FINCHforum

I was just thinking, now that they are in a double flight, it will be a little more difficult to catch them for periodic nail trims if needed. How should this be done in a double flight to make it easier, on them and myself to not cause too much stress? I was thinking a small net, that way I am not chasing them back and forth all over upsetting everyone.

http://www.finchinfo.com/general/catchi ... ndling.php here is the link in the finch information center or catching and handling, hope this helps.

I personally find it's easiest to let them all out of the cage in a bird-safe room. A bathroom works nicely; just be sure to cover the mirror and pull curtains to close the windows. Remember to shuffle your feet and watch your step so you don't step on anyone.

Then, catch them one by one --- either with a net or a piece of fabric, which is tossed over the when he's landed --- and tend to each bird before returning him to the cage.

I find this much easier, faster and less stressful than trying to wrangle birds inside a cage. I find it difficult as it's hard to keep track of who's who when they're all in a panicked flutter. And you're right up against the cage which makes it more difficult to keep track of the bird you're seeking.

If you want to try a net inside the cage, you need to remove all structures like perches, shelves, etc, as they tend to get in the way.

In-cage catching works well if you can do the mid-air ninja catch. Some can literally pluck them out of mid air. Alas, I'm not among those individuals. I couldn't do the mid-air ninja catch to save my life! My reflexes are far too slow and I'd be afraid I'd grab too hard, causing injury.

The double flight is large, so not practical to move it to a smaller room. It should have come with a divider. I insert the divider, thus trapping some birds on each side. Or you can try to trap most of them on one side. To catch them, I use a small net. Sometimes it helps to remove the perches, so they aren't in your way. Since the doors on these flights are large, I place a large net over the opening, then reach around the large net with my smaller net. Or you could hang a piece of fabric over the opening, anything to discourage them from bolting out that open door.

If you trap all the birds on one side, then you can place each bird on the other side after you are finished with it, so you aren't catching the same bird multiple times.

Well, the problem with the divider is I had to use the reinforcers to hold the two sides together, because of a huge gap. So to use the divider, I would have to unscrew the connectors ( connecting the two sides) then slide in the divider. That equals a Pain!

I normally catch them at night by turning off all the lights in the birds room except a small dim night light, It is very easy to catch them with that way as they don't fly around.