For those that have the HQ cage - an idea

Kiko · Post by **Kiko** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 3:29 pm

I have been looking at the HQ cage that so many of you have.
I noted that several forum members have said the large door is a minor problem, and that bird escape.

So I was trying to figure out what to do about it, should I get this cage.

If you sew, what about making a large "sleeve", that would attach to the cage with S hooks, or small bungee cords through a casing, and a long sleeve that you stick your arm through.

The sleeve would be long enough that you could easily move around inside the cage and have elastic around the wrist.

Kind of like those setups they use in laboratories, where you put your hand and arm into a sleeve and then you can handle things that are inside a clear plastic housing.

I am clearly no artist, but here are some simple drawings.

What do you think...overkill or useful???
I am always creating, but sometimes I get carried away!

FeatherHarp · Post by **FeatherHarp** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 5:08 pm

Say....That is quite the idea!! It looks like it would work rather well.

Here is a link to another poster's idea for a cage cover. You should post your idea there too for future reference.

http://www.finchforum.com/gallery/displ ... m=3&pos=34

I am lucky to have 2 doors on my HQ flight cage....but I am sure it won't completely eliminate a future escape!

Kiko · Post by **Kiko** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 5:40 pm

Guess I should wait until I actually make one to post pictures on the gallery, we'll see what I find for a cage.

I have finally clued in that there are two similar cages, one with one door and one with two. I guess the two door one is more convienient, but so far haven't found it locally.

I get to have fun looking for the right cage for the next while.

plantsandbirds · Post by **plantsandbirds** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 5:41 pm

That is a great idea!

When I have to use two hands to do something in the cage with the top door open I'll often put a sheet over my head and secure it with clothespins to the cage.

If I only need one hand to grab something in the cage I find that putting my other arm over my head and splaying my fingers out to cover the open area works well.

Ravyn · Post by **Ravyn** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 5:53 pm

When I open my big door I just use my body to block it. That still leaves a bit of opening for the finches to escape whenever I shift, however. So far its worked but so far its just the two goulds...when I add the other two goulds and the three societies there will be a bigger risk of escape.

I may have to put something like that together...though I don't think the sleeve needs to be quite that long...just long enough to drape over the hole when an arm isn't in it, I think. If that makes sense?

Kiko · Post by **Kiko** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 6:00 pm

You are right Rayvn, it could be quite short, with a loose fit over your arm. Probably would be much easier to move your arm around and to put things in and take them out of the cage as well.

Good ideas!

jabo322 · Post by **jabo322** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 12:55 am

I think it's a great idea. I thought of doing something like that myself when I have to use the top door of my cage. An old pair of pantyhose would do the trick.

Fancie Flight · Post by **Fancie Flight** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 2:52 am

Thats a good idea, Ya can also take some vinyl and attach to the inside of the cage with velcro . Ya cut strips in the vinyl sheet so it deters escapes, I just havent gotten around i\to it yet.

Rae2 · Post by **Rae2** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 3:44 am

http://www.qualitydiscountcages.com/pro ... 221&cat=19

http://www.birdscomfort.com/flight_bird_cage.html

Here are two sources to buy the HQ single flight with two doors. You can also buy the double flight if wanted at both sources, but the double flight, while larger, only has one large door. I don't understand why the single has two door openings, while the double has one.
I also wish the double had a divider if needed, to make it into two single cages.
It would be nice to have the option to use as a double, or as two singles.

I bought the single flight. Very happy with it.
Never have seen the HQ cages for sale in a pet store. Only at the sources previously mentioned. Prices are very good compared to what I have seen available in retail stores. Cages for finches in retail land, are very small in comparision to these HQ cages.

I recommend the HQ cages highly. The quality is there, the price is right.

That being said, I do like your way of thinking to minimize escape through the doors. I have had one escape when I used the top door. I now have changed the set up in my single flight so that I normally only have to use the bottom door to access the day to day feeding, watering and clean up.

I also bought a net to use if I ever have one escape again! They are not the easiest birds to catch!

Once again, I love the HQ cages, and recommend them highly.

Post by **Sally** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 12:06 pm

Good idea, Kiko! I have both the single and double HQ cages. The single that I have has two doors, one above the other, and the escapes I had were thru the top door. I now do all the reaching in the cage thru the bottom door and have had no more escapes. With the double flight, there is just one large door at either end, but it does come with a divider. You can shoo the birds to one end, put the divider in, and then work freely on the other end. I only bother with the divider if I have to do a lot of work, though, so some type of door covering would be handy. I did reverse the bottom tray and the grill, so the grill really isn't being used, so don't have that to clean all the time--makes it a lot easier.

Fancie Flight · Post by **Fancie Flight** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 3:09 pm

my singles come with 2 doors also one above the other,

And my double cage has a divider, so I have a sun on each side, Could be different brand Im not sure really,

Fancie Flight · Post by **Fancie Flight** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 3:10 pm

P.S> Like the screen idea I will have to do that, I cant believe I forgot thats how I had one before, lol Whacks self in head, lol

Kiko · Post by **Kiko** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 4:22 pm

Sally - what do you mean by "I did reverse the bottom tray and the grill, so the grill really isn't being used, so don't have that to clean all the time--makes it a lot easier."

I looked at photos of the two door cage and I cannot figure out what you did. I read that people often take the bottom grill out of cages, but I can't see how you could do that with the HQ cages. Do you have a pic?

Post by **Sally** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 5:42 pm

I'm not sure how to link to another post, but if you search for The New Cage Came! thread posted by StevePax, then go to page 4 of that thread, near the bottom you will find a posting by EmilyHurd with a photo of how it looks when the grill and tray are reversed.

You just take out the bottom grill, then slide the tray in the slots that the grill was on. It may be a bit of a tight fit, and you have to push the tray in straight or it will bind, but the tray will be snug all around, so no escapees. Then you just store the grill under the tray--it will appear there is a big gap in front, but the tray keeps the birds in. Now, when you pull the tray out to clean it, there will be a huge gap at the bottom. I pull the tray out all the way to dump the contents in a big garbage bag, but I have not had a bird try to get out the bottom while I am doing this. If you are concerned about escapees while you are cleaning the tray, you just slide the grill back in place while the tray is out. When I am doing baths, or treat dishes, etc., I slide the grill out part way and use it just like a work shelf, then slide it back under when I am finished.

This way, you aren't using the grill, and the birds land right on the floor. You can set dishes of treats/veggies or a bath dish right on the bottom tray. Voila, no poopy grill to clean!

Sorry I don't have photos to post (I have got to get a camera!), but I hope between my explanation and Emily's photo, you can get the idea.

Kiko · Post by **Kiko** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 6:00 pm

Sally that is very clear, and makes so much sense. I don't want to clean a bottom grill either, so this is good news.

I really can't WAIT - I want my cage and my finches NOW.