Decorating New Cage...Plants?

[Mands]

Hey. I want to start decorating my new cage. I will get some ladders and a swing etc, I like the wooden ones rather than the dowel as they give more of a natural look and feel. I was also thinking of putting a plant in there, just a small one. Do you put real or fake ones in your cages? It is an indoor cage and will get some sun and light. Being in Australia we probably have different kinds to you but I can try and find them. Any Aussies able to help here?

Thanks

Here is the cage:

[Martie]

I would use fake plants inside the cage - and real plants outside. Real plants inside are wonderful in large aviaries, but in a smaller flight they tend to get very dirty with poop and seed hulls - and very often the birds will chew on - or downright eat them.

Decorating flights is fun! Hope you'll keep us posted as you do yours.

[cindy]

I also use silks. I add them to the corners or the back of the cage and in the center. This is a parrotfinch cage before mounting it on the stand

I assemble the bunch secure with a zip tie then add to the cage, securing it with a zip tie so it can be removed easily to be washed.

[Rox]

I agree with Martie, rather go for fake plants. Easier to wash etc and there is a great variety now days to choose from

I have pot plants in my aviary and they need to be cleaned out weekly (top layer of soil removed), as the birds poop and mess seed/fruit/veg in them, which starts sprouting or going mouldy if left. Personally, that would be way too much effort for a cage enviroment. The fake plants can just be attached and removed when you like

You can give them safe cuttings from your garden (if pesticide free!). Mine love Hens & Chickens (love the seed heads!) and Nasturiums leaves and flowers. Look up the safe plant list on the Finch Info site and it will give you an idea of what plants can be used. Nice additional treats for them

[Mands]

Thanks for the info guys. I will be going out fake plant shopping this week to decorate. I will put pics up when I am done.

[Lisa]

I use fake plants too. I have found it is more economical to buy fake plant garlands and cut them up to use rather than individual fake plants. You get more for your buck that way.

Also, a tip when adding the plants to the cages, keep the spine of the plant on the outside pushing the leaves into the cage rather than the other way around. It will be much easier to remove for cleaning later!

[Mands]

Lisa

Thanks for the great tip Lisa, putting it on the outside is a great idea.

[birdclaws]

I use fake plants- just recently started hanging them on the OUTSIDE of the cage and then pulling some of the leaves through in to the cage. No matter how tight I would hang garlands in the cage, they would find a way to get up inside of them and poop all over them. This might not be a problem to pull out and clean on some cages, but a lot of the larger flights I have, I've built and I didn't make it easy to pull them out and clean.

[FinchLady]

Have wanted to add fake plants to 'pretty-up' my indoor finch cage.
Great tips (cut up garlands, use zip ties, keep spine outside cage for pulling out to clean/change)

What other tips do you have? Come on Finch Forum people- you are a creative bunch......please post your ideas for 'Finch Home Improvement'!

[ann]

I use real plants in my cages. I cut a 2-3 foot branch, put it in a small container with water, and attach a long s-hook about half way up the plant to the side of the cage to keep it from tipping over. I like eucalyptus, crape myrtle and escalonia the best; the crape myrtle is blooming now, and makes the cage really pretty. The birds have a great time tearing off all the leaves, flowers and seedheads, and this keeps them busy and happy. When the branches are bare in 3 days or so, I throw them out and bring in new. This also means less pruning for me in the garden too.