FINCHforum

Hi all,
I need advice please. I have a big cage - 36in Long x 36in Wide x 48in High with 3 pairs of zerba finches in them, for a month now. I have been reading a lot about Gualdians and have recently spotted them with a breeder here. Its pretty expensive for me this time, but Im fascinated to buy those colourful birds. If I buy them, it would be hard for me to make another cage at least for another month or so for them till i get my financial position stable. And, he says there may not be another good pair available within 3-4 months. ahhh, I cant wait that long. So if I buy them now, can I house them in the same cage with my zebras?

NOTE: 2 pairs of zebras have already started building a nest in bozes inside, while the other is molting( )

I have an old cage with me: 12"x16"x16" with me.

My plan is : Use the old small cage as a quarantine cage for the 2 new gualds for 15 to 20 days and shift them into the big one, after 3 months, make a new cage for gualds. Is this plan ok? or do I need to squeze money out and make a new cage for them immediately?

Will gualdians live/breed in this climate here? I live in India, Bangalore where the temperatures vary between 36C (96.8F) @ day to 20C (68F) at night. Not very humid here.

Can someone help me so that I can buy them this weekend? Thanks in advance to the answers.

Build a newcage now even if only a temporary one...putting new birds in with an established group is taking a risk.Your new birds could be bullied or injured by the zebras.I learned this lesson many years ago in the 1960s when I first kept gouldians...overcrowding is a big mistake.

The cardinal rule in keeping birds is to have housing available before buying the birds...no matter how tempting the purchase.

Thanks Poohbear, I'd try to make one soon. Will post again on this when i buy them. Any advice on the cage size if Im using a temporary one? Would the small 16*12*16 do?

Yes... but not for too long.Finches need space to fly to stay healthy..bigger the better.

ok, Thats GREAT I will keep them in the small catge for a couple of weeks,and make a new one after I get my salary in end of february !
Yes, I take the point that they need space to fly, thats why I built the alrge 36x36x48 for the 6 zebras, I wish to give more but not in this house I am. When I move next year, I will give more space.

Thanks very much for the advice.

Whenever purchasing new birds be sure to quarantine them in a separate room (if not a separate floor) away from your existing birds for at least 30 days minimum.

Thanks for that info Liz. I thought 2 weeks was enough. But I live in an apartment complex and I have only one floor, i have my cage in the balcony, the most I can have is put the cages 10ft apart.

The balcony is almost open and the cages are open to atmosphere on 1 side. There's no direct sunlight, since I have a sun shade. but its quite airy and spacious.

Any suggestions?

your birds should do very well with those temperatures. mine have survived from 5c to 45c

Thanks for that information. 5c to 45c is huge ! I have given them enough shelter (i suppose) and made them as comfortable as i would feel. Gives me more confidence in having them. Thanks.