Advice on outside cage

[dfcauley]

I have rolled my two new fire finches cage out onto my back porch. It is covered and they are out of the sun. The minute I did this they both perked up and came alive! I have laddered some perches to help the cock as he cannot fly very well. I have not been able to see what is the problem and hopefully it isn't permament, but from being in a small cage. He can get all the way to the top perch by hopping and I think he has actually flown across to the other perch. I didn't see this, but he was there and I am not sure how he could have done it otherwise.

My question is.... I have never had a cage outside and I will be rolling it back in at night. Is there any danger leaving it out? I have all doors fastened with extra locks, no animals (dogs, cats etc..) can get to them. I would like to leave them at night as there is a bit security light. But I wasn't sure of that..... what are your thoughts?

[jamezyboo21]

i have my finches outside in the backyard and there cage has direct sunlight for a few hours of the day but it still shaded on the inside of the flight all day. they have done very well outside and seem healthier and happier. i have seen cats, foxes and racoons in my back yard but have never had any problems. I was afraid they would panic at night at end p up injury themselves in the night but they all know when its getting dark and they all go to the hightest branches to seep or in there nests.

[B CAMP]

With that cage I have a concern with snakes, I have birds in a aviary but mine is made with 1/2 inch hardware cloth and the opening are real small, I would have a night light for them,and somekind of roof over part of it in case of rain

[poohbear]

Personally if that was my cage I'd give them more cover with a thick bunch of evergreen fir branches to roost in...give the birds a feeling of security at night.

[dfcauley]

Personally if that was my cage I'd give them more cover with a thick bunch of evergreen fir branches to roost in...give the birds a feeling of security at night.

Well I don't have evergreen branches, but I will get some more branches in there today.

I am probalby going to roll it back in the house tonight...... so I can sleep without worry.

Better?

[L in Ontario]

I would try to push more (most) of those branches inside near the top of their cage so they can roost in the branches and out of sight of any predators, inside of having the branches on top of the cage.

Hopefully no snake can get inside.

[dfcauley]

I would try to push more (most) of those branches inside near the top of their cage so they can roost in the branches and out of sight of any predators, inside of having the branches on top of the cage.

Hopefully no snake can get inside.

I am going to bring it in tonight. There are branches pushed into the top of it. I think the picture just doesn't show it.
They can get on them at the very top. I didn't want to take up alot of flying room since I am wanting him to fly more and try to improve his flying skills.

Liz, if you will look at the last picture and enlarge it you can see the wing drooping. That is that I was talking aoout.....

[Sally]

Donna, I have 6 of those cages, and I would not leave them outside at night. The spacing is 1/2", but the horizontal bars are so far apart that the vertical bars could be spread by a critter or a snake. Also, on my cages, the bars that are just to the right and left of the doors are a touch more than 1/2" from the doors. Another place to watch on this cage is the two breeder doors on the sides, near the top. Some of mine close just fine, but they are not a strong closure, so that again a critter could pop those doors open--I would tie them shut. Is this your quarantine period, so you have to keep them away from your other finches? To be safe, I would take the cage in at night.

BTW, that hen is so red. Are these Senegal Fire finches? My three hens are all brown, so I wondered if this is another subspecies. Congrats on the new birds.

[dfcauley]

Thanks Sally. I am going to bring it in at night. I think they would enjoy the sunshine during the day so I will leave them there in the day. I am only keeping them in this cage for their quarantine period and then hopfully to the aviary if the cock can fly well enough.

These are another species of the fire finches. They are not Senegal finches. The cock has a yellow ring around the eye and is so beautiful. The hen is also very red. I am going to try to get some more information on them. I forgot what Floyd told me their name was, I just thought they were so pretty. I had already picked out a black faced fire finch until I saw them.

[CandoAviary]

Mosqitoes...West Nile.... Don't let them become the bugs snacking spot
The wing looks like it may have gotten caught and injured. One of my baby gouldians has a wing that looks low like that but not that low. It can still fly well. The chick got it caught in the bars of the cage. Fortunateely I was in the bird room and untangled her. I don't think it was broke but it hasn't been the same since.

[L in Ontario]

I hope your little male gets his wing better soon.

Both my male Fire Finches have a yellow ring around their eyes but they also have a reddish beak - very unlike your silver bill - that's nice!

[lovemyfinch]

I love the colours on fire finches..

[CandoAviary]

Liz, your red bill fire finches are beautiful

[Finch Fry]

I thought you said they were Jamisen's?

Cant comment on the pictures as I can not see them at work. I just see little broken link boxes.

[dfcauley]

Mine are supposed to be Jamison fire finches......