Aviary birds...

aus_jhr · Post by **aus_jhr** » Sat Jan 12, 2008 9:06 am

I am hoping someone can help me, im very new to the world of finches and just got my first outdoor aviary! I am just wondering what is a suitable breed of bird that can eat seeds etc of the floor of the aviary thats ok to put in with finches ie. suitable temperament etc.

aus_jhr

Post by **Hilary** » Sat Jan 12, 2008 12:19 pm

You can add button quail, though you'll need to also feed them either gamebird or turkey crumble as their primary diet (they need more protein than they can get just from seed). Buttons are also known as Chinese painted quail. Depending on the size of your aviary, I would also think that diamond doves may be appropriate - they forage on the ground.

aus_jhr · Post by **aus_jhr** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 12:04 am

Thx so much for that...will look into come "companions" for my finch babies in the coming weeks.

Today I got 2 finch-safe plants for in their new aviary. So going to get their aviary ready and move them in

ive thought about a bird bath in there for them, is this suitable/recommended for finches?

aus_jhr

Post by **Sally** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 1:25 am

Most finches love to bathe. With a birdbath, you just have to make sure it isn't too deep, since they are such tiny birds. You can look for a really shallow birdbath, or you can add stones to fill in the depth, or you could use a large flowerpot saucer set on the ground or on top of an overtuned flowerpot.

aus_jhr · Post by **aus_jhr** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 1:36 am

kewl! thx for that Sally. This morning I was at the sunday markets and got a large/shallow dish wish looked good for a bird bath so bought it, at only $2.50 it didnt really matter if it wasnt suitable as I could use it for when we have bbq's, and afterall its only $2.50, cant get a coffee for that these days!

I've put my finches in their new aviary, so leaving them to settle in, and will check on them later...though they seem happy enough. I got a millet stray and a large bag of seed at the markets (though i read you should put the seed in the freezer for 7 days before giving it to your birds) we have enough seed til then. Am very excited...and find it very relaxing looking after them

a real nice "feel good" activity, keep the stress levels at bay

Ronni.

Post by **Sally** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 1:54 am

I love watching my finches. Unfortunately, right now, I'm trying to breed them, and some are species that don't like to be disturbed, so I have to stay out of the bird room. You can go ahead and use that seed you got. Just leave the bag or bags in the freezer and take out what you need each day. It is just a way of getting rid of any seed moths/eggs that might be in the seed. I buy a lot of things in bulk, so I keep as many things as possible in the freezer, and just take out what I need. In fact, I was about to get rid of my freezer, because a lot of meats I had in there for my use stayed too long and got freezer burn, but now more than 1/3 of the freezer is bird stuff! If you feed niger seed to the wild birds, it goes rancid very quickly, so I keep that in the freezer and no longer have a problem.

aus_jhr · Post by **aus_jhr** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 2:11 am

ive never heard of bird seed in the freezer, but am open to new ideas

what other bird "stuff" needs to go in the freezer?

aus_jhr

Post by **Sally** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 1:07 pm

I keep anything that has seed in it in the freezer. I also have nestling food, pellets, handfeeding formula, eggfood (both commercial and homemade)--anything that will take being in the freezer. I don't put my spray millet in there, but I may try a small amount of the Herb Salad to see how it does. Since I have quite a few birds, it just helps to be able to buy in bulk, or when something is on sale.

aus_jhr · Post by **aus_jhr** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 7:39 pm

Wow sound like your finches get quite a variety in diet. i read about giving them a snack bowl with various veges and fruit, when i tried this they didnt touch it. Any recommendations on what to do/try?

aus_jhr

Post by **Sally** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 8:11 pm

Sometimes you just have to try out different things to see what they like--they are like children, they don't all like the same thing! At the FIC, there is an article under Nutrition that lists safe and unsafe foods for your birds, it may give you some ideas to try. The thinking now is that finches need more than just seed in their diet, but you don't have to go crazy with it, just try a few things and see how it goes.

RH/WB · Post by **RH/WB** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 10:39 pm

Celery greens are the favorite. Hope your aviary is large enough to have a chair to sit with them and enjoy when they buzz your face, it's great~!
What is the reason to Freeze the seed? Kills microscopic Germs?

aus_jhr · Post by **aus_jhr** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 11:05 pm

yes their aviary is certainly big enough for a chair...how do you mean "buzz ur face"? though sounds interesting lol. for now im just letting them settle down in their new environment.

aus_jhr

Post by **Sally** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 11:32 pm

I put the seed in the freezer for two reasons: 1 - that kills any seed moths or seed moth eggs that may be in the seed, and 2 - it will stay fresh longer being stored in the freezer. Especially seed mixes that contain any really oily seeds, like niger. It is just like storing pecans or walnuts in the freezer, keeps them from going rancid on you.