New to hobby and setting up enclosure

[InkMinx]

Hi all, After 4 years of wanting, Im now setting up my first finch set up. I have a custom made enclosure built that measured 45in x 26in and its 52in high (the whole thing is also raised up on top of a cabinet.

Im not looking at breeding as I don't have the option of separating breeding pairs anywhere or want to deal with rehoming offspring. I also want to keep a mixture of birds so don't want possible mixed breeding happening. So Im thinking 5-6 males. I have compiled a list of breeds based on what a breeder I have contacts offers that I believe to be quite passive and good for community set ups. Does this sound ok?

Also do I still need to put nests in, even if they are all males? Do they still like to use them as hide aways? Everything I read seems to be based on keeping birds in pairs

[debbie276]

What kinds of finches are you considering? Answers are species specific.

[InkMinx]

Sure, the birds that Im looking at are:
Red cheeked cordon bleus
Forbes Parrot Finch
Owl Finch
Mannikins
Star Finch
Masked Grass Finch
Strawberry Finch


The main ones of interest to me are the owls, strawberry and cordon bleu's. The inclosure is indoors, will be planted and have full spectrum UV lighting.

[Sally]

The cage calculator at the Finch Information Center says that cage is good for 4 to 5 birds. Of course, the calculator is always assuming pairs/breeding. When you have a one-sex flight, you can push the numbers a bit, depending on the species.

Parrot finches need lots of room, so I don't know that the Forbes would be a good choice, and there are many species of Mannikins, but your three choices of interest should be OK. The Owls might be the most inquisitive/territorial, the RCCBs and Strawberries should be OK. Be aware that you can't put two m/f pairs of Cordon Bleus together, but I have put several males together without problem. Without the presence of hens, they will have the initial little squabbling ad then usually settle down to being buddies.

I wouldn't advise nests, that just brings out the breeding/territorial behavior in many species, and they don't need it for sleeping. The waxbills don't sleep in nests anyway, but the Owls will if you provide it. My Owls would sleep in a plastic plant.

[InkMinx]

Thank you thats great. I know Im pushing a bit with 6 but I read in a few places that your best off keeping either 2 or 6 and up, as 3-5 will potentially be more problematic in terms of a bird being picked on, as 6 or more gets more confusing for just one bird to be singled out. With Parrot finches wanting more space, might I be better going for a gouldian as a similar brightly coloured species?

[Madcat]

Wow!!!!!!!!! Can't wait to see!!!!!

[w.l.]

"Mannikins" include some VERY agressive species so you should be more specifis - avoid bronze-backed and black & white, and maybe magpie, too. Other mannikins are very peaceful.
Some consider the masked grassfinch pushy, too.
The rest should be fine.

[InkMinx]

Thanks yes, it was the black and white Mannikins I was looking at.

[w.l.]

Forget black & whites for your mixed aviary.
They are vicious, attacking even birds twice their own size.
They can even be murderous.
I speak from experience, having kept several - some were killed by the others!

Choose Asian-Australian munias or mannikins instead, they are all very peaceful.

[InkMinx]

Thanks for the heads up, I shall bump them off the list

[InkMinx]

Im thinking my choices will be 2 x gouldians, 2 x owls, 1 x strawberry and 1 x red cheek cordon bleu. How does that sound?

[GouldianGuy]

I'm jealous sounds like a good mix

[mrski]

If you find a Strawberry finch, please share where. I've been looking for them for more than a year.

[lovezebs]

InkMinx

Gouldians for colour, Owls for cuteness, Strawberry for song, and Cordon Bleu for those sweet red cheeks.

Please post pictures when you get the kids settled in.