FINCHforum

Does anyone know of any sites with good instructions on building breeding cages. I'd like to build a few of them outside for some European Goldfinches but am unsure of what the best way to do it is. The breeding cages I'm referring to are the ones with the solid back and sides to give the birds more privacy than the standard metal bird cage. They would also be bigger than normally used indoors seeing how I'll be placing them outside and would like a little more room for them to fly around.

The primary driver is the cage front.
If it is commercial, then 2 of the dimensions (height and width) will be driven by what you can find. Depth is whatever you feel like making it. 18 would probably be max, so you can still reach in when you need to catch them.

You will have to check European sites, as the cage fronts seem to be a European thing. Unfortunately they are not common in the US.

I googled rabbit hutches and came up with ideas to modify for outdoor breeding and flight cages. There are great examples and plans to borrow from.
I would caution you to use 1/4 inch mesh or hardware cloth instead of the common 1/2 inch otherwise mice and snakes can get in. Also, if mosquitos are a problem you can screen in the cages. One hazard with this is the birds nails can get caught in it. Many of us have done it wrong and you can learn from our mistakes.
I enjoy keeping several species outside year round. In the winter I cover the sides with clear plastic and use a heat lamp. It rarely gets bad down here. Wind and damp are worse than cold. The only species that does not go outside are my gouldians. They are in the garage. In south FL we fight the humidity and rain rather than the cold.

We do have lots of mosquitos at night, especially on a warm muggy night such as tonight. What problems do they pose to finches?

My main problem with the outside aviary are the critters of the night, cats, fox, raccoon, opossum, skunk etc. Be sure to build your cages with secure latches and wire so if say a raccoon climbs on it you don't have to worry.

Candace at Cando aviary might be able to give you a source for cage fronts...if she can I can clue you up with cage building.