Deciding whether or not to get finches (allergies, etc)

[jehoshabeath]

Thanks so much for your message, ApricotMuffins. I really appreciate your advice regarding the dander and cleaning. I was thinking that I'd use newspaper in the tray at the base of the cage, because that seemed like the easiest option. I hadn't thought about how dusty other bedding/litter would be, but that's a good point!

This bird bath looks nice, too. It looks like it would prevent water from splashing outside.

Thanks again
Megan

[jehoshabeath]

Thanks for the answers and the photo, delray. It's helpful to see what these things look like and how the finch home can be arranged.

Why do there need to be two water feeders in a cage? Is one sort of like a back-up in case there's a problem with the other one? Thanks!

[delray]

Well, it is just best to always have 2, There's really have a reason for it lol. I keep atleast 1 or 2 handy so when you wash them, you can replace it with the new one.

The forum is great....full of great people and information....

[Ginene]

I like to have 2 water tubes available just in case something goes wrong with 1 of them. On a few occasions, 1 of them has leaked and I found it completely empty. Without the other tube being available, my pair would have been in trouble. Its best to have more thank 1 food and water option in your cage to ensure your birds always have access to them

[jehoshabeath]

Yikes, it would be scary to have a water feeder leak like that! I see why it's important to have a second source of water.

And it makes sense to have extra feeders that can be switched in while others are being washed and dried. Thanks again for all the help. I'm getting a clearer idea of what it's like to maintain the finches' home and also make it a good space for me and any possible allergy issues.

Thanks everyone!
Megan

[delray]

jehoshabeath I am glad you learned a lot already. I am excited to see if or when you decide to get societies. You will really enjoy them.
Stick with this forum, you are gonna learn so much, and be able to help other people within months to a year.

[Zebrafincher]

Hi there,

Finches and canaries make great pets! They CAN however be VERY messy! I have three birds, in three separate cages inside, and I vaccuum clean daily. I also change their seed, water and newspaper (on the bottom) daily. I've always had birds. They have very happy personalities, and some of them, like male canaries, will sing a beautiful song. Good luck

Kind Regards

Zebrafincher
Proud owner of:
*Kevin aka “The Old Man” – very cranky canary – 13 years old and rules the Roost!
*Beaky aka “Beaky Beak” the Zebrafinch – 1 year old – and a real, real cutie!!!
*Merlin aka “Merl” the Starfinch – 3 ½ years old – and “bossy as anything for such a small fry!”

[Sheather]

jehoshabeath

I love the society finches, for sure the best beginner species. From a starting colony of five, we now have seventeen (the total after selling eleven) - Errol, Flurry, Aurora, Lyra, Albert, Apollo, Lizzie, Cirrus, Perry, Jack, Amber, Nutmeg, Dancer, Molly, Olive, Tango, and Hershey. They breed like little bunnies, though for now I'm pulling all eggs I find as most of our birds are now related. Our birds, society finches included, don't have cages, but rather they have free-flight of a closed-off room of the house. If you can, I really recommend letting your birds fly free occasionally outside the cage. Their personalities simply do not develop so clearly if they're stuck locked up all the time.

I have allergies to dust, cat dander, pollen, etc but have no problems with our birds, even the very dusty species, such as our cockatiel Gracie (whom can really shake a visible plume of white dander when he's grooming himself). And we have 37 birds (currently though it varies), so I don't think two will be any trouble. I do recommend keeping an open bowl in the cage at all times and letting the birds bathe at will. Ours like to do so at least twice a day and always have a huge plant saucer to do so in, oftentimes all together. Bathing keeps down allergens and keeps feathers and foot scales clean and shiny. Birds that don't bathe are prone to sinus infections - from never clearing their noses - as well as clogged preening glands and overgrown leg scales (water helps remove dried dead skin). I don't use anything but bowls for water, it's not feasible with my set-up. I found sipper tubes got filthy constantly in the past when birds drank after eating and spilled food from their beaks into the receptacles. I was cleaning them 10 times a day even with the tubes across the cage. No fun and not sanitary.

