My first experiences with 2 male zebra finches

[nlretired]

Hello. Never had zebra finches before, or any birds for a LONG time. Just got the above a couple of months' ago from the local PetSmart, and they are doing well. Just wanted to share exactly what I purchased, where, cost, and comments about the items (some had shipping charges/taxes but those aren't included in the figures below). I found some of the items only available at one site/store. I did a good deal of research and just wanted to "pay it forward" a bit here.

Because they are males, they "vocalize," unlike females, from what I've read. Each of mine has his own "tunes," which make them interesting to listen to.

I was concerned that running the vacuum cleaners would cause them to freak out, but they don't seem to mind, as far as I can tell.

Hope this helps! Thanks!!

ITEM SUPPLIER PRICE COMMENTS

Petco Designer White Finch Flight Cage Petco 34.99 Perfect! The zebra finches love to and need to
be able to fly. The 30"x18"x18" is just right for
the two of them; reg. price $49.99

Mid-West Metal Products Co., MW8 Pan Replacement Lifestages/I Crate
this is for a dog cage bottom but is just the right size
to put under the flight cage!! helps keep a cleaner floor.
see attached picture Amazon 24.23

Cage Catcher Liners 20-1/4" x 30" 150 count Drs. Foster and Smith 32.99
one or two of these in the bottom of the cage tray
work very well and they are the perfect size with a
little extra; they are pre-cut

Prevue Hendryx Pet Products T3 Cage Liner, 18-Inch by 100-Feet Have to cut but this paper is much heavier than the
cage liners above. I put one under the whole bird cage,
on the dog cage tray; that way there is something
protecting the dog cage tray when I remove the bird cage
tray for cleaning/new liners Amazon 28.46

Sheer Guard Bird Cage Skirt - Super Large Size Amazon 9.95
the super large size fits the flight cage with ease.
white sheer; really cuts down on mess outside the cage

Penn Plax E2 Natural Cuttlebones, Pack of 2 cuttlebones Petco 2.09 the birds show virtually no interest in the cuttlebone

Insight Cuttlebone Holder Petco 3.49

Petco 18" Wood Perches For All Birds 2 count Petco 3.49
I put these across the cage and only put in one
of the long perches that came with the cage

Perch with varied arms PetSmart 4.79
in addition to standing on it, they like to chew its ends!

Millet Holder Walmart 2.28
take a look at the pictures. The birds LOVE pulling at the thing!

Prevue Hendryx 62801 Naturals Coco Hideaway with Ladder Bird Toy they LOVE it!! this is where they sleep. Amazon 8.99

JW Pet Company Insight Bird Bath Bird Accessory Amazon 7.43 they drink from it but bathe in their water dish instead!!
I keep trying it but have pretty much not used it.

JW Pet Company Clean Seed Silo Bird Feeder Bird Accessory, Tall 
some seed falls out but does the job if you are away for a week
Amazon 6.07

JW Pet Company Clean Water Silo Waterer Bird Accessory, Tall works fairly well. does the job if you are away for a week Amazon 5.85

Safety Pumice Perch Small 1" x 8" long Drs. Foster and Smith 8.79
they like it and should do the job on their claws

Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Finch Food Drs. Foster and Smith 3.99
Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Finch Food Petco 6.29
(same product and size, 2 lbs; just catch a sale!)

Brown's Extreme! Mini Spray Millet Bird Treat, 8 oz. Petco 6.29 good size

Lafeber's Premium Daily Diet Pellets for Finches 1 lb. tub Amazon 10.59 not used yet

Poop-Off Bird Poop Remover Brush Top, 16-Ounce Amazon 8.95
works well; no adverse effects that I've noticed

Kaytee Spray Millet for Birds, 12 count Amazon 6.44 too big

Living World Pine Shavings, 2500-Cubic Inch Amazon 11.14 not used yet; not sure I'll need/use

[DanteD716]

Welcome to the forum!!! I've never tried a seed guard or anything to keep seed in the cage. Bet it helps with the mess

[Sally]

Sounds like you are off to a great start. One thing I would add is a small (3-4") wooden swing. Finches love swings. And you can always just cut some small branches from your yard (no pesticides) to use for perches.

