Potential owners may want to consider a flight cage or similar to house their finches. Also, finches tend to prefer to move from side to side rather than up and down, so cages should be longer rather than taller,” Coury said. They need plenty of room to move around and exercise. “Because they are so small, they have particularly fast metabolisms. Despite their size, finches need large bird cages. So, while it might be tempting to buy that beautiful Gouldian pair, a beginning finch owner might want to consider a species a bit more adaptable. Zebras and societies are on the easier side. Gouldians are among the more difficult. There will be many different opinions on how to raise the same species. “Some finches are easier than others to keep and a novice should understand the differences before purchasing,” Coury said. ![]() The best starter finches are also the most commonly found: zebra finches and society finches. Find out which species tolerate one another before placing them together. However, Coury warns that not all species can be housed together. ![]() Just because you should have more than one doesn’t necessarily mean you have to have all the same species. They always need to be kept as two or more as they are very social.” Kristy Coury from Finches by Kristy said, “Finches should never be kept as a solitary animal. While a finch certainly won’t die from being alone, she will be quite unhappy. Here’s five things you should know before bringing a pair home: 1. They come in a variety of stunning colors and make quiet noises that many find pleasant. This is a very important step for earth floors that should not be overlooked.Although finches cannot be tamed quite like parrots, finches are plenty of fun to listen to and watch. Note that 5mm (0.2in) vermin mesh has been laid under the entire floor and stapled to the preserved pine sleepers around the perimeter, to prevent rats or mice from digging their way in and setting up home. Alternatively, 6-10mm (0.2-0.4in) smooth pebbles could work well as a dry floor and still look attractive. Of course concrete is much less attractive and not so nice for the birds, but it may be a necessary compromise. If you are just starting out or don't fancy the maintenance, then a concrete or tiled floor, with a nearby hosepipe, is preferable. The top layer of mulch has to be replaced regularly, and extra care is needed to ensure the flock's health. This kind of setup is not recommended for beginner bird keepers, nor for anyone with hip or back trouble. ![]() To enable it to dry quickly after rain, the floor is also raised 10cm (3.9in) above the surrounding ground for perfect drainage. The floor is natural earth with a 6cm (2.4in) layer of Eucalyptus mulch over it for dryness and hygiene. Finches only weigh about 15g (0.5oz) under those feathers, and can die quickly in a draft they can't escape from. One way or another, though, it is still essential to provide shelter from cool breezes - even quite light ones, if they are continual. At the very least, find a way to shade the roof in Summer to minimise this oven effect. In an enclosed metal aviary, however, the darkest area is the hottest. The risk is high because birds instinctively move into deep shade in hot weather, because in nature the darkest places are the coolest. With hot Summer sun on that metal roof, in extreme weather you will have birds dropping off their perches. What's the point, if you can't see in?Īn exposed shed-style aviary is also a dangerous heat trap. There are also panels of clear PVC sheeting attached to sections of the mesh roof and walls, to extend the sheltered area for additional protection from wind and rain, without reducing light.Īs an example of why these things are important, here's a shed-style aviary that's guilty of both offences - an opaque metal roof and sides, plus uncoated mesh. However, depriving my birds of full sunlight and a view of the sky seems unreasonable to me. Many advise against open roofs, as it means wetter floors and exposure to wild bird droppings. Yes, my birds can see the sky - and can get rained on if they choose to. I also chose to keep the majority of the roof open to the elements, using the black mesh. I chose cream for the sheet metal sections of the walls and roof, being a neutral and bright colour that prevents dark corners. I strongly recommend going to the trouble of powder-coating or painting the wire. ![]() By contrast, bare metal looks very industrial and, because it reflects light, severely obstructs viewing. Dark green powder-coating is also effective and attractive. The wire is powder-coated in black because this enables the eye to see straight through to the birds inside, and it looks very smart. The walls and roof are black powder-coated 1cm (0.4in) mesh, plus sections of corrugated sheet metal (ColorBond) to create a sheltered area.
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