New to finch keeping

[Adam1979]

Hi all. Have had a quick look around and must say it looks very good here with lots of helpful information. I have a green cheek conure at the moment and when visiting my local bird store picking up supplies I am always attracted to the finches and have decided that I would like to keep some.

My plan is a 6' x 3' x 6' high aviary but that is as far as I have got!! I am unsure of what type of finches that I can keep together and exactly how my aviary will be set up. On one side I will be building a large housing area for the birds to go into which will have smaller boxes set up inside for them to sleep in. Will this area need to be heated or will the little finches be ok through the winter months? I will insulate this area to keep the temps up a bit but it will obviously still get pretty chilly. Does anyone else in the UK keep finches with no heating??

I have read that zebra finches are the best ones to start with but then reading about on here it seems that quite a few people have issues with aggression from them. I have no plans on breeding so could I just keep the same sex or does that not work? Would it be a better idea to maybe just add one pair of these and then add something different altogether?

Sorry for all the questions and i'm sure there will be lots more!!

Adam

[Sally]

We do have members from the UK who will be able to help you with your questions, but I wanted to welcome you to the forum! There's lots of good reading at http://www.finchinfo.com, where you will find many articles on finch care.

Zebras are a great beginner finch, but as you have seen, there can be problems with aggression. The more space they have, the better. Another great beginner finch is the Society, or Bengalese as they would be known in your part of the world. Their only downside is that they are difficult to sex, you have to watch closely for the males to sing. But they have zero problems with aggression, and have lots of personality!

[paul-inAZ]

Another vote for Bengalese to start with. Colorful, entertaining and not noisy like the aggressive zebras.
That way when you add other peaceful species -and you will- you will have no aggression worries.

[lovezebs]

Adam1979

Hi Adam, and welcome to the Forum .

As Sally mentioned, there are several members on here from the UK. Hopefully they will chime in with some advice regarding outdoor aviaries in your corner of the world.

Regarding which specific species of finch:
That of course will depend on the housing situation. If housed indoors, that would offer many more choices. If housed outdoor, then it may limit you to some of the hardier species, and they as well would need to be acclimated carefully, depending on the weather in Wales.

Zebras : If you like Terriers, you'll like Zebras.
Societies (Bengalese): If you like Golden Retrievers, you'll like Societies.

That about sums up these two species.

[Adam1979]

Thanks for the replies. Have been in work for the last few days so have not made any progress but I have six days off after tomorrow so will hopefully get some more done to the aviary. Im' sure when it is complete I will be back with lots more questions before adding my first birds

[xz_zebs]

Adam1979 - since you are in the UK, you should have access to lovely exhibition style zebras that are generally much more mellow in temperament than the typical American pet store types so don't let the fear of aggressive zebs put you off of keeping them if that is what you would prefer. It is also common for people in the UK to keep zebras in unheated sheds and aviaries.

There was another poster not too long ago that is from the UK that just built an aviary:

http://www.finchforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=34900

You can see a few more pics from the same poster on a UK based zebra forum as well:

http://zebrafinchforum.com/

That forum may also have more geographically appropriate advice in regards to an aviary build.

[mohum]

Hi, my zebras were fine over this mildish winter. They don't have a separate covered area but roost in the pitched roof at night. I rigged up some windbreak material lined with thick bubblewrap which I wrapped round the aviary at night and during stormy weather (my aviary is quite small). I put some wicker baskets in when frosty but this encouraged them to breed so they have come out now. Be prepared for them to breed indiscriminately at the slightest opportunity.

[Adam1979]

xz_zebs - Are you saying that all UK zebs are more mellow or just certain ones?? I have tried registering on the UK forum that you recommended but am waiting for confirmation before I can see anything on there.

mohum - Thanks very much for the info. Much appreciated.

[xz_zebs]

Adam1979 - there are zebra finches that are bred for exhibition. They are typically much larger and mellower than the smaller american pet store variety (and the UK pet store variety, although it appears that sometimes you can find exhibition style zebras at pet stores in the UK). Here is a link to a photo with a size comparison:

http://www.zebrafinch.com/NewZebra/Birds/cfw.jpg

There are many people who breed exhibition zebra finches in the UK. Here are a couple of links to a few websites from such breeders (there are several more that post on the zebra finch forum):

http://harrison-finches.webeden.co.uk/
http://scottishzebras.tripod.com/

And here are some organizations:
http://zebrafinchsociety.co.uk
http://zebrafinchsociety.co.uk/index.ph ... nches-type

http://norfolkforeignbirdassociation.synthasite.com/

http://www.swandsczfc.uk/

[Adam1979]

Many thanks for all the info