Brand new finch owner

[elanorien]

Hi. I'm new to the world of finches and completely clueless. I was told that I could have a pair of zebras and a pair of spices in the same large cage. But after having done some research, I'm not sure if that's right. Will the zebras beat up the spices? Do I need to keep each pair in a separate cage? If I add plenty of plants and hiding places, would the spice finches be comfortable with the zebra finches?

Thanks for your help.

[dfcauley]

Hi. I'm new to the world of finches and completely clueless. I was told that I could have a pair of zebras and a pair of spices in the same large cage. But after having done some research, I'm not sure if that's right. Will the zebras beat up the spices? Do I need to keep each pair in a separate cage? If I add plenty of plants and hiding places, would the spice finches be comfortable with the zebra finches?

Thanks for your help.

I would say try it IF the cage is large enough. But be prepared to move the zebras if there is a problem. Spice finches are very passive and zebs are not. It could work for a while...... but eventually if your zebras are male and female it may become a problem.

[L in Ontario]

Hello Elanorien and welcome! I can't answer this but Donna gave a very good suggestion - try it but be prepared to move one pair out.

[B CAMP]

Welcome to the forum,I think donna gave you the answear.Zebs rule,most of the time

[Finch Fry]

Welcome!!!

I have zebs, they are pushy. I would suggest just keeping them by themselves. Or, just get spices only and then they can hang out with lots of other types of finches.

[franny]

Welcome elanorien,

The others have answered your question more or less.. I just wanted to welcome you!

Have you got your finches already? And how big is the cage you have, or are looking at getting?

FYI if you look at the Finch Information Center link, then go to Housing, there's a cage calculator there which will tell you the minimum size cage you need per pair. But if you are adding Zebras or any other bird not considered "passive", then I would say you would have to go larger than the recommended minimum. And even then, you may need to separate eventually, if you have Males & Females. Do you have room for more cages? If not, what about a large breeding cage with a divider? Just in case...

[Hilary]

Are your zebs a male/female pair? I have several females with two spice, and the spice are actually the more aggressive. Just goes to show you just never know. Of course, if the zebs are a pair that's probably a different story. Either way, enjoy them!

[FeatherHarp]

Hello....Welcome to the Forum!

I had a pair of Zebs a while back...they got along fine with the other finches just fine....for a while....and then they started getting bossy so I had to rehome them.

But I really enjoyed having them they are such active birds with big personality. I would get some again if I get more room.

[summert85]

Welcome There are already some good answers for your questions. So I wont even go there. But welcome you.

[JavaMama]

Hello elanorien, I am new here too. I have raised society finches years ago, but brand new Java Finches new. Has anyone seen a Java cock take nesting material into the nesting box, then pull it (spent milette spray) out of the box, then hop around and put it back in again? He was doing this several times this morning and I though it rather odd. This pair have never laid eggs before. Any ideas? thanks and I am really glad I found this forum!

[BirdCrazy]

Hello elanorien, I am new here too. I have raised society finches years ago, but brand new Java Finches new. Has anyone seen a Java cock take nesting material into the nesting box, then pull it (spent milette spray) out of the box, then hop around and put it back in again? He was doing this several times this morning and I though it rather odd. This pair have never laid eggs before. Any ideas? thanks and I am really glad I found this forum!

My Java male does this constantly. Back and forth, back and forth with the nesting material. He uses eaten millet spray too. They also tear up their paper at the bottom of their cage and shove that in the nest too. They also drag it back out again. Maybe she keeps telling him she doesn't like that way it looks so he has to keep changing it, LOL!!

[JavaMama]

My Java male does this constantly. Back and forth, back and forth with the nesting material. He uses eaten millet spray too. They also tear up their paper at the bottom of their cage and shove that in the nest too. They also drag it back out again. Maybe she keeps telling him she doesn't like that way it looks so he has to keep changing it, LOL!![/quote]

well thanks for sharing that info, I guess I'll just have to wait and see if eggs some along. Glad my male bird wasn't the only one doing this! I also put in a natural branch (from my Sycamore tree) in to give a diferent diameter pearch,but both male and female were afraid of it. I took it out for now, they seem confused enough!

[franny]

Just pick a branch that is a bit straighter, and similar diameter to the dowels they are used to. And put it near the waterer. Then they have to try it! They will get braver when they are thirsty. Once they have gotten used to it, then put in different, forked branches, etc.

I think it's the colour being different that worries them. I bought a couple of cement perches, one was yellow and one was green and could NOT get my GBs to use them. Even being the only one they could get water at. They hung from the wire to get at the water! The female final got brave and tried it, but the male hated it. So I tried a brown colored one, since they were already perching on brownish branches. Yup! Sure enough, in no time at all they were both on the perch drinking and wiping their beaks.