Zebra Finches--Good pets for a kid?

Question

My kids are wanting birds as pets to watch. They realize they are not going to come and play with them and are content with that fact.

What are zebra finches like? Are birds in general a good pet for kids bc in general I've only seen the elderly have them as pets (no offense intended).

Answer 1

I think any type of finch or love birds are good for "watching" pets. Also, you could get a small aquarium for them if they would prefer that. It may cost more though.

Oh, and you could get hermit crabs too! Although they may not be as entertaining as birds. I once babysat younger kids (ages 4-9), and they had hermit crabs. They had fun painting the shells with nail polish and such.

Answer 2

Well, I only have personal opinion here and not real experience.  I've never owned birds before but for my boys they don't see like good pets (birds in general).

A bird isn't exactly the kind of pet you can run around with or really play with.  I'd think a kid would like a pet they could interact with.  Birds have a pretty low interaction factor (a term I just made up, lol) it would seem to me.

Cool animals "yes."  Cool pets?  Eh, I'd do some reading up on them.  Or listen to these other Y!A-ers that have some experience with them.  Good luck!

Answer 3

i never had one but i have parakeets and i really like them

dont forget to thumbs up me :)

Answer 4

no, zebra finches are good pets, but they do not tame well, they are more the type of pet you just look at, not let you play with them

Answer 5

Zebra Finches are cute, curious, playful little beepers.

They require a bit more maintenance than some others birds

as they are kinda messy, and they will throw seed out as they

eat. Good in nature, bad on your floor.

If you get a pair (male/female) they will probably attempt to

breed so if you don't want this, get 2 of the same gender.

But if you get just one, it will get lonely.

They will also need a fairly large cage. At least 30" long and

18" deep. Finches need to fly, and if they do not have enough

room to do so, they can get sick. And no, getting a really tall

cage will not suffice.

In the diet department, don't give them just seeds. Seed is

good but they will need a varied diet. I give mine the following.

A Good Finch Seed Mix

Soft Eggfood

Fresh Veggies (Broccolli, Carrot, Romaine, Spinach)

Calcium Suppliment (A cuttlebone usually will suffice)

Grit (not everybody does this, and I only do VERY sparingly)

Spray Millet (only weekly as a treat)

Most of these can be found at your local petstore, or online

They will require constant access to fresh food and water every

day. I generally check mine three times a day. But as mine are

currently caring for their young, I would suggest once or twice

for you.

Saying that the children can't interact with them is not exactly

true. Mine love bath time, and get fussy with me if I don't have

it ready for them at EXACTLY 3:00pm. The female will hop from

perch to perch calling for me until they get it. And when feeding

time comes around, they will come right up to me. They

generally do not like being handled, but some, with time, will

tolerate some amount of it. Mine will let me gently stroke their

tail feathers, but only for a  minute or so. (sometimes depending

on their mood)

All in all, Zebra Finches make good pets. They are cute, fun to

watch, and will teach the child a sense of responsibility. But

caring for another living creature is a big deal, and the child

should know what they will be getting themselves into.

  

Answer 6

2 zebra finches would be a good choice as they are only cheep to buy....they don't eat much and they don't need much attention especially if there are 2

Answer 7

They do make good pets, they are a bit messy though.  It is fun to watch the birds interaction with each other.  I would recommend getting two, not just one.

Answer 8

get 2 zebra finches and they will be great

just give them food and watch them go...they do tend to be a bit on the messy side :(