DAN 0 Report post Posted July 22, 2013 Hello everybody, well I have decided it would be nice to have an interest in my old age ( approaching 70 ),I already had a fish pond which I built several years ago but that didn't really keep me occupied enough was looking for something not to strenuous, after looking on the internet I started to become interested in bird keeping I found that you tube had lots of videos on finch keeping. So that is the path that I have chose,after gathering as much information as I could I found that zebra finches was the best for a beginner like me.The first thing was to have outdoor aviary built and the best place for it was on my 4ft x 8ft patio,I decided that a 4ft x 4ft birdhouse with a 4ft x 4ft flight. I contacted the sign of the owl here in Ivybridge Devon and after agreeing a price I asked them to built it for me,I was fortunate to find a breeder quite local who sold me 8 hens and 2 cocks. They have been in the aviary for a week now and nest building like mad. A total beginner as much advice would be very much appreciated. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
paulm 119 Report post Posted July 22, 2013 Hello and welcome to the forum. Paul. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DAN 0 Report post Posted July 22, 2013 thank you for your welcome Paul. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Peter Cannan 22 Report post Posted July 22, 2013 HI, although I am based in Plymouth, my birds are based at IVYBRIDGE. You would be more than welcome to visit at any time. Did you know there is a very good ZFS Area Society based in Plymouth. May I suggest you try the ZFS Website. www.thezebrafinchsociety.co.uk Peter 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zebba 'D' 43 Report post Posted July 23, 2013 Welcome to the forum, hope you find all the answers you are looking for. Chris Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Emmy 528 Report post Posted July 23, 2013 Welcome to the forum you'll get lots of advice from the members here. They are a wealth of information for us 'oldies' I know you will get a lot of pleasure just sitting watching those lovely little birds. I've just started getting my aviary built but I already have all the birds to put in it-- talk about 'putting the cart before the horse' guess I have to put that mistakes down to 'old age' Emmy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
casamber 60 Report post Posted July 23, 2013 Hi and welcome to the forum Kerry Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DAN 0 Report post Posted July 23, 2013 HI, although I am based in Plymouth, my birds are based at IVYBRIDGE. You would be more than welcome to visit at any time. Did you know there is a very good ZFS Area Society based in Plymouth. May I suggest you try the ZFS Website. www.thezebrafinchsociety.co.uk Peter Many thanks Peter for your invite, yes I have seen the website and thinking of joining lots of useful advice on there would love to visit and perhaps you could look at my setup and tell me where I am going wrong ha ha . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DAN 0 Report post Posted July 23, 2013 Welcome to the forum, hope you find all the answers you are looking for. Chris thank you Chris Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DAN 0 Report post Posted July 23, 2013 Welcome to the forum you'll get lots of advice from the members here. They are a wealth of information for us 'oldies' I know you will get a lot of pleasure just sitting watching those lovely little birds. I've just started getting my aviary built but I already have all the birds to put in it-- talk about 'putting the cart before the horse' guess I have to put that mistakes down to 'old age' Emmy Well Emmy sometimes its okay to do things ar....se about front haha thanks for your welcome Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DAN 0 Report post Posted July 23, 2013 Hi and welcome to the forum Kerry Thank you Kerry Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zebraman 267 Report post Posted July 23, 2013 Welcome to the forum and the wonderful world of the Zebra Finch. I'm sure you will find more than enough to answer all the questions you may have, but if not, please don't hesitate to ask and I'm sure one of our members will answer any queries you may have. You'll also find a great bunch of people on here. Good luck with your birds. Gary. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
speedwaybaz 69 Report post Posted July 23, 2013 hi devonfinch keeper,i think a 4ft bird shed is going to be a bit small when you get a few birds.it is always better to have it a bit bigger gives you more room to move about.baz Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DAN 0 Report post Posted July 23, 2013 hi devonfinch keeper,i think a 4ft bird shed is going to be a bit small when you get a few birds.it is always better to have it a bit bigger gives you more room to move about.baz thanks for the advice baz,think I am finding that out now but I do have room to extend if I need to,my brother in law is a chippy hopefully he will help.What size would you recommend. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andyn 534 Report post Posted July 23, 2013 Hi, Devonfinch keeper. I tried to PM you the other day but got a message to say that the facility was not available. Firstly- Go see Peter's birds they are amazing and you will find out loads of things to try and do. Secondly- You would be welcome to come up to Exeter and see my set-up. I'm first year with Zebies but been keeping other types for over 17 years. Mainly- Enjoy the forum and it's super people. Andy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DAN 0 Report post Posted July 23, 2013 Hi, Devonfinch keeper. I tried to PM you the other day but got a message to say that the facility was not available. Firstly- Go see Peter's birds they are amazing and you will find out loads of things to try and do. Secondly- You would be welcome to come up to Exeter and see my set-up. I'm first year with Zebies but been keeping other types for over 17 years. Mainly- Enjoy the forum and it's super people. Andy Hi Andy yes I would love to visit Peter perhaps you could give me your post code would love to visit cheers Andy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ssteves 51 Report post Posted July 23, 2013 speedwaybaz, on 23 Jul 2013 - 2:00 PM, said: thanks for the advice baz,think I am finding that out now but I do have room to extend if I need to,my brother in law is a chippy hopefully he will help.What size would you recommend what ever size you have it is never going to be big enough i started with a 10 x 6 then exstended to 10 x 9 and earlier this year i built another one and would like a 3rd one steve Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dannyboy2012 63 Report post Posted July 23, 2013 hello and welcome, i hope you find everything you need on here, and peter is a top guy, had a great chat at stafford, most probs have another at october one. dan Share this post Link to post Share on other sites