The novelty has worn off.....Finch 101!

[LoryLady]

Heya,

My BF bought two finches for his son.

I think if they need more enrichment it's going to have to come from me, because I think the novelty might have worn off on them already, cage cleaning and feeding of non-seed food will be up to me. They'll probably change the water and seed and that's it.

I'm a total novice with finches!

I am sorry for these basic questions....

- good store bought seed mix brand reccs? (they just have the generic type yellow grass seeds at the minute)
- Favourite fruits and/or veg? What are the winners with your flock?
- Might they enjoy a fruit mash, like what I give to Monty? (not with the Lory powder, just straight mash)
- Should millet be changed daily? Should it be provided daily or strictly as a treat?

The cage cleaning is proving hard, they are so incredibly fast. Mitchell has escaped once already! He flew into the house though *whew* My BF has bought some grit paper which is lining the floor and they like to peck at it. They have a nesting box which is wooden and they aren't going into it. I am thinking they'd like an open wicker nesting box better though..... they have some nesting material which they are pecking at and seem interested in.

Is there anything else that is a must, to provide enrichment for them?

[Jan in MD]

First of all, do you know if you have a male and female or two of same? I have two males- no possibility of breeding that way. I would remove the nest box because if you have a female, you will have 20 in no time and the males have been known to occasionally kill any male babies after they fledge. They like to sleep in an enclosed place but as long as you provide some sort of a sheltered area so they feel safe, there's no need for a basket nest.

Mine get a veggie and brown rice mix just like all my other birds. On a good quality budgie/canary/finch mix. They like raw kale or endive clipped to the side of the cage. I clip a millet spray on the cage and leave it there about a week and they love it. Then I replace it. Give them access to it all the time. They like birdie bread, steamed brocolli, apple wedges, shredded carrot, cooked sweet potato, etc. I give them a cuttle bone but no grit or grit paper.

Mine love their swings and I have a few in the cage. I also have a sprig of silk ivy plant up at the top and they hide in it.

Hope this helps!!!!

[christie99]

Originally Posted by LoryLady

Heya,

- good store bought seed mix brand reccs? (they just have the generic type yellow grass seeds at the minute)
- Favourite fruits and/or veg? What are the winners with your flock?
- Might they enjoy a fruit mash, like what I give to Monty? (not with the Lory powder, just straight mash)
- Should millet be changed daily? Should it be provided daily or strictly as a treat?

The cage cleaning is proving hard, they are so incredibly fast. Mitchell has escaped once already! He flew into the house though *whew* My BF has bought some grit paper which is lining the floor and they like to peck at it. They have a nesting box which is wooden and they aren't going into it. I am thinking they'd like an open wicker nesting box better though..... they have some nesting material which they are pecking at and seem interested in.

Is there anything else that is a must, to provide enrichment for them?

Store bought mixes aren't great. Pet store mixes will be better, go with one that has millet, canary grass, and possibly oat groats.

My finches love leafy greens, clip the greens wet to the cage bars and let them rip away at them. I have yet to get mine to try mash, but I keep trying. Mine also eat sprouted seeds.

Millet spray should be a treat only.

Cage cleaning, do this in a small room, or even catch the finches and place them in a small cage or travel carrier while cleaning.

Unless you plan on breeding (not reccomended if the novelty wore off and since the pair is probably related) remove the nest box. If you plan on breeding them, you need to do some more research and know what you will do with the chicks after they wean. Most common finches are hard to sell.

Grit is not needed, so the grit paper is just an expensive place to poop. I use newspaper for mine.

Toys:

Many toys are fun for finches. Feather toys, olympic rings, seagrass toys, bells, swings, preening toys, and even sometimes mirrors are fun for finches. When you feed the millet, you can clip it from the top of the cage away from perches and make the birds land on it to feed.

[LoryLady]

Hi Jan,

Thanks for the quick reply!

I have no idea male/female! I think one is a zebra finch (has zebra markings on it) and the other is white with tan markings near the eyes. Both have orange beaks.

If I take a pic, do you think it's possible to get a better idea?

The vege and brown rice mix sounds very-doable (sometimes I find myself living on the same thing!)

So the only seed you provide is from millet and no generic type seed? The reason why I ask is that Monty (guts) climbed onto their cage and started eating at their seed! She got scolded, but I'm really worried about her eating their seeds, was thinking of getting a seed dispense type thing....

Do you leave the rice and vege mix in the cage all day? Rice does grow bacteria, should I make a batch and then freeze it?

Will get a cuttlebone for them :) They have a swing they seem to like, they jump on it! The nesting box in my mind is just to keep them warm at night, they're covered but outside. I'm not sure if I want babies!

