Spice Finch

[Haushinka]

Hello all :)

I recently adopted a Spice Finch and want to know how to make his cage the best for him. I've seen that they sleep in nests? The store i adopted him from said nothing about that...also what can i put in his cage for him to enjoy? I know finches dont really play but is there any comforting things i can do?
Thanks!

[Cottontail]

Hello Haushinka! Congratulations on your new addition :).

Finches don't really need nests for sleeping. A good 'ol perch will do. The perches should be made from wood. Wood is much better than plastic because it allows air circulation to reach the bird's feet. Remember to NEVER use sandpaper covered perches to keep their nails trim. These perches and or covers have been known to damage birds' feet.

As for toys, most finches enjoy swings. Finches also enjoy short strings. I would suggest supervising your bird when he is playing with the string, because it can be dangerous. Make sure the string is not a senthetic fiber like wool. A 2" strip of burlap fabric has been know to be quite entertaining for them. If your cage is large enough, you can add non-toxic live or silk plants as an engaging sight for the birds.

For treats, the occasional millet spray attached to the ceiling or wall is good :).

The cage can be lined with newspaper. Newspaper works best in my experience ;).

Good luck and don't hesitate to ask questions!

[sisco16]

hi welcome to the forum a cuttlebone or hi cal grit will help in digestion and they have little huts that hang from the ceiling of the cage my budgies love to snuggle in or mirrors are another great thing to add to the cage there are many toys with mirrors on them almost any bird is fasinated with a mirror my cockatiel loves to sit in his hall of mirrors and wistle and rub his head against his reflection smaller birds tend to get more ecxited and roudy some sing more if there is a mirror finches also do best in at least a pair if your cage is big enough.

[Cottontail]

I agree. Atleast a pair and if any more than that, they should be kept in groups of three. The bigger the cage the better. If you tell me the dimensions of your cage I may be able to tell you how many finches you can have? If you're interested :D.

[Haushinka]

Wow! Thank you for the replies!
I'm not sure how big his cage is and I dont have a tape measure handy heres, a picture of it: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v151/Haushinka2/doll011.jpg

I'm not sure how he would do with a cage-mate because I adopted him for free from Petco because he had been pretty badly beaten up by another finch and needed to be hospitalized and everything so i dont know how he would deal with another bird?

I've got a cuttlebone and grit both of wich he doesnt seem to be touching. I also have millet which he eats all of in one day. He doenst seem to drink water much and i have not seem him touch his food. Today he ran out of millet and was squaking up a storm and would not stop, i wanted him to get hungry enough to eat his normal food but he kept squawking for 2 hours straight so i gave in and he devoured the millet.

[Cottontail]

I wouldn't put more than one finch in your cage, which you aren't planning to do anyway :).

The eating thing is normal. My budgies didn't eat for about 2 days. Just make sure you don't have too many distracting things in the cage, toys etc.

Good luck with you little birdie :D!

[lovechick]

I would also get a swing and a natural perch like manzanita.