Catching finches

For concerns related to avian illness and wellbeing.
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beachbird
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Catching finches

Post by beachbird » Wed May 01, 2013 5:25 pm

I have six societies in two cages. One for the girls and one for the boys. Just turned out I have three of each. I am in the process of figuring out which sex they all are. Four are young. Does anyone have ideas on how to catch them with the lease amount of stress? Obviously I am pretty slow and these guys are little speed demons. Lol. They are all so sweet I really don't like this part of being a finch caregiver. I know it's necessary though for many reasons.
jacquie

finchandlovebird
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Re: Catching finches

Post by finchandlovebird » Wed May 01, 2013 5:32 pm

Remove swings & anything hanging & maybe a perch or two if it's in the way & use a small butterfly net.
Dolly J

1 Canary
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Raised Gouldians & Scarlet Chested Parakeets in past years

dcompt
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Re: Catching finches

Post by dcompt » Wed May 01, 2013 6:07 pm

Another method use some kind of divider to make a smaller catching area. I hang a towel from the top of the cage. Shoo one of them into the catching area, and then catch it in a soft cloth, either on the cage wall or when it lands on the floor, just drop it over it.

You could skip the divider, but I find it's easier to get the bird in a smaller area. Of course if the cage is small-ish, this wouldn't be necessary.
Donna

7 happy societies: Pippin Onewing, Badger Boldfinch, Gaffer McChirp, Hermit Funnyfeather, Ziggy Streakwing, Patch Rowdybird, and Chip Potterfinch.

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Ginene
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Re: Catching finches

Post by Ginene » Wed May 01, 2013 6:35 pm

beachbird
I spray my finches with molting spray or water to slow them down. It's so much easier to catch them this way. I learned this from others on the forum, and it really works well. Less traumatic for me and my birds :)

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30 Seconds to Bob
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Re: Catching finches

Post by 30 Seconds to Bob » Wed May 01, 2013 6:40 pm

If feasible, first cover the entire cage with a large towel or blanket to make it dark inside. This usually settles the birds down quite a bit. Try to only let in enough light to see the bird you are trying to capture. If the cage is very big, try using a medium to large sized fish tank net. Bob
3 canaries
2 orange cheeked waxbill finches
2 java finches, 1 split to normal, 1 white
2 bourke parakeets
1 american staffordshire/american pit bull terrier
1 boston/jack russel terrier mix
6 adopted stray cats
2 adult, 1 young leopard gecko
4 fish tanks and 4 fish bowls
3 turtles
2 teenage kids and 1 wife

beachbird
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Re: Catching finches

Post by beachbird » Thu May 02, 2013 3:51 am

Oh my gosh thanks so much guys. Those are excellent ideas. I feel so much better having some better methods for catching them. As you probably know these little birds couldn't be any sweeter and just love each other. I want them to be happy.
jacquie

Jeff McKee
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Re: Catching finches

Post by Jeff McKee » Fri May 03, 2013 11:07 pm

Pick a spot in the cage you want to catch the bird. Follow it in with your hand. Grab it as it comes into contact with the wall.

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