are two smaller ones better than one big one???

[skyjump100]

ok, so here is the question....

I currently have two separate flight cages that are 32" long. I can buy a double flight cage that is 64" long but can be split into two cages if need be. Would it be better to have the double flight cage so that my 2 pairs of Gouldians have a long flight especially if they have young ones (currently 9 young uns) and then split the cage in two when I want to give them the opportunity to breed if they want to so that they have a bit of privacy?

Does anyone have a double flight cage (Elegance or HQ)? when the divider is removed is the gap very big i.e. can a finch get through the gap in the bars or is it ok?

Cheers

[finchandlovebird]

I have 3 30" long cages, each of which I have split in half so have a lower & bottom cage.
I did have a double wide with the divider in the middle to split it, but I found it too big & cumbersome to move when I wanted to vacuum. I have carpeting in my bird room, so moving a cage around isn't as smooth as if you have wooden or slick flooring.
Other than that, the double wide is just great.

[Nerien]

The gap is big enough for a finch when you remove the divider. What we did was buy a piece of dowel and strap it in the gap with nylon pull-ties. You need one for the gap on the front, and one for the gap in the bottom. But it's a cheap and easy fix.

[dfcauley]

Bigger is always better in my opinion!!

[Sally]

I have the HQ double flight and have kept various species in it without covering that gap. Smaller finches, like Fires or Orangebreasted or OC Waxbills, would be able to escape out that gap, but I doubt it would be a problem with Gouldians. But to be safe, Nerien has given an excellent solution. I have also used 1/2" quarter round molding pieces to cover gaps in cages. For young birds, that extra flight room is great for building them up.

[RockinCanary]

I purchased a AE double flight. They included a bracket which fits between the gap essentially closing the gap. I have 6 Zebras and 1 Canary and have had no escapes

[L in Ontario]

I agree bigger cages or flights are much better. I have had single and double flights. The only escapees were small wax bills from the double but only once when he was very young. Love the space the double flights give the finches!

[Mick M.]

Bigger is definitely better if you have the room , also a help if you need to divide for pair's to breed or split them up from parent's
Some people would divide a 32inch cage for breeding pair's personally I think it's a bit mean and restrict's the bird's too much , they're not little robot's and do need to express themselve's and any extra room is a great help .
Regards , Mick M.

[carlamay]

I have always gone for the longer, the better. I have 2 "standby" cages that are 48" (2x24") and that is what I housed my finches in as the aviaries were being acquired. Do note that cheap, narrow tables can be gotten for a song (excuse me) at garage sales/Craigs List and we have put casters on them so they can be scooted aside for floor cleaning. We originally got 24" cages at garage sales and remove the ends, joined them with zip ties, and had very happy birds!

[skyjump100]

Thanks everyone! I'm getting the feeling that bigger is better I'm also getting the feeling that I will be buying the double flight which then means I will have two reasonably sized cages spare. Wonder what I will do with them...????????

Thanks again everyone

Aren't the zip ties a wonderful invention? I use them for all sortsof things including attaching the nest boxes to the cage, joining them together to fill gaps in bars etc etc...

[Nerien]

I'm also getting the feeling that I will be buying the double flight which then means I will have two reasonably sized cages spare. Wonder what I will do with them...????????

More finches! More finches!