Little bird, how do I care for you?
December 16, 2011 11:25 AM Subscribe
We are planning to get a couple of pet finches and I have a few questions: (1) what do people to use the line the bird cage if they don't get a newspaper at their house? (2) If I leave food and water, how long can finches be left home alone? a long weekend? a week-long trip? until the food runs out? and (3) is there any difference except color between the different common breeds for pet finches?
1. Seconding paper towels (they can be composted too).
2. I have parakeets and cockatiels so my answer isn't specific to finches. I have a friend change their water every other day when we're gone. I don't feel comfortable having them go longer than that without someone checking on them. Also, it's important to have food and water containers that can't be knocked over.
posted by TungstenChef at 11:38 AM on December 16, 2011
2. I have parakeets and cockatiels so my answer isn't specific to finches. I have a friend change their water every other day when we're gone. I don't feel comfortable having them go longer than that without someone checking on them. Also, it's important to have food and water containers that can't be knocked over.
posted by TungstenChef at 11:38 AM on December 16, 2011
Best answer: I had zebra finches for a while, and loved them! They were cheerful and funny and easy to care for, but be warned that they do not, on average, live terribly long. I agree that paper towels are a great cage-liner, and never left my birds more than two days without someone checking in on them.
Actually, I have a few books on caring for zebra finches that I'd happily mail to you (we won't be getting any more, as we have a dog that would think they were prey). If you're interested, you can memail me your address.
posted by SeedStitch at 11:49 AM on December 16, 2011 [1 favorite]
Actually, I have a few books on caring for zebra finches that I'd happily mail to you (we won't be getting any more, as we have a dog that would think they were prey). If you're interested, you can memail me your address.
posted by SeedStitch at 11:49 AM on December 16, 2011 [1 favorite]
Different finches have different demeanors. Some prefer larger groups than others, are more aggressive or less aggressive, can or cannot be housed with other finch species, and so on. You also get different amounts of noise/song, depending on species. Zebra finches are loud, gregarious, and high-energy. Star finches are soft and retiring. (European) goldfinches, if you can find them, are very nice, hardy, and sing. Gouldians are a whole world unto themselves.
Finches (most birds, really) are pretty high-maintenance and should not be left alone for more than a few days. They will fan loose feathers and seed husks with their wings, poop in their water, and generally make messes. The cage needs thorough and regular cleaning if you want it to remain a healthy environment for your birds.
posted by Nomyte at 12:12 PM on December 16, 2011
Finches (most birds, really) are pretty high-maintenance and should not be left alone for more than a few days. They will fan loose feathers and seed husks with their wings, poop in their water, and generally make messes. The cage needs thorough and regular cleaning if you want it to remain a healthy environment for your birds.
posted by Nomyte at 12:12 PM on December 16, 2011
Best answer: 1. Any non toxic paper as suggested, I like paper towels.
2. A weekend at most would be all I would leave them. You can get food and water dispensers that hold the food and only let a little trickle down at a time but they can get blocked and finches aren't the smartest birds. If you live somewhere warm enough they are easy enough to look after and to take over to friends/family to watch. Just be careful moving them in cold or hot weather.
3. There are a lot of different types of finches out there. Some have fancier diets than others and require meal bugs, or fruit and whatever. Zebra finches are great beginners finches, as they can manage with just some grit and finch seeds (though treats of greens etc are nice too) and come in a selection of colours, though mostly shades of browns, grey and white, they are super cheerful and always busy. Try to get a boy and a girl as they like to bond in a pair. They also love to have baths and try and get them a nest and nesting material as they love making nests. They like a nest to sleep in though will manage without.
OK I've told you way more than you asked, sorry I love zebra finches and had them for years before I moved to the US and you made me miss them. If you have any questions feel free to MeMail me.
posted by wwax at 12:16 PM on December 16, 2011
2. A weekend at most would be all I would leave them. You can get food and water dispensers that hold the food and only let a little trickle down at a time but they can get blocked and finches aren't the smartest birds. If you live somewhere warm enough they are easy enough to look after and to take over to friends/family to watch. Just be careful moving them in cold or hot weather.
3. There are a lot of different types of finches out there. Some have fancier diets than others and require meal bugs, or fruit and whatever. Zebra finches are great beginners finches, as they can manage with just some grit and finch seeds (though treats of greens etc are nice too) and come in a selection of colours, though mostly shades of browns, grey and white, they are super cheerful and always busy. Try to get a boy and a girl as they like to bond in a pair. They also love to have baths and try and get them a nest and nesting material as they love making nests. They like a nest to sleep in though will manage without.
OK I've told you way more than you asked, sorry I love zebra finches and had them for years before I moved to the US and you made me miss them. If you have any questions feel free to MeMail me.
posted by wwax at 12:16 PM on December 16, 2011
Best answer: If you get them a Bird Butler water feeder, their water will last considerably longer than a weekend.
You should not feed pet birds seed, as it is too fatty and gives them cancer. A pelleted diet will solve the problem of built up seed hulls, but it will get into the water if you don't have something like a Bird Butler.
posted by Nattie at 4:23 PM on December 16, 2011
You should not feed pet birds seed, as it is too fatty and gives them cancer. A pelleted diet will solve the problem of built up seed hulls, but it will get into the water if you don't have something like a Bird Butler.
posted by Nattie at 4:23 PM on December 16, 2011
Seconding wwax above. Avoid drafts! They are very susceptible, and they need a place inside the cage to get out of them.
posted by halfbuckaroo at 3:59 AM on December 17, 2011
posted by halfbuckaroo at 3:59 AM on December 17, 2011
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2. I would say a weekend at most, with covered dishes and extra dishes; birds will quickly make a mess of their water, and seed hulls will accumulate on top of the seeds and confuse the birds into thinking there is no food.
3. Zebra finches come in a couple of colors (well, patterns... normal, albino, etc) and are the cheapest; there are other breeds which are more expensive. They have different calls and so forth; I would stick to zebra finches for your first finches.
posted by The otter lady at 11:34 AM on December 16, 2011 [2 favorites]