How many and what types for newbie?

[Adrian]

Hi,
When finished, my flight cage will be 125 cm long x 60 cm wide and 65 cm high. In Imperial its about 50 in x 30 in - will this be big enough to house 2 pairs of finches?

As for types I was recommend Zebras, Painted red firetails and Stars. I assume that the Zebras should have the cage by themselves.? Any other suggestions?

cheers

Adrian

[wessel]

Hello adrian,

I have a pair of melbas together with 2 cherry males, so the cage size is not a problem. If you plan to breed with them, this is a good size for one pair, maybe more, it depends on the species. Typical birds for 'newbies' who are completely new to birds are zebras, societies and silverbills. If this isn't the first time you kept birds, you could also choose for species like javafinches. I see painted firetails as birds for people who have lots of experience, stars are an easier bird, but not a bird for complete newbies. A cage that size I would suggest one or two pairs of societies and silverbills.

The rule I always follow with zebras is: 1 pair per cage if you try to breed, never 2 pairs, 3 pairs if the cage is big enough.

good luck choosing your finches.

Wessel

[Ginene]

Welcome to the forum, Adrian. It sounds like you are building a nice size flight cage for your finch. When deciding the number of birds to house in a cage, the width is greatly considered as finches need a good amount horizontal flight space...50"W will make your birds quite happy . Most newbies start with Zebras and Societies...that's what I started with. But I quickly learned that Zebra Finch can cause housing issues due to their pushy behavior. So, my recommendation is to go with 2 of the more passive species. There is a compatability chart @ the Finch Information Center (the link is @ the top left of this page) that you can refer to. I highly recommend Stars, Owls, Gouldians and Societies. I have also heard that Gold Breasted Waxbills and Orange Cheek Waxbills are excellent beginner birds. Best of luck with your finch search and keep us posted

[Sally]

I agree with Wessel on the Zebras. Unless you have a really big flight, they tend to be territorial with other birds. I'd never want to have two pairs of Zebras in a cage, they bicker too much then.

Painteds are not easy, and so are not recommended as a beginner bird. Societies are great beginner birds, if you can get someone to sex them for you. Since they all look alike, you have to wait for a male to sing so you know which ones are males.

If you wanted to have two pairs of finches in that cage, you could maybe have one pair of Societies and one pair of Stars. I've had Stars before, and as Wessel said, they are fairly easy but not as easy as Societies.

[delray]

The other great members said it all! Welcome to the forum!!

The species that Sally and Ginene said are pretty passive. I have society finches. They have great personalities and are really cute. You could probably pair a lot of species with them. Your flight seems spacious as well. Good luck !!

[Colt]

That sounds like a good sized cage. The term "beginner finches" can be a bit misleading. If you are just wanting to keep and enjoy finches, a lot of birds fit that bill. If you are looking to breed the birds, that narrows down your list a bit.

I keep several species and don't seem to have any trouble with any of mine as far as keeping them happy and healthy. Some species are a bit tougher to breed.

I'd say these species fall into the easy keeper class:

- Zebras
- Societies
- Gouldians
- Shaft-tails
- Stars
- Owls
- Orange-cheeked Waxbills
- Gold-breasted Waxbills

As far as breeding though...:

- Zebras
- Societies

...are by far the easiest.

My Gouldians now that I have a bit of experience breed quite well for me. The Owls and Stars are a bit more difficult, and I've still not had any luck getting the waxbills to raise their young, although I have a few chicks under society fosters currently.

So it might help with suggestions on species if we knew exactly what you are looking for when keeping finches.

[sundancekid]

Welcome!
I'm a newbie myself and have started off with societies. I decided on them because I found their song to be more enjoyable than the constant beeping from the zebras. I also found in my research what others said above. Zebras can be a little more... opinionated than societies. If I'd had a choice I probably would've gotten 2 pairs. But I adopted my socies from a shelter and there were only 3. I was worried about an odd man out sort of situation, but they all seem equally bonded to each other. Good luck and have fun!!

[Adrian]

Many thanks for the advice.

At this stage I am not interested in breeding until I get the basics down beforehand or until i get my large aviary sorted.

It sounds like a silly question but if I don't wish to breed my finches just yet, should I just get same sex birds say all females or all males ? For example, two female stars and two female societies eg? Or even two Zebra females or males in a cage of their own?
Alternatively, could I keep pairs but leave out the nest until I am ready to breed?

Thanks

Adrian

[lovezebs]

Adrian
Hi Adrian.
If not wanting to breed, I would recommend males rather than females. That way you won't have to worry about unwanted eggs, problems with egg binding and so on.

As for Finches...
Socies are by far the easiest. Sweet, gentle, laid back, non agressive and fun to watch.

Zebbies, well.... love them dearly, but would actually not recommend as first birds, even though many people will tell you otherwise.

Stars (I love the Yellow Heads) are sweet little things. Cheerful, curious and just so darn cute.

The little Wax bills, maybe not so so easy, but a joy to have around. They all generally get along together peacefully and are pretty, lively and quiet.

A single Canary male is easy to keep and sings like an angel. Can be kept with Societies without any trouble.

Gouldians, as lovely as any finch you will see anywhere in nature and then some. People will tell you how difficult they are, but I have not found them to be that at all. They are lovely to watch, with sweet personalities to match.

The list is almost endless. What it comes down to, is what YOU like, and doing the homework to find out what the needs are for that particular species and if you are willing to supply those needs.

Read everything you can lay your hands on. Give consideration to what is readily available where you live and the cost involved in acquiring them. Ask lots of questions of people on the Forum who own/breed them and you will get lots of information.

Good luck.

~Elana~

[Sadie]

Hi Adrian, did you ever decide on your choice of birds?
I have two female zebras in a 30"w x 21"d x 33"h
They sound so cute and are so fun to watch. I considered societies, but opted for the nearly endless activities of the zebras.
I have had no problems with them at all

[Adrian]

Hi Adrian, did you ever decide on your choice of birds?
I have two female zebras in a 30"w x 21"d x 33"h
They sound so cute and are so fun to watch. I considered societies, but opted for the nearly endless activities of the zebras.
I have had no problems with them at all

Hi Sadie - no, haven't got my finches yet - still finishing of the cage. I also think Zebras are cute and funny to watch as they go about their very busy busy day.
I'll start a new thread when I get my birds

cheers

Adrian