A&E or HQ double flight?

[Debbi]

Hi.

I have recently purchased one male star finch, and am waiting on another (they only had one pair and the female was on hold to be picked up) and I'm not liking the first cage I bought (Petco's 30x18). The grate can't easily be removed without sacrificing the integrity of the cage, and the poor little guy flutters around everytime I go to change paper. So I'm looking at a double flight with the removable divider.

Any preferences as to the A&E or the HQ? Would the approx. 7 1/2" in depth be missed, or is it just wasted space? I read somewhere on here that the trays are shallower in the HQ, but by how much?

Any info is appreciated.

[Sally]

I have the HQ double flight and love it. The only down side is that it takes up a lot of floor space, but it is nice flying room for the birds. I took the grates out of mine, then I slide the tray in on the rails that are there for the grates to lie on. Then the grate goes back in under the tray. My HQ cages are older, so this may not work any more, if they have changed them. I have one cage I bought at a mart that I thought was HQ, but it is just a little different, and I could not slide the tray in on the rails for the grate. So, I took out the grate anyway, then used a piece of molding painted to match the cage, and hung it in the front of the cage, closing up the rather large gap that was left when the grate was removed.

I did a thread on how I changed out my single HQ flights, and most of the information applies to the double as well. Well, it took me a while to find it, but now I have the link for you.

http://www.finchforum.com/viewtopic.php ... t=HQ+Cages

[Debbi]

Thank you so much Sally. A lot of very useful info there! Is the paint on yours still holding up well?

[finchmix22]

Sally,
I have the HQ double flight cage too and I had not thought of reversing the tray and grate, but I put down paper towels over the grate in the cage to help their feet. They don't waste as much food and clean up is easier too. Lots to think about.
One question, how many finches do you think the single/double flight can house comfortable, without being over crowded? I have six on each side, but wondered if they could tolerate 8?