[LoryLady]

Originally Posted by christie99

Store bought mixes aren't great. Pet store mixes will be better, go with one that has millet, canary grass, and possibly oat groats.

Just the sound of the mixed seeds sounds more appetising than the plain store ones!

My finches love leafy greens, clip the greens wet to the cage bars and let them rip away at them. I have yet to get mine to try mash, but I keep trying. Mine also eat sprouted seeds.

Cool, might leave the mash for now and start with some dark vegies/carrots and sprouting some seeds. Do you think sprouting the generic seeds would work? Also, maybe some fruits like rockmelon, or pear? Would they eat paw paw? It'd be good if they did like some of Monty's favourite foods, as it's already there for them!

Cage cleaning, do this in a small room, or even catch the finches and place them in a small cage or travel carrier while cleaning.

I'd say this will probaby be the hardest, my god they're fast little things, aren't they!

Unless you plan on breeding (not reccomended if the novelty wore off and since the pair is probably related) remove the nest box. If you plan on breeding them, you need to do some more research and know what you will do with the chicks after they wean. Most common finches are hard to sell.

I don't want babies, I have a feeling the boys wouldn't mind some eggs and babies! I'm hoping they're either two girls or two boys. They do seem to like each other and sleep right next to each other....I'll try and get some pics up if I can!

Grit is not needed, so the grit paper is just an expensive place to poop. I use newspaper for mine

Toys:

Many toys are fun for finches. Feather toys, olympic rings, seagrass toys, bells, swings, preening toys, and even sometimes mirrors are fun for finches. When you feed the millet, you can clip it from the top of the cage away from perches and make the birds land on it to feed.

I'll look at some of these toys. See, good thing I posted because I would never usually look at toys say, with mirrors, as it's not the ideal toy for a lory, but will have a look at the pet warehouse this weekend.

Thanks for the help and answering these Q's!

[Jan in MD]

I do offer a seed mix. My concerns with some pet store mixes is that they are open air bins often times and it may be just a silly thing but with hands in them, I like factory sealed better. Don't like the brands you get at Walmart types stores because they are often older- sitting in warehouses. I like Higgins or Sun Seed brands.

Since I have lots of birds, I get different sizes and pellets for the bigger ones.

And glad to help. Haven't been here since last October..... and I only leave the fresh food out for about an hour or so.

[poohbear]

A quality foreign seed mix from your pet shop...millet spray occasionally...green food and weed seeds a couple of times a week is sufficient for finches.
Cuttlefish bone or crushed oystershell will be needed if you have hens.They will still produce eggs now and again even if not paired up.
A treat of grated carrot,apple etc now and again is an extra but not essential daily.
I would remove the nest box if they don't use it...just provide cover for them to roost in.
I hope you have two same sex, as rearing youngsters is not to be taken lightly unless you have the time and patience ....plus extra cage space for the young 'uns as they grow up.
Don't forget to provide a bath for them.

[LoryLady]

Thanks all! Will start the new diet and get some pics up to try and determine their sex soon.

Poohbear I'm praying for two of the same as well! They sleep very close together....

One looks just like this
http://www.destinyink.com/spyral/ani...es/greyzeb.gif

But I need to check the other's markings...it's a tan colour.

[LoryLady]

Oh and just have to say, they make such cute chattering sounds!

[WhiteRaven]

Welcome to the world of finches! :D

Fruits and veges - what is good for parrots in general is good for finches too. Mine seem to love most things, but especially take to leafy green veges, banana, seed grasses, dandelion leaves.
I'm not sure if they will like the fruit mash, only one way to find out. :) Mine like banana which can get mushy so maybe.

Millet doesn't need to be changed daily, it is more of a regular treat thing.

It is a good idea to make sure they are the same species of finch... they tend to give each other better company that way. Do they both make the same 'meep meep meep' Zebra finch sound? If you are able to get a picture of the other one we can identify it for you. :)

If your Zebra Finch has orange cheeks, its a male.

Bascially make sure they have room to fly around (not just able to hop from perch to perch, they should be able to fly). If they are not kept in an aviary-type cage I reccomend letting them out in a bird safe room now and then to get some excercise and mental stimulation.

Toys are good too... finches especially love preeners. I have this preening toy which is basically a bunch of stringy straw stuff and a bell on top that makes a noise when they pull at the string. They love this! It also helps discourage them plucking each other. Maybe swings with colourful beads, little bells seem to get them all interested if they figure out that it makes a sound.

As for the box, it is nice for them to have a shelter if they are outside. For some finches they do need a box (not just for breeding) but for others, such as Zebra Finches, it is not neccasary. However note that not having a next box won't stop a Zebra from trying to breed. D: They will resort to their food bowl, the ground, even the water bowl on occasion to nest.