Simple conversion for a spacious flight

NaOH55 · Post by **NaOH55** » Sat Sep 15, 2007 5:45 pm

Maybe some of you have seen this cage that's virtually always available on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Parrot-Bird-Cage-ca ... otohosting

As is, it seems like a great solution for smaller parrots but not so hot for finches given its height. But it does have some potential with a little tweaking. Flip it over and it makes for a pretty big flight cage. The only tricky part to it is making your own base to accomodate the catch-trays. Fortunately I had some spare lumber and threw one together without much trouble. So what we have wound up with is a 50Lx18Wx33H flight for just under $100. Everyone seems pretty happy with it and it offers a lot of exercise. Also it offers enough room to set up some private "roosts" with silk plants. For the cost and the size you get I think its a pretty eloquent solution. The only visually displeasing attribute is what was formerly the bottom of the cage, but I can live with it! Here's some photos, the rest are in the gallery.

EmilyHurd · Post by **EmilyHurd** » Sat Sep 15, 2007 10:00 pm

That was some great thinking on your end! Good luck with the cage, I'm sure your finches love it!

kenny · Post by **kenny** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 7:35 am

it looks perfect for finches..as most birds dont need the height as long as they have a long length to fly they will keep fit enough!

ken

NDan · Post by **NDan** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 9:06 am

I've thought about doing this for a while. Its great to see an example. I have one cage that is tall.... maybe I'll try this.

Post by **Sally** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 4:30 pm

I, too, have an extra tall cage--it is sitting in storage collecting dust, as I found it just didn't work with finches. It would be a fantastic parakeet cage. But now maybe I can make some use of it turning it into a horizontal flight cage. Thanks for the info.

Post by **Sally** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 12:10 pm

Couple of questions:

1. Did you make the base just around the perimeter, or did you use a piece of plywood under the bottom, then have the three pieces of wood as the perimeter for the cage to sit on? And did you fasten the cage to the base with something like staples?

2. My cage is about the same size - 50x18x30 - so I can use the catch tray like you did, but what did you use for the other catch tray? Did you build one out of wood? It looks from the photo like a catch tray from another cage.

3. I would have the same thing with the old bottom now on one end, but I thought about cutting off the bottom with metal snips. Think that would work?

NaOH55 · Post by **NaOH55** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 10:16 am

1. Another piece of wood for the bottom. Unfortunately I didn't get to take photos of the building process, but this bottom piece was a plank, 7" wide, 1/2" thick. Being that wide all you need is one piece running the length and the trays are perfectly stable.

2. It is another catch tray, a cannibalized one. I used the tray from my old 30x18x18 petco flight and cut it down to size. I'm a little torn between seeking out some custom alternative or sticking with the two trays. With two, clean up is a little easier not trying to maneuver a 4 foot tray to the waste bin.

3. It would work just fine, but if you do I'd advise you have a grinder or file handy to smooth out the edges and maybe even a little bit of touch up paint to ward off rust/corrosion.

A few extra notes, I didn't secure it to the base; Its own weight takes care of that. If you're going with the standard dowels be sure to get them 19" or over, I tried the 18.5" and they are way too loose.

Post by **Sally** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 10:23 am

Thanks for the info! Now I can put that cage to use, instead of having it sitting around collecting dust. Once before, I took two 30x18x36 flight cages, removed two ends, and put them together for a 60x18x36 flight. I did it in a hurry, without planning, so it was somewhat wobbly, but I think I might do it again, with a little wood framing for stability. I want some longer flights, and I have 8 of those flight cages, so wouldn't cost me much at all to convert them. Thanks again for the inspiration!