Full Spectrum Lighting Setup

[mystica]

I know the full spectrum lighting facts, how long, cri 95 or higher, 5000k - 5800k, etc.
My question is about how to appropriately light my breeding cages. I have nine cages (24 x 18), 3 across, 3 high. Currently I am using lights that hang just a few inches above each cage. From what I am reading, that is too close. Bit when I try to move the lighting to just light the whole room, they don't get much light because they are stacked on shelves close together. I do have a 12 x 6 aviary with full room, full spectrum lighting for non breeders, off breeding season, they don't stay in the breeding cages all the time.
Anyone have a similar set up, or any ideas? I am including a pic, please know that the wires in this pic aren't normally like that, I'm trying to figure out the lighting so it's everywhere at the moment. ;)

[debbie276]

When I had my birds in the basement I ran a line of fixtures down the middle of the room. It's the visual spectrum that is important and they get that from where ever the light is, it doesn't have to be "in their face".

[mystica]

Thanks, Debbie!

[Sally]

I am redoing my birdroom, but these pictures are from how I have had it from 2009 till now. These quad-stack cages have little room between them, so I mounted lights on the backs of the cages. I hated it, because the light would shine in my eyes. Now I found some ultra-thin undercabinet lights that will just barely fit between these cages, so now there is a light on top of each cage.

The only ceiling light in this room is a ceiling fan with sockets for 4 incandescent bulbs, and not enough light to get to the lowest cages. I really dislike the cages to be so dark, so every cage in my birdroom has a light on top. I know that it is not supposed to be done, but this is what I have done since I first got back into finches in 2005, so 8 years of doing lights this way.

My biggest problem is finding light bulbs in the correct range, since I have multiple different fixtures to fit multiple different cages.