How to Set Up a Finch Cage

After coming home with a new cage you’ll notice that it probably came with two long, fat dowels and some feed/water containers.

Before you set it up we should go over some options that will help you out.

A finch cage from the pet store is made the easiest way for the manufacturer. It’s not necessarily the best setup for your birds.

I’ve spent a lot of time covering options and talking about giving your finches enough flying space. So why would we take up the majority of the flying room in the cage with a dowel? The answer is, we wouldn’t. First thing you want to do is take those dowels and cut them to fit the other direction. Instead of fitting “across”, fit the dowel from front to back, one on each end of the cage.

Better yet, toss those dowels out and grab some clean branches from your trees. Make sure they haven’t been sprayed with pesticides or chemicals. You can bake them in the oven or scrub them if you’re worried about bugs, but I never do that. The branch can be propped between the cage bars if it’s the right size; it doesn’t require a notch. You can secure it using zip ties, jute, or even twist ties. Now you have a finch cage set up for spacious flying.

Next, let’s replace the open feeder with a proper drinker. I know a lot of these feeders have tops over them, but trust me finches are very messy and they still manage to poop in their water. A lot. So grab a couple of drinkers (linked below) and use them instead. Get two, so you have one in the cage and one washing. I like to put the drinker right beside a perch, so they have someplace to stand while they grab a drink. You’ll still want two feed dishes, one for dry food and one for wet food – so those won’t go to waste.

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• Small drinker: That one holds about 6 oz.
• Large Drinker: If you’re setting up a bigger cage, these hold twice as much.

Other accessories you might want

• Small CHOPP bowls: I like to use the 2 cage dishes both for dry food, and small ceramic dishes like these to give them CHOPP. The small size of the dish helps me remember not to put in too much food, so I don’t waste it.
• Pinch bowls color: some with color.
• Tea Light CHOPP bowls: I’ve also used these votive holders before.

OH – and don’t forget your Egg Candler. You know you want one.