FINCHforum

I am thinking about getting 4 Zebra or Societies, all male, and even though I did use the "cage calculator" to the left, I am wondering if the 30x18x18 flight cage would be okay to house them all? The calculator says up to 2 finches for that cage but would like opinions.

If this isn't the right cage, do you have any recommendations on a specific cage? Thanks!

I don't think I'd keep 4 Zebra finches in that size cage, but you could probably do it with 4 Societies, a species that doesn't need as much room as some others.

4Ellen
I agree with Sally. Societies are the better choice. Even in a smallish cage, Socies are more likely to get along together. In my own experience, Zebbies tend to get nasty with each other and the smaller the cage, the more nasty they tend to get.

Agreed with the others. There's no way I'd put four male zebras in a cage of that size. They're too combative.
I'd go with two zebras in a cage of that size.

I'd even be hesitant to put 4 societies in there, but it could work nicely as long as the dynamics are right.
You don't want 3 birds, as there's virtually always an odd man out.
Personally, I'd opt for 2 societies to start. If they do really well and bond really nicely, then I'd consider an additional 2 if you're really compelled.

The general rule is an absolute minimum of one cubic foot per finch-sized bird. My math is terrible, but I believe a 30x18x18 cage is enough for 2.5 birds using that 1-cubic-foot formula.
Some species (and some individuals) need quite a bit more than that. Conversely, a well-bonded pair may be good with that 1-cubic-foot-per-bird minimum or even a tad less, especially if they had a few hours a day of free flight in a bird-safe room.

I'd just be sure to add in some foliage to serve as barriers to different "territories" within the cage. Plus, it prevents them from staring at each other all day long. (Imagine being locked in a cage with another person. It would be nice to have a little section of the cage that felt like your own little space, where it creates the illusion of solitude and distance from the other person.)

I would be sure to arrange the foliage so it's mostly along the perimeter of the cage. And I'd arrange the perches so there is a clear flight path through the length of the cage so they can stretch their wings as much as possible within their cage.

Maybe I should only get 2 to start with? I've never had finches before and I don't want to get in over my head.

I've read how hard it is to sex Societies so maybe I should get 2 Zebras? Other than Craigslist, where I've been looking at quite a bit, the closest pet store that sells birds is 1 1/2 hrs. away (Petsmart and Petco even though I'm not sure if Petco does have finches?) so I want to make sure I pick out 2 males and not a pair.

Right now, my entire society family of six is living in a cage this size and getting along very well. The size isn't ideal for so many and I might be rehoming two soon, but it's working fine. Four birds IMO is perfect for societies for a cage that size.

Societies would probably work, Zebs, no way....

I have 2 societies in that cage and they are amazing birds!!!!

I also think up to 4 society cocks would be fine in that size cage, the fact that they are all the same sex and won't be breeding in the cage it would be fine, you wouldn't need to get all 4 at once so as suggested starting with 2 and adding more at a later date would be fine. The best indication of their sex is the cocks sing and hens only chirp so if you want to be sure and have the time you could observe them for a while in the store before purchasing, if you see a society stand upright stretching it's neck and singing then it's a male.

I'm sure you will find a closer store selling them, any town/city should have pet shops.