FINCHforum

I would like to hear your opinion on the idea of cabinet grade wood sides all the way around the cage(18" x 18" x30") except the front. There I would like to buy 14 gauge wire fronts that will have doors for food and water in it. I would seal the wood with a clear coat of urethane(sp?) to help the clean up periodically.

They use a lot of that type in the UK,so i am sure its a good idea but most have the nest box on the front or end of the cage along with food cups
Have you found a place to get the fronts ?

Not really, I know the UK has a company that makes cage fronts but I can't get a clear view of them from what the web site shows. I wonder if a phone call would cost much to get it from the horses mouth. There seems to be nothing in the states that works for.

Anyway, my local bird shop is discouraging me from using wood. He makes cages and needs the sells I guess!

There are several members on the forum from the UK maybe one will get on here to give some help or pictures,did you look in the gallery for pictures ?

Wades are one of the best over here..if you ring them they may be able to help...I would be surprised if they haven't posted abroad before.Don't forget the time difference if you phone.

http://74.125.77.132/search?q=cache:jYw ... cd=1&gl=uk

Not bad. Can I see more please?

instead of using a urethane to seal the timber try something like linseed oil or tung oil. you wont have to put up with the fumes from the urethane.
for my cages I use linseed inside and out, once a year I re-apply a coat and have birds back in there within a week. linseed oil is also cheaper

How's the clean up with linseed oil. Do you use bleach and water or what?

Birds2grow in the states, but out of business now, used to sell either just the fronts or the full cage. There might be other places locally that makes them.

for cleaning I use a 50% water to 50% vinegar mix, hasnt been a problem with linseed

I use wooden breeding cages I constructed myself. I use pull-out ABS sheeting on the bottom (plastic like product) which I clean every week with a bleach sop solution. The sides are made of sealed hardboard and I've never had problems cleaning it. All food, water and nesting can be accessed from outside the cage.

Here is a pic of my setup.

Birds2grow was a great place to shop. I met the owner several years ago when I was trying to get started. Carol H. sold the business and they moved it up near Sacramento. It must not have made it - too bad. Carol have a good thumb for growing birds - lol.

I'm still looking for cage fronts!!!!!!!!!!

Birds2Grow went out of business after Carol sold it. Another site that used to carry cage fronts was Orchid Tree Exotics, but they went out of business, too. I can't find any place in the US that carries cage fronts--shame! There is a man in Calgary, Canada, Ernie Cobb, who makes cage fronts.

This site has articles about Ernie Cobb, plus two articles on building breeding cages:

www.houseofcrests.com

This site has an article on building bird cages:

www.petcaregt.com/petcare/howtobuildabirdcage.html

Also, I emailed Wade's in the UK some time ago, and they will ship to the US, but they said the postage is very expensive. They will make up to 18" tall and 36" long. They had just sent a shipment of 50 12x14 cage fronts to the US and said it was 120GBP--guess they meant fronts and postage together.

If I could chose a size it would be 30 or 24" x 16" with food doors.

here are a couple of links you could have a look at, think most of them are in the UK (given to me by Paul lol)

http://www.aviaryaccessories.co.uk/other.htm

http://www.kgcages.com/index.html

http://www.kentcages.com/NestboxGouldian.htm ( go to the home page from here)

http://www.wadescagefronts.co.uk/index.htm