Hi, I’m Shah Mostafa Tawsif — a passionate finch breeder and the guy behind FinchGuy.com. I care for a growing flock of zebra finches in my open aviary, and over the years, I’ve tested a lot of products to find what truly works.
On this page, I’ve listed all the tools, gear, and supplies I personally use and recommend — from cage essentials to breeding equipment. Whether you’re just getting started or already have a few finches of your own, these tools can make your bird-keeping journey a lot easier (and cleaner!).
Note: Some of the links below are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you buy through them — at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the site!
🏠 Cage Setup & Accessories
🏠 Main Cage for Pairing Birds (Inside the Open Aviary)
Before introducing new or paired zebra finches to my main open aviary, I always keep them in a separate main cage for a few days to observe their behavior, ensure bonding, and monitor their health. This setup helps reduce stress and prevent fights, especially when introducing new birds to an established flock.
I prefer using spacious, high-quality cages with strong build quality, plenty of perch space, and easy access for cleaning and feeding.
🔝 Recommended High-End Cages on Amazon
- Prevue Pet Products Wrought Iron Flight Cage with Stand
One of the best large flight cages out there — sturdy, easy to assemble, and comes with a stand and wheels. Great for pairing or even long-term housing. - Yaheetech Extra Large Wrought Iron Cage with Rolling Stand
Spacious enough for multiple finches with plenty of vertical space. Comes with feeders, perches, and a seed guard. - A&E Cage Company Flight Cage (Premium Build)
Professional-grade cage often used by serious breeders. Pricey, but built to last for years with heavy-duty materials.
🪺 Nesting Box – Wooden / Natural Style
When it comes to breeding zebra finches, a good nesting box makes all the difference. I always go for wooden or natural-style nesting boxes because they provide a more secure, cozy, and breathable environment — closely mimicking what finches would choose in the wild.
I prefer open-front or half-open wooden nest boxes so I can easily check on eggs and chicks without disturbing the parents too much.
🧡 My Recommended Nest Boxes on Amazon
- Kathson Wooden Finch Nest Box
Simple, well-ventilated, and easy to mount inside the cage. The sliding top makes it easy to peek inside. - SunGrow Natural Wooden Nesting Box
Made from untreated wood with a wide opening — perfect for zebra finches and other small birds. - Tfwadmx Bird Nest Box with Removable Lid
Budget-friendly but durable, with a removable lid for easy cleaning. Great for beginners.
💡 Pro Tip: I usually add coconut fiber or dried grass as nesting material to help my finches build their own nests comfortably.
🌳 Perches – Natural Wood & Rope Perches
Perches are more than just resting spots — they play a big role in keeping your finches’ feet healthy and their minds active. I always recommend using a mix of natural wood perches and rope perches inside both cages and the open aviary.
Natural wood perches have uneven textures and diameters, which help exercise foot muscles and prevent pressure sores or foot problems like bumblefoot. Rope perches add flexibility and can be shaped around the cage for extra climbing fun.
🪵 My Go-To Perches from Amazon
- Niteangel Natural Wood Bird Perch Set
Comes in a variety of sizes with bark still on — great for beak cleaning and foot health. - Penn-Plax Natural Rope Perch
Soft, bendable, and easy to attach to any cage. My birds love hopping on and off this one. - QBLEEV 5-Pack Bird Cage Natural Wood Perches
Affordable bundle with multiple perch types — perfect for customizing cage interiors.
💡 Avoid using plastic or sand-covered perches — they can be harsh on finch feet over time. Rotate different perch types regularly to keep things interesting for your birds!
🧻 Cage Liners or Substrate – Paper Liners & Aspen Shavings
Keeping the cage clean is essential for your finches’ health, especially in breeding season. I’ve tried different types of cage liners and substrates, and my go-to choices are paper liners for daily hygiene and aspen shavings for added odor control in breeding cages.
Paper liners make it super easy to monitor droppings (a great way to spot health issues early), while aspen shavings help absorb moisture and reduce smell in nest areas or bottom trays.
✅ Recommended Liners & Substrates on Amazon
- Prevue Pet Products T3 Cage Liner Paper
🛒 View on Amazon
Non-toxic, precut sheets that fit most cage trays. Makes daily cleaning fast and simple. - Kaytee Aspen Small Animal Bedding
🛒 View on Amazon
100% natural aspen shavings, dust-free and safe for birds. I use this in nest box areas and floor trays. - Vitakraft Cage Liners for Small Birds
🛒 View on Amazon
Absorbent, odor-controlling paper liners that work well in smaller cages or travel carriers.
💡 Tip: Avoid using cedar or pine shavings — they contain aromatic oils that can be harmful to birds. Stick to aspen or plain paper for safe and effective results.
