My Birdcage and the inhabitants

For questions about finch enclosures (cages & aviaries).
EvilBliss
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My Birdcage and the inhabitants

Post by EvilBliss » Sun May 19, 2013 3:31 pm

Hello! I'm new to the forum and I came here to share my cage and the species I have so far:

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Now, I don't know the exact measurements but the species I have are:

Java Sparrows
- Male normal color
- Hen silver
- and the children which you can see, are pretty big now

Star Finches
- Male yellow color
- Hen red color

4 Society Finches

2 Zebra Finches

What do you think of the cage and its species? Do you think I have enough room, light and nest boxes?

Now here's a little doubt: the pair of Star Finches doesn't go along very well. They don't stay together for very long like the other species, the male sings a LOT but they don't seem interested in breeding. Also, the male lost his tail mysteriously and I don't think he was attacked by the others as I don't have a lot of fights in the cage. It's growing again now, slowly. The female looks way more energetic than the male. Could that be why he doesn't seem interested?

Thanks in advance!

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Tammy
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Re: My Birdcage and the inhabitants

Post by Tammy » Sun May 19, 2013 9:41 pm

nice cage. how big is it? looks big enough besides if it was too small the java's would let you know. I wish my cage was big enough to house java's. they are beautiful birds. I love the food bowls and water bowl outside the cage. I might have to try that. I like the set-up. -tammy
2 boxer, one fawn male and one brindle female
a pair of parakeets,
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wilkifam
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Re: My Birdcage and the inhabitants

Post by wilkifam » Sun May 19, 2013 10:51 pm

Love the setup, but it looks like way to many birds in that amount of space.
Lori

Gouldians
Societies
Java FInches
Bourkes
Scarlets
Myers Parrot - Murphy
African Gray - Nzinga
2 GSD's - Heidi and Chiko
1 Minpin - Ted
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Grant
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Re: My Birdcage and the inhabitants

Post by Grant » Mon May 20, 2013 12:07 am

It's like a little bird metropolis! Cute birds. I also like your food/water dishes. Do they keep the seed hulls from flying everywhere? I haven't seen dishes like this before.
Grant

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Sally
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Re: My Birdcage and the inhabitants

Post by Sally » Mon May 20, 2013 1:26 am

I can only guess at the size of the cage, but it looks too small for that many birds. You have listed 10 birds plus the Java young. If you put your cage dimensions in the cage calculator here, it will tell you how many birds can be kept.

http://www.finchinfo.com/housing/cage_s ... ulator.php

And though it is recommended to have at least two nests for each pair of birds in a community aviary, they should be spread as far apart as possible. When birds are breeding, they may become very territorial, and even birds that normally get along will become aggressive around their nest. This many nests in close proximity usually only works with same species birds that will accept a colony setting.

There's lots of good reading at the Finch Information Center, linked at left, and the members are always ready to help. If you put your location in your profile, it makes it easier to answer locale-specific questions. Welcome to the forum!
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National Finch & Softbill Society - http://www.nfss.org

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Bhatta
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Re: My Birdcage and the inhabitants

Post by Bhatta » Mon May 20, 2013 3:19 am

I agree with Sally. In case of mixed species, the cage should be larger than a single-species cage. The height of the cage is not very important; if the height is equal to the width, it is enough. The length and height (3:1 is good) should be long enough. Your cage shows three times height than width and length. In my opening, it can keep 2 pairs (if you want to breed) or 4 pairs (if you don't breed). Experts may put more light on this.
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debbie276
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Re: My Birdcage and the inhabitants

Post by debbie276 » Mon May 20, 2013 8:18 am

I've got to agree with Sally, it looks like there isn't much room to fly around and get exercise. :(
Good looking birds, I'm sure they would appreciate more space. :)
good luck
Debbie
long time breeder of lady gouldians:
Green
SF Pastel (SF Yellow)
Pastel (Yellow)
Blue
SF Pastel Blue (SF Yellow Blue)
Pastel Blue (Yellow Blue)

GREAT articles on avian lighting:
https://mickaboo.org/confluence/downloa ... ummary.pdf
http://www.naturallighting.com/cart/sto ... sc_page=56

finchandlovebird
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Re: My Birdcage and the inhabitants

