Finch recommendation? (warning: pictures)

jourdy · Post by **jourdy** » Sun Dec 10, 2006 9:17 pm

Hi everyone. I am new to these boards and I would like to ask for your opinions. I have just completed a small flight cage for my finches (approx 48"L x 14"W x 60"H) and I would like to ask what finches do you recommend me to get? I know the 14" width is too narrow, but I had no choice - mom's orders. The width is narrow because the flight cage will be placed in a small space in the balcony.

Anyway, here are pictures of what it looks like:

There are currently 7 birds in there now - 3 societies, 2 shaftails, and 2 zebras. They all get along, they even all cramp up in 1 of those bamboo nests. They have all been bought at the same time just a few days ago. Now my question is this - according to this website's housing recommendation (the software that asks for L and W in inches), I could house only 2 to 3 birds in there. Do I remove the other birds? What among the 7 do I let stay there?

Here are a few pictures of the birds:

This one is one of the societies - he/she has funny hair! Haha! I like eet!

This is a young (I think) Zebra male. He still has some black in his beak.

And here are the 2 shaftails and a society:

I would've loved some color in my cage, but living in the Philippines, it is VERY hard to look for colorful finches. I would like to add some plants (both hanging and potted) as well. Since they're out in the balcony, there is a lot of sunlight, but none direct. What can I put in the cage? (Bottom half of the cage receives very little light at all while the top receives a lot).

Sorry for the long post.
Thank you very much!

kenny · Post by **kenny** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 9:19 am

hi joardy
really nice pics of your aviary and your birds,yes the zebra is a male,and your society with the funny hair is a crested variety...so when you breed it you should always put it with a plainheaded bird as 2 crests should not be put together...its a shame you cannot get any colour where you are but all your birds look fit and healthy i would be thankfull for what you have and make the most of them as you have a lot more than most people and your shaftails do bring a bit of colour into the place congratulations

ken

jourdy · Post by **jourdy** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 9:41 am

Thanks.
So, should I remove the other birds since there are 7 of them there? The website said I could fit only 2-3 birds inside.. Anyhow, I restructured the cage a bit, to offer more visual barriers (even tho they all get along):

That thing hanging on 3 pieces of rope is a coconut. Is this a good idea to put there? It's filled with coconut fibers (nesting materials) since one of the society finches is foraging for nest materials.

Can anyone also tell me what vine plant I can put inside? How about the Ylang Ylang vine? I can't find it in the "safe plants" list, but I also couldnt find it in the "toxic plants" list.

TammyS · Post by **TammyS** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 12:34 pm

Hi Jourdy,

You did a great job on the pictures of your aviary. What you need to keep in mind is that even though your aviary is of good size, it is very tall and finches will tend to use only the upper 1/3 of a taller cage. They like to hang out on the top perches. They only go to the lower part of the cage if you have their food and water located there. Which is what I do in my aviaries to get them to fly down to the bottom of the aviary and get more exercise.

I also like to keep the upper portion of my aviaries less obstructed so that the birds have more room to fly freely. If I place anything in the cage for the birds to have coverage (like plastic vines and the such), I will located them more near the corners of the cage.

If your current seven birds are getting along well and not bickering and fighting with each other, then I think I would leave them in there together - but not add any additional birds. Be warned that if any of the birds breed and go to nest, you may encounter problems at that point. Many breeding birds (especially the Zebra and Shafttails) can become very territorial when breeding. At that point, you may have to remove the breeding birds from the aviary.

tammieb · Post by **tammieb** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 2:54 pm

Nice job Jourdy!

I second what Kenny and Tammy said. I would also advise that if you do move their food and water to the bottom of the cage that you make certain they aren't placed beneath perches to avoid comtaminating with bird poo.

Also, IF you do remove a couple birds, I would suggest you take out the Zebras. I have a pair of Societies and Shaft-tails in my aviary and they are the best of buddies.

As for adding hanging plants inside the flight... I wouldn't for two reasons. The pots will take up alot of room and the birds will shred the plants in no time. You could hang the pots near the flight and allow the plants to grow down and partially cover the flight. I don't know what a "ylang ylang" plant is but if it's not on the toxic list you are probably safe. Especially if you hang it outside the cage rather than inside.

I'm sure your birds LOVE the coconut nest! Just take care they don't begin mulitplying on you unless you have somewhere to go with the chicks.

tammieb · Post by **tammieb** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 3:12 pm

I was curious abouy the ylang ylang plant so did a quick Google search.

It seems the entire plant is benefical in one way or another. Birds are attracted to the fruit, and the aromatherapy uses are to numerous to list here, but one thing I found particuarly of interest.... "The oil of this plant is the base for the well known Chanel No. 5 perfume"

Two minor notes of caution:

"Excessive use can cause headaches; but generally considered non-toxic and non-irritant."

"Believed to be an aphrodisiac, the flowers were once spread on the marriage bed of newlywed couples." You might want to avoid this plant afterall or you could end up with birds mating like crazy!! LOL

jourdy · Post by **jourdy** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 9:24 pm

Thanks for all your input! Greatly appreciated.
Okay then, I will move the food and water dishes towards the bottom of the cage. The bottom of the cage actually looks very empty, aside from the dried grass that covers the cage floor.

I am not planning to put big plants in there

What I am trying to do is to put vines along the sides and bottom so that it wouldn't take up much space, and at the same time, add visual barriers and ambiance.

Tammieb, I would probably place a small Ylang Ylang there, preferrably with only a flower or two. The smell is rich, and it would definitely offset any other odors

I have another flight cage (20"X25"48") if ever they decide to breed, as well as some breeder type cages (which I use for my lovebirds and tiels). I'll try to get a side shot later to let you guys see how empty the bottom looks like! :lol

Once again, thank you very much!

jourdy · Post by **jourdy** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 1:49 am

Hi again, so a while ago, I put my cage indoors to get pictures.
Here they are:

This one is what the cage looks like right now. As you can see, the bottom half is very empty. I wish to put something there.. but what?

This is the upper half part. Is it okay I put 3 nestboxes together?

This is a picture from the side.

And here is the other side. By the way, I removed that blue-green hanging toy.

cezhart · Post by **cezhart** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 2:29 am

I've seen people put a small dish of water for them to take a bath or even a very small table top fountain. I also saw one pic where they put a tiny doll size table & 2 chairs & put some seed on top of the small table & they'd fly down & perch on it.

tina · Post by **tina** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 8:23 am

It is a very nice job on the aviary. I would scatter the nests around a bit at different levels, and the perches around a bit too. Also I suggest that you place a large flat water dish on the bottom for bird bathing, and you can place a large rock on the bottom for birds to land on and perch there too. It will also help to keep their nails trimmed. Just make sure the rock won't fall over and kill a bird. You might also place a large driftwood piece in the bottom to fill space and give another perching option. Good luck.

kenny · Post by **kenny** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 9:00 am

i would second that about the nests they are to close together ,if you get shaftails or zebras trying to nest in them they will be always fighting

ken