Birdyldy79
Meeting neighbors
- Joined
- 7/10/20
- Messages
- 44
I got myself a pair of Java Rice Finches just yesterday, not a sper of the moment buy. There are a few things that I need to know but find conflicting information on. For example, grit. I don't know finches and though I've done reading I've read both that it's good to give them crushed oyster shells and I've heard that it's actually BAD for them. So rather than give them some I thought I'd look around for more information and haven't found anything that doesn't contradict another "expert" opinion. So what should I do? I know they need the calcium, I just don't know if I should give as is, grind into fine powder and add a tiny bit every few weeks to food or what.
I've offered them a bowl, bird dish, with some fruit and veggies but they're not even touching that stuff, just eating seeds. Any suggestions on that? I want to ensure they're getting fresh fruit and veggies for the vitamins and what not. Also, as a person with more limited space than I'd like, what size cage should my pair have? Right now the cage is 24x18x19, shaped like a house. Has two dowel perches, a sandpaper perch, tent hung from roof in mid, 4 feed dishes, a ladder and one toy. I don't want to overwhelm them so I'm avoiding putting anything more in there. I have the cage covered on all but one side, the front, top is also covered. Is this a good idea for getting them adjusted? I haven't taken any decent photos yet because I'm avoiding spending any more time too close to them than necessary for now. Don't need to give them any more stress than they've gone through.
Now, anyone familiar with Java Rice Finches knows their basic look with some variations. One of the two has 4 spots on belly over both legs, 2 over right 2 over left. The other only has one white dot over both legs. Easier way to tell them apart. They eat and drink well, one seems to be the leader. For the moment they're just being called Bird 1 and Bird 2. I'll think of better names when I've seen their true personalities. I can't tell if they're both girls/boys or one of each and the place I got them didn't know either. I'd love to do an abdomen inspection but I don't want to grab them and start feeling around. When I get a chance to get better photographs than I have, which are blurry at best, I'll be posting them in another post.
Lastly, I'm wondering if anyone has a good list of fruits and veggies I should be giving them. I found a basic list but would love to see a wee bit more options. Right now they've got an orange bell pepper cut up into fine bits. Yesterday, I gave them a sprig of parsley. Plus they have access to fresh seed and water. Any other basic tips, ideas that you can think of for a newbie would be appreciated.
I've offered them a bowl, bird dish, with some fruit and veggies but they're not even touching that stuff, just eating seeds. Any suggestions on that? I want to ensure they're getting fresh fruit and veggies for the vitamins and what not. Also, as a person with more limited space than I'd like, what size cage should my pair have? Right now the cage is 24x18x19, shaped like a house. Has two dowel perches, a sandpaper perch, tent hung from roof in mid, 4 feed dishes, a ladder and one toy. I don't want to overwhelm them so I'm avoiding putting anything more in there. I have the cage covered on all but one side, the front, top is also covered. Is this a good idea for getting them adjusted? I haven't taken any decent photos yet because I'm avoiding spending any more time too close to them than necessary for now. Don't need to give them any more stress than they've gone through.
Now, anyone familiar with Java Rice Finches knows their basic look with some variations. One of the two has 4 spots on belly over both legs, 2 over right 2 over left. The other only has one white dot over both legs. Easier way to tell them apart. They eat and drink well, one seems to be the leader. For the moment they're just being called Bird 1 and Bird 2. I'll think of better names when I've seen their true personalities. I can't tell if they're both girls/boys or one of each and the place I got them didn't know either. I'd love to do an abdomen inspection but I don't want to grab them and start feeling around. When I get a chance to get better photographs than I have, which are blurry at best, I'll be posting them in another post.
Lastly, I'm wondering if anyone has a good list of fruits and veggies I should be giving them. I found a basic list but would love to see a wee bit more options. Right now they've got an orange bell pepper cut up into fine bits. Yesterday, I gave them a sprig of parsley. Plus they have access to fresh seed and water. Any other basic tips, ideas that you can think of for a newbie would be appreciated.