Messy Societies ....

[FinchDegg]

I'm just wondering what your opinions are on these type of feeder/drinkers, as my societies keep fouling in their drinking water and i'm having to change 3 - 4 times a day, also i thought it might be easier to get rid of the empty hulls of the seeds....

opinions appreciated (before i go out and buy )

[Rayray]

this one will work good as drinker but !!!!! .... i think socities are the most messy / stinky finches , altho i really like them , i have 3 pairs with chicks and one pair drives me nuts every day .... poop in the drinker and bathing cup and whatever i do or tried they still mess it up ... the other 2 pairs are no problem . so just try to buy a few drinkers and see how it works

Ray

[dfcauley]

I agree... they are sweet and very valuable little birds.

But N-A-S-T-Y!!!!!

[cindy]

They are dirty little birds, They bathe in water cups and foul the water more than any other finch. I agree with Donna, they are valuable, pretty, sing wonderful little songs but they are dirty. I use water tubes also and seed hoppers in their cage.

They also have large poops! Even my Red Headed finch which are a lot bigger poop tiny poops compared to societies. Where does it all come from?

[franny]

I use these tube feeders for water and seed, placed near the upper perches. These are terrific in that they never get pooped in. And they don't seem to scatter as much seed.

Make sure you have a couple of each for water and seed, as only one bird can eat/drink out of them at a time. Saves them squabbling over the feeders.

[cindy]

I place my hoppers up high, since they are wide enough two can eat side by side.

Franny, if one bird is at the water tube and the other wants a drink, it will step on the one drinking and butt "in line"!

Same thing with egg cups, I have 2 egg or treat cups in some cages with pairs that can't wait for the other to finish first before being "rude"!

[franny]

..Franny, if one bird is at the water tube and the other wants a drink, it will step on the one drinking and butt "in line"! ...

Yes, that's why if you have more than a couple of birds, I highly recommend more than one waterer!

[Finch Fry]

We need society finch diapers.

[ac12]

I use that kind of water tube for ALL my finches. It is not only the societies, but also zebras that poop/bath in their drinking water. One problem is that it is a little difficult to clean the trough part of the water tube. Glass tubes are easier to clean than plastic tubes.

I have been dealing with zebras pooping in their food dish.
I switched to divided trough for food, to keep them from going into the food tray and kicking out food, but they still poop in the food. For me it is more difficult to use tubes for food, simply because of the number of birds. I had one instance of the birds emptying a tube as they kept flicking out food looking for what they wanted to eat. All the food was flicked onto the cage floor.

[cindy]

We need society finch diapers.

I vote for that Chris...little tiny pampers for finches!!!!!

Try this seed hopper, it can fit 2 to the hopper at a time.

http://www.redbirdproducts.com/seedhopper3.jpg

They come in brown, white or off white. Be warned they love to sit on the top!!!!

[FinchDegg]

As for cleaning the tube i will prob just "borrow" 1 of my sons spare bottle cleaners (like pipe cleaner brush). Just ordered a bulk of the feeders from online roughly 70 pence each.

Also an added bonus, my GF dragged me down into town yesterday (which i hate at best of times let alone xmas, hectic!) and found that the indoor market was open (normally closed when we go down) so decided to pop in and see if there was a pet stand, as the nearest i can get supplies is a big retail chain few miles away and expensive! Turns out there was so got talking to the owner (for about half an hour whilst GF was clothes shopping:) ) ... and i was amazed at the prices ...

e.g.

Millet Sprays ... RETAIL (PETS AT HOME) ... 3 for £1.70! .. this guy .. 5 pence each .. so brought 40 there and then

Foreign Finch Mix .. RETAIL (PETS AT HOME) ... £2.70 for 1kg .. His price .. 60 pence for 500 grams (identical mix) .. again brought 2kg instantly ...

Just a bit shocking how these big chains charge so much and can still put these small guys out of business ??? We used to have 5 small pet companies (which in my eyes cared for the pets so much better) ... Now we just have this 1 guy in the market, shame really....

I reassured this guy he had my business from here on in

[FinchDegg]

unfortunately he didnt sell finch diapers lol lol

[cindy]

I love dealing with privately owned pet shops, the owners have a little bit more of the ability to lower their prices to make it reasonable compared to the chain store. I only buy from the chains when in a pinch.

I have one guy that owns a pet store in South Florida (where I am from), he gives me good deals on cages and seed. When I travel down that way it makes it worth while not to have to order items.

My husband hates the stores/shopping to!

[FinchDegg]

shopping is a ball ache for the whole male species i think unless you bat for other team i guess lol lol

[cindy]

My father loves to shop for really nice dress clothes, leather jackets and he has patience when my step mom shops. They love outlets and malls. Ralph Lauren!!! He always had good taste in clothing, nice suits.

My husband doesn't mind if the crowds are small and you go in and get the stuff and get out. I am a browser, come by it easily...or is it a girl thing!!!!