Is this cage ok?

phoebefinch · Post by **phoebefinch** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 4:06 pm

I'm thinking of getting this cage to put my 2 owl finches in. Ideally, I'd like to get two more birds (either another owl pair or a gouldian pair). Would this cage be suitable for 4 birds? It's an excellent price, that's for sure!

http://elite-pets.com/A36.asp

lovemyfinch · Post by **lovemyfinch** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 4:28 pm

According to the FIC calculator, you can put one to 2 finches in it. The height of the cage is not what is important it's the length, for flight.

phoebefinch · Post by **phoebefinch** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 5:23 pm

Uhhh....oh. So I'd need a cage about 8 feet long to have 4 finches? I find that hard to believe, since even breeders tend to have their birds in those itty bitty cages with dividers. I hope to have a little indoor aviary at some point, but that is a couple years down the road...

I don't have $900 to buy a huge cage......hmm. I was looking at DIY things, but they seem quite expensive unless I want it to look like crap.

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 5:34 pm

That one is fine for 4 finches. I have my babies in two of those flights and from the same company.

phoebefinch · Post by **phoebefinch** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 5:36 pm

L in Ontario wrote:That one is fine for 4 finches. I have my babies in two of those flights and from the same company.

Ok, good

Sigh of relief

Thanks. Do you think since technically it's not that big that I'd be better off getting 2 more owls or can I go for some gouldians?

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 5:47 pm

Owls and gouldians get along great. I would go with them.

lovemyfinch · Post by **lovemyfinch** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 6:16 pm

L in Ontario wrote:That one is fine for 4 finches. I have my babies in two of those flights and from the same company.

Thanks for clearing that up for me Liz, I was trying to figure out how I was to have hubby build an aviary without having to put an extension on the house. I am very much relieved to know that I will have room in the house I have now.

BTW does that mean that on the FIC the calculations are off?

Post by **Sally** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 7:38 pm

On the FIC, the calculations for how many birds in a cage are aimed at the ideal. Many of us are dealing with space problems, and so we have to compromise. That cage is a great cage for a breeding pair, but I see no reason that you can't have 4 birds in there, as long as you monitor them closely to see that no stress problems arise from territorial issues. So much depends on the individual personalities of the birds. I would say two pairs of Owls may get into squabbles, as one male might decide he wants both females for himself. A pair of Owls and a pair of Gouldians should get along fine, also reducing territorial problems.

phoebefinch · Post by **phoebefinch** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 8:34 pm

great! Thanks for the replies everyone! I'll keep my eyes and ears peeled for some nice gouldians

nixity · Post by **nixity** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 9:50 pm

I have a cage that size and once had between 6-8 Goulds in it at a time without any problems (there are 4 males in there right now).
Yes, horizontal flying room is ideal, but it's not like the birds only fly horizontally.

For an inexpensive alternative if you'd like a larger flight - we constructed ours out of 1x2" plywood and the black poultry netting at home depot.
Total cost for two 6' long x 3' high x 2' deep flights was about $75.

CandoAviary · Post by **CandoAviary** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 11:21 pm

I think the cage would be fine also for several birds. The problem is some pairs once they set up to breed can get pretty territorial making life uncomfortable for the cage mates.
It all depends on the pair of birds. My gouldians tend to get fiesty so I usually do breed them in 24' x 16' breed cages with outside nestboxes or in a cage bank. Some will still bow up to the neighbors but they can't chase and do harm. When they are not breeding or the young are growing out I can keep up to 6 in there.
Enjoy your new birds...and new cage

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 1:05 am

I have two of these cages. Shop around. I found one for $99 and shipping was only $18. I keep several of my non breeding gouldians in these cages. The second cage I use for the juveniles.

edit: Just realized you're from Canada. Shipping from the US can be expensive.

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 2:50 am

phoebefinch wrote:Uhhh....oh. So I'd need a cage about 8 feet long to have 4 finches? I find that hard to believe, since even breeders tend to have their birds in those itty bitty cages with dividers.

Over the years I've bred in cages a minimum of four feet long.But...when not breeding my birds were always transferred to a roomy flight.
There are birdrooms in the UK packed with breeding cages just 18 inches long...the birds are healthy and breed successfully. Owned by very pleasant people with a love of the hobby...but it has always made me unhappy to see these beautiful creatures kept in conditions where they can't exercise their greatest asset...flight.

phoebefinch · Post by **phoebefinch** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 8:04 pm

I neglected to mention that my birds do get time out of their cage. Not tons, but I try for a couple of hours at least Monday through Thursday, so they do get time to fly in a large (16 x 20) room that is full of plants and sun

Yes, we Canadians get shafted - our prices are never as good as in the US, but generally speaking, shipping rates and duty cancel out the deal anyway. This company that I linked to has a lower fee for local pickup, so since I"m only about half an hour south of them, I'll probably opt for that

Thanks again for everyone's input.