Newbie ???s

[iluvchessies]

Due to osteoporosis, I am no longer able to be active in showing, being involved in breed rescue or doing hunt tests with our Chesapeake Bay Retrievers and there is a very large void in my life now Over 25 years ago I had big birds and just recently decided to set up a bird room, for small birds in a draft free bedroom in our home. I've never owned Finches but, bought my first pair several weeks ago and they are pretty cool little birds and make me very happy The cages I am using are 37" long, 18" high and 18" wide...from what I have read this should be ample room for one pair? The cage has a opening for a nest box approximately 6"x6". If others could share their preference on nest boxes I would appreciate it...wood/plastic and inside/outside the cage. The bedroom they are in only has one window so, I am rather concerned about lighting especially in the Winter and since the cages can be stacked three high the lowest cage seems to get less light <sigh> Any suggestions would be appreciated about lighting as well! In advance I really thank you all for your help and opinions! Susie in Colorado

[Stuart whiting]

Due to osteoporosis, I am no longer able to be active in showing, being involved in breed rescue or doing hunt tests with our Chesapeake Bay Retrievers and there is a very large void in my life now Over 25 years ago I had big birds and just recently decided to set up a bird room, for small birds in a draft free bedroom in our home. I've never owned Finches but, bought my first pair several weeks ago and they are pretty cool little birds and make me very happy The cages I am using are 37" long, 18" high and 18" wide...from what I have read this should be ample room for one pair? The cage has a opening for a nest box approximately 6"x6". If others could share their preference on nest boxes I would appreciate it...wood/plastic and inside/outside the cage. The bedroom they are in only has one window so, I am rather concerned about lighting especially in the Winter and since the cages can be stacked three high the lowest cage seems to get less light <sigh> Any suggestions would be appreciated about lighting as well! In advance I really thank you all for your help and opinions! Susie in Colorado

Hi mate,

I'm from England and we only get about 8 hrs of light in the winter whereas in the summer it doubles to about 16 hrs.

I'd surgest if your serious about breeding Gouldians especially during the winter months as some breeders do then I'd use fluorescent day glow lighting set on a timer and a dimmer system.

I personally don't bother with the extended lighting as I prefer to breed on a more natural basis IE during the British Summertime however I do use night lights in me birdroom and this is mainly for night fright and the birds can still feed at any time if need be summer or winter

I used to have birds years ago in a spare bedroom and to be onest is one of the best ways to keep foreign birds,

Hope you have many enjoyable hrs with yer birds

[paul-inAZ]

What kind of finches? Different species, different preference in nests.

Daylight balanced fluorescent lights with adjustable timers sitting on top of the cages work well.
Aquarium canopy fluorescent lights are good size and function well ~but I think are overpriced at pet shops.

[Sally]

My bird room is my second bedroom, and one huge advantage is that the birds are right here in my house, so easy to care for them. I use plain old shop lights on the top cages, but it is harder to get light to the lower cages, sometimes. Some of my cages stack, but there is just enough room to slide a narrow under-cabinet light in between. A friend hangs a shop light down the side of her stacks, so the light shines in each cage from the side (the end).

As far as nests, yes, it does depend on the species, as some of them have definite preferences. That size cage is a good one for a single pair of breeding finches. What species do you have now, and are you interested in getting others?

Welcome to the forum! There's lots of good reading at www.finchinfo.com, where you will find many articles on finch care. If you put your general location in your profile, it makes it easier for members to answer locale-specific questions later on.

[delray]

iluvchessies Welcome to the forum! My name is Brian, and I am the social media manager and tech assistant here at the forum. If you have any questions, I am here to help! As Sally said, the Finch Info Center is a great source to read about the species of finch that you have.

Brian

[Stuart whiting]

My bird room is my second bedroom, and one huge advantage is that the birds are right here in my house, so easy to care for them. I use plain old shop lights on the top cages, but it is harder to get light to the lower cages, sometimes. Some of my cages stack, but there is just enough room to slide a narrow under-cabinet light in between. A friend hangs a shop light down the side of her stacks, so the light shines in each cage from the side (the end).

As far as nests, yes, it does depend on the species, as some of them have definite preferences. That size cage is a good one for a single pair of breeding finches. What species do you have now, and are you interested in getting others?

Welcome to the forum! There's lots of good reading at http://www.finchinfo.com, where you will find many articles on finch care. If you put your general location in your profile, it makes it easier for members to answer locale-specific questions later on.

Well said Sally,

I thought that aswell about location, I actually did start the post by saying not actually sure where your location is but then had to edit at the last minute when I read her post again as the very last 3 words of post says " susie in Colorado "

[skyjump100]

iluvchessies

Howdy, like the others my birdroon is in my spare bedroom. It is not my ideal set up as yet as my birds are in large flights which the birds love but take up a lot of space. I only keep one pair of gouldians per cage which isn't particularly efficient space wise but I do like to see the birds able to move around. I would like a huge flight with different varieties in it but this is the dream at the moment

I use full spectrum light bulbs but with my current set up I dont think the light really does the birds any good as it is too far away. I did once use proper full spectrum long flurescent bulbs which made the birds look good and Im sure they were healthier however I dont have any real proof of this. Also, with the older flurescent bulbs you couldn't dim them so I had a series of lights that went on and off automatically so that the birds weren't suddenly plunged into darkness.

Like Stuart I leave a night light on to mke the birds feel a bit more safe and secure.

One day I also want an outdoor aviary, not for Gouldians in the UK, but more for hardier species.

Hope your plans go well !!!!!

[lovezebs]

iluvchessies

HI Susie,

Sorry to hear about your health issues (to which I can relate, lol).

I'm up in Canada, so in the Winter, we have very short dark days as well.
I use clip on lights, with goose necks that can bend in different directions, which I either clip on to the edge of a flight roof, or place a screw in the wall to attach them close to the wall of the flight. This way, I can adjust them to point into a flight, or onto a favorite perch. These offer both light and warmth if needed.

Regarding nests.
I have used all sorts, but have found a very cheap solution (which the birds love). Sturdy cardboard boxes (around 6×4 inches, give or take) which you can get in any store free for the asking. Tape them, cut out a hole, or remove a third from the top section. Attach with hooks or twist ties into a corner, with a perch underneath to offer stability and balance, add nesting materials, and you're set to go. Works like a charm for most species.

With some pairs, I also cut the top out of the box, to allow nest checking or chick removal if needed.

I have also used old Easter baskets, which you can pick up for next to nothing in many second hand stores. I wash them in a mild bleach solution, rinse, dry and use. My Zebras and Societies love them.

When the birds are done with the nest, you can just toss it.

[iluvchessies]

My bad...after the long holiday weekend I now find myself as a owner of two pairs of Lady Gouldian's Of course I am now learning they are more difficult to breed but, hey, they aren't old enough and I am in know hurry! The room has only one window and doesn't get any direct sun light because of a shade tree in our front yard. So, I find myself leaving the light on during the day and a small night light on during the night. Thank you all sooo much for taking the time to reply and offer suggestions! I'm sure I will have more Newbie questions in the very near future <VBG>

[lovezebs]

iluvchessies

Congrats on new babies.
You will love your Gouldians, and they are not at all hard to breed.

[Sally]

iluvchessies@iluvchessies Congrats on the new birds! We'd love to see photos. There are many Gouldian owners on here, so you will have lots of help with your questions. Gouldians aren't that difficult to breed.