sporer@Stardent.COM (Michael Sporer @stardent) (03/15/90)
I am considering getting 2-4 Zebra Finches and hanging the cage in an atrium about 10' off the floor. I have a 3 1/2 year old and a 9month old and am concerned about the cleanliness of these birds. I have never had caged birds but I saw and heard some in a pet shop a few days ago. Can anyone relate any experiences with them or give me some advice? I also have 2 cats (which is why I want to have the cage up in the air. Any problems I should be aware of? Thanks...Michael -- Michael Sporer uunet!stardent!sporer Stardent Computer Inc sporer@stardent.com
tjarc@sleepy.bmd.trw.com (03/16/90)
In article <1990Mar15.143841.7508@Stardent.COM>, sporer@Stardent.COM (Michael Sporer @stardent) writes: > I am considering getting 2-4 Zebra Finches and hanging the cage > in an atrium about 10' off the floor. I have a 3 1/2 year old and > a 9month old and am concerned about the cleanliness of these > birds. I have never had caged birds but I saw and heard some in > a pet shop a few days ago. Can anyone relate any experiences with > them or give me some advice? I have had parakeets in the past, but my sister has zebra finches now! My observation is that they make less mess than parakeets and seem to have more personality. One thing though, they seem to breed like rabbits. My sister is constantly removing eggs from the nest. I don't know if this is all that unusual for zebra finches - being soooo compatible and all. I think they're cute little birds. Once the cats get used to 'em, you shouldn't have any problem. Cats (I have four), just like children, need to be trained - read disclipined! =Tim=
mary@dinorah.wustl.edu (Mary E. Leibach) (03/20/90)
sporer@Stardent.COM (Michael Sporer @stardent) writes: >I am considering getting 2-4 Zebra Finches I would get 2, or at least 5 or 6. 3 or 4 will give you pecking order problems. Also, be aware that zebras take about the same attitude toward breeding that rabbits do. They are hot to trot, and breed till they drop. You should be prepared for babies, and for separating the birds if they overbreed. They should have no more than three clutches of eggs a year, or you will risk loosing your female(s) to eggbinding. >and hanging the cage >in an atrium about 10' off the floor. Birds are more secure if they are higher up. Just be aware that the cage will have to be serviced and cleaned, and that you will either have to go up there, or bring them down to you. I don't know about you, but I'm not sure I would be all that comfy cleaning a cage 10 feet in the air. You are aware that finches do need large cages? Bird Talk recommends a LENGTH of at least 30" for a pair. You might need a small aviary if you want more than a pair. >I have a 3 1/2 year old and >a 9month old I presume you mean the young of the species Homo Sapiens. From the context, it could be cats or birds too. I'm proceeding with the assumption of human children. >and am concerned about the cleanliness of these >birds. As far as personal hygene goes, zebras LOVE to bathe. Mine bathe at least once a day, and splash so much water that they hose down their cages too. My female often has half the contents of her water dish on the floor of the cage by the end of the day. As long as your children do not put the birds in their mouths or something, they should be alright. However, the area under and around the cage will need frequent vacuuming due to seed hulls and feathers being scattered all over. >I have never had caged birds but I saw and heard some in >a pet shop a few days ago. Can anyone relate any experiences with >them or give me some advice? Get the biggest cage you can possibly afford that's made for finches. Mine live in a 3 foot x 2 foot x 20 inch high galvinized wire cage made by Safeguard. You can get the 800 number in Bird Talk magazine. The cage cost less than $50, but I had to put it together. It doesn't hang, though you might be able to build something to hang it from. It is only big enough for a pair and young babies. Also, you should be aware that finches do not live on seed alone, but need veggies, fruits, and some form of protein (bugs, dog food, etc.). You should find an avian vet before you get the birds. He can help you with medical problems. Bird Talk magazine is also another great resource. >I also have 2 cats (which is why I want to have the cage up in the >air. Any problems I should be aware of? I've never had cats and birds, so I will leave this to someone else. -Mary
mary@dinorah.wustl.edu (Mary E. Leibach) (03/20/90)
tjarc@sleepy.bmd.trw.com writes: >I have had parakeets in the past, but my sister has zebra finches now! >My observation is that they make less mess than parakeets and seem >to have more personality. I beg your pardon! True, zebras have personality, I wouldn't want to offend Dayna and Del. But my parakeet, Blakey, is friendly, semi-tame, and affectionate. His vocabulary is quickly exceeding that of even Cally the Precocious Cockatiel herself! Granted, he is somewhat confused, he thinks I am a bird. How do I know? He called me "Mary Bird"! I have never said "Mary Bird" to him. Dayna and Del don't even have an opinion on the subject. -Mary