New here and to finches, a few q's please

[2manypets]

I just "inherited" a pair of zebras and 2 spice finches. They are presently in a 24x12x12 cage. I just got a new cage for them this evening that measures 30x18x26. I think they will really enjoy the extra space. I plan on adding perches at both ends, at the top and bottom. The middle will be mostly open, save for a small swing. Nests will be hung along the back at different levels. The food and water dishes will be at the bottom to encourage them to use the vertical space, as well as the horizontal.
The questions I have are:
1. I also like society finches, and wonder if they would fit in with this group. I was thinking of getting 2 of them.
2. Can I put plastic sheeting around the bottom (about 3" tall) and back (full coverage) to help with the mess?
3. Can I added a small potted plant, like a pothos, to add a more natural look and give them a more secure feeling?

I think that's it for now... thanks in advance!!

[Sally]

Welcome to the forum! If you put your location in your profile, it makes it easier to answer questions. Also, be sure to check out the Finch Information Center, linked at left--lots of information there.

I wouldn't add any more birds to the cage you have. Usually, only one pair of birds would be kept in a breeding cage 30x18x18, so two pairs in your cage might be pushing it. Especially considering that Zebras are considered pushy, they might get aggressive towards the Spice finches.

Many people put plastic sheeting around the back and sides of their cages to help contain the mess, and to keep their walls from being splattered with bird poop.

Potted plants usually only work in really good-sized walk-in flights, or aviaries. In cages, they tend to get destroyed in a matter of days. Better to use some fake plastic plants that you can take out and wash or replace, and they also give the birds some privacy.

[AndreasLon]

Welcome to the forum 2manypets.

I agree that that space is not big enough for 6 finches and my advice is to use fake branches or ivy around the cage or in corners. They will make the cage look nice and won’t take up extra flying space for the birds.

Plastic sheets are no problem and work very well.

[L in Ontario]

Hello and welcome! I agree with everything the others have said and will only add that I don't think you need perches at the top and bottom. A couple or three perches closer to the top should be plenty and one should be a cement perch near the water dish to help keep nails and beaks trim. Congratulations on your new birds!

[2manypets]

Ok, no more birds then. I just thought there was enough room since it's quite a bit taller than normal. Also the reason I was going to add a perch at the bottom, since they spend more time in the top of cages.
I think the original ones should be fine as they've been together for a while now, but I'll be ready to separate them if they need it.
I will certainly be adding the plastic pronto. The less mess the better! LOL
I had thought of placing a pothos on top of the cage and letting it grow down the sides... would that work or would they still just destroy it? If they would then I'll go for silk plants.

Thanks for all the help! I (and the birds) and appreciate it greatly!!!

[Ursula]

Welcome!

Pothos is on the list of poisonous plants and not safe for birds!!

If you google "safe plants for birds" you will find several sources that have lists of safe as well as unsafe plants.

If you don't mind them eating the plant, you could put a pot of spider plant on top and let that grow in. I've heard birds like that and it's safe.

For cover, I would agree with the others: Fake plants are great for that. I have a lot of fake ivy in my aviary, it looks almost real and provides good cover for the birds to hide in.

[2manypets]

Oh no! I thought I'd seen the pothos on the safe list.... glad you corrected me!
I'll just stick with plastic\silk plants.
By the way, can I use bowls to put their feed in the center of the cage? Even with the plastic seed hulls are going everywhere ! LOL

Thanks for the help!

[Sally]

This winter, I set hanging baskets on top of my flight cages--spider plant, asparagus fern, and without thinking, pothos ivy. It trailed down into some of the cages, and the birds nibbled on plants they could reach. Never had a problem from it. However, I am not recommending it. Plastic is best with cages, anyway.

For seed mess, I love the seed hoppers. You can get them at redbirdproducts.com. It helps contain lots of the mess from hulls, and all my birds learn to use the hoppers immediately. If you don't want to use seed hoppers, certainly a dish in the middle of the cage will work.

[franny]

A dish will work, but keep 2 things in mind.

1. They will poop in it.

2. When the empty hulls fall back in the dish, it could get to a point where the uneaten seeds get buried, and they think there is no more seed. So be sure to take it out daily, and blow the empty husks off so they can get at the seed (do this outside, or over a large garbage container, to keep those husks from flying everywhere!)

[2manypets]

Do you think those clean cups that have the clear cover over them would work, or would it still be a problem with the seed getting covered over by the hulls? Would the :hoppers suggested deal with that issue better?
I put a silk ivy plNt ove the top and down the sides and a bunch of ivy in the sides of it. The zebras have started a nest in the round open nest I put in there instead of either of the 2 finch nests! lol How long should I expect eggs?

[Ursula]

Seed hoppers will work better, they catch the seed hulls. In cups the hulls will always cover the seeds somewhat...

I got a few more seed hoppers recently from this site:

http://www.justbirdstuff.com/Seed-Hoppe ... 16162.html

[franny]

I agree, seed hoppers are better than cups, or to have easier access, from outside the cage, you can use the tube (fountain) type feeders. They have a very small trough that sticks into the cage, so husks don't fall back in. They are what I use, and I love them.

[2manypets]

The silo type are what I have now but they make a huge mess with the empty hulls. I have ordered 2 of the hoppers so for now I've just got the seed cups in the middle of the floor. Seems to be a lot less mess this way.
Hope the hoppers work out for us... it's a pain sweeping up hulls 3-4 times a day. lol