zebra finch care and diet

[Vera]

i am thinking about adopting 2 young zebra finch males.
i want to buy them a cage of W87cmxD45cmxH74cm. is this ok for two?
want to give them a nesting place and nesting material, a bathing house, a swing, some nice perches, maybe also a ropeperch (don't know if it is safe?)?
but what diet do they need?
i am from the netherlands and a normal finch diet seems to be seeds and eggfood.
are there any good pellets for them? are pellets healthy for them and do they eat it?
do they like veggies?

 

[expressmailtome]

Bump.

 

[LiveLolBrd]

That would be a fine cage size as long as the bar spacing in correct for finches. If you are getting two males than there is zero need to give them a nesting place. They won't use it and it will be a waste of space. A rope perch is safe.
A swing and some toys would also be good. Yes, there are some good pellets for finches. The zupreem pellets that are the small size are good. It says budgie but it will work for finches. Also, harrisons super small would be great!
Yes, they love veggies and they should make up at least 50% of their diet.
Hope this helps!

 

[Emma&pico]

@fashionfobie

 

[fashionfobie]

The cage dimensions you are suggesting should work for two males.

Nesting material and a nest site can be offered but it will depend on how your boys get along. My two males enjoy building their nest, rejecting it and rebuilding it. They also both rest in the nest. They nearly never rested in there when they were younger birds, but in their old age they seem to enjoy the feeling of safety. Please note that this will depend on your birds. It may cause males to fight, so if nesting is a source of conflict for your birds, remove the nest. Offering nests with male only enclosures give them some enrichment activities. If you had females I would suggest against any nest because it can cause issues with chronic egg laying.

Zebra finches are obligated grain eaters. You can offer them some pellet, but this should only compromise a small % of their offering. A quality seed mix formulated for finches is ideal.

Veggies should NOT comprise 50% of the diet. You can provide fresh veggies daily. They prefer greens but can also get some finely diced carrot and the like.

They are curious birds and if given the chance will rip up suitable enrichment toys and peck at things they find interesting. Their enclosure can include a mixer of toys, swings, perches etc. I suggest not over crowding. I would concentrate toys into one area leave the central cafe fairly open and free from clutter. I strong suggest at least one plateforme perch.

I hope these suggestions help.

 

[Vera]

Thank you all for your help, i will take everything in consideration before making any decisions.
Still worry a bit about how much noise they will make, but i have seen them in a petshop and almost didn't hear them. Just soft beep beep sounds.
How are they during the day?
I work from home a lot and they will be housed in my home office. Can i still make phonecalls when they are chattering?

 

[Vera]

Another practical question; if i decide to go for 2 male finches, how should i transport them home? How to do this without too much stress for the birds?

Also; cage cleaning.
How can i clean the inside of the cage when they are in there and not tame?

 

[Vera]

I like this cage. What do you think? It is 99,5 x 53 x h 74 cm, will place it on the stand: PIANO 7

Not sure what food to choose.
A seedmix (prestige tropical birds maybe; Prestige Tropische Vogels 1 kg - AvonturiaShop ), some fresh veggies daily, maybe the Orlux forti or frutti pate for vitamins?; Orlux Forti Patee - Krachtvoer 250 gram - AvonturiaShop
And what about;

Orlux Clay Bloc Mini - Kanarie-Parkiet-Tropische Vogels 540 gram

www.avonturiashop.nl

And

Vitakraft Salat Mix 10 gram

www.avonturiashop.nl

Sorry, i can't find a english website for these products, but i hope you are willing to use translate to let me know if this diet could be ok.
Thank you!

 

[fashionfobie]

Thank you all for your help, i will take everything in consideration before making any decisions.
Still worry a bit about how much noise they will make, but i have seen them in a petshop and almost didn't hear them. Just soft beep beep sounds.
How are they during the day?
I work from home a lot and they will be housed in my home office. Can i still make phonecalls when they are chattering?

I did write a more detailed response about their vocalisation in the other thread. To save myself retyping it, I encourage you to read over there

zebra finch questions

Hi guys, I don't have any bird at the moment and i miss it, but i do not want a new parrotlet (i had before). i am looking for an more independent bird. I would like to know more about zebra finches. I am thinking about getting two of them in a indoor aviary, the internal aviary size is...

forums.avianavenue.com

Another practical question; if i decide to go for 2 male finches, how should i transport them home? How to do this without too much stress for the birds?

Also; cage cleaning.
How can i clean the inside of the cage when they are in there and not tame?

Yes transport will be stressful. You can use any bird safe travel cage. They can be in the carrier together. It would probably even be better if they have a friend. Line the bottom with something soft, they will likely stay on the ground in a corner, opposed to perching. I do suggest that you either cover it with a towel, or get one that can be closed up a bit. They will likely freight from visual stimuli. Depending on how far you need to travel you can place some slices cucumber in the bottom and some seed for the journey.

Cleaning the cage is something you will need to manage as you find suits yourself and your birds. We change the bottom paper every other day. When they get to know you better even an untamed bird will be more tolerant of you. So long as you are predictable and don't surprise them you will likely have a fine time cleaning them.

