Wanting to expand

[Harley2013]

Thinking of expanding. Inquiring about a large enough cage but affordable that can be fixed into an indoor Averey for my finches. Wanting to add safe plants many branches perches etc. more of a natural type look for the birds. Any suggestions on affordable cages and where to purchase to be used for this purpose? I picture in my head a miniature version of the bird atriums at the zoos.

[rancho2]

what size cage are you thinking of? I have a large cage, 64" x21" that houses 6 at the moment. it has a divider which I have used now and then. it also came with a rolling cart. I absolutely love it.

[finchmix22]

I use the double flights too, but if you want a natural set up that is similar to the aviaries at zoos, you probably should make your own. There are several threads about members different indoor aviary setups.

[Ginene]

This is an A&E Corner Aviary. It comes in different sizes.
http://www.homepatioandcabin.com/A-E-Co ... g-2013.htm

Here's another A&E Aviary, but this one has a pitched roof.
http://www.hayneedle.com/product/pitche ... aviary.cfm

[Finnie]

rancho2

Is that a newspaper wall lining the bottom sides of your cage? It looks very straight. How do you have it fixed in there so that it doesn't flop over?

Very nice setup, by the way.

[rancho2]

hi finnie,

yes, newspaper got tired of all the seed that came out. i take whatever section of paper and fold about 3 inches lengthwise (that's the part that you see sticking up, sometimes i need tape in places), and lay the unfolded at the bottom. when all sides are covered i put several pages on the bottom for daily use. easy to slide in and take out. it works for me. i even vacuum with a hand held. just the daily stuff. stays clean until the weekend when it's time to scrub. and glad you like the set up it's my little creative outlet.

[Finnie]

So you just fold it, huh? Interesting. I wouldn't have thought it would stay in place doing that.

I have two cages just like that for my budgies, which I cut newspaper to fit the bottom. I may just try folding some up for the sides, although I have a feeling budgies would mess with it or blow it around more than finches would. I know the budgies hens definitely chew the corners.

But I could try the folding idea for the finch cages too. Thanks!

[rancho2]

the only time the finches try to tear it is if they're building nests. never had budgies, sounds like they're busy remodeling the cage for you let me know how it works out for you.

[Harley2013]

I'm still shopping for an aviary type cage. Any input on these?

[Harley2013]

By the way.... Any input on wooden indoor aviaries? Thinking of cleaning issues??

[Harley2013]

My husband is having a fit about my idea of an indoor aviary, he feels it will make too much of a mess, and take up too much space. Although, I have done the measurements and it really takes up no more space than the area they are using now, and the mess in my eye in very minimal now. He a bit of a control freak. So, with my living in New Jersey, just how difficult would it be to have an outdoor aviary of some type outside year around? What would the safe heating requirements be, maybe you can help me out with the details on this jersey, New York, or PA friends with year around outdoor set ups.

[debbie276]

When I had the indoor aviary I put all the dishes and water on the bottom and had wood or plexi going up about 8 inches from the bottom. That kept a huge amount of "stuff" inside the aviary.
Now all the birds are outside. I have a coop for them to go into if it's too cold for them kept at 55 degrees F but at first I kept it around 65F. They do very well in the winter. I used to lock them in the coop during the winter but after that first year I've been leaving the little fly way door open and they will go in and out all year long.

[Harley2013]

Really!?? Maybe I will mention that food and water cups at bottom with a seed guard. See if that sways husbands thoughts. Or the above cages I posted, which in your opinion is best? I originally thought wooden frame, because it " looked" more furniture like, then decided through cleanings would be an issue being wood. Then found the two ousted above. I know the finches prefer horizontal, but, I have also read recently, that horizontal exercise really is only a jump here and there, perch to perch, vertical requires more effort of the birds in effect giving them more exercise? Is this true?
Attached is the wooden aviary I had in mind originally.

[wessel]

I have a huge outside wooden aviary and no problems cleaning it. I have a small inside aviary if it gets too cold outside so my birds will survive the winter. I've heard stories that you can better have a horizontal cage than a vertical cage so your birds have more flying ability but i've never had problems with that, as long as you place the perches far out enough of each other so they need to fly to get from one to another you won't have a problem with fat birds or something.

[debbie276]

while the exercise they will get from going up and down is great they fly mostly horizontally so I would go more side to side. It would be like making you constantly walk up and down stairs rather then across the floor. My husband made all my aviaries and we always left a clear area so the birds could fly the entire distance from side to side without any perches slowing them down. They are wood and cleaning isn't an issue.
It looks like your looking at critter cages and not necessarily bird cages. Be very careful of the bar spacing. I wouldn't go bigger then 1/2 inch by 1/2 inch and if you plan on having the smaller waxbills I'd go 1/4 x 1/4.