New owner need advice

IBleed4Thee · Post by **IBleed4Thee** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 3:57 pm

I just received five finches....three males and two females. They were being raised as breeders by a elder gentlemen that could no longer care for them and seemed not to be able to recall from memory how to care for them. Some things he said seemed like he was confused. So some quidance would be appreciated.

He told me to make a mixture of seeds for finches and regular bird seed. He could be correct but that seems incorrect. What is the correct seed mxture?

He also said spray them with millet every week. I think he intended to say..give them a spray of millet each week. Is once a week enouigh or too often.

He included a cage that was in need of a good cleaning. I removed the bottom and washed it with hot soapy water and rinsed well...is that correct?

My biggest concern is the nesting chamber. The birds seem to like to sit and top of it and it's covered with loose droppings. How would I clean that or should I leave it alone, as there is one egg inside. What causes the loose droppings?

I've had them a week and love them, each one has his/her own personality and the appear healthy and sing almost all day.

Thanks so much for any help, it's really appreciated.
Raven

Post by **Sally** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 12:57 am

First things first, what species of finch are we talking about?

Any good brand of seed that is labeled for finches will work. Some people on here are even using the seed mixes that are labeled for wild finches.

Spray millet is an excellent treat for them. I'm sure mine would love it every day, but I can't afford that. Once a week is fine.

I use hot soapy water to clean mine. You can also wipe it down with a 10% bleach solution if you want.

What kind of nest is it? Since there is an egg in it already, depending on the species, you may lose the egg if you disturb it. If it is wicker and really soiled, you could throw it away and start fresh. If it is a wooden or plastic nestbox, you can scrub it really well. If there is room between the top of the nest and the top of the cage, finches will perch on top and always poop a lot.

mickp · Post by **mickp** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 6:06 am

after washing using the warm soapy water I always wipe the cages/nests with vinegar. it removes all traces of the soap and is not harmful to the birds at all. it also acts like a disinfectant

IBleed4Thee · Post by **IBleed4Thee** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 7:56 am

Sally

Thanks so much for replying. They are all Zebra's.

I purchased finch seeds yesterday at our local pet shoppe. I asked the owner of the shop why the previous owner of the birds would mix bird seed and finch seed and he said basically it was to save money..the bird seed is just a way to stretch the finch seeds and that the finches seemed to like it just as much.

Ok...he said "spray the millet" he must have meant to say, they would like "A" spray of millet. lol. Will pick up some of those on my next trip to the store.

The next is wicker and has a egg in it, so I would rather not disturb it but it is so dirty and covered in droppings. I think once the egg has hatched, I'll removed the wicker one (it has a dombed top) and purchase one they can just sit in or get one that can be easy cleaned.

mickp....good idea about using the vinegar. I did washed the cage with mild detergent and hot water, and it now looks much better. I read where somebody puts theirs in the dishwasher but that seemed rather disgusting to me. lol.

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 9:02 am

Your pet shop will have books on the keeping of Zebra finches.I suggest you get one for future reference.Don't forget to provide grit and occasional greenfood.
And if you mean to let them breed I suggest you buy another cage....you will soon need it.
Paul.

livinonaprayer · Post by **livinonaprayer** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 10:56 am

I just want to say how wonderful it is that you gave them a home.
I'm a new finch owner too and I think I would be lost without these great people here to help.
You're off to a good start.
Good luck.

IBleed4Thee · Post by **IBleed4Thee** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 11:54 am

Poohbear......I did order a book from Amazon.com and hopefully it will arrive within the next few days. It was the one they recommended at the pet shoppe but cost half as much.

I didn't know about the grits, will add those to my list of things to pick up at the store.

I did give them some greens this morning and they emptied the dish. Wasn't sure how much to put out for five, so I just put a small amount. How do you judge the correct amount?

The previous owner did include a small cage for breeding, as their is one egg in the nest.

livingonaprayer....thanks so much. I haven't had birds in many years, so it's like learning all over again. The gentlement also has 5 parakets, complete with set up that he'd like me to take, but I'm going to be moving in the next few months and not sure if my place will accomodate that many pets.

Good luck with you new family.
Raven

Fancie Flight · Post by **Fancie Flight** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 1:33 pm

Congradulations on taking the birds in, And Enjoy them, You will learn lots here.

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 1:37 pm

If you can get crushed oystershell grit add to this crushed hens eggshells that you save from your kitchen (Microwave high 60 secs) and a bit of grated cuttlefish bone....this is essential for the hens if they are laying.Grated hard boiled egg twice a week would go down well.Don't overdo the greenery or eggfood keep it as a treat once or twice a week...increase the eggfood if they have chicks.
Feed your birds on a quality foreign finch mixture...there should be no need to add to it.
Paul.

IBleed4Thee · Post by **IBleed4Thee** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 2:56 pm

poohbear

Thanks so much for this great info. I'm keeping a notebook/blog for all this wonderful information that everybody has been so kind to share.

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 7:38 pm

zebras LOVE to bathe. Have you furnished them with a bowl for baths?
You are going to enjoy the personality of zebras. But get ready for those babies. There will be lots of them.

IBleed4Thee · Post by **IBleed4Thee** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 7:54 am

I found this great metal dish in the closet that I never use and it made a perfect bathe container.

It was only in the cage a few minutes and they were into.

I think I'm going to invest in a large cage...seem a tad cramped in the cage that came with them.

Now that I have them, I can't remember what is was like without them. They are sweet and this morning one of them flew around the cage and landed on my finger, sat there for a minute or two and then went back to his swing.

In anticipation of the babies. The gentlemen that I got the finches from was selling his to our local pet store and they have agreed to continue purchasing them from me, if I want to sell them. The owner is going to come to my home and we'll talk and he can check out the parents and see how they are healthwise and all.

Does anybody sell theirs?

I'm not sure I'll be able to part with them. lol.

Post by **Sally** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 9:39 am

As prolific as Zebras are, if you encourage breeding, you will soon be glad you have a place to sell them! The first ones are hard to part with, but believe me, it gets easier!

IBleed4Thee · Post by **IBleed4Thee** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 2:06 pm

Guess right now, I'm lucky. There is only one egg.