Reptile & Amphibian Forums

For the past three months, I've been planning on getting zebra finches. I'll finally be able to get them this weekend. I already have a 30Lx18Wx36H cage that's really 58 inches because of the stand that it's on. I was wondering...I wanted to get more than two but how many would be okay for a cage my size? I know their social animals but I didn't want to just get two. All the places that I've called have only three or four left. I don't want to seperate them if it's only three or four. But I heard that I should only have one pair or three pairs...don't ever do four pairs or just a single bird.

I've heard that zebra finches don't like toys but I bought a bird pacifier (for those who like to do some excessive preening) and one of those double sided mirrors with the bell at the end just in case (just for entertainment). There are a lot of mixed ideas in the books and website's that I've researched regarding cuttlebones and grit. I got both to be sure. I also got the vitamin supplement that you add to their water. I'm not buying a nest because I think that'll get them to laying eggs more often. I've already read up about their nesting/breeding habits so I'm trying to eliminate anything to stimulate breeding. I live in an apartment so I think youngsters at this point and time wouldn't make my neighbors all to happy with me.

I have manzanita branches so their little feet can be excersized. I could never unstand why anyone would want them to sit on the same ol' stick every day for the rest of their lives.

I really can't wait to have the new additions to my family. 8-) Thank you all in advance for all of your advice and encouragement.
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1. Do I really need to have regular tap water sit for a couple of hours before giving them any?

2. I wanted to get more than two (I don't plan to breed right now)but how many would be okay for a cage my size?

3. Should I invest in those fake eggs even though there isn't any nesting material inside of the cage?

4. Do you use a bird protector for your bird cage? That's the little circular thing that keeps the lil' bugs and whatnot out of the cage.

5. Do you use a cage cover at night? If so, are your birds prone to freaking out when startled? Should I get a night light or something?

6. I live in an apartment where we have no control over the heating during the winter. I live in one of those old school buildings that has steam heating. I can figure out a way to turn them off but I was wondering what tempetures do zebra finches thrive in?

7. My apartment gets plenty of light from all sides. Should I still invest in a heat light for the daytime (no light just heat) and one of those black lights (for moon basking)? It's probably not neccesary because of the light that I get in the apartment but I wanted to know your opinion.

8. Do they like drinking out of the water dispenser or out the little bowls?
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This picture was taken on my trip to the Toledo zoo. I don't know what kind of bird that this was but it sure was l o u d! I think it's from Africa.

Feel free to lurk in my online art & Detroit photography gallery

You want to remember that I only keep Gouldian finches, but a lot of the info is the same. But do check it out with someone who knows zebras.

The length of the cage is the most important measurement. The height is almost incidental. I have also heard that a thirty inch long cage (which you have) is big enough for about one pair. The stand part is not important, although it is handy to have. Keep perches inside to a minimum, as they NEED room to fly!

I do have some toys in my cage, but they really don't use them.

I have also heard to either keep two finches or six or more. Remember that you should quarantine any new birds for about a month, to make sure that they are healthy.

You do have to watch zebra finches, as they can get aggressive. So be ready to take out any "victims" as they can really suffer. You also might want to remove any aggressors, if you can identify them.

I use the cuttlebone, but not the grit. I also removed the nest, as it made my two females fight.

I bought one of those sandy perches for the feet, and have several other sizes of perches for them to choose. I do see them use the sandy perch, and they also use all their other perches.

I dechlorinate their water daily. I just use a dechlor liquid and put one drop in each water container. Remember to dechlor their bath water, also. Other than that, you don't have to have the water sit out. You might want to check your PH level on your water, also.

I wouldn't treat for mites unless there was evidence of them. I had the vet check my birds for mites and he found none. You can put a plain white sheet over the top of your cage at night and check it in the morning for blood spots and mites.

I do use a cage cover at night. Birds seem to need about twelve hours of quiet at night. Finches do freak out easily, so treat them carefully. I try to whistle a bit when I approach the cage, so they know I am coming.

I think that finches do best in a "normal" air temp, such as 70-80 degrees fahrenheit.

I use a full spectrum lamp on top of the cage, to provide UV to them. I do not use a heat light. Be careful the birds do not get burned on any lights. Remember that UV light does not go through glass, so plan accordingly.

My birds drink out of those hanging cups. Be careful they don't eliminate in their water bowls. Or be vigilant about cleaning them out after they eliminate in there!

You want to make sure that your birds ARE drinking! They might not recognize unfamiliar water containers. I spread out three water containers in my flight cage.

My flight cage is 48 inches long, 18 inches deep, and 34 inches tall. It currently holds four Gouldian finches and I am going to be getting at least two more at the next bird show.

Hope you can use some of this info. Have fun and post pix of your birds and cage when you get them set up.

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sue

On my various readings, I've found that Gouldian and Zebra Finches are the easiest to keep so I can definitly use the information you've provided.

