FINCHforum

Newly adopted family of 5 is in too small of a cage. That I am sure.
They just got to our home last night.
They are very happy in this cage though. They seem to operate as a family in it quite well.
Should I look for a larger cage or let them be?

In all reality, I would like hubby to build me a cage/aviary for them....
But if they are happy in this one. Good feathers, eating, drinking, minimal squabbles....

This is a house shaped cage....looks about 20 in. wide x 16 in. deep and 24-30 in. high.
Those are just approx. measurements. And I knew even before cage calculator that it was too small for 1-2 and dimensions the wrong way(up vs. wide).

WWYD? Leave them be or start plans on a new cage?

They would be happier in a larger flight. My vote would be to do that.

Thank you!
That is what I thought but wanted to make sure.
I know hubby will be like but we just got them and they HAVE a cage.
Now, I can say HEY.... and show him the cage calculator.
I wish it was a reverse one. Punch in you have 5 birds and it gives you good dimensions for that many!

1-2 square feet per bird is the general rule of thumb till you start talking about a huge aviary.
Bigger is always better especially if you think they will hatch out more.

Checking into a large rolling cage as we speak. Was looking for one that was dividable if needed so I could separate Mom/Dad for breeding and then open back up later....

I bought an HQ Double Flight Bird Cage from birdscomfort.com and love it. right now i have 8 finches - 4 societies, 2 gouldians, and 2 owls. that's what i would recommend. and it rolls and is dividable.

I have one of those HQ divisible double cages. They are well built and I like it.
One thing to be aware of though. With the divider out the slot it sits in is a fairly generous gap. Almost an inch. Smaller birds could possible squeeze out.
I milled some wooden strips that fill the gap secured by home made wooden 'clamps'. If I want to put the divider back in all it would take is to unscrew the piece holding the front filler strip in place and slide the divider in.

Is this the one you guys are talking about?
http://www.birdscomfort.com/doubleflight_bird_cage.html

Yup. Looks like the same one.

I have the A&E double flight cage, same idea, different company. And yes, with the divider out, the gap is an escape possibility. We just took a piece of standard dowel (round wooden stick available at any Home Depot or Lowes or etc) and used nylon zip ties to hold it in place. If we ever want to put the divider in, we can just cut the zip ties, pull out the dowel, and use the divider.

With the divider out there will also be a floor gap. Now I'm using paper on top of the grate, but before I just laid some fake plants along it and that worked fine.

These are good cages. Your birds will love being able to really fly in it.

Oh yeah, the floor gap. I put a piece of thick, clear plastic across it, held down by the grates, so that the poop cleans off the plastic easily. I have parakeets (budgies) in my big cage, so needed something tough that they wouldn't rip apart.