Hello

[jusdeb]

Welcome

[JustBrowsing]

I can't choooooooooooossssssssseeeeeeee!!! I love the orange breasts, it was those and the Gouldians that first took my fancy, but I wondered if they were both a little difficult for a beginner. I have had cockateils and budgies a few years ago and have hand reared budgies, but finches are entirely different! I lay awake at night wondering about types of finches and what to get...surely this can't be healthy! I have read soooooooooo many posts on this forum I am starting to go loopy.

[Jayburd]

Welcome
been there!!!
Go with gouldians before OB, gouldians are a good choice for a new person to finches easy to house breed and feed so long as you can keep the excessive colds and draughts off them!

[JustBrowsing]

Thank you Jayburd! I will see how I go with positioning my big aviary (it's still on the trolley at the moment awaiting placement in the yard while I check out wind/draught/sun etc!) if it is draught free enough I might think about Gouldians. This forum is invaluable for information, I have gained so much already, just from reading.

[finchbreeder]

Welcome to the forum. What sizes are your avairy and cage? As advice will be more relavant if that information is available. Zebs are great birds for the beginner. And some of us who have been finchos for years still have them. They help you learn the basics, then they help you learn control. eg how do I control their breeding urge? Your avairy would best be located to get maximum morning sun. Laying awake thinging of finches and starting to go loopy. You are sounding more and more like our kind of person.
LML

[JustBrowsing]

The Patio cage is about 1400Hx900Wx450D (not all that big I know, might be suitable for a pair of something though?)

The aviary is hexagonal, which again I know is not ideal for finches, but could be a starting point? It is half solid material, half wire and has a roof. I was given it by a friend. It is about 1800x1800 and about 2000tall. I also have some regular birdcages of varying sizes and of course will buy some more things if I need them.

Is any of this stuff a good start? Or should I ditch it altogether and buy something else?

[finchbreeder]

Zebs being tough would be fine (even 2 pair) in the patio cage, though if you can wrap platic round one side for wind protection that would be better. The small avairy is a similar size to what many of us use for a small collection of mixed finches or a small flock of one type. Suggest that if you can you add a safety door. Look at avairy build thread for ideas on how. Sounds like you have just what you need to get started.
LML

[JustBrowsing]

This is the exact patio cage we have

4409fah_20 (640x480).jpg

Still working on the hexagonal one for now, needs a few minor repairs.



Admin...fixed up the orientation.

[finchbreeder]

As patio cages go I don;t think I have seen a better one. Just add perches, food and water containers, nest, birds, all stations go. Though a safety curtain on that door would be wise. Several members have rigged up something using plastic or fabic sheets.
LML

[JustBrowsing]

Thanks Admin for fixing my dodgy pic!!

Thanks finchbreeder, I am really worried about the door aspect. I was thinking with the patio one I can roll it into the laundry when I need to open the door (so anything that escapes the cage is still confined to the laundry) but I am guessing that will get very tedious very quickly. I do definitely need to do something in regards to the safety door on the hexagonal one before I use it for anything.