinking a few live/silk plants, water bottle over water trays, seed trays and a few nests. Any recommendations would be great! These are my first birds and I'm a bit nervous! The birds will be a pair of zebs and maybe society (that's the only 2 finch species the Petsmart in my area carries).

[Sally]

Welcome to the forum! There's lots of good reading at the Finch Information Center, linked at left, and the members are always ready to answer questions. If you put your location in your profile, it makes it easier to answer locale-specific questions later on.

I would be very concerned with the bar spacing on this cage. Anything more than 1/2" is risking them escaping, and Zebras are not a large species. Even though this bar spacing is only .13 larger than the 1/2", it is enough to make it not work for finches. Usually, parrot cages will not work for finches. The other factor is that with parrots and other hookbills, the cages are designed with a lot of height versus width, because hookbills like to climb. Finches don't climb, but they do need to fly, so they are best kept in cages that are longer (or wider) rather than higher. A basic finch cage would be 30x18x18, which will hold a pair of finches comfortably. Unfortunately, many of the finch cages out there are not super attractive, they are more utilitarian--that is where we get creative with the fake plants!

Check out the articles in the Housing section of the FIC:

http://www.finchinfo.com/housing/index.php

[debbie276]

Welcome to the forum!
If you are using water bottles be sure the birds are used to them and know how to work them. If they haven't had bottles before you need to have water in bowls it they learn to use the bottles.
I wouldn't worry about nests right away till they get settled in and you see how well the cage works for you. Not a zebra expert (I'm sure some will jump in here) but not sure you should have a pair of zebra and society's together in that cage.
I also agree with all Sally said in the previous post.
good luck

[Tammy]

welcome to the finch forum, I love society finches, the are very sweet. I don't know if that cage is the best one for them. I love the height and it's looks like a great cage ,my parakeets would love it. your finches would want a longer or wider cage. good luck. tammy

[ohboi_jc]

Thanks Sally & Debbie for the advice! That's such a disappointment on the cage part, I was really looking forward to putting it on my balcony and enjoying the finches during the summer. Maybe I should lean towards a bigger bird because I really like the cage.

[wilkifam]

I think both Zebs and societies (especially chicks) could slip right through those bars. Why not send the cage back, and order something more suitable.

Societies are a great first finch choice.

Definately would not mix the two types. The Zebs might bully the society finches.

[wellingtoncdm]

As others have already stated the cage isn't the best for smaller finches. It's designed more for climbing hookbills rather than flying finches which do best in pairs or groups. You could possibly get away with a canary or two in it but really you'd be better off with parrotlets, linnies or parakeets especially if they will be allowed out of the cage for exercise.

[Ginene]

Finch cages are a challenge...The bar spacing is key. I had a cage just like the one you ordered for a pair of parakeets, and they were able to slip their heads between the bars (until they were finally full grown). Finches are all about width. The wider the cage, the better. This way there is plenty of room for flying. Hopefully you can return the cage without incurring extra cost. Or maybe you can keep it and pick up a canary or two. Best of luck...

[ohboi_jc]

Thanks for the help folks! I was able to call and cancel the order and I went cage shopping and found a nice cage at Petco with 1/2 inch bar spacing (even though it does look a little wider) with a fancy stand. I hope this one works out (crosses fingers). I also decided to purchase societies as my first finch pairs and will hopefully add in gouldians and spice finches. I'm so excited!!

[Nerien]

If you love the shape of the cage so well, and yes, the rounded ones look more elegant than square tops, could you get two and hook them together, back to back so the roundness matches up, to create a 36" cage, with the doors at either end?

then you just have to make sure you pick birds that are big enough they can't escape, but they will happily have plenty of flying length.

Even budgies, and parrotlets, who both climb like crazy, love to fly. I have a 5 foot long cage for my budgies, and they fly all over. Sometimes it looks like they're playing tag, and it's really playing, not chasing, all in fun. The parrotlets are new to me, and I have moved them from an 18" cage to a 3'x2' cage, and they are starting to fly more and more now that they can.

[Ginene]

If you love the shape of the cage so well, and yes, the rounded ones look more elegant than square tops, could you get two and hook them together, back to back so the roundness matches up, to create a 36" cage, with the doors at either end?

Love this idea...never thought about it with the fancier cages !!! I have another idea...maybe I will create a line of designer finch cages, that are affordable of coarse. Truthfully...finch cages need to be wide, deep and a decent height...but why do they have to be so BLAH??? Just saying

[ohboi_jc]

If you love the shape of the cage so well, and yes, the rounded ones look more elegant than square tops, could you get two and hook them together, back to back so the roundness matches up, to create a 36" cage, with the doors at either end?

Love this idea...never thought about it with the fancier cages !!! I have another idea...maybe I will create a line of designer finch cages, that are affordable of coarse. Truthfully...finch cages need to be wide, deep and a decent height...but why do they have to be so BLAH??? Just saying

That is indeed a great idea! And Ginene, you have my business. I agree finch cages are very boring and basic and usually want something more modern and sophisticated in the living room or patio (call me picky!) I will give this idea a shot but first I want to see how the finches will adjust to the current cage that I just purchased. It is somewhat similar to the picture posted with 1/2 bar spacing and a nice stand (& I am in love with it). I wonder if I can add a waterfall to it (one of those miniature waterfall you can find at Wal-Mart). I currently have silk flowers/plants in it & hopefully the finches will not hurt themselves.

[Nanajennie]

I have a cute flight cage. It was the first one I got, and it is cute for sure, but the Petco flight cages are so much more practical, more room to fly, nice big center door etc...

Here is a pic of my 'cute' cage LOL

[ohboi_jc]

I have a cute flight cage. It was the first one I got, and it is cute for sure, but the Petco flight cages are so much more practical, more room to fly, nice big center door etc...

Here is a pic of my 'cute' cage LOL

Petco has really good deals & I like that cage Jennie!

[ohboi_jc]

So I just have to update with my cage status and new finches! I purchased this cage from Petco at a great price (original at $160 but on sale online for $119.99 and the store price matched) and it has a nice stand (I wanted a cage with a stand). The bar spacing on the box and online says 1/2 but I do think it is a little bigger on some sections. I did my research and it seems that others used this cage for finches as well with no problem.

Got the cage, did a little decorating (not finished, I still want to add live plants and a few things on the outside to spruce it up) and purchased my 2 society finches today! I initially thought I purchased a male and a female but unfortunately my female is a male because he started singing right after I released him in the cage. I'm hoping my other one is a female because "it" seems really passive and quiet (been in the nest box the entire time). My male is very active and have been exploring for the last hour. I did add a nest box for them to rest and feel safe. I can't wait for them to get acclimated so I can spoil them! I will add pairs of other passive species and will have the cage on my balcony outside. Suggestions, ideas, and concerns (hopefully not) are welcome. Again, thanks for all the help thus far!

Attached is the picture of the cage so far. I can't seem to attach more than one picture with an iPad...