Finch as a pet
There needs to be more sense in taking a haphazard approach to pet ownership. Even though canaries and common pet finches are low maintenance, you still need to provide them with proper care once you bring them home. Finches must be fed daily, have lots of distractions, and be cleaned frequently.
It would help if you always remembered that small birds are delicate creatures. The finches will become agitated if you move quickly, look down on their cage from above, or create a lot of noise. Please make sure the cage is in a permanent location before moving it about because doing so will also stress it out.
The term “finch” is used loosely to refer to any one of the many (hundreds!) little passerine birds. The Estrildidae family of finches includes the zebra finch, Gouldian finch, owl finch, and society finch, the species most frequently kept as pets. If you want a pet bird but aren’t ready to handle the responsibilities of a parrot, finches are a great option. They’ll be happy living with other finches in a sizable flight cage or aviary. Unlike a parrot, a finch is probably not going to be a fluffy friend (though some hand-raised finches, particularly zebra finches, have been known to perch on a finger).
Finches require large housing because they spend most of their time in their enclosure. Rather than clipping wing feathers, these birds ought to maintain their full flight. It is imperative to have a horizontal cage rather than a vertical one. Because they are flock animals, finches do best in homes with other finches; parrots can harm finches, hence avoid housing one with one. Be ready for potential offspring if you keep couples of finches together in your home, especially if they have access to a nest (a tiny wicker basket) and nesting materials.
Depending on the finch species and sometimes the season, certain finches can be kept in same-sex pairs (a male finch with another male finch or a female finch with another female finch) to prevent the chance of reproducing. To find out which same-sex finch pairs are most likely to get along, speak with a knowledgeable breeder. Similarly, speak with a knowledgeable finch breeder before establishing a mixed-species aviary because certain finch species might be hostile to one another, particularly in the breeding season.
How to keep finch happy?
For birds, the cage’s length matters more than its height. The ideal dimensions for cages are roughly 36″ long, 14″ high, and 10″ wide. A perch is an essential component of any finch cage. Remember to use perches that are the right size for the feet of your bird. The bird may sustain injuries if they are too big since it would be difficult to hold onto the perch. Finches will benefit from having a range of perch forms and textures to help them exercise their feet. Another crucial factor is where perches are placed. Please carefully position them to prevent the tail from dangling in the water dish and to prevent droppings from contaminating the food or water.
More specifics are covered in other sections of this guide, but these are the prerequisites for contented birds:
- Accessory cages for stimulation and comfort
- An appropriately sized, tastefully decorated, and meticulously maintained cage in a warm room (or a well-built aviary with a covered space for roosting)
- Company—you alone or with other birds
- a diversified and well-balanced diet
- Flight area in a horizontal cage
- Clean, fresh water for bathing and drinking
- Accessory cages for stimulation and comfort
- An atmosphere free from stress (no nighttime lights, no predatory cats, no kids poking objects into the cage, etc.)
Nutrition
Because of their rapid metabolism, finches can get severely sick without food for more than a day. Their diet should consist of enriched seeds. Finches should be fed chopped yellow and green vegetables, hard-cooked eggs, grated cheese, and a range of fruits in addition to a seed diet. Remember to remove fresh foods after two hours to prevent them from deteriorating. The bird may consume too much liquid from fresh fruits and vegetables if its faeces become watery. If this becomes a problem, cut back on fresh meals for a day and see if it gets better.
Finches can become quite ill if they go without food for longer than a day due to their fast metabolism. The only thing they should eat is enhanced seeds. In addition to a seed diet, finches should be given chopped green and yellow vegetables, hard-boiled eggs, grated cheese, and various fruits. Don’t forget to remove fresh meal members to keep fresh meals from going rancid. If the bird excretes watery waste, it might ingest too much liquid from fresh fruits and vegetables. Reduce the daily fresh meals and see if things improve if this becomes an issue.
Do Finch require extra care?
Unlike parakeets or cockatiels, finches are susceptible birds rarely tamed to the human touch. If you feed them a favourite treat from your hand, you can help them become used to having their wings and nails clipped. These little birds need to be handled carefully. They can be easily hurt if handled roughly. Before attempting to catch your finch, remove all perches and toys from the cage and move them between cages for cleaning. Although finches can be captured by hand, it is frequently more straightforward with a tiny hand towel or washcloth.
Nails and wings can be clipped to facilitate taming. Numerous vet offices provide this service. It is best to attempt nail and wing cutting only after receiving sufficient training from your veterinarian.
