Finch Owners?

[JetService]

Hi gang, since we all miss our sweet Zekey dearly, and are not ready for a new four-legged member, I decided to pick up a pair of zebra finches for the family for Christmas. I got them from a coworker with supplies including a cage. But last night, I was thinking of a way to build them a nice aviary that would be part of the house and look attractive rather than just a small cage on a table. So I had an idea and I need anyone's opinion on if this will work for the little peepers. The end wall of my great-room has large built-in (permanent) oak bookcases with a fireplace in the middle. They are about 9' tall with each side being 5' wide. Right now, the shelves are decorated with a lot of greenery (fake of course), brass and small stacks of old books. I thought it would be REALLY cool to make one of the shelves on one side an aviary for the finches. I would decorate it with small trees for the birds and other things that stay with the theme of the entire decor. My concerns and questions are many since I do not have experience with birds (I've owned many other types of critters but never birds). First, the size; I suspect this is OK considering the cage they live in now is 18" x 18" and 24" tall. The shelf will by 5' wide and 18" tall; but only about 12-14" deep. Is that a problem? Secondly, I want to cover the shelf with plexiglass. Will there be a problem with the birds flying into it or will they figure it out? Also, how do these guys tolerate temp change? I'm concerned lighting a fire will increase their home a few degrees. Any advice and/or stories are appreciated. I'm so excited about this and think it will be very unique and very cool, but I have to think of the birds first. Thanks!!!!!!

 

[catwoman]

Jet:

I haven't had finches, only parakeets (in addition to cats, dogs, etc.).
Sounds like you're wanting to give these birds a very nice home. Several ways to check out your plans:
(1) Check your local yellow pages for a vet who is experienced in treating exotic pets & birds. Not all vets treat birds. One of my vet friends treats birds, the other refers people to several other vets. A good bird vet may have clients who are bird breeders who can give you feedback about your plans.
You'll probably need to keep a bird vet's phone # on hand anyway.
Find out what materials are toxic to finches.

(2) Fancy Publications (publisher of Dog Fancy, Cat Fancy, etc.) has an annual publication called Birds USA, I think. This may give you some leads.

 

[Nancy]

I think birds are really sensitive to any kind of fumes, even fumes from a self-cleaning oven. That's why miners brought them into the mines with them. Check with the vet before you place them next to the fireplace.

Sounds like fun pets, and nice that you got a pair rather than a solitary bird.

 

[Karlynn]

Hi Jet,
I've been a bird owner for many years. Right now I have an African Grey, Quaker parrot and a Lovebird. There is a ton of information on the web. Start there. You'll find all sorts of info on diets and environment. Smaller birds don't need large cages, but love them if they have them.

As far as the plexiglass shelf - I would imagine that they'll learn quickly. You can buy entire cages made of plexiglass.

You do need to be careful about fumes - just think "small lungs". If your fireplace is vented well and doesn't smoke, you should be okay, as long as the cage area wouldn't be too close.

Warning - this could give you or someone in your family Bird Fever. The symptoms are the desire to buy increasingly larger birds. Birds have lots of personality.

Good luck!
Karlynn

PS
Build something that's easily cleaned. Maybe a pull out tray for the bottom. Use newspaper to line bottom of cage and change often. Newsprint is vegetable ink, so isn't toxic and it's also been proven to provide a certain amount of antibacterial benefit too. Don't use loose covering like sawdust, or corncobs - it is too easily ingested.

 

[Rich]

Hi Jet,
That reminds me of our own story.
When our German Shepard died our grandaughter brought my wife a parakeet to help console her.
It has been the most fantastic animal we could have ever asked for.
She has a vocabulary larger than a lot of people we know!
Small birds are very sensitive to temperature swings and extremely sensitive to any drafts.
As has been mentioned they have very tiny lungs and any fumes that might just annoy you can easily kill them.
As Nancy said a self-cleaning oven for example, I don't think a lot of people realize that in the cleaning mode the oven is producing carbon dioxide. Even for your own safety crack a window when doing that one.
It sounds like you are trying to come up with something really special for these birds and that's great.
There are some good sites out there for questions about birds.
I think one is the Lafeber home page.www.lafeber.com