FINCHforum

Getting cages set up for new arrivals

Candace,

Did you just set all these up today? Look at all that space!

Definitely plenty of space for new arrivals.

wow that is alot of cages. You must be expecting alot of new birds.

I just look at all your posts.....what a set up...amazing! I always enjoy looking at your posts and photos!

I would just like to know how you catch any one finch in those larger enclosures? You must have a good system that works for you.

Misty, I set those cages up over the last couple of days. I had the big ones on my sunroom over the winter where I quarintined the parrot finches from VA and S.FL. I had many in the driveway where I was dismantling and washing but had to move them because the roofers were coming and needed that driveway clear...... so, talk about parfect timing Also getting the roof fixed over the balcony aviary and the downstairs aviary finished.... I guess it is just meant to be.

As for catching birds in a large aviary, I have long handle nets. I fly the birds with one hand and catch with the net hand. In the downstairs one I will have Hubby on one end with a net just to keep them from perching away from me. LOL he tried to help catch all the zebra finches that had free run over the winter and it looked like he was playing racket ball The trick is timing...not strength
I guess I have been doing it so long that you get good at it. It's kind of like badminton, to get good at hitting the birdy takes practice.
One trick I use is when one lands on the wire I approach and hold the net off to the right of the bird. The bird will watch the net and then I either raise my left hand or have another net in the left and raise it.... the bird most always takes off away from the left hand movement and flies right towards the stationary net. A minor movement nets it every time. Though I have found these parrot finches to be more agile flyers than most finches. They manuever very quickly....but I like a challenge and they always tire out before me

Great looking set up, Candace! Exactly how many cages do you have and how many birds are you planning on housing?

In this room I have five 5 foot tall flights. The closet flight (6 foot long) and then eleven 24" x 16 " and six 30" x 18" with a few more to add to the stands and one 30" x 18' x 36'.

In my other room I have Three 30"x 18" x 36" and Four 30" x 18" x 18" and Six 24 " x 16" The larger cages are holding some of my parrot finch babies as they color out. I have a few zebras (Tar Baby) in the smaller cages set up to breed.


Downstairs I have four 36" x 18" x 30" that houses zebra young growing out.
Six 36" x 18" x 30" that houses grasskeet pairs and the large 5 foot that houses the 5 left over grasskeets. And then Six 30" x 18" x 30" that houses old canaries and weavers and future zebras that have been pulled for breeding.
Then in the Goulian building - Large cage bank that can be made into 4 6' flights or 12 24" breeder cages with dividers. I use for goudian breeding. I have each 6' row divided into two 36" long cages with outside mount nest boxes Then I have twelve 24" x 16" x 16" cages and three 30" x 18" x 18" and one 36" x 18" x 30" cages ...all hold ing one to 1 pair of goudians with the exception of the 36" which houses 4 fledglings.
I have a lot of cages and aviaries. I keep most birds seperate unles breeding or growing out. People think it is a lot of work having so many cages. But if you keep only 1 bird or a pair in it they do not get dirty very quickly.
In this cage room will only be Parrot finches. I have 14 which 4 are in an aviary and 1(lost the hen) is in another aviary. 5 are in the other room and only 4 are in this room. I plan on rehoming around 10 from a fellow breeder soon. I want them to have the best home they can. Most will be paired and placed in an aviary, others will be set up in the large cages. The other cages will wait to hold their offsprings.
I like to get the cages before the birds. That way you are prepared and it is the most positive outlook to have. Also I use to have a pet shop so most of the cages are older and I got them at wholesale
So I went back and counted 68 cages, Large cage bank of 12, 24" cages and 7 seperate aviaries I think I've got it covered

Gorgeous!!

I have to ask, where do you usually purchase your 3 and 4 tier sets?
Can you recommend anyone that offers good deals??

Now that I don't have the pet shop I have to pay a little more but I found this company in Tennessee www.countryfeathers.net
You have to call for the wholesale price. To qualify for the wholesale price you must buy 3 cases of the cages. The last time I bought 3 cases of 30" x18" x 36" ( 2 cages to the case) without stands the cages after shipping to my area ran $ 46.00 per cage. of course the smaller cages would be cheaper but I have only ordered 1 case of the 30" x 18" x 18" and it came with large cages so I am not sure on that price breakdown. I have also bought his cages at bird shows...an even better deal.
If you do not need that many cages then you can order the ones on this site which has the shipping included in the price. Still not a bad deal.

WOW!!!! What an AWESOME room!!!! Wish I had a space like that to use for my finches!! Must be nice!! And that aviary is beautiful!!