FINCHforum

I need advice. Hubby and the kids just brought home an early mother's day present. I've been talking about how a need a bigger cage because in the near future I would like to get more species of finches.

So today they bought me a BIG cage (3 story condo). Right now my babies are sitting on eggs, due to hatch any day now. (I hope)
Can I move them in now with their nest, or how old do the babies have to be so that I can move them in. The cage is so georgeous it's a shame to have it sitting there empty.

I'm glad you posted your question before making any changes.

Please do NOT move the parents or the nest (or offspring) until all the babies are hatched and completely and fully weaned if this is their first clutch. It might be okay, but then again if you do move them early - you risk the chance of the parents abandoning the nest and eggs. It's much safe to just wait (gee I hate waiting!) a few more weeks.

Or, you could always purchase more finches.

atarasi wrote:Or, you could always purchase more finches.

L in Ontario wrote:

atarasi wrote:Or, you could always purchase more finches.

That's what I figured. Can't get new finches just yet. Have to find time and $$$$$ to go visit Liz. 6 Hours means a hotel and day's off.

Yeah, i would definently wait till these babies hatch and are weaned. Some finches dont mind and will go right to the nest in the new cage and others will completely abandon the nest and go nowhere near it.

Janine

When you say 3 story condo, what do you mean?

I ask that because when I moved my breeding pair into a breeder cage that was longer than it was high (my prior cage was higher than long) they FLY vs. the wing assisted hops they do in the other cage.

If it is one of those TALL narrow cages, that could be a problem.

Although the tall cages with extra perches at different heights helps to separate the birds so they don't squabble as much. In my cage, mom and dad can stay separated from their 4 overactive kids.

I agree, better safe than sorry.
I think just the environmental change would confuse and upset the parents. When I've moved birds into a new cage, they sometimes took a couple/few days to settle down. In your case, they may not sit on the eggs until they feel safe again...and that would kill the eggs.

Then you have more time to set up the new cage as you want it.

Actually, the first cage was about the same size as a standard breeder cage only taller. This new one is about 6 inches larger, 10 inches wider and 1 and a half times taller. To give you an idea of the area. Think of a 20 gallon aquarium only much wider. It's going to need a short tv stand to sit on.

If I look at it area wise, they have about 5 times more room to flutter about. What I really like about it is that I can actually put in dividers to separate couples if ever I have to.

I would like to thank everyone for their advice. Good thing I didn't move them into their new home, because this morning the first baby was born. WooHoo