Height necessary?

[chirpy]

Hello!
My brother in law who I am asking to make me a flight age came over for dinner today. He is willing to make me a cage and stand... And is quite excited.
I wanted one pref 40 length, 24 wide, and the height ... I wasn't sure of.
He wants to make the height 50 or so so when it is on the stand it is like a hutch.
Is height necessary? I would rather 50 wide... Though that is massive!

Given the measurements if
40L x 24W x 50H
How many societies would I be able to fit?

Thank you ;)

[Lisa]

Lots!! Societies are very chummy and enjoy being all smushed up together ... I wouldn't seriously overcrowd them but in my opinion, they are the one finch that doesn't require quite as much elbow room per bird as other finches. Even if you get them tons of space, they'll all pile in one little spot to sleep, stick together on the branches, etc.

That's nice of your brother in law to build you a cabinet. Send him to NY when he's done! ;) It's more important to emphasize length rather than height but height is also nice as birds will use this to swerve up or down when they fly. Most of the times birds will roost high up and ignore the bottom more or less. Societies aren't really as active flyers as many other finches but I'm sure they will love their new home.

[chirpy]

Lisa thank you for the reply!

Lol so when you say lots... Are we talking 6? Which is around what I want lol anymore and I think my husband will not be very happy! Lol! (Ah well! Lol)

He is starting up a small business doing rehome/flip etc and I think every construction work will help out portfolio wise..? Maybe thats why he's so eager! If you ever have watched the Vanilla Ice house flipping show ... Well that's what's he's like BLING BLING! I'm more of a country type warm home kind of girl so I'm like "whoaaaa calm down a bit there!" He wants to make it "dope!"

He is getting me the materials and said its only cost $60-$70 at most and said that's including stainless mesh wiring which I have read are pricey! I was going to scrub galvanized as I have read many finch owners use them after its been cleaned very well. Well if I can get the "good stuff" then why not I suppose ad he said it'd take one whole day. Well... I hope he's not taking things lightly!!! Cause I've read many people takin it weeks to do!

[Lisa]

Lol, he sounds pretty motivated... maybe he can knock it all out in one day if he's that gung ho about it.

In my opinion, 6 societies would be fine for that space. Other finch species may not fare so well that many to a space but societies like to be bundled up together always and are ultra sociable with each other. I really think they will really enjoy it. Give them plenty of foliage and offer them baths, millet, romaine lettuce, and they'll be in heaven!

Please post pics when he's done building... would love to see what it looks like. I need a relative who will build some nice birdie furniture for me! I always see these projects people post of their hubby built this or their brother or uncle built this other thing for them. My husband just rolls his eyes when I buy more cages lol

[chirpy]

Lisa
I KNOW! My husband - ultimate couch potato. He's a living Homer Simpson I swear! I even MOW the lawn and he's home. Of course I let him know that I am suffering from allergies the second I come in even if it isn't so bad! Grrrrr!! He told me that I can't have more than the pair... LOLOLLLLLLL so-he-thinks!
So 6 will work fine great! Do you think it should be 50length? I really can't have it that big honestly and 40 is almost pushing it! I hope that is ok cause 10 inches is big...

You should of heard him. I guess he did his HW! He was telling me that finches need just about square foot of space per bird.. I didn't tell him that info. Then went on about how my cage is te minimum I can have a pair ... Lol OK! Glad he's enthusiastic! I hope to get step by step picture ;) he is building me some storage space for under the cage.. Like I guess a fish tank or something.. And make sure that the top comes off invade we have to move.

I'm scared he's going to put an iced up chandelier in there and say its "dope" painted in silver when I want it in some country blue ish color haha...... Ah dear.

[ac12]

Have him design in a way to divide the cage.
Trying to catch a bird in a BIG cage will be tough. The smaller the space you can restrict the bird to, the easier it is to catch the bird.

[debbie276]

There is a calculator on the Finch Information Center pages in housing that you can use as a general guide to how many can fit comfortably in a cage. Of course it depends mostly on the species and variety of species you are housing together
http://www.finchinfo.com/housing/cage_s ... ulator.php
40x24 inches it says 3 to 4 birds
50x24 inches it says 4 to 5 birds

If you can give height in a cage you should. Height helps build a whole other set of muscles then just vertical flight.

[Bhatta]

Height is not very important. Birds always prefer to use the upper portion of cage if it is too high. Therefore, the lower portion will remain unused. Try to make it long (3X), keep the width and height same (1X-2X). Following link will help you to estimate the number of birds:
http://www.finchinfo.com/housing/cage_s ... ulator.php

[chirpy]

Bhatta Thanks!
I don't know why but this question posted twice and I tried to delete it! I got some great answers including yours

these so DUMB smart phones doing more than I ask them to!

[chirpy]

ac12 I totally forgot about diving the cage it should be easier to clean as well...! thanks for that

@debbie276 I am strictly going to keep societies, I can not have enough of them.. I love their lifestyle I will give it height then for the happiness of the birds I am sure they will also feel safer higher. Now I have to look around for bird safe paint etc. Hoping to have this project done by the end of summer he a busy busy man!

[Sally]

chirpy

I merged your two topics, so the answers will all be in one place.

[debbie276]

I have my food and water down on the bottom of the aviary so they have to fly up and down. It's good exercise and builds strong muscles. My birds spend a lot of time on the bottom as well as the top half foraging, bathing and just being curious about their surroundings.

[chirpy]

Sally oh thank you I tried to delete the other but it was still up!

Many thanks!

@debbie276 mine hang out at the bottom a lot too. I am glad as I think this means they aren't very intimidated by my cat right..? But I will def do this to get use of the cage set up ;)

[Musetta]

chirpy, I may have told you this elsewhere already, but my societies LOVE the height of their cage. I would say that it is about 50" or maybe a little taller, not including its legs (including legs it is 68", but that's b/c it has a pointed roof). They have lots of length and width as well (37" length x 27" width), but I think that they appreciate the "zoom room." Even my goulds, although they spend most of their time at the very top.

Anyway, if you can find the room, I think length does make a difference. I am excited for you and looking forward to seeing it when it is completed! What are you going to do with your Soc babies, if and when your current pair have them? I think mine are getting ready...

Too bad you are all the way over in Chicago! About eleven hours from me...boo. Otherwise I would suggest a Soc baby finch trade one day! My sister lives in South Bend, IN, so maybe one day we can make it happen! haha.

[Sally]

Though length (horizontal) is more important than height, I don't think you can ever go wrong by giving them some height as well. Just as an 8'x10'x8' aviary is better than a 4'x6'x5' aviary, the more space you can give them, the better for the birds, especially when it is to be a permanent home. As long as the height is not way out of proportion to the rest of the measurements, as is so often the case in cages built for hookbills, I think it can be a good thing. A good example is the basic economy cages that are 30x18x18 or 30x18x35. If you have the space, the 30x18x35 is a better choice.

As Debbie said, offering food/water/baths at the bottom of the cage encourages them to use the entire space. The more exercise your birds can get, the better for their health.