Society finches love love love nests and materials to fill them with. The bigger the nest the better, so they may build it up. Even if you're not breeding I reccomend a nest - you can discard eggs if they're unwanted. Nests are the best environmental enrichment for finches and are very appreciated for sleeping. While many say finches CAN sleep without one (and they will), I think it's like saying a human COULD sleep without a bed on the floor. It's doable, but not nearly so comfortable.

Societies get along in any numbers and with any gender ratio. I don't even recall how many of each we have but everyone gets along great. They also get along with other species. We have ours with Java sparrows, spice finches, zebras, canaries, budgies, a cockatiel, and a silverbill and everyone gets along (though mixing finches and parrots without an aviary isn't a good idea). Some of our societies were hatched and raised by our Java pair and view them as their parents, quite cute, they snuggle and groom each other.

Societies and all finches love greens. I put out a bowl of romaine lettuce and broccoli every single day for the birds, with apple slices, spinach, kale, and cucumber periodically. They can never eat too much greens in my opinion and will regulate their own intake. In the wild, a substantial portion of their diet is leafy plant matter.

They also love boiled egg and get some weekly for protein, daily if feeding babies. The egg shells, just raw and dried, are the best source of calcium for the birds and are great offered in a dish. My birds eat them as needed and like them much more than cuttle bone. I've never cooked my eggshells to sanitize them as some do and my birds have never been ill. I also don't specially sanitize food or water bowls - mostly I just wipe them down with running hot water and dry them. I've always done this and never had a problem. I don't have time daily to put all of the bowls and tubs into the wash.

I vacuum my bird room daily to clean seed hulls, feathers, and droppings and my birds have become utterly desensitized. The sound does not bother anyone in any way and everyone goes about business as normal while I do so. My finches are pretty tame and will eat from my hand and alight on my arm or knee for a treat. Being allowed to fly free for so long in my presence has removed most of their natural fear.

I've included a few pics of our birds and set-up. I can't wait to see what birds you bring home!

[jehoshabeath]

Thanks for the heads up, Zebrafincher. I know that birds outside can make quite a mess, so I imagine pet birds would be similar in that regard. But it sounds like you take good care of your birds and enjoy their company

Also, Sheather, thank you for sharing your experiences and advice with me. It’s really helpful. Your bird room looks so lovely! Your birds must be so happy to fly in that space - they are beautiful

[delray]

jehoshabeath Have you found any good stores or breeders to start your flock? If you post a thread in the marketplace and say your area, a fellow forum member may have societies close by. Always better to get breeder birds.

[jehoshabeath]

Thanks, delray! Actually, yes, there's a breeder near here who's currently breeding societies - hooray! It was the breeder who pointed me to the finchinfo site for the first time. I'm so glad that there are people in my area who know about finches and breed them, especially since I don't have past experience keeping pet birds.

[delray]

jehoshabeath thats awesome. Not everyone has good breeders In the area. If you Any questions, PM me or post it here. There are so many great mutations to choose from.

[lnlovesorange]

jehoshabeath Good luck (sorry i realize my response is a little late. Not sure if you got birds or not. But my one recommendations I'm new to finch owning as well) is be careful because once you have them, they are addictive, like tatoos...(if you have tatoos you'll know what i mean) you'll want more. I fell in love with my birds... and now i want more.... I can't get that many because i just don't have the space, but I have a big enough secondary cage to get another pair. But again, that's my only advice to you, is they are fabulous amazing little creatures that i can literally watch all day. And as i said, VERY addictive!!! Good luck!! And also, delray could you send me a link to where you got that feeder? My two Zeb's are MESSY eaters, especially right now as i'm trying to switch their diet from seed (stupid Pet store) to pellets, so they are throwing the pellets out to find the little bit of seed!!! Thanks!!!

[lnlovesorange]

Sheather Love your birds room. Wondering if your plants are real?

[jehoshabeath]

Thanks for the advice, lnlovesorange - I really appreciate it I haven't gotten finches yet, but maybe soon!

By the way, yours in the icon are lovely