New to finches. I need info.

[Red_Rose]

Hello everyone!

I will soon be getting two male Zebra finches. The only type of bird I've ever had was my dear little button quail so I'm a newbie to these guys.

The cage I got for them has a removable grate on the bottom with a sliding tray underneath. Would it be best to keep the grate in the cage or should I take it out? I plan on using newspaper to line the cage as it is the cheapest option for me right now.

Also, since I will only have two little boys, should I get a nest or two for them to sleep in or are those only needed if a person plans on breeding them? Another thing, what type of toys do they like? I plan on getting a swing for them since it's in the cage they are in at the pet store but what else would anyone here recommend?

Sorry for all of the questions. I just want to make them as happy as possible.

[Sally]

Grates are a personal preference. I take out all the grates on my cages, many of the waxbills spend a fair amount of time on the bottom of the cage. But you have to make sure that taking out the grate doesn't leave a gap that allows the birds to escape.

I personally would not give them a nest, nests will trigger breeding behavior and could cause your two males to become aggressive with each other. They can sleep just fine on a perch.

Most finches are not big on toys, but they do love swings.

And welcome to the forum! There's lots of good reading at the Finch Information Center, linked at left, and the members are always ready to answer questions. If you put your general location in your profile, it makes it easier to answer locale-specific questions later on.

[Mands]

Red_Rose Hello and welcome to the forum. You will always find your answers here. I am somewhat a newbie as well except for all the knowledge I have learnt here but I am always learning and always have some sort of experience going on.

I only recently got my pair of Zebras. I must say that they are the most fun of all the finches i have. Mine have already (within a week of getting them - laid) then hatched and fledged 3 babies. I had to take dad out of the cage as he started to "Feather pluck" them and get aggressive to towards them and mum. Aggression can be a real problem with Zebras. I wouldn't put a nest in, as it will cause them to think they are nesting and they will most certainly get aggressive towards each other, then you are going to need another cage and double the work.

If you take the grate out, you will have more mess to clean up, but some think it is a far better option, my choice is not to because it is too messy. I use grit but newspaper is fine if you keep your cage clean.

Finches love swings but I haven't found any other toys that they bother with. I have all my babies hanging off the swing at once like monkeys, so a bigger swing is good, if it fits your cage.

I hope you have a great time here, it is certainly addictive and everyone is just so friendly.

[debbie276]

Just wanted to pop in and say welcome to the forum!

[Ginene]

Me too...Welcome! There's tons of great info and awesome people on this forum

[Red_Rose]

Thank you everyone for all of your help. You've given me lots of great advice.

I had bought a swing today for the cage but I might get another. I do plan on getting some natural branches to use as perches for their little feet as well. They are quite vocal and they are little showoffs when people are around although I know that once I bring them home, they'll be quiet until they get use to everything.

[David]

Welcome to forum! I don't take out the grate, because it will make it messy to clean up, but I also put a small paper on top of it so when I clean it a lot easier, just pour it out before clean it.
For the nests, I personally don't think it's a good idea to put any nests in the cage, since it will make them become aggressive and fight with each other. I put it for my 2 new fledging male zebra finches before and they get along with each other at first, but start fighting after a week or so which I don't want any of your finches get hurt in any ways. I only put a circle-like toy for some of the finches(white color is better since right color don't attract most of my finches) because some of the finches doesn't like toys but mostly liked it! Good luck.