I used too show Zebra finches very easy to care for and very prolific breeders.I had mine in an aviary and I had 20 cages with a pair in each cage also 12 wall mounted breeder cages.The aviary was attached too a 12 x8 ft shed lined with plywood white washed for easy cleaning all around the roog I had 20 various shaped nest boxes as I bred Java Sparrows, Bengalese and Green singers,the nest boxes had artificial hanging plants attached all around the celing too concela the nest boxes giving the birds privacy.They could fly outside into the aviary all through the day then were shut in the shed at night they had communal perches they all shared.The show stock cages were in a seperate shed.
I didnt show the birds in the aviary as they were a mixed collection but I did show the Zebras and green singers weavers under the Foreign sections.Keeping is a great pastime I kept black cheeked zebras obviously the cock had black cheek patches instead of the normal chestnut colour,Recessive silver,and My favourite pied.nesting baskets are no good birds can get there tiny claws caught in the weave hang there and die small wood finch boxes are best attached to the shed wall cuttle fish which they need for calcium feed them the best foreingn finch mix and millet sprays and meal worm as an occasional treat eggfood too feed the young use bagged timothy hay for nesting look out for the dreaded red mite also its an awfull pest if it gets a hold keep perches clean as the miteshide under caked on feces then climb onto the bird at night.When the young are ready too fledge the nest they will land on the shed floor dont worry mum and dad still feed them till they fly about.I bought coloured rings for the young birds a different colour for every year or so you can keep check on the age of your stock get the hanging glass water bottles there the best hang from the ceiling.You need a good black cloth net also or catching your stock.Oh and i lined the floor in thick black plastic liner and used a wood chip you buy for birds in large sacks for the floor covering they can cause alot of white dust but i had a wet and dry vac for the cleaning part.They love too bathe in the aviay too if its warm.