1. With the cuttlebone, where do you place it?

2. With a water bottle, do yo uhave it off of a perch or at the bottom of the cage?

3. Do you have to routinely clip their claws or do they usually stay at a nice size due to different sized perches etc?

4. How do you check the PH? Buy the way, I would have never thought to dechlorinate the bath water as well.

5. Do I need to invest in a thermonetor?

6. Did you build your own cage? That thing is huge!

7. What exactly is a full spectrum UV lamp?
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I hung my two cuttlebones in the back of the cage in cuttlebone hangers. They usually come with a little twistie thing in the back, so you can use that to hang it on the bars.

I was not sure about using the water bottle, so I opted for those regular water/food dishes instead. If I used a water bottle, I would put a perch directly under it to ensure the bird could access it. But make sure that your birds DO use the water bottle.

I have not clipped their toenails yet, but have heard that it is done. I would be afraid of stressing them out to the point of a heart failure. It is hard enough to catch them for regular stuff (like switching cages).

You can buy a PH test kit in any pet shop that sells fish.

If you are comfortable, I bet the birds are also. So I don't use a thermometer.

Yes, we built that cage. It was a family affair. But it is the only way you can get a cage that is big enough and has tiny enough bars for finches. Remember that finches need bars that are no bigger than 1/2 inch apart. And some finches that are smaller than zebras and gouldians need bars even tinier than that.

I bought the light bulb at a bird show. It gives off UV light that is supposedly configured for avian needs, instead of fish or reptile. I am not sure that there is a difference, but I would rather be safe than sorry.

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>>1. With the cuttlebone, where do you place it?
>>
>>2. With a water bottle, do yo uhave it off of a perch or at the bottom of the cage?
>>
>>3. Do you have to routinely clip their claws or do they usually stay at a nice size due to different sized perches etc?
>>
>>4. How do you check the PH? Buy the way, I would have never thought to dechlorinate the bath water as well.
>>
>>5. Do I need to invest in a thermonetor?
>>
>>6. Did you build your own cage? That thing is huge!
>>
>>7. What exactly is a full spectrum UV lamp?
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sue

I got my cage yesterday via Fedex. That sucker is pretty huge. I mean...I already knew how big 30x18x36 was but jeez it's even larger when you have it set up! On June 24, 2006 I welcomed Vash and Meryl into the family. They're "supposedly" Society Finches. They had anything that didn't look like a Zebra Finch smacked in a seperate cage. Petco was crazy if they though I was paying $39.99 for one regular zebra finch.

Even while I'm talking, I can hear them honking at one another. I'm very happy though. I just brought them home so I'm not trying to traumatize them by shooting pictures at 'em. Here's a shot of the cage (at the bottom of this post). This is them over on the side where they are hanging out at, it's not the full cage view.

Now it's June 25 at 6:30 AM. You're asking why I'm up so early. Monday through Friday I get up at 6:00 every morning to go to work. Today was no different. I'm just awake for no reason I gues.

I went to the zoo from about 10:00 AM until 5:00 AM on Saturday. I was then taken to Pet Supplies Plus. They only had two Zebra Finches, a girl and a boy. I knew it, but the kid helping me out didn't. The way the cages are set up was with the reptile like glass enclosure. Pretty much a fish tank. I don't know how the guy was going to do it but he was going to put them in in a big box etc. Well...I guess you know what happened. Both those suckers are now free birds in the store. There's no way they're coming down from those nice ceilings . In a month there will be a thousand finches living up there. I kid you not....well, maybe I do. I felt so bad bad about all that. I'm probably banned for life from the store. But there were already wild birds in there...what do you call 'em...sparrows? The little brown and white ones that you see outside?

Then I was taken to Petco. Zebra Finches cost $39.99 there. Why? I have no clue. I refused to get'em. Now, the all white one is a zebra finch mutation (Meryl). I'm pretty sure it's a female. If not...hehe I'll have to rename 'em. I can tell by the toy horn noise that it's making that it's a zebra finch.. It seems to be in love with the mirror with the bell that is set up. The brown one is a true society finch (Vash). From the cheek coloration, I figured it was a dude...I think. The bird guy sure wasn't helpful. He was trying to sell me all this odd bird stuff that I didn't need and they wouldn't want. If I put a nest in there, I'm pretty sure I'd find out which one of the little buggers are laying eggs. I knew more about the birds than the pet store owner apparently. It seems to be a boy.

Now, they don't seem to like sitting next to one another on some instances but they are calling to one another. They move like tiny hummingbirds. All you can hear are they're wings a goin' when they dart from perch to perch. Very entertaining. I still haven't seen them eat or drink anything yet but I know they'll visit the feeders/water dish eventually. I very much doubt they'll ever use the water bottle so I'm just going to make sure I have more than one water dish in the cage just in case they want to swim/poo/drink in it.

I am now the proud owner of one zebra finch and one society finch. Intersting to hear they're morning conversation. How's it going buddy? Honk!!! Beautiful day in the cage eh? Honk!!! Want to take a dip in our drinking water? Hell yea!!! ...I mean Honk!!! And then they finnaly eat. w00t!

It's officially one society and one zebra finch