combining two cages to make 1 larger???

[adiekaty]

hello... I have a house shaped cage and one thats a large rectangle.
Both are 30x18. I wnat to take the bottom off one and the top off the other and stack and rewire back to make 1 bigger cage.

Seems like easy enough? Question is... I have Goulds in one that would need to be put into a temporary cage while I work on this one. I think if all goes well I can get it done in a few hrs. They are 7 months old, mostly finished with their molt. can I move them? Or will I really freak them out?
Also, I am in Texas... temps are nice now? Can I have them outdoors? or do they need to be inside? and just occasionally have them outside?
~Thanks...
Adrienne

[Sally]

If it's still dropping down below 50 at night, I wouldn't leave them out at night, as they aren't acclimated to lower temps. But the bigger problem is keeping snakes out of a cage that is outdoors. With standard 1/2" bar spacing, a smaller snake can squeeze thru the bars and eat your finches. Then it can't get out thru the bars, so you will find a sleeping snake in your cage. It has happened to me, and the cages weren't even outside, but in sheds or attached rooms that were not snakeproof. Best thing for an outdoor cage is to make your own with 1/4" hardware cloth--snakes and even mice won't get in.

[ac12]

Before you do it, take a GOOD look at the cage and really plan how to do it. I have done things where once I get started, I realize it won't work like I thought it would. But at that point, I can't go backwards. And in your case, you would have deconstructed the cages, making it difficult to put back the way it was.

Personally I would put the cages end to end to make a cage 60 inches long, rather than 36 inches high. This would give them more room/distance to fly before they have to land.

If you use a grinder or cutting wheel or file, you should give the cage a GOOD washing to get rid of all the metal dust.

[Raleighwheels]

It sounds like you and I may have the same cage. I was planning on combining two cages together in some way. Personally, I am going to go with hooking the ends together to make a 60 inch cage. If you do decide to put one on top of the other, please post a picture or two. I would love to see how it turns out.

[ac12]

I forget how the 30x18x18 cage is made, but before you deconstruct the cage you need to look at how it is constructed. Mine had one piece that was made of 4 sides preconnected, that you expand. If you take out one side, you could be removing one of the sides that gives it the rigidity. If so, you will have to secure the other sides to the top/bottom or left/right side together (use nylon cable ties) to regain some of the rigidity you loose by removing one side. Especially important if you stack going up.

[SuzE]

Adiekaty - I just this past week did what you are talking about. My one cage was 14x18x39 tall. The other is 18x30. I put the tall one at one end (matching 18" sides) which gives them 44" of flying space. All you have to do (if yours is like mine and I think it is) is remove the wire panels and hook together. There are two small holes that have to be plugged at the hooked site but not really a problem.