Outdoor cage plans - Final (probably)

[wearjo]

Hey guys,
So I finally got to work, and did a better drawing of what the outdoor cage would look like, and here it is

Here's the front view


Here's the side view


I think it'll be roomy enough the two cages on the edges are for breeding, one for zebra finches, and the other for parrotlets (hopefully). The second cage from the left, is a holding area for parrotlets (If I want to breed a different pair, then I will put the original pair in it) note: that until probably next year, I will be selling most of my parrotlets because I don't have an aviary, but I will probably have one next to the cage The one on the far right, is for breeding Zebra finches, and the two remaining ones are split cages so that I can have boys in one and girls in the other

Here is where the cage complex is most likely to be put:


I will be clearing the area of the soil, and replacing it with cement, and when the cement is put in, I'll put in the 6 base lengths of wood (havent decided on what wood yet) Then I'll build it from there... The cages will only have one not solid bit which is the front, and the cages will be all double wired to stop predators from stealing the lives of my precious birds

Please tell me what materials I should use and how I could improve it and predator proof it

[wearjo]

Just in case you think I'm being mean, note that the cages are 1 metre deep (about 3 foot I think...)

So they're (going by LxWxH and using inches, this'll be slightly off and converted to two significant figures after the decimal) 15.75 x 19.69 x 39.37 inches

I think it's a great space to start up my collection of finches and parrotlets

[dan78]

Jono looks a treat, only concern is being deep its going to be hard to catch the little buggers. If this was my cage I would look at building it out of any wood except treated pine. Only reason I say this is parrots are well known chewers and if they chew treated pine they can get poisoned. Go something like a pine or a hard wood like Oregon. Your wood can be painted not with heavy metal paints and this will help protect the wood from the weather for a while. Double mesh is a great idea so that's a big tick from me. As for roofing I don't know which way you want to go but something like metal with lining in the roof to help protect the birds from getting burnt during summer would be ok. I do like how your trying to plan everything so keep it up and you will get the cage that works best for you and your birds.

[wearjo]

Thanks Dan I've got a breeder friend on facebook who suggested I put two of them up the top, put the stilts down 30cm and increase the cages height by 30cm, and the length by 10 cm

With the catching birds issue, it's not too much of a problem, because I'll have a small butterfly net to use (The ring is flexible so it doesnt matter if at first look it doesn't fit)

Edit: With the two cages on the top, I meant that there'd be 4 cages on the bottom and two on the top so I can split sexes of both the specie of birds I breed

[wearjo]

Ok so I went to bunnings today, and it's likely that I'll just get some weather proof shelving and build the cage it'll be so much easier and foolproof

[Rispa]

I would make a screened area in front that's just big enough for you to comfortably move around in. That way if birds escape while you are trying to catch them, they don't escape into the wild. If you use something like window screen it might help reduce the sun that gets to them, even if it is only one one side. Have you thought about putting some cheap and bird safe live plants in there? You also might want to try making a removable grate so it can be cleaned easier. A wood frame that slides out would work well I think. The grate would prevent them from getting out when the tray is out. Or maybe a flap over the opening for the tray if you weren't planning on using a grate.

[wearjo]

Yeah I was thinking about making a lockable flap, because although I strongly believe that they need to feel a flat textured surface (don't ask me why)

[poohbear]

The theory is fine,but in practice with flights like this you will lose birds.A safety porch of some description is essential...they can slip past you in a millisecond.

[wearjo]

Hmmm... The area Im allowed to put it doesn't have much space, and definitely no space for a double door... Maybe in the future I could see if I can turn it into a little patio area?