FINCHforum

My boyfriend's pair of male zebras are getting a housing upgrade now our work bonuses have been paid and we were thinking of getting them this as the length of the cage should allow the boys plenty of flying room. Does it look OK to you or should we be looking for something else?

http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/birds/bir ... ral/220256

The cage space calculator in the Information Centre says it's big enough for 2-3 finches.

That is a very nice looking cage And definately big enough for 2 finches.
Some of the other members may have links however, for something about the same size and less expensive.

We'd definitely be interested in links to something the same size but cheaper! Bear in mind we're in the UK though, so companies in the US are out. That's the cheapest one of that sort of size and shape I've found in the UK (that isn't a 'breeding cage' and hence has most of the sides made of solid wood).

hi
why dont you try e-bay,just put in double breeder cages and they will come up with lots of cages and probably a 1/4 of the price


ken

Here are some links....

http://www.myposhpet.co.uk/birds/bird-cages/#1

http://www.supapets-online.co.uk/pet_bird_cages.htm

http://www.justcages.co.uk/small-bird-cages

It's the shape that's proving difficult to find an alternative for - the one I linked is 100x50x60cm. The double breeder cages on ebay would be good except almost all of them are solid wood/plastic on most of the sides. I could only find one that was all wire and I didn't get enough of a good vibe from the seller to feel confident spending £60 with them...

The one you want to buy for 99 pounds would be handy enough to make, with a cage front and then some galvanized wire and a length of wood.

Actually IMHO you want the sides covered. I have wire cages and I cover the back and both sides with plastic sheets.
#1 - it gives them some privacy to have a side of the cage where "predetors" won't come from.
#2 - and the biggest reason for me. Zebras "shoot" their poop OUT, not always down. Where there is a perch next to the plastic, the sheet of plastic is covered with sprayed poop. Without the plastic that poop would end up on the wall, floor, or furniture. In fact, before I put the plastic up, I was constantly cleaning poop off the wall, floor and bookcase.
#3 - the solid sides will contain seed hulls. The seed hull will just fly out all over from the wire cage when they fly around the cage.

I would recommend covering the sides for the more sensitive and shy species, especially for breeding purposes. But for zebras, I wouldn't worry too much about them worrying for their safety from predators. I personally, dislike covering the sides and back of the cages because I like to enjoy my birds from all angles and views of the cage. For this precise reason, I do not keep species that require that kind of privacy and "protection". In regards to the seed hulls, yes, it becomes a issue but it usually takes me only 5-10 minutes to vacuum any accumulated messes. Zebras do not require the additional privacy that some species require and if you don't mind the very occasional poop squirt or seed hulls, I would recommend doing without any additional coverings. Just my two cents.

hi
its strange but i would never buy a cage or anything like that from the outset i always built my own i just bought the right cage front and built a box round it usually of white melamine a cage front cost almost pennies when i was building cages and the wood would cost a bit more but it never cost the prices that the people who are trying to sell you thier cages

ken

Kenny is correct melamine is a great material for birds easy to wipe down and keep clean.
And cage fronts here are really cheap.

http://www.supapets-online.co.uk/cage_fronts.htm

If you buy the Cage front first you can they measure the amount of wood you need and then go and get it cut to your preference. All you need is to drill a few screws and you have it made.

hi
my cage fronts where really made well and only cost £2 each,the good thing about melamine is you can caulk all the joints before screwing them together so it keeps cage mites at bay

ken