I have 2 zebra finches, 1 society

[Melanie Gagnon]

I have one male zebra named Chatters, 1 female zebra named Ms. Quiet and one male Society named Sqeakers. My zebras are building a nest right now. I have them in a smaller flight cage that is 5 ft off the ground soy cat Lady can't get to them. I have a large flight cage on order and wonder if anyone can tell me what I can do to help protect them when I move them to the larger cage. I am thinking about getting something like another wire kind of like a 1/4" mesh that she would not be able to get to them or get her paws through. I would make cuts in the wire to accommodate the doors and larger openings. This cage will be on a stand within her reach. If anyone has any suggestions or ideas I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks, Melanie G.

[MiaCarter]

Hi Melanie!

I've got 16 cats and I no longer let them have access to my birds -- they're in a bird room now. But that's because I do lots of fostering, so we have lots of come and go, plus a bunch of my cats are former ferals/strays who are confirmed bird killers. So I'd rather not give them the temptation!

That said, it wasn't always this way! I used to have the birds in an area that was accessible to the cats and you can definitely do a few things to secure the cage from the cats.

Firstly, you need to affix it to the wall. The biggest danger is the cat tossing it off the stand/table, which may compromise it.
So get a few screw hooks, like this:
http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&page=1& ... ew%20hooks

Get 2 bungee cords (or more) and strap them around the cage and fasten it to the wall by attaching to the screw hooks.

That will (hopefully) keep the cage in place.

Next, zip tie all the corners where the cage panels meet to form a corner. I put zip ties every 2 inches.
So even if kitty somehow knocks it onto the floor, it will remain intact. That's super important. That's how many cats get to the birds - knocking over the cage and breaking it apart.
Some cages are also fairly loose on the corners. It's an easy breach point.

Also, get some reusable zip ties. The reusable zip ties have a little tab that lets you open them.
You can use these to secure the ports/doors, so kitty can't stick his foot or head in there. Those doors/ports are the other major breach point, so you want them secured at all times.

Don't use the port-mounting food/water cups. You want those ports secured with zip ties. So instead, use the food/water bowls that mount to the side of the cage with a screw with wing nut and washer. Like this:
http://tinyurl.com/ptb8vph

Finally, get a couple training alarms and put them around the cage.
I have this one:
http://www.amazon.com/Tattle-Tale-Sonic ... B000ANOT9U

If the cat jumps up onto the table alongside the bird cage, they'll sound and spook the cat, hopefully causing her to run away.
And they'll also alert you to the problem!

With most finch cages, the bar spacing is too close together to allow the cat to get her paw into the cage. But that won't stop them from trying! But as long as the cage is strapped to the wall with the corners reinforced with zip ties and the ports/doors zip tied closed, you should be good!
The key is to make the cage so it can fall to the floor and remain intact, without allowing the cat access.

Hope this helps!

[Melanie Gagnon]

I love your ideas and will certainly use a couple of them. I had already decided to use zip ties to reinforce the cage strength. I am not sure if I was clear about the new cage because sometimes I admit that I don't explain good but the new flight cage is on it's way and it has an attatched stand on rollers.
This is the description of the cage. It's heavier built which is what I was looking for. The cage is held together with bolts and screws.
Prevue Pet Products Wrought Iron Flight Cage with Stand F040 Black Bird Cage, 31-Inch by 20-1/2-Inch by 53-Inch
Prevue Hendryx (353)
With this kind of cage would you still attatched it to a wall? It is heavier so do you think my cat could still knock it over. I had lady Gouldians in which one was a blue female and my neighbors cat was able to get a hold of her wing and damage it to where she wound of dieing from the would. I don't want this too happen with my cat.
I am trying to attatch a picture but it won't work. Thanks again for your respone and I look forward to hearing more of your thoughts. Melanie G.

[MiaCarter]

Melanie Gagnon -- Hi Melanie.

