FINCHforum

I'm very excited to report that my catch cage that I made worked perfectly today! It was the first time I tried it out. I made it out of the bottom grate that I had removed from the cage when I first got it, so it matches nicely and looks like it belongs to the cage. I put it on about a month ago and that is where I feed them their treats, especially millet sprays. So they are very used to it being there and know that the "good stuff" is inside. The door between the main cage and catch cage so far has always been open and they can go in and out as they please. Today I took off the twist-tie holding the door open and tied on some long fishing line and sat a ways away from the cage and just waited for a finch to be in getting some millet. I didn't have to wait very long and one was in. I dropped the fishing line and the finch was caught! It was then very easy to grab the finch in the small catch cage (it's about an 8" cube in size). The outside back panel lifts up so I can reach in easily. It took less than a minute to catch, band and release each bird. A LOT less stressful for them and me! And within about 10 minutes they were going back into the catch cage for millet again!

That is one awesome idea...

That is very creative. Thanks for sharing.

Great idea and looks like it was made that way.
Very nice job

What an absolutely superb idea

Congratulations! It is very creative and looks nice, and very useful. Thanks for sharing.

Boy Gina that is an awesome idea! My finches are so afraid of the bird eating monster 'net'.

Thanks everyone!

After two previous attempts at catching them so I could band them, I decided there just had to be a better way! They are SO FAST and it was extremely stressful for them and me. I searched and searched on the web and this forum for ideas and I got the idea from another member here. I don't remember their name, but it was a bigger catch cage on an aviary. But a great big "thank you!" to them for the idea! It works amazingly well and is (almost) stress free because you can do it so fast. And because 98% of the time they see it as a positive place to go get yummy stuff, they never think twice about going in, even shortly after getting caught in it!

Thats a good idea.

I've always used the top of an old cage with my finches and canaries. I have got themt o the point where they will hop in, and I can put them back in their cage. Some of the birds are used to hopping in themselves, and some will only go in when THEY want to. Great idea, tho!

Fantastic idea. Nice work as well and very clever with the fishing line I love ideas like this that look and work great.

Ed

Love it as the stress is lessened for both bird and owner

Great idea and beautiful Owl family!

What a wonderful idea!! Great job!