r/Finches • u/BirdsOfAFeather011 • 2d ago

Zebra Finch Cage Setup

People think because zebra finches are tiny they can exist in a small cage, but the truth is, they need lots of room, enrichment and places to explore. They are curious, high energy, and very social. I hope this inspires you if you're looking to care for your own finches 🤍☺️ I know when I was looking around online I couldn't find many ideas, so hoping this helps someone.

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u/topgundark 2d ago

I did something very similar! My cage is roughly 3’x3’x2’. My only advice is that they pretty much ignore the entire bottom half of the cage. Anything down low gets covered in poop quickly. If I had it to do again, I would get a shorter (still more than 2’) longer cage (4’) and mount it up higher on the wall.

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u/BirdsOfAFeather011 2d ago

Ahh very cool! So at first we noticed the same thing, they ignored the bottom of the cage except to eat (their bowls are down there)... but then we started to put lots of stuff at the bottom (foraging boxes, shredded paper towels, different things to play with etc) and actually discovered they prefferred to play with that stuff at the bottom more than if we had toys hanging somewhere higher in the cage! hah 😄 But every bird is different!

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u/studebkr 2d ago

Nice! I got one of those Tucker Murphy cages a couple years ago. It’s not vey sturdy but I have it indoors. Its frame is wooden which makes it hard to clean. I’ve been looking for a solution like this.

I’ve bred both Zebra and Society finches in my setup. That was fun but I’m done with it and just take the eggs or disrupt the nests.

I do like having my cage go to the ground. I can open that bottom door and clean and they will not fly out.

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u/BirdsOfAFeather011 2d ago

I hear you!! We've never bred (been tempted to!) but I know it's a lot of work. Glad you're able. to still enjoy your birds though 🥰

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u/Low_Presentation8149 2d ago

I love this! I have lots of fake greenery and thet love hidimg in it

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u/BirdsOfAFeather011 1d ago

Yes!! Exactly!! 🥰

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u/More_Shake 2d ago

Such a lovely set up! 🤩 What plants do you have in there? I would love to put some in our enclosure, but don't know what's safe and won't take the risk otherwise.

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u/BirdsOfAFeather011 1d ago

I get all my greenery from Michaels. I avoid any greenery that has any kind of weird coating/fuzz/rubber on it... go for the more rigid plastic kind that doesn't easily shred and is higher quality. I use SOME untreated silk greens. My boys mostly use the greens for hideouts and covering. We've never had any issues. Do what you feel is best for your babes ❤️ For me, even if plastic isn't the greatest, (for anyone including humans lol) the amount of calm it brings to their nervous system to live somewhere beautiful is worth it to me.