 

[fashionfobie]

Not sure what food to choose.
A seedmix (prestige tropical birds maybe; Prestige Tropische Vogels 1 kg - AvonturiaShop ), some fresh veggies daily, maybe the Orlux forti or frutti pate for vitamins?; Orlux Forti Patee - Krachtvoer 250 gram - AvonturiaShop
And what about;

Orlux Clay Bloc Mini - Kanarie-Parkiet-Tropische Vogels 540 gram

www.avonturiashop.nl

And

Vitakraft Salat Mix 10 gram

www.avonturiashop.nl

Sorry, i can't find a english website for these products, but i hope you are willing to use translate to let me know if this diet could be ok.
Thank you!

Don't worry about the links! I was actually in Ede just last Sept! I am good at reading through the lines of Dutch. I can't read all of it! But I can make by.

I will focus on the food. The finch seed mix looks like pretty good quality from the photo. The inclusion of some red millet and nigerseeds are good. These two seeds should be offered in moderation to help with feather regeneration. It looks like a nice mix.
The salad mix looks like a nice foraging enrichment. You could add some to the seed dish and let them use their talents to search for seeds. I personally feed my finches in a flat (human dinner plate) dish on the bottom of the cage. I wash it and replace it daily. Having the seed spread in a flatter pattern allows them to forage more productively then a deep dish. If that makes sense.

I would not get the clay block. I do not believe this would be ideal for a zebra finch, at least from the picture. I would instead offer a loose water soluble shell grit. The finely crushed size in a small bowl that you leave somewhere in the cage would suit. You could then clean and refresh every so often or if it is soiled.

 

[Vera]

Thank you! Helps a lot.
What about this product?

NutriBird Eivoer Treats Forti Patee 250gr

www.avonturiashop.nl

 

[fashionfobie]

Thank you! Helps a lot.
What about this product?

NutriBird Eivoer Treats Forti Patee 250gr

www.avonturiashop.nl

This product is not needed for standard zebra finch care. If you were breeding it may have value, but not for companion birds.

 

[Vera]

Ok, i thought this is used for adding the needed vitamins and some minerals?
If you don't use a product like this or eggfood, then how do you make sure they get all the needed vitamins?
Do you provide pellets for this?

 

[fashionfobie]

My advice is just one approach. You are free to find a care plan that suits your situation.

I have found that one does not need to add such energy rich meals unless they are breeding. Zebra finches have evolved to eat grain. If you provide them with a quality seed mix, some foraging fodder, a few different fresh veggies or greens, and a shell grit they will get what they need. If you feed too much meal with additives like sugar it is not ideal for keeping them in a good body condition. Instead you could seek out fresh grasses and sprouted grains.

The only risk I imagine in the Netherlands may be limited UV and lack of sun exposure which the birds will need some to stay healthy.

I hope that helps. I know that people can be afraid of too much seed, and are familiar with the risk this can pose to parrots. Zebra finches however are different birds. You will not harm them with seeds. So long as there is a proper mix and they don't simply binge out on red millet! But some red millet is important for them.

 

[Vera]

Thank you! It is very common in the netherlands to feed things like eggfood, maybe twice a week when not breeding.
I think it is done to add vitamins.
But you say it is not needed?

 

[fashionfobie]

Thank you! It is very common in the netherlands to feed things like eggfood, maybe twice a week when not breeding.
I think it is done to add vitamins.
But you say it is not needed?

I don't think it is needed for none breeding companion bird. However if you notice any issues you can of course try it. You could also touch base with your local finch society and get some feedback from people who also keep birds in the Netherlands. I imagine you will find people using egg meal and other similar supplements have hens that are laying or parent birds who are feeding their chicks.

I am in Australia. Zebra finches are native to this continent, perhaps it makes them easier for me to care for.

 

[Vera]

Is this a good product for the soluble shell grit?

Beaphar Cana Grit Shell, Charcoal & Gravel for Birds - Beaphar

Quality grit for all aviary, cage and tropical birds. Contains fine gravel, which is essential for birds to maintain optimum digestion, and oyster shell as a calcium source.

www.beaphar.co.uk

 

[fashionfobie]

Is this a good product for the soluble shell grit?

Beaphar Cana Grit Shell, Charcoal & Gravel for Birds - Beaphar

Quality grit for all aviary, cage and tropical birds. Contains fine gravel, which is essential for birds to maintain optimum digestion, and oyster shell as a calcium source.

www.beaphar.co.uk

I would find something similar but without the gravel.

 

[Vera]

What do you use on the cage bottom?
It has sliding trays.
I was thinking about these products:
Wood chips:

Beukensnippers 15 kg

Beukensnippers 15 kg zijn te gebruiken als bodembedekking bij knaagdieren, vogels en sommige reptielen. Maakt het schoonmaken eenvoudig.

dierencompleet.nl

Pressed paper:

Back 2 Nature bodembedekking

Back 2 Nature is een unieke bodembedekking voor kleine dieren en is gemaakt van 99% gerecycled papier, zonder toevoegingen en chemicaliën.

dierencompleet.nl

Or : (don't know this product,is it safe for birds?)

ZeoPet Zeoliet bodembedekking - 20 kg

ZeoPet zeoliet absorbeert vocht en zorgt voor een hygiënisch dierenverblijf. Geeft minder ziektes door een gezonder leefklimaat. Lees verder.

dierencompleet.nl

 

[Vera]

I have found a new product in a store nearby, i think i will give this a try for my finches when i get them. It looks like a good variety:

Mealberry

Mealberry is a dynamic, fast growing producer that develops and manufactures high quality pet products in Germany

www.mealberry.com