Cheapest place to purchase the prevue F030

[tt101]

Hello everyone,

I have my eye on the prevue F030, I love that cage. Should be a good size for 4 pairs of peaceful finches! Anyone know of a secret or less known source in canada?

Thank you

[erine]

tt101 Honestly, there isn't. The only way I got mine was through Amazon.com and had it delivered to the US. But that doesn't look to be an option for you. It's the shipping that's the killer for that cage. So, unless you happen to make a trip soon I think your best option would be Kijiji or three like. I know lovezebs has had some luck that way. Appropriately sized finch cages aren't easy to find. Good luck!

[lovezebs]

tt101 erine

"Amazon.ca", kids.

Usually they offer free shipping.

Or as Erine mentioned, second hand on kijiji (that's where I've found mine.

[tt101]

erine@lovezebs

I found it for $220 on amazon with free shipping (though in truth, it may be from a vendor who does not ship to canada TYPICAL!!!) but to be honest even $220 is a stretch for me.

Kijiji has been zero luck for me with cages. All are way too small and people are asking more than new in some cases!

I did find the prevue f050 on amazon in extra large size for only $150. I like that price, but I seen the f030 in person and it was huge, is the f050 big too? I shall compare specs!

[tt101]

So found the f050 for 137......plus a $200 import fee from the us. Otherwise $500 here in canada and the other cage for 220 was also like 500 due to an import fee. So I think I will build my own flight!

Make it huge, 5-6 feet long with 2 feet wide and 6-7 feet tall. Have the bottom half of the 3 walls covered in plexi glass, and the back covered in plywood. The top half of the front 3 walls covered in 1/4 inch mesh metal screening. Vinyl stick on tiles on the floor and back wall. I will then build a bottom grate by stapling the 1/4 inch wire to a frame out of 1x1 wood beams (planks? What do you call them?) sticks?. Then have some full spectrum bulbs built into the roof with 3 48 inch fluorescent light fixtures.

That must be better than just buying a cage right?

[debbie276]

Mine were simular to this only I never use grates. They LOVE being able to root around on the bottom. All food and water sits on the bottom so they have to go up and down for exercise.
Having the plexiglass go up the sides and front a bit will keep alot of mess in the flight. We used white board instead of plywood, wipes up very easily. Sometimes it can be found in the panaling section of home improvement stores. Sometimrs in the bath section where they have shower wall panals.
Would love to see pictures as you go
Good luck

[Dave]

For an inexpensive cage (probably not for your living room, though), I use metal shelving units available from lumber, hardware or even WalMart. I wrap them in either metal or plastic netting and cut out doors. A slide out tray could be added, but I don't need that for canaries.

I like them because these are 36" long, the minimum, I think, for finches so they can fly back and forth.

Another place to look for cages is at Rabbit Supply companies. Some of them also make bird cages.

[lovezebs]

http://www.finchforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3356

Just came across this on the Forum. Maybe will come in handy.

[lovezebs]

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/222365300325061394/

A few more ideas to make me drool....

[tt101]

debbie276@Dave@lovezebs

Mine were simular to this only I never use grates. They LOVE being able to root around on the bottom. All food and water sits on the bottom so they have to go up and down for exercise.
Having the plexiglass go up the sides and front a bit will keep alot of mess in the flight. We used white board instead of plywood, wipes up very easily. Sometimes it can be found in the panaling section of home improvement stores. Sometimrs in the bath section where they have shower wall panals.
Would love to see pictures as you go
Good luck

The grate is there to prevent them from stepping into their own droppings. It also covers up the droppings a little so the cage won't look quite as nasty. I like the idea of white board, melemine also works well (but can be stupid expensive). I like the shower wall idea.

If I do end up making it, I will post a build!
Thank you

For an inexpensive cage (probably not for your living room, though), I use metal shelving units available from lumber, hardware or even WalMart. I wrap them in either metal or plastic netting and cut out doors. A slide out tray could be added, but I don't need that for canaries.

I like them because these are 36" long, the minimum, I think, for finches so they can fly back and forth.

Another place to look for cages is at Rabbit Supply companies. Some of them also make bird cages.

Well this is simply a genious idea! These look so sturdy too! And a fraction of the cost of the ready made ones! Nice idea, if I create a breeding program in the future, I already have some 5 foot long shelving similar to the ones you have that would make excellent breeding cages!

Thanks again


Elana,

Why did you have to go and make me drool like that? Those home made flights are absolutely stunning! Thank you for sharing! It gets the creative juices flowing!

But looking at that link you posted for a thread on this forum, one huge GLARING mistake came through to me. That member forgot to put large enough access doors to remove the finches if she needed to! I can only imagine the nightmare of trying to catch 2 GOLDBREASTS! from inside that large of a flight via those small doors on the middle area. In truth, I completely forgot about a door for mine, now I will factor it into the plans!

Thank you guys, I really appreciate any and all input!

[franny]

Hi tt101,

I'm the one who built the cage for the goldbreasts. Just wanted to mention that the small doors were built that way intentionally. I had cats and wanted doors just large enough to fit my arm in, but not so big as to let the birds zip past me and out the door, just in case a cat got into the room while I was cleaning the cage.

In actual fact the cage was 34 inches long and only 18 or 19" deep on the inside, so with my longish arm in the middle back door, I could reach everywhere in the cage fairly easily. Had no trouble getting them out those small doors even with my hand in a fist. Actual openings were close to 6 inches square. Never had a bird escape either.