New to it all

curiousaboutfinches · Post by **curiousaboutfinches** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 2:30 am

I'm brand new to the whole business of owning birds. It's a rather intimidating world, but it's rather exciting all the same! I have some questions that will probably seem rather silly to all your pros out there, but I'm gonna ask 'em anyways

1. When I first become interested in zebra finches (I love gouldians, but I'm trying to be realistic for my first time out of the gates) I read that they make "pleasant" noises. However, after further investigation, I'm not sure that's the case. What's your opinion? Do you own zebra finches?

2. Do they stink?

3. The cage that I'm most likely going to buy (30" L x 18"D x 18"H) doesn't come with a stand or any sort of spill guard. Is it possible to put their seed dishes on the floor of the cage? Does this alleviate the mess?

4. Are nests strictly for breeding? I like the look of them, but am not interested in breeding. Can I still provide them with a nest? Do I need to provide two if I have two males?

5. What is the best combination for a pair? Two males, two females, or a mix?

6. I have a cat and a rather rambunctious welsh corgi; is it possible to hand the cage? If so, do you have any suggestions on how to do so?

Any and all help is greatly appreciated!! Till then, fly safe

EmilyHurd · Post by **EmilyHurd** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 4:32 am

I have two pairs of zebras, and a couple juveniles (babies). They are actually my loudest finches, and their noise isn't as pleasant as other finches... it's like a beeping kind of, and the male has a pretty loud song. They don't bother me though.

They stink if you don't clean their cage often, or if you have a lot of finches. I have a bird room, which definitely has a "stink" to it. It isn't horrible, but I keep the door shut.

That sounds like a good size cage you are planning on buying. I would only buy one pair though. If you want no breeding, I would suggest getting two males, or two females. The females can still lay eggs though, they just won't be fertile. If you buy a m/f pair, and provide a nest, you will probably end up with babies. Finches don't have to have a nest.

It is possible to hang cages. With that size cage (as I'm picturing) doesn't seem like it is meant for hanging, but I'm sure you can figure out a way to do it. Just be creative

Love Of Finches · Post by **Love Of Finches** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 9:22 pm

Ok...

Iv'e had a male Zebra For a few weeks now. And he sounds like a freakin car alarm at likt 6-7 AM.

I have 3 birds. I can't relly tell you if the stink or not but I doubt it. The only reson i say that is because I have 6 animals in my bedroom alone.

Putting seed on the floor for me didn't do much good. Thats why I switched to pellet food. No mess and i herd it was better for them.

I would say females unless you want a car alarm going off lol. BUt the males are very pretty.

I love my white male. And He was only $10.99. He got along great with my other birds.

I heard Societies and Zebras are the best beginner finch.I started with one society, then got a spice and few months later and around a year after my first bird I have a Zebra. All 3 get along grea.t.

Post by **Sally** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 11:28 pm

Zebras are probably a little noisier than many other finches--they make a meep, meep sound, and the male has a song, but they don't bother me, as my birds are in a bird room. My bird room definitely has a 'smell', but that is because there are lots of cages--one cage should not have a smell. A 30x18x18 is a very good size cage for a pair. If you have a male/female pair, don't put in a nest, as you will have eggs and babies. If you have same sex pairs, you could put in a nest if you want--two nests shouldn't be necessary. Males are more colorful. If you want to hang the cage, it could probably be done--most of these cages are not meant to be hung, so just make sure that it is supported properly. I hang a 24x16x16 cage that has a handle from a hook on my porch--just for the day. You can cut down on the mess a lot by using pelleted feed--you have to switch them over from seeds. Or get the seed hoppers that TammyS sells--they cut down on the mess. If your cat is very athletic, keep in mind they can jump quite high, so make sure it can't get at your cage when you are not home--they are born hunters!

And no, your questions do not seem silly--most of us started with one pair of finches (very often Zebras) and made lots of mistakes thru trial and error (and still making mistakes), so we are happy to help.

EmilyHurd · Post by **EmilyHurd** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 1:12 am

You definitely shouldn't feel silly for asking questions!! That is how we all learn. Plus, I think it is great that you are researching them first before buying them. I once sold a pair to a friend, who really knew nothing about them. I told her how to take care of them, and they ended up dying within a couple months! I was upset that she didn't take better care of them!

I started out knowing very little about finches, but being a member of finch forums and constantly researching them, you just learn more and more and have more success raising them. Right now I have 25 finches, which should go down to 17 once I sell some babies. I try not to go overboard, as I feel like I can't have as much of a bond with my finches when I have to many.

I'm very attached to certain ones and wouldn't sell them for anything!

Shadowfax · Post by **Shadowfax** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 4:59 pm

You ask good questions.

I have had my Zebs for about a year now. I love them!!!
I don't find their songs annoying at all in fact I rather enjoy them. Far less intrusive than most birds can be.

As for the mess. I got this cage at Petsmart that has a clear plastic base. The seed and water cups are on the floor in holders with their own doors and the plastic does a great job of keeping the seeds inside as well as the watter when they decide to bathe. The cage is made by Hagen, the Vision series I think.

As for smell. I really never notice a smell associated with the cage. As with any animal keeping them clean eliminates odor. Such small creatures do not produce a lot of waste to make a stink.

With your seed though be sure to keep it in an air tight container. Do not leave it open even a little or you will find you have moths in your seeds and eventually the cupboards of your house. I had a bit of a problem with that this year. My fault.

EmilyHurd · Post by **EmilyHurd** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 4:35 am

Yes Shadow... you have a great cage. I have two of them, and they really do help keep messes in. However, using that type of cage plus the seed hoppers plus water bottles really keeps the cage under control!

As far as changing the bottom, I usually just layer newspaper on top of newspaper and change out the really poopy stuff and lay down clean newspaper. I never use grates in my cages because it saves A LOT of time cleaning. Plus, if you are raising babies, and they fall out of the nest, they have a softer landing with no grate!