Opinion On Cages

For questions about finch enclosures (cages & aviaries).
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blue28570
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Opinion On Cages

Post by blue28570 » Tue Oct 30, 2007 2:32 pm

I currently have 2 Zebra Finches. I am new to birds. The cage I bought when I first brought my 2 home is too small after I put all the accessories in the cage. So I am looking at purchasing a flight cage. I would like opinions on a few I have found. Thank you.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/de ... X&v=glance

http://www.amazon.com/Brand-Aviary-Bird ... 93&sr=1-21

http://www.petco.com/product/100285/Pre ... -Cage.aspx

Thank you in advance.

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NDan
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Post by NDan » Tue Oct 30, 2007 3:26 pm

The only comment I have is that its easier to see the birds through black wire than through white wire.

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Post by blue28570 » Tue Oct 30, 2007 3:35 pm

The color of the wire would really make a difference? Wow. Never thought about that. The cage they are in now is white. But I definantly need a bigger cage, whether I add anymore or not.

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Post by Sally » Tue Oct 30, 2007 4:08 pm

They do show up better in black cages--weird, isn't it? Of course, I learned this after I had purchased quite a few white cages. Also, the black cages don't show the dirt as much. :D The one thing I don't like about these cages is that the floor grate is not removable, and they can be a pain to keep clean. With one cage, it probably won't be that bad, with multiple cages, it just got to be too much. This size cage, on the cage calculator at finchinfo, is for 1-2 birds. I have used this size for breeding pairs with no problem (1 pair to a cage), but I have also kept more than 2 birds in this size cage with no problem. It all depends on the birds--if you put 4 male Societies in there, they would do fine. 4 male Zebras may do fine, or may not. Since Zebras are more pushy, they are more likely than passive species to bicker. If you can return the two additional males in case they don't work out, then go for it. If you can't return them, then you have to consider what you will do if they don't get along (get an additional cage, sell the extra birds, whatever). Finches are just like people in that sometimes they get along great, and sometimes they really don't like each other, and there is no way to be 100% sure in advance. Oh, and these cages come with perches that run the long way of the cage--take out the perches and cut some small branches from a shrub or small tree in the yard and put one at each end of the cage--finches need to fly, so this gives them the most flying room.

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Re: Opinion On Cages

Post by Silvia » Tue Oct 30, 2007 5:48 pm

blue28570 wrote:I currently have 2 Zebra Finches. I am new to birds. The cage I bought when I first brought my 2 home is too small after I put all the accessories in the cage. So I am looking at purchasing a flight cage. I would like opinions on a few I have found. Thank you.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/de ... X&v=glance

http://www.amazon.com/Brand-Aviary-Bird ... 93&sr=1-21

http://www.petco.com/product/100285/Pre ... -Cage.aspx

Thank you in advance.
Have you looked into martinscages.com . I have their large cage for my sugar gliders with black coated bars and love it.
I intend to get java finches soon so going with a flight cage also

A neighbor of mine has this cage same as your link -its a well made cage . Its been around for years and again well made.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/de ... X&v=glance
Last edited by Silvia on Tue Oct 30, 2007 5:59 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Post by Silvia » Tue Oct 30, 2007 5:50 pm

NDan wrote:The only comment I have is that its easier to see the birds through black wire than through white wire.
lol funny you say that as I thought same thing but never said it as it didnt make sense to me even dark color birds look better with black wire

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Post by blue28570 » Wed Oct 31, 2007 8:18 am

I womder how much Society finches are? I would rather keep peaceful birds, then ones that can be possibly aggressive. I know I am going to Petsmart Saturday to look at cages, it is like 45 minutes from here. I was told Zebra finches were the easiest to keep, that was why I got them.

But I need to get a new cage VERY soon, because my 2 are starting to have squabbles. Thanks for all the info, I will look into that link.

The black cage at amazon.com has a slide out bottom.

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Post by Silvia » Wed Oct 31, 2007 2:00 pm

blue28570 wrote:I womder how much Society finches are? I would rather keep peaceful birds, then ones that can be possibly aggressive. I know I am going to Petsmart Saturday to look at cages, it is like 45 minutes from here. I was told Zebra finches were the easiest to keep, that was why I got them.

But I need to get a new cage VERY soon, because my 2 are starting to have squabbles. Thanks for all the info, I will look into that link.

The black cage at amazon.com has a slide out bottom.
In your state of NC there are lots finch breeders . I was looking for Java breeders in Florida and came across several breeders in your state .
Be it small or large breeders but the birds were much cheaper and babies.
S/NC-GA-FL lots breeders

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Post by Sally » Thu Nov 01, 2007 12:18 am

The part that slides out of the cage is a tray, but between the tray and the rest of the cage is a wire grate. When they poop, some of it will hit the grate, so that needs to be cleaned off regularly, and you have to reach in the cage with a rag, paper towel, whatever, to clean those wires. The cages with removable grates are more expensive. With just one cage to clean, probably won't be a problem for you. Here is an example of the type cage that has a removable grate (they are quite a bit more expensive, but you are getting lots more cage, a stand, and they are better built):

www.hqbirdcages.com/hq_flight_cage.html

Societies cost a bit more than Zebras, but they are harder to sex. You can only tell by the song--only males sing. So if you get 2 Societies, and one turns out to be a female, all the boys will be fighting over her! If you can get 2 for sure males, they should all get along.

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Post by Silvia » Thu Nov 01, 2007 9:31 pm

Sally wrote:The part that slides out of the cage is a tray, but between the tray and the rest of the cage is a wire grate. When they poop, some of it will hit the grate, so that needs to be cleaned off regularly, and you have to reach in the cage with a rag, paper towel, whatever, to clean those wires. The cages with removable grates are more expensive. With just one cage to clean, probably won't be a problem for you. Here is an example of the type cage that has a removable grate (they are quite a bit more expensive, but you are getting lots more cage, a stand, and they are better built):

www.hqbirdcages.com/hq_flight_cage.html

Societies cost a bit more than Zebras, but they are harder to sex. You can only tell by the song--only males sing. So if you get 2 Societies, and one turns out to be a female, all the boys will be fighting over her! If you can get 2 for sure males, they should all get along.

Great site. I didnt know it excisted. I plan to build an avairy but now looking at this cage
http://www.hqbirdcages.com/large_hexagonal_aviary.html

It roomy for java finches and great for side of patio .

Thanks

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