Finch Take-Home Boxes

[Martie]

In my opinion,Finch keepers should have proper carry cages...I don't like the cardboard used by pet shops.Transporting birds is stressful for them, and I think it's important that the bird has something to grip.Sliding about in a smooth box can't be good for them.

The more I'm thinking about this, Poohbear, the more I agree and am really honing in on a corrugated cardboard box. It's less stressful, I think, for them to be in a small dark place, a stick or dowel perch could be easily wedged in for them to hang on to, and the rigid sides would afford some real protection. As if that weren't enough, it's also the least expensive alternative - half the cost of the cheapest pet-store-style ones.

[debbie276]

It's less stressful, I think, for them to be in a small dark place, a stick or dowel perch could be easily wedged in for them to hang on to, and the rigid sides would afford some real protection.

I always make out better if they are in a dark area without all the visual stimulus, it keeps them calmer and gives them a certain amount of protection. How many times have you had birds in cages and they totally freak out when someone or something gets to close. I can't imagine walking around a show with them in a little wire cage without them being exposed to everything around them. I would also keep the birds from different vendors separate till I had time to assess them during quarantine.
Going from building to car and car to home in these little cardboard boxes also cuts down on the wind and you could easily wrap the box in a towel to keep them from getting cold without them freaking out.

[Sally]

Paul....I agree but often the people walking into the shows do not bring cages with them. More experienced birders do. I am leaning more on getting the a stock of little wire traavel cages and selling those.

If I was doing a local show perhaps pairing some of the birds in a small inexpensive parakeet cage that can be used later as a hospital cage or a cage to put the bird in while cleaning a cage.

This is what I take to the shows. Country Feathers sells a case of 30 for $83...I could add a few dollars to the sale and provide a carrier if needed.

This is the type carrier I use at the marts. Some buyers will bring their own cages. Since I am selling the more expensive species, I simply provide a carrier at no charge if the buyer doesn't have one. If someone wants to purchase a carrier to use with another vendor, I charge $3, which is basically getting back my costs. But I can see that if someone is selling a $10 Zebra, then including a $3 carrier for free makes the Zebra actually selling for $7.

One good thing about a cardboard carrier is that it would block out all the drafts, noise, and confusion present at a mart. I have seen buyers who bring their own small cage also bring a small cloth to place over the cage.

A friend uses the small travel carriers, but she places pairs in there in advance. Jan also does this. This way, you don't have to stress the birds by catching them, they are already in their travel carrier, ready to go. My friend places small cups for water and seed in the corners. This is also a good way to have pairs already set up that are not related. It is difficult to catch one particular bird when in a group in a cage.

[cindy]

When using the travel cages I pictured I set them in a small cat litter pan and cover the top with a towel....a bit bulky to carry but it keeps the birds calm.

The boxes seem to work just as well, I brought a finch home last year in one, he did not move around to much all the way home and was fine when we place in in his quarantine cage. I held the box on my lap and could feel him move (walk) about in one corner, even peck at the box.

[Martie]

Paul....I agree but often the people walking into the shows do not bring cages with them. More experienced birders do. I am leaning more on getting the a stock of little wire traavel cages and selling those.

If I was doing a local show perhaps pairing some of the birds in a small inexpensive parakeet cage that can be used later as a hospital cage or a cage to put the bird in while cleaning a cage.

This is what I take to the shows. Country Feathers sells a case of 30 for $83...I could add a few dollars to the sale and provide a carrier if needed.

It's so interesting how different parts of the country bring such different experiences! In our area, I don't believe I've ever seen a buyer at a sale here bring a cage with them. It is expected that the seller will provide a box or carrier of some sort.

Those little wire travel cages are another good alternative. Last year, I bought a quantity of the dome-top style - added newspaper on the floor, a rope perch and a millet spray. They sold like hotcakes! People who were traveling through the fair on their "first pass" would see them and buy one or more for their bird purchases. Having them already "set up" was what worked so well.

Just one bad experience with these, however. At one show where I sold these, a woman packed the travel cage with canaries - maybe 4-5? I was surprised that sellers continued to allow her to add more birds to the crush.

[Sally]

I have a question for experienced show sellers....how do you handle the guarantee on your birds if they are placed in carriers with birds from other vendors....if you held your stock, treated them and know they are healthy...if they caught say ASM from another vendors birds or the owners birds when placed in an aviary without quarantine.....if the bird passes do you replace the bird?

Interesting question. I've never heard back of a bird passing. The one time I had to exchange a bird was my fault. When catching up the birds, I did not notice that one bird had a problem with one of its eyes. This actually happened with Deborah (finchmix22), and I exchanged the bird. I actually do not offer a guarantee on my birds, due to the fact that once they leave my hands, I have no control nor idea of what happens to them, so I would handle each situation on an individual basis, if it came up. My birds are all closed-banded, so I write the band number on the receipt, so I know who bought which birds, which would prevent anyone from switching birds on me.

[poohbear]

In England most shows have cage manufacturers with tables...one of these is £6...thats less than 10 bucks...absolutely nothing compared to the price of birds and usable time after time.A double cage is about 17 bucks....better than any cardboard box.

