I might be getting a Zebra finch,and I know nothing about them!Help!?

Question

I need to know if they drink out of a bowl,or a water bottle.And what kind of treats they like.I have a small cage I used for my old parakeet,and its good enough for a finch.My cage has 2 places for bowls to put the food and water,and 2 perches.I just need all info on finches!!!!!!!!

Answer 1

Here's a couple of Finch links that should help you out.

I feed mine a mix of Zupreem and 'cheapie' Finch seed blends as that's what the breeder recommended. I regularly give them egg food, greens and grapes dusted with vitamin powder. For treats they get millet sprays and treat sticks that clip to the cage (when they finish them there's still a 'bonus' perch). They aren't real big on typical bird toys but enjoy the hanging bath and ladder I got them. Some folks don't like to provide a nesting box but I've given mine a covered woven bamboo nest and the shredded cotton nest material since it stopped them from 'cuddling' up in the food dish.

They're very clean for birds but I'd suggest a seed net since (like all birds) they like to spit seed hulls. I tried one of the water bottles since I travel (by car) with mine but they never liked it.

Does all that help any?

Answer 2

Hi! I've been breeding Zebra finches for a very long time so I really think I can give you some useful tricks. First, do you know the difference between male & female? The males always have bright orange cheeks unless they are babies. As they mature their cheeks will begin to get color.

Finches like a large feeder cup for water. They bathe in it (& love to do that) as well as drink from it. Besides food, you'll need a cuttle bone (for their beaks); they're anywhere from $ .88 to $1.19 & a small ladder with a mirror attached would be a good idea. Best treats for them are millet spray. Mine love that as well as Kaytee "Garden Vegetables" which are dried veggies that can be mixed in with their food. 2 perches should be enough. If you can find a small swing that attaches to the inside top of the cage, that would be good. Just be sure the perch part of the swing isn't too wide for their little feet.

I cover the top of my cages at night & usually put some music on in the morning for them. All birds love light but you don't want to have them in a draft. Incidentally, birds can't see anything at night.

Well, so much for my tips. If you think of anything, give me a shout.

Whoops, almost forgot - you should REALLY have 2 finches (1 male & 1 female). They're affectionate birds & don't do well by themselves.

Answer 3

Simple. I do suggest getting a book too but here's how mine are housed. Zebra finches are best in pairs. I would not suggest just one. 2 males and 2 females would be fine together. Buy a cage. The cage comes with 2 cups that have their own little doors to remove them. Buy a good quality finch seed and change the water everyday. The seed sould be checked and refilled as needed. I wold also supply a cuttle bone.

Answer 4

you shouldnt get 1 finch, you should get 2 or more, but watch them because finches have a tendency to gang up on a singulr finch, like an omega, but only sometimes. finches prefer tall thin cages as opposed to smaller wider cages, because they like to go up and down. it's good to have a few perches, better to have natureal wood as opposed to dowels. try to vary the sizes of the perches to prevent the feet from cramping up. along with the regular food and water dishes, most likely on the bottom, you should put another set towards the top, they have ffod and water cups that just hang inside the cage.

it's best to have 2 males 2 females, but a male and female are fine as long as you dont put in a nest and check every once in a while in the food. you can throw away the eggs, as long as you're ok with that.

finches dont need many toys but it's good to have a few very small ones, like parakeet or smaller if you can. cuttlebones are good and a sand, not cement!, perch so they can trim their nails and beak. as small as you can.

they eat finch food. they also like millet and red pepper flakes (sparingly). every once in a while, especially when you see that they're molting (their feathers are coming out mostly down feathers floating around), feed them hardboiled eggs, cook very well to make sure they dont get avian diseases.

Answer 5

How neat!!! you should join this group!!! they are great..really nice people and have helped me imensly!!!you really have to check out this group!! they have so many great ideas and help that you will be a frequent flyer...lol...congats and good luck...smile

http://groups.msn.com/BirdBrainz


here are some links all about finches:

http://www.zebrafink.de/en/zkeep-fe.htm
http://featherdragon3.tripod.com/id5.html
http://www.finchniche.com/f-eggs.mgi
http://www.finchinfo.com/general.htm
http://www.definitiveguidetofinches.com/
http://zebra_finches.tripod.com/care.html
http://www.kaytee.com/companion_animals/birds/zebra_finch/
http://www.zebrafink.de/en/zlett-11.htm
http://zebrafinch.blogspot.com/
http://www.ecampus.com/book/0876055250

Answer 6

I would talk to whoever your getting it from, getting an animal that you know nothing about i a bad idea

Answer 7

you prolly shouldnt be getting it if you dont know anything about them. http://www.petco.com/caresheets/bird/Finch_Zebra.pdf