I notice you said the Kaytee spray millet is too big. Do you mean to big for the millet holder? I find most millet holders are too small. You can always hang a spray millet from the top of the cage just using a clothespin, the birds will hang on it to eat.

Welcome to the forum! There's lots of good reading at the Finch Information Center, linked at left, where you will find many articles on housing, diet, and the Zebra finch. If you put your general location in your profile, it helps when answering locale-specific questions later on.

I did delete your other post, which basically was about the same thing, as I saw you had expanded on your comments with this one, plus adding the photos. Sometimes, new member's posts sit in the queue for a while, I was running errands today and just got to it.

[Angela&Shalamar]

If you use branches from the yard make sure to clean and disinfect them first or you run the risk of bringing in bugs/parasites and wild avian disease from any birds that may have perched or soiled them outside.

[Corkysgirl]

nlretired You look like you're off to a goods start. Some don't mind the vacuum and some do. Seed guards are great! I have them with only one of my flight cages because it came with it...and the finches in it. Save a lot of clean up. My birds love their swings!

[nlretired]

Thanks everyone for the welcome and additional considerations. Should have been clearer about the millet spray I said was too large: yes, too large for the holder. The holder is pretty neat because the birds also use it as a swing as well. They also like to eventually pull out the millet spray, especially as the seeds on it go down. They will even stuff the stem into the coconut. One of the things I tried to do was to provide a variety of surfaces, in a variety of orientations, at different levels, without hampering their flight. Since the millet holder also serves as a crazy swing as well, it serves that purpose without the need for another item in the cage.

I'm in the Chicagoland area but the room where I have the cage is away from drafts but still able to get some sunlight (I can drop the blinds down from the top as well as up from the bottom).

Let me ask a question here: the cage is 30" wide. The only wider cage I found was less than 40" but it was a bit higher. I think it would be great to have a wider cage, perhaps something like 48". Anyone found one? I'm not interested in building one myself though.

I look forward to looking through the forum in more detail.

[MiaCarter]

nlretired --- Welcome!

To make a bigger cage, simply buy another one --- the exact same one that you have.

If you recall from the assembly, the ends flip up. You can use a pair of pliers to open the little loops that attach the end panel to the roof.

Do the same for the other cage and stick them end to end. You can use zip ties or wire to connect them. (Zip ties are just fine for finches, but with parrots, they'll bite through them.)

I'm attaching several cages (the same one you have) to make "tubes."

I used to use cage liners. But then I switched to floor diapers (puppy pads). They work better and they're cheaper.

I do NOT recommend the pine shavings. They have harmful oils and the wood chips can also form a harmful mold when they get wet from the bath/water cup splashings.

[nlretired]

Mia, thanks for the advice! I'll check out the cages and the info on the puppy pads.

[nlretired]

PUPPY PADS:

I've looked and can't find any that are sized for the Petco Flight Cage (30x18). Does anyone know of such, or, barring that, can you typically cut these without spilling out the material in the pad? My finches already LOVE to pull at the corners of the cage liners. Thanks!!

[MiaCarter]

nlretired -- You can just fold or cut the puppy pads without any problems.
I recommend PetEdge. Best quality and prices.

[KarenB]

nlretired, Welcome to the forum!

I have the EXACT same setup as you, including the pan liner underneath the cage. Too funny. I had it left over from something else and it works fabulously. I also use the seed guard skirt thingy. I have four society finches and one baby in mine right now. When my baby grows up, I'm going to get him/her a mate, and they will get that cage, and the four parents are moving up to a fancier highrise apartment.

I digress.

I've never had zebra finches, but everyone who has them has a story to tell. Can't wait to hear about yours!