Bird cage buddies

[marisab]

Hello everyone. Just a quick housing question.

We built a nice cage for inside the house for:

A male/female pair of Java Finches
A male pair of Zebra Finches.

It's 4 long, 4 high, and 2 deep. So no more birds will be living in it. So far so good. The Javas seem busy with themselves and are not aggresive to the two male Zebra's and the two male Zebras who were previously housed in a 1 foot by 1 foot cage (sad I know ) were VERY excited to move into their new home, and they also seemed pretty dang happy to see two other finches.

So like I said, things have been going well, especially since I thought I might get aggression or something.

So far the only "problem" I have and I am curious about is one of the male Zebras (Elton) has taken a liking to the female Java Finch. He sings to her and sometimes tries to sit with the pair. They pretty much ignore him unless he gets right up next to them, then they either go somewhere else or push him away. However there is no violence, and he isn't bugging her all day or anything. But he has a crush on her for sure.

Is this going to become MORE of a problem, or will he give up eventually since she obviously is not interested?

[dfcauley]

I am not famliar with Java finches, but zebras can be pushy. Aren't javas somewhat large? Is so, they should be able to hold their own with the zebs. Since they have such a nice large cage, it should not be a problem. I would just watch them for a while. You never know with zebras. Mine got along for about 6 months in my aviary and then they had to go.

Would love to see some pictures

[marisab]

Thanks for the reply!

I have a lot of good sized unused cages around so I am watching close because if I see anything that seems unsafe, then I will be removing the Zebra's.

The Javas are large, but that's exactly why I have been told by many that they are one of the only ones out there that will hold their own against the zebras without injuring them as Java's are typically fairly peaceful. No one will be breeding in this tank either. Jack and Diane never lay eggs or start breeding unless I put a nest box up, which I won't be

Here are some photos...it's really bare looking but considering the zebra's were never able to fly more than ten inches or so...I wanted to create a living space with everything they needed, that also forced them to do a lot of flying for food and such. They are doing so great with the space!! I thought they wouldn't fly much since they are not used to it but they LOVE flying all over!! They even do loops and stuff already!

These window clings helped them learn to avoid the plexiglass...which took them about two attempts and they never bothered hitting it again...
http://i35.tinypic.com/24w7l13.jpg

Without the clings...you can't see but there are more landing spots below so they can easily reach the food...but must fly down or up to do it.
http://i37.tinypic.com/2ah772u.jpg

In this photo you can see my all white male zebra on the left...then the pair of Java's and then on the right you see Elton the other male zebra sitting on the swing, thinking about getting closer to Diane...
http://i34.tinypic.com/2z5reci.jpg

[dfcauley]

What a great home for your birds! I love the looks of the Java finches and have considered adding them to my mixed aviary, but need to read a little more about them.

I will be going tomorrow into Atlanta to a bird mart and will look and see if I see any there.

Thanks for sharing the great pictures.

Donna

[franny]

I can't answer your question as I'm not familiar with Javas. Just wanted to say I like your huge flight cage! It's nice to get those little zebras out of a tiny cage into that one eh?

I felt like you when I got my GB Waxbills. So happy to get them into a bigger cage. They had been at the pet store for a couple of months. Although clean, it was a tiny cage. They looked so LOST when they first were released into my 3 X 3 X 2 ft cage! They love to do loops, too.

Lucky finches! Sounds like you made a good choice of species to mix. Hope it works out and he eventually gives up. Unrequited love can only last so long... (says the voice of experience)

[marisab]

LOL thanks!

The cage took a little more time to build then we planned, then the "company" I ordered awesome manzanita perches from never shipped them....so we worked around the problems and ended up with this.

It cost just under 150.00 all said and done. It was painted/stained/sealed, silicone as well on all the edges so no water can seep through when they bath.

I also have two lights above it, which is great for viewing!

[franny]

..the "company" I ordered awesome manzanita perches from never shipped them....so we worked around the problems and ended up with this.

It cost just under 150.00 all said and done. It was painted/stained/sealed, silicone as well on all the edges so no water can seep through when they bath.

I also have two lights above it, which is great for viewing!

I mostly use natural perches - fir trees that grow around here. Maybe you could do the same. Just screw through that wood piece you have your perches on now, and then screw it in to the branch. Cheap, and when they get dirty just go outside and get more.

Mine cost a lot more to build! I used fir to build mine, and pine molding to trim it. No plexi glass (but after seeing a few on here who used it, I'm wishing I had), but used 3/8" wire which was very expensive.

Does yours have a pull out tray of some sort? How do you clean the bottom? Looks like with the high sides and plexi glass you won't have too much mess getting outside the cage.

I have a light on the top of mine as well, on a timer. It's great being able to enjoy my birds in the evening when I get home from work. (Without the light they'd be sleeping by the time I get home! I commute to work by public transit and it takes me 2 hours each way!)

I think its nice that you plan to keep it to the 4 birds. They'll really enjoy all the space.

[marisab]

It doesn't have a pull out tray, but basically I just do a paper change every couple days and use a little hand held broom and dustpan for any seeds I miss. The walls are sealed so they just get a quick wipe off.

I can get into the cage from both sides, so cleaning it has been fairly simple so far. No seeds have gotten out at all, which is amazing!!!!