Cage size

IBleed4Thee · Post by **IBleed4Thee** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 8:55 am

I have five zebra finches...what would be the ideal size cage for them. They were raised together, so unless it's necessary I would rather keep them together. There is also one egg which they all seem to mother.

The cage they are in now was provided by the original owner, it's 15x15x15".

Thanks

Post by **Sally** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 11:18 am

Ouch! That cage is too small for even one finch, much less five. It always depends on the species and the personalities of the group, but I personally don't like to keep them in anything smaller than 30x18x18, and then only one pair per cage. These are the cages that have my Society fosters, so once babies fledge, I can have adults plus babies on a temporary basis. Once the babies are weaned, they go into larger cages. Some people keep breeding pairs in 24x16x16--I have a few that size that are my quarantine cages.

With finches, though they are tiny little things, they need more room than a larger parakeet! They need horizontal space, so they can fly. With 5 Zebras, the economy cages that are 30x18x36 will do for a time, but you will have to watch for aggression. The HQ single flight is 32x21x35. It is hard to find finch-friendly cages that are big enough for multiple birds. And any time you start crowding them, aggression starts.

IBleed4Thee · Post by **IBleed4Thee** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 11:59 am

Sally

Thanks so much. I guess I will be going shopping for cages. I was hoping to keep them one cage, as they've always been together and there is no aggression (so far). They are very lovey from what I've seen over the short amount of time I've had them.

From what you say, I will have to separate them but I wonder should I wait until the "single egg" hatches, as I don't know which pair are the parents. As I said, they seem to all tend to the egg.

Now they are settled and use to their new environment, I have seen them trying to fly about the cage and that is what made me ask. It really doesn't appear to be enough room for flight.

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 3:13 pm

As Sally says the longer the cage the better...cages similar to mine are available outside of the UK.Not the ideal pretty cage for the living room but best for the birds welfare.Those below are 36x18x18 and 48x24x24
These have a central divider which enables you to shoo the birds up one end while you clean the other half...much easier and less stressful than the single cages available.I prefer the solid cages with the wire front over the all wire cages, they give a greater sense of security for the birds.

IBleed4Thee · Post by **IBleed4Thee** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 4:00 pm

poohbear

These are great looking cages.

Do you know the company that makes them...perhaps I can find them in the US or at a store online.

Thanks

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 4:48 pm

Previously found a place in the States that sell similar...posted a link some months ago elsewhere...now I can't find the ruddy thing....I'll keep looking.
Paul.

Post by **Sally** » Thu May 01, 2008 12:27 am

There is a company that advertises in the NFSS Journal, called Corners Limited. They have cages similar to European-style cages. They don't give any sizes or prices in the advertisement, and no website listed, but here is their phone number: 1-800-456-6780. The only thing I noticed about them is that they don't look very deep, but since no sizes are given, that could be misleading. I love the sizes on your cages, Paul. 48x24x24 would be wonderful for some of the more aggressive finches.

IBleed4Thee · Post by **IBleed4Thee** » Thu May 01, 2008 6:40 am

Thanks so much....I'll have to do some check around

Our local pet store has a so so selection, as does PetSmart, so more than likely I'll have to order online or go into Philadelphia. Hmm..maybe I'll stop by and talk to the man that I got them from, he might have some connection or advice.

IBleed4Thee · Post by **IBleed4Thee** » Thu May 01, 2008 2:17 pm

Sally and poohbear

I got a cage today at Petsmart. I love running into a sale.

It's a great size....70" long and it's be Vision. The lady in charge of the bird department recommended it, she using the same one for her finches and said its really the easiest one to clean. Price was super...marked down to $72.99, so I two.

I think this will work out great and they seem to really enjoy their new home.

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Thu May 01, 2008 2:36 pm

Nearly 6 feet long??You sure? that picture doesn't look it.Anyway,hope it does what you want but PLEASE chuck those plastic perches out and put in some natural ones different thicknesses...those plastic things play hell with a birds feet.
Paul.

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Thu May 01, 2008 4:09 pm

This cage has just arrived in UK The largest is 75 centimetres long not inches and the bar space is 20mm...that's too wide for finches if this is the size you have bought.I take it the smaller cage in this range has narrower bar gaps.Which have you got?
Paul.

IBleed4Thee · Post by **IBleed4Thee** » Thu May 01, 2008 4:32 pm

poohbear...

Sorry for the typo...that should have said 60"

Here are the dimensions....

Cage is 60.9 L x 38.1 W x 52 cm H with bars spaced approx. 1.2 cm apart. It includes (2) Green Seed/Water Cups, (2) Waste Shields, (2) Green Perches.

I will get rid of the plastic perches.

What about those covers they sell with the gravel of them for the plastic perches....do they work all right. That was what was in the cage when I got them from the breeder, so I assumed they were ok.

I have tons of tree's in my backyard...can I use branches from there or do I need to buy the kind at the pet store?

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Thu May 01, 2008 5:19 pm

Forget the pet shop stuff, stick some natural branches in there.Branches from fruit trees,sycamore,ash etc.
The more natural the cage the nicer it will look, and better for the birds.
Loads of toys are ok for parrotlike but not necessary for finches.That's my opinion anyway,I'd rather see finches in cages and flights with a bit of greenery rather than bells and mirrors.
Paul.

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Thu May 01, 2008 6:05 pm

IBleed4Thee wrote:Sorry for the typo...that should have said 60"

60"? I think you still mean centimeters, right? A 60 inch cage is 5 feet long. That cage would be awesome, but I don't think you'd find one at PetSmart. If it is 5 feet long, then in comparison, that water and feed cup must hold 5 gallons each!

If it really is 60 centimeters long, then that is a little less than 24 inches. Still too small for 5 finches in my opinion.

Post by **Sally** » Thu May 01, 2008 10:50 pm

If that cage is in centimeters, which I am assuming it is, I just did a conversion and it works out to about 24x15x20.5 in inches. That is similar in size to my quarantine cages, and will do for a pair for a while. It is a lovely cage, but if you are interested in breeding, this cage is more for a pet bird, probably fine for one canary. With breeding birds, you soon have anywhere from 6-10 birds in the cage.

Since you have said you are interested in breeding, I suggest you look around a little more. You will rarely find good breeding cages at local pet shops, you have to get them on the internet. You said you got two cages, at $72.99 each--that is almost $150 for two cages. You can get a case of 3 breeding cages 30x18x18 inches for $120 including shipping from this place: www.birdandcage.com. Another place to check out is eBay. Another forum I am on had a posting about some really nice breeding cages, 36x18x18 inches, two of them stacked on a stand, for about $120. Iwill try to find that place for you.

Well, I tried to link to that eBay site, and it didn't work. If you go on eBay, and search for J&M Exotics, you can go to his eBay store. The cages are listed as 'Parrot Bird Cage cages breedr unit #2481. The bar spacing is 1/2", so it would work for Zebras. I have never bought anything there, just to give you an idea of what is out there.

Basically, you need to decide whether you want to have pet birds or do breeding, or possibly both, which will determine what you need in the way of cages. Trust me, breeding ALWAYS leads to more cages.

And I agree with Paul, toys are not really needed for finches. I would give them a swing, all my finches love swings. And if you go to a hobby/craft store, you can get small plastic or silk plants to put in the cages (but you only need about 1 per cage, as they do take up space). Perches are free from my yard. And don't use those gravel perch covers, I don't believe they do any good.