🌙 Cage Cover – Breathable Cover for Nighttime
Just like us, zebra finches need uninterrupted sleep to stay healthy and stress-free. I use a breathable cage cover every night to help block out light, reduce sudden noises, and give my birds a sense of safety and calm.
A good cage cover should be lightweight, machine-washable, and allow for airflow — never use anything that traps heat or cuts off ventilation.
🛌 Recommended Cage Covers on Amazon
- POPETPOP Universal Bird Cage Cover (Breathable Fabric)
🛒 View on Amazon
Light-blocking, breathable, and easy to drape over flight cages. Great for small to medium finch cages. - Colorday Large Bird Cage Cover with Front Flap
🛒 View on Amazon
Designed for larger cages, with an easy-access flap in front. Durable and machine-washable. - Prevue Hendryx Good Night Bird Cage Cover
🛒 View on Amazon
Soft, dark fabric made specifically for bird cages. Works well for most standard flight cages.
💡 Tip: Covering your cage at the same time every night helps establish a regular sleep schedule — which is especially important during breeding season.
🍽️ Feeding Tools
🍽️ Feeding Bowls – No-Spill, Stainless Steel & Clip-On Feeders
Feeding time can get messy, especially with active little birds like zebra finches. That’s why I prefer using no-spill bowls, stainless steel dishes, and clip-on feeders that stay firmly in place and are easy to clean.
These types of feeders help reduce waste, keep food hygienic, and prevent birds from tipping or pooping into their food.
🥣 My Recommended Feeders on Amazon
- Lixit Quick-Lock Bird Feeder/Bowl (No-Spill)
🛒 View on Amazon
Twist-locks onto cage bars and stays put. Great for keeping seeds off the floor. - MidWest Homes Stainless Steel Snap’y Fit Bowl
🛒 View on Amazon
Rust-resistant and dishwasher-safe. I use this for soft foods or fresh greens. - Keersi Bird Cage Clip-On Feeder Cups (Set of 2)
🛒 View on Amazon
Affordable and easy to attach — perfect for seed and water in smaller cages.
💡 Tip: Use separate bowls for seed mix, soft food, and greens. Clean all feeders daily to prevent mold and bacteria buildup, especially in warm or humid aviary conditions.
🌾 Seed Mix – High‑Quality Zebra Finch Blend
A premium seed mix provides essential nutrition and keeps your finches healthy and active. I look for blends formulated specifically for zebra finches—rich in canary seed, millet, nyjer, and added vitamins or vegetables.
🥇 My Favorite Seed Mix on Amazon
Sweet Harvest Finch Bird Food (4 lb bag)
- 100% natural blend of seeds and dried veggies with added vitamins and minerals
- Triple‑cleaned with no fillers—designed to reduce waste
- Numerous reviews state: “Zebra finch are thriving on this food” and “high quality seed mix”
- Rated 4.6/5 with over 180 reviews and consistent reorders
Why I Recommend It:
I use this as my daily seed base and mix in fresh greens, egg food during breeding, and sprouted seeds for variety. It delivers solid nutrition, my finches love it, and I appreciate the cleanliness and quality.
💡 Breeding Tip:
During breeding season, I supplement with sprouted oats, fresh vegetables, and a soft-food mix. Seed should always make up about 50% of their diet .
🥚 Egg Food / Soft Food Mixes – Essential During Breeding Season
When breeding finches, high-protein egg food is a game-changer. It provides the extra energy, calcium, and vitamins needed for egg development, chick growth, and healthy feathers. I offer this mix daily during breeding and early foraging stages—always monitoring spoilage since fresh egg food can go bad quickly.
✅ Top Egg Food Mix on Amazon
- HARI Tropimix Egg Food Mix (6.5 oz)
A Tropican, granule-based formula enriched with bread crumbs, grains, fruits, nuts, and vegetables. Completely edible—no husks or shells to clutter cages. Formulated specifically for finches, budgies, and canaries, it delivers vital protein, vitamins, and minerals essential during breeding. My birds love it, and it’s easy to feed: just add a pinch daily during nesting and chick-rearing stages.
Why I Use It:
- High palatability with nutrient-dense protein from egg and plant ingredients
- Clean and easy—no waste or hard-to-clean shells
- Fortified with vitamins to support feather health and egg development
🧠 DIY Soft Food Alternative
If you’re into homemade mixes, my go-to recipe includes:
- 1 mashed hard-boiled egg (shell included)
- ¼ grated apple
- 1 cup shredded romaine
- 1 cup protein-boost powder (like Higgins or MorningBirds)
- 1 shredded carrot
💡 Breeding Tips
- Offer egg food in the early morning when birds are most hungry.
- Switch back to seed mix midway through daylight to avoid excessive fattening.
- Remove any uneaten egg food after 2 hours—heat and moisture can quickly spoil it.