I have a slightly larger cage, same brand, and it's actually not all that sturdy due to its height. It would be relatively easy to tip.
If a medium to large cat jumped up and clung onto the side, it would easily tip over (possibly injuring the cat too).
So I would still definitely anchor it to the wall, as I've had cats topple things that you wouldn't dream they'd be able to tip!

It's one of those things where I'd rather be safe than sorry. It only takes one mishap and they're gone forever.

[Melanie Gagnon]

I agree with "Better to be safe than sorry." Would you happen to know a good website to get the alarms from and how do they work? I appreciate all of your input and advice.

[CommaHolly]

wow, great suggestions! I'm going to have my husband secure the cage to the wall,,,,,,,,,

[MiaCarter]

Melanie Gagnon -- I know they have them on Amazon; that's I think where I got mine.

I think they work by vibrations?
I'd put them on the table beside the cage and they sound if the cat goes near. They back off, it turns off. It's a really shrill sound.
It didn't seem to bother the birds, though. In fact, they'd all do their excited chirps.

[Melanie Gagnon]

Amazon is where I got my cage that I'm waiting for. Thanks for the info and I will definitely get a couple of alarms.

[wildbird]

Don't allow cats anywhere near birds. They are a natural preditor & will cause constant stress to the birds. They are also a danger, can claw at them & will injure or kill them if they can.

[Melanie Gagnon]

Ok. Thanks. I discovered 2 eggs in the zebras nest. I was thinking about moving them to the larger cage but don't think it is a good idea now. Can anyone tell me if I'm right?

[lovezebs]

Melanie Gagnon
Hello Melanie.
There are some wonderful ideas that people have posted. I would also suggest some in-home training sessions with a spray water bottle set on long distance setting. A few surprise sprays under the tail and at the back of the kitties heads do a world of good and serve as a wonderful deterent.

[Melanie Gagnon]

I do have the spray bottle and have used it on Lady to deter her from using the furniture for her claws. She tries to use the furniture even though she has a big tower. My husband and I watched an episode of "My Cat From Hell" and the guy that works with the people and animals said the water bottle actually teaches the cat that it's not wanted. Not just in an area but unwanted all together. I still believe in using it but my husband doesn't. I've also come to the realization that having a cat that loves getting a bath doesn't mind the water bottle too much.. I definitely want to find the post of suggestions about keeping kitty away from the birds but I don't have a room yet to dedicate to the birds. Hopefully I will find them . Thanks for the idea.

[Colt]

Great suggestions with the cage. I'd go ahead and move them into the new cage regardless of the eggs. She'll definitely lay more for you. ;) In regards to kitty scratching furniture aluminum foil works wonders. Just pin it on the corners or favorite areas. Not pretty but doesn't have to be on forever once she learns not to scratch there.

[MiaCarter]

Agree with Colt.

I'd move them into the bigger cage anyways. You can put the nest in the same position in the new cage (e.g. if it's in the upper back right corner, put it in the upper back right corner in the new cage.) That can help.
They may take to it, maybe not.

Better than leaving them as-is, because you'll be committing to about 8 weeks or longer in the smaller cage if you don't move them now. (2-3 weeks for laying and incubation, 3 weeks until the babies grow up and fledge, then another 2-3 weeks until weaning.)
So better to move them to the new cage. They'll enjoy the extra space for sure!

[Melanie Gagnon]

I did move Sqeakers my society finch to the big cage but I am too worried about the affect my cat would have one my zebras. We decided to test my cat with just one bird to see her interest level. She seems a little too interested for me to leave her unsupervised around the birds for the 3-4 days that I will be in the hospital so I'm gonna keep the zebra's where they are until I get back on the 20th or 21st. Something inside me tells me they will be safer in the hanging cage away from the birds plus I won't be worried about them while I am gone. The less stress I have before surgery the better. Only question I have is will it still be ok to move them on the 21st? I appreciate every bodies advise and input. Thank you so much.