[lovemyfinch]

That fall when I prepared my birds for the show that was cancelled
I had every bird set up individually in one of these cages
http://www.hanzycanada.com/details.php?recordID=BA-10
This of course meant that I had over 25 cages placed delicately into packing boxes, hubby's truck was full. I was going to include them directly in the sale of the bird, although I did have some birdy boxes ready for those that would rather not keep the cage.

Of course the upsetting part was coming back home with all my birdies and having to put them all back in their respective aviary and cages and take apart every one of those cage. Hopefully this year it won't be cancelled.

[Ria]

Lol, Martie, I brought my own cage to a show at the Knights last year! I used it to carry home my green singer pair. it was my little hospital cage, placed in a reusable shopping bag, covered with a thin towel to block sight but not light. learned all that from our helpful forum members! but then I bought some societies too, and they went home in a box since I didn't think it would be a good idea to try to put them into the little cage too...

Btw Martie, do you sell closed bands too? I'm thinking of trying to breed green singers. I'd rather close band than split band them for authenticity as domestic-bred birds.

[CandoAviary]

Martie, you can buy thes at ABBA or Yangzte
You may need a sales tax liscense however
http://www.yangtzeusa.com/images/images/1107.JPG

I bought some of these when I opened shop but I also carry inexpensive travel cages. If the bird is a pricier bird I give the travel cage.. If it is a lesser priced bird then I tell the people the cage is $5.00... they always ask if I have those little cardboard boxes.. I say yes, but I do not guarentee the birds if placed in them. I also inform them that the birds have never, ever been in one and I cannot say how they would react... they always but the travel cage

[nixity]

My friend Kim in Ohio just gets the free 4x4x4 Priority Boxes from the Post Office.

They will deliver them to your home, free of charge.

If you assemble the boxes and tape them shut, you can cut a small "door" in the side that you can use to place the birds inside and then tape it shut from the outside to keep it closed.
And obviously you can poke holes on the sides/top for ventilation.

When you get home, pulling the tape "opens" the door back up.
I thought it was pretty ingenious for the off chance times when someone comes to purchase a bird with nothing to take them home in.

Of course this doesn't work for anyone who needs to transport the birds for a long period of time, but if they're just driving 15-20 mins home it works perfectly.

[ac12]

I use the wire travel cages.
It fits perfectly into a paper grocery bag.
I stack 2 cages in the bag with a sheet of newspaper over the top. This keeps them in the dark and avoids stress from all the people walking about.

Most of the vendors at the 2 shows that I go to do not have cages. They expect they buyer to bring their own cage, or buy a cage from one of the cage vendors.
One vendor used to include a cage with his gouldians, but he stopped doing that a while back.

Usually I put a piece of millet in the cage to keep them busy until I get them home.
When I get to the car I will put a small dish of water into the cage and get home ASAP.

I don't like the cardboard boxes.
It is hard for me to get the bird out w/o the bird escaping into the room. It is easier with the wire travel cage.

[Martie]

That fall when I prepared my birds for the show that was cancelled
I had every bird set up individually in one of these cages
http://www.hanzycanada.com/details.php?recordID=BA-10

Oh Janine - I remember this and felt so bad for you! For anyone who hasn't done it, getting ready for and traveling to a show as a vendor is a really big deal - a lot of work goes into the presentation on that measly little table!

At least now you have the cages already (and they are great, by the way) - and if they do this again, I bet I won't be the only one chomping at the bit to come up there and clean some clocks!

I'm sure it was merely a mistake - but such a costly one for you! I can't imagine this could happen twice.

[Martie]

Lol, Martie, I brought my own cage to a show at the Knights last year! I used it to carry home my green singer pair. it was my little hospital cage, placed in a reusable shopping bag, covered with a thin towel to block sight but not light. learned all that from our helpful forum members!

LOL!! I stand corrected! In my defense, I didn't see it! I sure hope you'll stop by next time - would love to meet you in person!

Btw Martie, do you sell closed bands too? I'm thinking of trying to breed green singers. I'd rather close band than split band them for authenticity as domestic-bred birds.

I only sell the split plastic bands. Good for you for thinking about this ahead of time - and for closed banding your birds! I would suggest joining NFSS - and getting their closed bands. They are the most recognized and respected closed bands IMO - and you will get their Journal and other perks. They also have the FinchSave Program where you could join a group of other people breeding Green Singers and compare notes and even swap bloodlines down the road if you would want to do that. If you aren't interested in the NFSS, you can also get closed bands from RedBird http://www.redbirdproducts.com/red%20bi ... 0bands.htm

[Martie]

Poohbear, that's a beautiful cage! I know in Europe, breeders tend to use more of the solid-side cabinet style cages. Here in the US, we tend to use more all-wire. I have never see a box like in the photo at a show here - and would expect it to cost at least $25-$35.00.

Candace, we actually have a couple of ABBA distributors in our club - I will ask them about this - maybe they would be willing to order them for people in our club who might want them. Thank you!

Tiffany - that Post Office is pretty handy!

act12 - Isn't it funny how different our shows are? I do like the wire cages and your method is a good one.

Thank you everyone for your input - this forum is so amazing!