New to Finches - ready to make first purchase

[Birbies]

Hi - I'm totally new to bird ownership and could use some guidance so my new pets have a nice life! I just moved to coastal southern california and would like to have outdoor birds - finches do well here and would like to get a single or pair of gouldian finches. I have already bought a cage 2' dia x 5' tall and need to know what all I need to get and do, any help is sincerely appreciated!

[zeebeez]

Hi,

I'm not sure about raising finches outdoors because I live in Canada, lol... However, I have a few zebra finches of my own I read that gouldian finches enjoy human contact a lot.. You might be able to handle them, but I wouldn't recommend to do it outside as they might fly away.

It would be hot, so make sure to have a bird bath.. They might even like it every day. I know mine do in the summer time.
If you don't want them having babies don't get a nest or get the same sex. I got them a nice little hammock to lay on instead of a nest for them to be comfortable but to stop breading. If you want to bread them, that's a whole other conversation...

Make sure they have access to cuttlebone for calcium, you can give them their daily seeds and water and cut them fresh veggies/fruit. I think they also should enjoy egg or egg shells (my finches do). Also watch and replace water when you see that they poop in it (they might try to take a bath in it if the bowl is big enough)... You can use a waterer that allows a small amount to be available as they drink it, but make sure they know how to use it.. Maybe start with both if you want to do that.

I don't think finches are that big on toys but they really enjoy different types of perches (this is good for their feet to get proper circulation).. They also like swings.. It's super cute. They might also like to pick on stuff (they are curious).. But make sure to keep them away from string. They can choke on it.
I have a lot of info on zebras which I've read so some things might be different, but I think finches in general have similar caring procedures lol.

I know zebra finches need to be kept in pairs.. either male/female or same sex. I am not sure about gouldians but I think you're probably planning on having more than one... They might get depressed by themselves. This is all I can think of for now... I am sure there is a lot more information out there Hope my little rant helped somewhat.

[Sally]

Birbies Welcome to the forum! There's lots of good reading at www.finchinfo.com, where you will find articles on housing, diet, breeding, etc. There is also lots of species information there. If you put your general location in your profile, it will make it easier for members to help you later on.

If you are anywhere near Poway in San Diego County, there is a great finch club there, with some of the top breeders in the country. Once you decide on a species, you should be able to find a breeder in that area.

http://www.sandiegofinchandsoftbill.com/index.html

As far as your cage, that size is great for parakeets, who like to climb, but not so great for finches, who like to fly. Horizontal length is the most important measurement on a cage. They can have tall cages as long as the horizontal length is enough to allow them flying space.

[Stuart whiting]

zeebeez

Hi there, welcome to the forum,

I know that you obviously mean well,

I've noticed that a lot of yer info is what you've said that you just basically read, this is ok to a degree but is not first hand experience,

Not everything read from the net us strictly true, IE you say that you know that zebras need to be kept in pairs ,

I'm sorry but I have to disagree here, yes zebras can be kept in pairs but definitely don't need to be,

Experience will tell you that zebras can at times be some of the most spiteful of birds and constantly bickering and chasing its so called partner all around a cage to exhaustion and keeping cocks together is even worse.

Keeping zebras together is ok as they obviously need to be together when breeding them but under these conditions they still need to be watched with a close eye,

If particular zebras need to be kept separated and kept on their own there is absolutely no problem with keeping them on their own

[Birbies]

Zeebeez and Sally thank you very much for your posts - I'll follow this guidance.

[Stuart whiting]

Birbies

Hi there, welcome to the forum,

As Sally has stated that there is loads of info on the finch information centre site,

The birds to start off with are probably birds like zebras, society finches, silverbills and Java sparrows etc,

These birds are rather hardy and can withstand outside climates with some protection from the weather.

A little bit of research will be needed as regards to the zebras and Javas as these birds can be a little pushy if mixed with other birds and are best kept with there own type and if any become a little boystress then these individuals will need to be separated and placed in a cage on their own,

In reality this is probably the only real problems that you may be faced with, the rest is very easy straight forward feeding and keeping etc,

Many people try to start with Gouldians as there first ever birds and in truth I don't really classify these as beginners birds because Gouldians can be rather temperamental at times,

Whatever you choose be lucky

[zeebeez]

Hi Birbies!

I am new to finches.. I've only had mine for six months so some info was from what I read and others from just observing my little ones. I had noticed that our first one was getting depressed.. I actually read a study regarding them being lonely on their own They published a journal article about the brain waves of zebra finches. They are the most studied wild bird. the first after the chicken to have their genome completely sequenced! Actually, they think that their learning of song is similar to how people learn speech and studying them might answer some questions about why certain people have speech problems that was just a fun fact.. However, I am not sure how reliable the journal is, as a masters student I learned that some journals are more reliable than others.. So maybe the info is wrong.
As I mentioned, I am new to finches and I've only had one species for basically 6 months so don't take all I say like it's exactly what you're supposed to do, they are just suggestions Thanks for info.. I also have a problem too that I posted, if you can also help me.. The post is called "Zebra finch not making friends ", and its in the same folder.

Thanks!

[lovezebs]

Birbies

Hello and welcome to the Forum.

Regarding Gouldian Finches....
I have found them to be some of the sweetest birds around. They are quiet, gentle, peaceful creatures, and not as difficult to keep as some people may think, if offered the right diet and living conditions. If a person does their homework about their needs, then they make wonderful pets. They are however not hands on birds, and will not become tame like members of the Hookbill family.

As to keeping them outdoors....
I keep all my kids indoors (another Canadian with our crazy weather) .
I do believe that our debbie276, keeps some of her birds outdoors in New Jersey. P.M her and ask her opinion.

Regarding your cage, as Sally mentioned, it is a little narrow for finches (the usual minimal recommended width being 30 inches across.
However, it can be workable, with your birds getting their exercise flying up and down.

Another consideration for keeping Gouldians outdoors, is properly acclimating them, as many probably come from indoor aviaries and have had no outdoor time at all. Also supplying heating and shelter for them when the weather does turn windy or stormy will be very important, along with extra screening around your cage to protect them from predetors ( wild birds, rats, cats, mice, snakes, etc.) who will be coming around.

Goodluck, and if you have any questions, please feel free to ask.