Designing your enclosure

... but more important than the cage size is the  design. Many people assume ‘more is better’ but that just isn’t the  case. I have seen massive cages which are counterproductive and not  conductive to healthy birds.
 

Try to find an enclosure that is longer than it is high and has no more than half inch bar spacing.
Suitable  cage size for a single pair is 18x18x24 however there are many  possibilities, as long as they have 2 sq ft of space. Notice I said sq  ft, not cubic feet. This is a common teaching that the birds desire to  fly horizontal rather than vertical.

However, when I observed wild finches I noticed  the flight patterns were spastic-  flying vertically approximately 35%  of the time. I returned to my study and modified one of the cages to  simulate a narrow enclosure. After 3 months they too were flying vertically, and ‘hovering’. They were able to lift off  as if they were a helicopter and touch down on an adjacent perch.
 

 You have to work twice as hard to flap your wings and fly vertical than horizontal. Upon examination, the supplemented group in the vertical cage had a significant increase in muscle mass from the exercise, while the control group was only a minor increase from improved supplementation.

This leaves a definite possibility to have a variety of cages and larger selection of shape and style options. My advise is to spend a few more dollars to get the better looking cage. Human physiology suggests that if you enjoy something, you will take better care of it. So buy a cage that fits with your home décor, and buy decorations for the cage that make it attractive. You will not regret it.

Small cages are made worse by people placing two long dowels in the center of the cage. This causes a slew of health and mental issues.

The mental stimulation provided by real branches is non-debatable, and saves the finches from arthritis and sores. Can you imagine standing in the same place, in the same shoes all day?

Please provide real branches (non toxic wood list here), and leave room for flight (even a flutter here and there). Even a small cage can be made more suitable by the addition of some real branches of varying sizes located on either long side of the cage- one toward the top, and one centered lower.
 

Make sure when designing your cage look at your cage from a birds eye view, ensuring the branches don’t vertically overlap other branches or food dishes (see image to the right). As the birds sit, their feces can easily soil things beneath them (other birds, branches, water dishes, etc). This only create more maintenance for you as the owner.
If you need assistance creating a positive enclosure, I am available to help. You can see examples and contact me here to create a custom cage.

Plastic plants are best- there is  concern the birds may shred silk plants. It is better to place plant  outside the enclosure as this still provides the illusion of 'being in  the threes' but doesn't take up valuable real estate inside the cage.  Live plants are fine, as long as they are non toxic. However the soil (which often has fertilizer or pesticides in it) with foraging birds creates a huge mess and it is nearly impossible to get feces off limbs and leaves.

I also create at least one structure on the floor of the cage which can be removed through the main access door for cleaning (see images to the right).
 

Rock mound: I used tumbled rocks so they have a smooth surface so excrement can easily be washed off. I made a wire frame, and glued the rocks to the surface.
 

Concrete stand with Shells: I mounded concrete leaving a hole for plastic vegetation. Can also be hosed off, or thrown in the dishwasher. I often use concrete, and then attach a facade of assorted stones or shells.
 

Firewood: easily purchased untreated firewood provides an interesting perching station. After these become heavily soiled I just dispose of them.

Became a awesome enclosure for 2 pairs.

ENCLOSURE SIZE/ POPULATION:
There  is a direct correlation of population density on development and reproduction. Finches in lower density conditions produced significantly larger birds, longer song motifs with more syllables and  increased surviving offspring. The results of numerous studies prove that population density affects various aspects of Zebra Finch development, with birds living in low population density conditions having an advantage over those living under higher population density conditions.  This should be considered when created an aviary environment.

  Quarantine cages are a necessity. They can be  something as simple as a old aquarium, to a small bird cage. But often  quarantine happens at the least expected time.... you need to be able to  medicate, introduce or separate birds. Therefore it is advisable to  have a suitable enclosure in a separate area that is amicable to the  lifestyle a finch is accustomed too. Make natural branches of varying  size, cuddle bone and aesthetic items so they don't feel as if it is a  prison. Make sure however that any of these items can be washed or  thrown away at a moments notice to prevent the ailments from spreading.