I have one Zebra finces, and will be getting another. Can I let them fly around the house? Has anyone done this? I know the mess that will be created, but I can clean that!
What do I need to do to get my house ready for them to fly free? And what shouldn't I do? If anyone has done this with birds, l;et me know! I feel bad for them being caged all the time!! I just don't like it!
Thank you all for your answers!! And looking forward to hearing your ideas!!
2007-10-19 07:51:41 · 12 answers · asked by Tonia M 3 in Pets ➔ Birds
Yes you can, but a lot of precautions need to be taken. You should probably just let them fly free in one room, and it should be a room that doesn't have a lot of large windows for them to run into, because sometimes they don't realize there is a window there and they will end up hurting themselves. Make sure there are no power cords for them to get tangled up in, and nothing else that they could get themselves caught in. Also, it would be best if the room was sparsely furnished, because finches can easily get behind a couch, a chair, or a desk, and then they are extremely hard to catch. Another suggestion would be to not let them fly free in a room that has a door that goes to the outside, because you never know if someone will come knocking on your door.
For catching them after they are done free flying, you can use a number of tactics, like spraying them with a little water so they can't fly as quickly, which will not hurt them in any way, and in most cases they will like the water. To actually catch them though you can either use a large tropical fish net, or a butterfly net.
2007-10-19 08:01:26 · answer #1 · answered by Sami 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
probably not a good idea since they are very small. they could get stepped on, sat on, or drown in a toilet (it happened to a parakeet that i had that i gave free reign over the whole entire house... never did that again). If you really want them to be free, i suggest doing so in a small room. cover all windows and mirrors, and be sure that they cant get into bathrooms or rooms where things can fall on them. And also always make sure you know where they are when you enter the room - and probably cage them up when you have guests. Also make sure that their aren't any plants or food that are laying around that could be hazardous to their health. A lot of plants are "poisonous" to certain species of birds and foods high in salt, chocolate, coffee, and anything with caffeine are a big no (very bad for their tiny hearts).
2007-10-19 18:28:56 · answer #2 · answered by cmyk_chicago 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably best to stick to one room. It will be easier to bird-proof.
Cover any windows and mirrors so they won't fly into them.
Make sure there aren't any small openings they could get into and not get out of.
Keep their cage door open so they can go back in for food & water.
Make sure there aren't any loose fibers hanging around. Especially curtains that they can get tangled up in.
Always be careful when you open the door to the room so they don't fly out or get hit with the door.
Make sure there aren't any live plants in the room unless you know for sure they aren't poisonous to finches.
Watch your step when you enter the room just in case they're on the floor.
Do a head count and get visual confirmation of where they are in the room before proceeding into the room.
Make sure there are no fans running in the room.
Make sure windows and screens are secure.
2007-10-19 15:31:32 · answer #3 · answered by K9Resqer 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good luck trying to catch them again if you do!
I would strongly recommend against it. Finches aren't tame like some other birds, and therefore will always fly away from you. The only way to catch it again is to chase it into a corner, or until it runs out of energy and starts flopping around on the floor, or until it flies into a wall and knocks itself unconscious.
The risk of injury is just too great and the finch will just be terrified while you chase it down afterwards. It might even have a heart attack from trying to get away from you!
Then there's also a lot of other dangers like other pets, poisonous flowers, ceiling fans, sharp objects, windows, stoves, deep water (like the toilet)...
2007-10-19 22:45:36 · answer #4 · answered by Chris J 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I used to let 30 parakeets fly around a room. You have to have the drapes closed and any mirrors covered. There can't be any open containers of liquids including drinking glasses. I had one of them land on the rim, dip down to get a drink and drown while I went out of the room. If you can monitor it, it is fine. This is up to you! Just make sure every thing that poses a danger has been dealt with!
2007-10-19 15:36:10 · answer #5 · answered by Buddie 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't start with full roam of the entire house. I would find a spare bedroom, and let them fly around one room, to start off. That way, you have less room you have to search to find them, and less space for them to avoid being caught, when it's time to go up.
Make sure there's no food that they shouldn't get a hold of. No sharp objects, and that all doors & windows are properly closed.
2007-10-19 14:57:37 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
My sister let hers fly around until her daughter ran in the house from playing and she lost one out the door. After that, she used one room.
2007-10-19 15:01:47 · answer #7 · answered by Sandie B 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I would if their tame or sit on your finger. Don't let them out in the entire house just a small room. Watch for fans, fires, deep water and stuff like that.
2007-10-19 16:04:31 · answer #8 · answered by Dawgity Dawg Dawg 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would not do that... They are small birds reduced into a new inviorment and there are so many hazards.. KNifes.. Sealing fans... LIghts... Windows... PLaces they could get stuck in... Its to dangerous.. Maybe a room.. But thata more for even bigger birds.. Besides there hard to tame... YOu could not get them with ease,
2007-10-19 17:09:43 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah I do that all the time with my birds, but if they aren't familiar with the whole house, they will only stay in one, room. Thats how my birds are.
2007-10-19 15:08:48 · answer #10 · answered by т郃αич 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