New Flight Cage

[Diving Di]

Hi all —

I'm new to keeping finches (although I do have a little experience with canaries), and I've found posts on this website very helpful.

Last week, I bought two darling Lady Gouldian cocks — both red-head normal, but one with a purple breast ("Flitter") and one with a white one ("Flicker"). At the breeder's suggestion, I purchased a flight cage, choosing a Prevue F030. The birds seem to love it, although the bottom tray wants to fall out, as its lip doesn't fully fit in the track. To work around the problem, I laid newspaper covered with paper towels on the grate.

I placed four manzanita branches in the cage, I hope in such a way to allow for plenty of flight space. In the next week or two, I also plan to add some live, finch-friendly "viney" plants on the window sill behind the cage to drape in, both for aesthetic appeal and so the birds will have something to play with/nibble on. I also have a full-spectrum light on a timer, and I try to turn off other lights in my office in such a way that F&F have time to get settled before everything is turned off. The small aquarium to the right of the cage has a blue "moon" light at night, and my computer's battery backup and the cable router also have a similar blue glow, so F&F seem to have plenty of light to avoid night frights.

Since the cage is in my office, I'm trying to minimize mess. Within the first 15 minutes of setup, I learned that the horizontal millet spray holder on the back of the cage was a huge mistake. Of course, the birds love it, and husks went flying everywhere! As I result, I installed a pair of wild bird feeders/waterers about six inches into the cage, which I hope will minimize floor scatter. The birds have accepted them well, and when they finish the current millet, I'll remove that holder and hang a spray from one of the perches, so hopefully, the husks will fall into the cage instead of on the floor.

Right now, I estimate about two thirds of the width and the entire length of the upper part of the cage is completely clear for flight. The lower half is about the same.

Any comments/suggestions to help make my new feathered friends comfy would be much appreciated!

Thanks.

[Sally]

I have two of those cages and love them! If you want to cut down on hull mess, another option is the vacation gravity-fed feeders, as seen here:

http://www.glamgouldians.com/product-plasticfeeder.php

I would also suggest a few fake plants inside the cage, as finches seem to really like having plants to hide in, perch on. I usually fasten mine in the corners, so they are out of the way of the flight path. Plus they serve to 'pretty up' the cage! lol

[Ginene]

I have always wanted one of those!!! I bet your birds love it

[delray]

Diving Di that cage is awesome!!!!

[Teagarden]

Diane - Welcome to the forum. Nice cage I bet F&F enjoy it.
Mary

[finchandlovebird]

A nice start for your new hobby Good luck & have fun

[Diving Di]

Thanks for both the kind words and the advice! Great idea on the feeder.

[jamezyboo21]

Welcome to the forum! That's a nice setup for your boys. I use seed hoppers as well. They really do help with less mess.

[Diving Di]

Well, my bright idea on the hanging feeders was an epic failure. The birds are slinging food everywhere, including the water dispenser, and most of it is on the bottom of the cage. Just ordered the hoppers that Sally suggested. Thanks again!

[Sheather]

That's a great sized flight cage. I'd agree some artificial foliage would liven it up nicely and provide welcome cover, but if you really want to keep them entertained, give them some fresh live branches from non-toxic outdoor plants a few times a week. My birds go crazy whenever I bring them some willow or birch twigs to strip and nibble at. Willows are extra flexible and can be tied up as natural rope perches when the leaves are all gone!



I had a couple Gouldians briefly last year whom I fostered, they're a very sweet species. One of those we had was a handicapped flightless fellow who was hand-tame and so sweet. I sometimes miss him still, but he went to a good home. Wally, we called him.

[Derk]

Diving Di

Wonderful cage! I also use those hoppers. They are wonderful at catching the hulls. Make sure you remember to empty out the bottom daily. Welcome to the forum!

[Diving Di]

Dylan, thanks for the great idea of putting occasional branches in the cage. Do you wash them off first? Is there any concern of introducing parasites, etc?

Thanks, too, for the sweet story about fostering Wally. He was lucky to have you, and I'm glad he is in a good home.

[CHIRP]

Fake plants +1 +1 = 100%

[finchandlovebird]

Super Setup Since you have a tube waterer on the side of the cage, you can eliminate the hanging waterer. Place a small dish of water on the cage floor for baths

[Diving Di]

Thanks! I did eliminate the hanging waterer, and I have additional water for them at the bottom of the cage. They also like the bird bath that I occasionally hang on the top front door. They've settled in nicely, and it's fun to hear them chattering -- sometimes, almost like they're whispering to each other!