Are Finches really fragile?

[Debbi]

Not sure if this is the right section to put this in, so it may need to be moved.

My plans were to get 2 star finches, then later to expand and add 2 orange cheeked waxbills. But as I've really been poring over these forums the last few days, I've sort of gotten a little freaked out. I've read various things about broken feet, broken wings, birds getting their feet caught in cage corners......yikes!

Are finches really that fragile? Am I better off just getting canaries? And if so what is the right size cage for 2 canaries?

[Ursula]

I'm sure one of the moderators will move it if necessary...

I don't think finches are any more fragile than a canary or budgie or other small bird. Accidents can happen, and all you can do is try to make their environment as safe as possible. If you plan on getting small finches, get a cage with narrow cage bars so they can't stick their heads through. Don't hang anything in the cage that they can get caught on, like something on string etc....

If you like small finches better than canaries (just as I do ) don't get discouraged, just plan ahead and get the finches only after you've done your homework and set up their environment considering all words of caution.


We all make mistakes and all we can do is change the setup and make sure it doesn't happen again. And mistakes shared on the forum means that others can learn too and avoid them.

[Debbi]

Thank you again Ursula. I think you're going to be my savior/mentor here!

Okay, I feel really comfortable with parakeets, so if finches aren't much more fragile then that, I'm okay. I just sooo don't want to maim or cripple a little bird, lol. I've read pretty much everything in the species and housing sections that seem to pertain to the birds I have in mind.

Now, on to nutrition!

[6finchfriends]

Well said Ursula. I have Societies and Zebras and though they are really small they seem pretty hardy to me. Some of the species do have more involved breeding, feeding or housing requiements but if you have a safe environment, time and love for the breed, I think you will be fine with any finch you decide to get. And we are here to support you! Don't forget that

[Debbi]

Thank you Trish! (I'll be glad when I no longer have to have every post approved. Things will go much faster)

[lovemyfinch]

You are now free to post Debbi
I am going to move this over to Finch Chat though, bieng as how it doesn't really have anything to do with housing..

[Debbi]

Thanks Janine!!

[nelloyello11]

Debbi,
I have only had my finches a few months, but I think almost everyone on here will agree that whatever stress, worry, disappointment, loss you might experience with your finches, the joy is ten-fold. They are endless entertainment and positive energy. If you choose to breed, this excitement is increased exponentially as you watch them grow from egg to adult.
As others have said, accidents may happen, but this forum is wonderful for allowing you to learn from others mistakes and share your own with others. And the support is amazing too!
So don't be scared. Continue to do research and determine what you can manage.
Oh, and make sure to post pictures when you get your finches!!!

[Debbi]

Thank you Nelissa.

Yeah, I'm going slow. Haven't even got the cage yet. I still have to get that, all the cups and things, and figure out everything I need to keep them healthy. I imagine I won't be getting the finches for at least 3-6 more weeks. I will definitely post when I actually have birds in the cage!!

[MRobinson]

Ditto on what everyone else has said but also want to give you another perspective to think about.

This forum is a great place to come for information. So when someone is having problems of any sort this is where they come. When things are going great and there are no issues or problems or new eggs or hatchlings there's really no reason to post. So naturally the impression might be that finches are very fragile, because most of what you are seeing is where people are looking for help with problems.

So just because you're seeing about problems doesn't mean finches are problematic. I just means this is the RIGHT place to come for HELP, because this is the place for answers.

In my opinion, the best recommendation is for you to pick the type of birds you want, then do the research, set things up right for them and go for it. And remember, if you run across any problems or just want to talk about how things are going, this is the right place to come.

[JohnBoy]

Some finches are more fragile than others. It is always best to do the research on the birds you are interested in and deciding for yourself. There are species I can't keep alive for more than a year and others live for 9 years plus.

[poohbear]

Don't get put off...keeping finches isn't rocket science.Room to fly...a decent diet...some glucose to add to the water for birds that are a bit down (Cheaper than all the fancy expensive so called medicines) A small cage with heater as a hospital cage if needed...And some anti mite treatment just in case you ever get them....job done...get breeding..

Not always that easy but if you get healthy birds from a reputable dealer,you're half way there.

[Debbi]

Mary, that's so true. And also, this didn't help: I've always like birds but haven't keep any in quite some time, as I had many fish tanks set up, so had neither the time or space to keep birds. Now that my fish tanks are sloooowly dwindling down to several instead of many, I'll have time for birds. What made me settle on finches is that I had to take my boxer/beagle mix into the vet for a recheck on his urine ph after a bladder infection. They had a society finch in a cage that they'd never had there before. It made the sweetest chirping noises the whole time I was there. I asked the receptionist where the finches came from (thinking they might be up for adoption). She said Petsmart had brought in one of them because it had a broken leg and they wouldn't sell it. So they fell in love with it and got another to keep it company. So that, added to all the rest is what really threw me.

[Debbi]

JohnBoy, I'm reading all I can!!

My main interests right now are in the Orange Cheeked Waxwing, Stars, and mabye Owls, if I ever expand to a much larger setup.

None of those are the particularly delicate finches, are they?

[Debbi]

Thanks, Poohbear. I hadn't yet come across the glucose tip!

I'm not going to try breeding yet. Maybe at some point. RIght now I'm just going to concentrate on keeping males and keeping them healty and happy.

Unfortunately, I'm in the Denver, Co. area, which doesn't seem to have a lot of finch breeders. The store I'm thinking about getting mine from is strictly a bird store though.....they have everything from society & zebra finches to large parrots. (I love the little society finches, but I read on finch.info that the munias and mannakins-not sure about spelling-are the finches that are most inclined to overgrown toenails. Does anyone find that to be the case?)

If anyone has heard anything good or bad about Aspen Leaf Aviares in Colorado, I'd love to hear it.