FINCHforum

Candace,

Now that the rope controversy is over, would you please say why you won't use twist ties because I have been using them to tie millet spray and some of my decorations. And, like everyone else, I don't want to injure my birds because I didn't know any better. Thanks. BTW - wouldn't it be better if everyone sort took things with a grain of salt as I don't get the feeling that anyone is being critical of anyone else..sort of just read not read into. Just my observation.

I personally will not use twist ties because (especially with hookbills) they like to remove the paper over the wire which is rather sharp and could cause injury.

Also I am not sure of the metal content of the wire is, it could contain something that is not good or could be toxic to a small finch.

Twist ties can be a hazard if a finch catches a foot in it, especially if the paper is not covering the wire completely. If the bird's foot gets entangled in it and the bird struggles it can suffer a severe cut or worse.

I use zip ties pulled very tight to secure silks and nests and cuttleboones. I thread it though the bars and close the zip tie on the outside of the cage and snip the ends off close. I also drill two holes through the top or center of a cuttle bone and thread the zip tie through, again connecting and closing the zip tie outside of the cage. If you pull tight enough they can not get caught up in it.

I use twist ties all the time.
BUT, you do have to watch them. Here is what I have had happen:
- They chew off the paper leaving the bare metal. That bare metal is easier to get a toe caught under.
- On my temporary ties, like for securing doors, they sometimes...somehow...untie the wire. I usually discover this when I see a twist tie in the nest via my nestcam. And you don't want that in the nest.
- If you are using it to secure a door, and they get the tie off, the door is not unsecure.

When you use a twist tie, make sure that the end is outside the cage and where they can't get to it. Don't want them stabbing themselves on that sharp wire.

So once a week, you have to check all the twist ties, to see if any need to be replaced.

To keep a door closed have you ever tried a small spring with a hook on both ends...I forget what they are called but I know you can get them at the hardware store.

Good advise. I will watch my twist ties. The ends are always outside the cage so that I can remove them easily. Many thanks

SuzE,
Grain of salt indeed I like the way you think
I had a cuttle bone twist tied to the cage and I guess with the finch perching on the bone chewing on the top it slid down and his leg went inside the wire loop. It started to flap and go crazy. The Finch thought something had him and it did I heard the commotion and came running into the room and was able to free the leg. It was mangled pretty bad. It heeled but it never was quite right. He lived a long life after that and aquired the name 'Gimpy". I now use 2 different types of cuttle bone holders...they will also work for millet. I will try and find a picture online of what I have been using and never had a problem. This gripper works for cuttle bones, millet, greens. a piece of apple. It can be placed anywhere in the bars. can be sanitized and I have owned then for at least 12 years and never had one break yet.
Here is a picture of the one I use for all sorts of things
http://www.windycityparrot.com/?Screen= ... 06_e571bf7
Here is the other type that I really like
http://shop.gammysfinches.com/product.s ... tegoryId=6

Paper Clip...since we are on the subject
Also below is a post made a while back that Nixity posted about a freak accident with her finch. A Paper Clip penetrated completely through the mouth and out the throat/face area Not all of the pictures are still posted there ( freaky looking) but some of the pictures after the bird was almost healed are still posted. Check it out
http://www.finchforum.com/viewtopic.php ... ilit=paper

One more Story...
I had order some new cages. I put them all together and added birds. I must of house them for 3 months before the accident. They were gouldian offsprings coloring out and place 2 to 4 in each cage depending on the mutaion and sex. I went to change the water tubes one morning and ther was this head sticking through the bars with a beautiful 6 month old gouldian baby dead. It was gross, bloody, and I am tough but I asked Hubby if he would remove it. Upon inspection there was one bar at the top row of the cage that was missing. Manufacturer defect. The bird stuck his head out of the wider space then slide/slipped/fell down and his neck was caught in the normal spacing. He was partially decapitated.
I felt so sorry for the bird in the cage with him that he had to witness that.... Must of been bad. Now I inspect every cage for faults...just because they are brand new doesn't mean they are perfect. Like I said, over the years I have learned a lot of lessons the hard way I at least hope these horror stories help you give your birds the best

After having the birds untie a twist tie on a door, I now use a spring hook that I got from Morton Jones.
http://www.mortonjones.com/detail.php?product_code=176
It works a lot better than wire ties, as I can open it w one hand, but sometimes it gets hung up on the wire mesh of my homemade cage. At 75 cents each, they are not cheap when you have a LOT of doors to latch. That is why I originally used twist ties, to keep the cost down.

Gary,
When I made cages out of hardware cloth I would go to the hardware store and buy screen door springs. I would then cut them to length and attach hooks that I fashioned out of coat hanger wire.
I could make a cheap cage...yet safe cage in my day

Candace
I'm maxed out for cages, 2 stacks of 4 cages per stack. I used up all the floor space that I am allowed by the CEO (my wife). So no more cages.
I have to manage my keeping and breeding with the 8 cages.

You can also check with feed stores for the latches. I used to by them by the dozen when buying harware cloth for cages. They were fairly inexpensive at the time and very easy to put on and use.

The next time you go to Lowe's or home depot check in the hardware dept. for springs they keep them in the misc. section in metal boxes

We've used the thin green flower wire from various craft stores a good bit over the years as a means of fastening. Yet to have any issues. Usually make several loops and tie it off outside the cage. Nobody's yet to work it loose and very rarely even see anyone even bother with it at all.