Post by finchandlovebird » Mon May 20, 2013 8:55 am

I am intrigued with those feeder cups that hang outside the cage; let us know about them.
Great cage but too many nests & birds right now; maybe you have plans to move the youngsters to another cage.
I would like to see different perches than the white plastic ones; some sand perches or cement perches; better to keep their nails trimmed.
Looks like you an an avid enthusiast (just like the rest of us) :D =D>
Dolly J

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EvilBliss
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Re: My Birdcage and the inhabitants

Post by EvilBliss » Mon May 20, 2013 4:26 pm

Well the feeder cups that hang came with the cage, but they made a mess with the food on them so I switched the food to those white feeders on the floor. They still make a mess but...less. The Javas specially, they're terrible with they're food. Now i use the feeders that hang with those colorful foods.

The cage, well I wish I could get a bigger and larger one, but I don't have money for it now so I have to hang on to this one. Is that why the Starfinches don't breed? Because of the cage?

Anyway, I've been giving the youngsters to friends from the first breed but this is the second one and the Javas had 5 (!) children! They are perfect parents! Even better than the Zebras and they can't seem to stop breeding. I have 3 or 4 more inside the nest that already hatched and perhaps two Zebra youngsters inside the nest.

I have one male and 3 female Society Finches. But they don't seem to breed. They prefer to go inside the nest and stay there almost all day long. Both males from Society and Star Finch sing a lot, but they don't court the females.

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Ginene
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Re: My Birdcage and the inhabitants

Post by Ginene » Mon May 20, 2013 5:29 pm

EvilBliss
I think its amazing that you are able to house all of those species in the same cage without aggression issues. I am far from an expert (a newbie myself), and would LOVE to know what your secret is??? I can't get a pair of zebras to nest peacefully in a large flight with society finches...

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Ember
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Re: My Birdcage and the inhabitants

Post by Ember » Mon May 20, 2013 10:54 pm

Nice setup! Love the look of the cage, but I think it is a little small...
Good luck with the birds anyway! :D
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Re: My Birdcage and the inhabitants

Post by Musetta » Mon May 20, 2013 10:58 pm

EvilBliss
You have such pretty birds, and I love how you have arranged their little bird "condos." I too would like to hear about how you maintain harmony among your various species (re Ginene's question) and if/when you get around to measuring it would be curious to know the dimensions of your cage. Are you looking to re-home any of your young javas? Depending on where you live, I am sure there are some potential adoptive parents on this forum...
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two orange-cheeked waxbills, Carrot and Cattail
two red-cheeked cordon bleus, Crimson and Cobalt
one crested canary, Capuchin

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Sam007
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Re: My Birdcage and the inhabitants

Post by Sam007 » Tue May 21, 2013 12:33 am

EvilBliss
Beautiful birds. You can sell your juvenile Javas and get an onther cage or cages from that money. Many sizes of finch flight cages are available on net at reasonable prices. Also, you can lay newspaper in the bottom for easy cleaning. :)
I love Gouldian Finches.

EvilBliss
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Re: My Birdcage and the inhabitants

Post by EvilBliss » Tue May 21, 2013 5:13 pm

They do get all along pretty well. Zebra Finches are kinda territorial when breeding but not overly aggressive. I can't sell my birds anywhere! Stores won't accept them, i tried to sell them online, but its getting pretty hard. I live in Portugal so, if there's someone from my country in this forum I would appreciate the tips and help ;)

I use appropriate beach sand bought from a pet store specially for birds. It smells good and I change the sand each week. They dirty up the whole thing pretty fast though.

The cage measurements are:

length - 28.7inches (73centimetres)
height - 42.5inches (108centimetres)
width - 16.9inches (43centimetres)

I think I got those right. Hopefully!

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Nanajennie
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Re: My Birdcage and the inhabitants

Post by Nanajennie » Tue May 21, 2013 8:02 pm

EvilBliss IMHO (In My Humble Opinion) The cage is great, but too crowded and not enough horizontal fight space.

Hope everything works out until you can buy another cage. Your birds are truly beautiful.

If you can't afford another cage at this time, and if you cannot sell the babies, are you going to at least re-home them to new people with cages? just 'Food for Thought'

Best wishes!!! and welcome :)
Jennie

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