Hexagon Aviary - Comments... UPDATE!

[WhiteMagicWoman]

Hi everyone,

I have 6 little Zebra finches in a long flight cage, 30" L x 18" W or so.

I'm torn between making them a larger cage, say 48" L x 24" W x 36" H, or just buying an indoor/outdoor aviary temporarily until I get a new house in a couple years and then build a big one.

Does anyone have experience using one of the hexagon aviaries like this one: http://www.bird.com/item/aviantelligenc ... ry/502905/

It's 40" x 40", and I'd be using it in my livingroom, which is pretty large.

Likes? Dislikes? I would appreciate your comments.

Thanks!

Susan

[Sally]

I think when you keep your finches in your living area, you have to balance what is best for the birds and what is best for you. So you need a cage that you will be happy to have in your living room, yet will provide a nice home for your birds. Ideally, a cage that is longer rather than taller is best, but this cage would be 40" each way, that's a pretty nice space for 6 little Zebras. One odd thing, the ad says the bar spacing is 1/3"--you usually see spacing listed as 1/2" or 3/8", but 1/3" is great. And the 30x18 you are using now is pretty cramped for 6 Zebras. For me, it is easier to buy a flight cage than to try to build one.

[WhiteMagicWoman]

Hi Sally,

Thanks for your feedback! Yes, I'm torn between building and just taking the easy way out and buying. The hexagon shape was interesting to me just because it was 40" all around and looked like it would give them more volume of a space to play.

Not very elegant, though... LOL!

Still weighing options. I certainly can build a nice one, it's just how lazy I want to be...

[L in Ontario]

I think they'd have a good time in there!

[franny]

But at 40" wide, it will be hard to catch one up, if you need to.

Or, buy a larger breeder type cage that's only 18" wide. Here's the type I mean:
http://www.wctropicalbird.com/cages/fli ... %20lrg.htm

[L in Ontario]

But at 40" wide, it will be hard to catch one up, if you need to.

That's true. My arms are no where near 40".

[WhiteMagicWoman]

Certainly a lot to think about...

Yes, the flight cage I have is 30" L x 18" W x 18" H. They aren't sooooooo cramped, and they're not picking on each other much at all, but I feel that they would appreciate extra room.

I'm still leaning towards making one that 48" L x 24" W x 36" H. 48" is long, but I can put a divider in and have doors on both ends for feeding, catching, cleaning, and whatnots...

I do want it to be nice looking though...

You think if I put a thatched roof over the metal hexagon that it would make a good Tiki Hut???

I REALLY appreciate all of your comments! It's making me think about really what is practical. I know we all like to spoil our birdies, but ya still have to get to them to take care of them, so bigger isn't alway best. Just a lot better... LOL!

I'm still in gathering mode... this isn't going to be a fast or light decision...

[franny]

...I'm still leaning towards making one that 48" L x 24" W x 36" H. 48" is long, but I can put a divider in and have doors on both ends for feeding, catching, cleaning, and whatnots...

This sounds like the best idea. And absolutely put a divider in if you can! Some folks on here have bought 2 flights of 30" by 18", taken one end off of them and joined them to make a nice long 5 foot flight. If you could do that, and use some of the left over wire sides, cut down a bit, to create a removable divider, that would give them tons of room to fly, but keep it easy to clean or catch the birds. This might save time rather than building from scratch.

[WhiteMagicWoman]

Hi Fran,

Thanks for the support! Yes, I decided to make the 48" and started it this weekend. It will have a divider and doors on both sides. I'll post a pic when I'm done, but it's going to be a while. I can only work on it on weekends...

Thanks!

[WhiteMagicWoman]

Update:

I'm done! I made a slideshow of the progress as I went along.

It's not perfect, but it turned out really nice, I think.

The whole thing cost me $160 in materials, including some tools.

Not bad...

http://whitemagicwoman.com/wordpress/

[franny]

Very nice! It's much sturdier than mine. I used 1 X 1, which makes it nice and light for rolling the thing around to clean around it. But it also makes it a bit fragile. I worry that it might get damaged in a move. Also, the wire in mine is permanent, but I like that you used the vinyl type wire, and stapled it in. If it gets damaged it's easier to replace.

You always find better ways to do things, after you've done them!

[L in Ontario]

Wonderful - a beautiful piece of furniture now! Well done and I like the rest of your blog too! Great recipes!

[lovemyfinch]

Wonderful instructions with pics. It is a beautiful cage

[WhiteMagicWoman]

Thank you, everyone -- I really appreciate your comments!

I tried to make intelligent decisions along the way about materials, ease of cleaning, setting up things to avoid the poop drop zone...

Now, let's get these babies outta da nests so they can be in their new home by Christmas. I hope they like it... lol!

And thank you for the comment on my blog. I hope you find somethnig useful there. Basically, it's for me and family so I have a place to put all my ramblings and don't lose them. I don't do Facebook.

[Natalie]

What a great home for your zebras! As a newbie, I am especially interested in how you made your design decisions in building your own habitat. That was a great slide show on your blog.

If you can find the time, the question I have is: I decided to do _____________ because I was concerned about (or interested in) ________________ for my birds.

Thanks!

Natalie