Is this too many birds in a cage?

[chicken grandma]

In a cage that is 22 by 24 by 30 inches high - can I put a one year old male and 4 female finches ages 6 months - 2years old?

 

[Pretty Birdie]

I am really not sure. I know more about parakeets than I do finches, but that sounds like it might be okay. Of course, bigger is better, so if you can get a bigger one, great. Just remember to check the spacing between bars. Half-inch spacing is best. If the spacing is too big, a finch's head could get stuck.

 

[jojo@rolling acres farm]

I vote no. They need more room to fly - they also need a horizontal cage- yours is more or less vertical.

 

[onthespot]

I agree. If aesthetics is not an issue, you could lay it on its side and they would be happier.

 

[Nambroth]

Can you put them in a cage that size? Yes-- people do, and have in the past. And the finches will probably be 'okay'.
However, finches (unlike hookbills, such as parrots), do not use the sides of the cage to climb on and thus they must fly or hop to the different areas of the cage. Finches usually do not enjoy time outside of the cage the way our parrots do, and thus you are providing them with the only space they can use for their entire lives. If you are able to afford it, please consider a larger cage. Your finches will have better lives and it's actually a real treat to watch their behaviors and activities in a large cage.

I have one very similar to this, and while the cost might seem high, with proper care the cage will last for a lifetime. http://www.windycityparrot.com/Aviary-Cage-by-Prevue-Pet-F040-discount.html
It is taller than it is wide which is not ideal, but because it is so large the finches have no trouble flying up and down to the various levels (unlike a very tall narrow cage, where they have to be 'helicopters').
They have even larger cages if your wallet supports it!

 

[chicken grandma]

Nambroth,

I had then in that exact cage. And the problem I had was that the seed and feathers came out the sides. The other problem I had was that it only comes in black and their little white poops showed up very easily. I could not stay ahead of the cleaning.
Now I have a pair in one white flight cage and the girls in another white flight cage.
When I try to put the whole group together, the girls fight over the one male.

But when I try to move the cages apart, they are unhappy. I would ideally like a divided cage that I could use to display the birds. Does anyone have a recommendation? I would need to order it in white. Thank you.

 

[dwhite]

One important piece of info is what type of finches are they? Some require a bit more space due to being a bit more aggressive.

 

[Nambroth]

Quote:
We have a white model, and had problem with seed hulls / poop / feathers flying out of it everywhere. Our solution was to buy some clear vinyl sheeting (you can get this at craft stores, or even in the flooring section of home improvement stores), and cut it to fit over the bottom half of the cage. We punched holes in the corners and used tiny zipties to attach it. It contains the mess perfectly, is very easy to wipe down/clean and is not really an eyesore! It was really inexpensive to do.

Maybe this would help you too. The finches spend most of their time in the upper half of the cage, where they are easily seen, but I keep their water and food down low (carefully positioned so that they can't poop into the dishes) and so when they spray the food/water around it only bounces back into the cage tray.

Have you seen this cage? It's expensive but nice construction. I bet you could use the vinyl trick that I described on this, too. http://www.windycityparrot.com/Cage-Aviary-Stand-64x21-HQ-16421-discount.html

 

[chicken grandma]

Nambroth,
Thank you so much for helping me with this. Both the cages you suggested would work.
I have Zebra finches and I find it difficult to keep more than 2 of them together. Right now I have a pair together, two teen girls together and a pair with a teen girl.
In the cage that has the pair with the teen girl (their own baby, born in March) I find that the dad is super aggressive to the teen.
With the pair and their two teen daughters, I find the teens are super aggressive to the mother. I don't keep nests in the cages anymore - conflict.
I am trying to group the birds into fewer cages and be kind about the size of the cages. Ideally, I would like to have 2 cages instead of the 3 I now have.
The cage I am enjoying using for the pair with a teen daughter is a Majestic Gabled cage. Bar spacing .5 inches and 24X22X30 high. It is easy to clean and really a great cage.
I could put 2 birds in one of those, but again, wanted to reduce cages from 3 to 2.

 

[dwhite]

Zebras are best kept in pairs or larger groups, most of us zebras breeders don't go less than 6 per group.