A&E or HQ?

[diinin]

IF I can talk hubby into a double flight cage (notice the caps on that first word), which is better, A&E or HQ?

Here's the A&E:

http://www.birdscomfort.com/double_flight_cage.html


Here's the HQ:

http://www.birdscomfort.com/doubleflight_bird_cage.html


Does anybody own either of these, and have you had any problems with them?

If hubby won't let me have something that big, I'll probably get something like this:

http://www.overstock.com/Gifts-Flowers/ ... u=12131630

[Summer Bird]

IF I can talk hubby into a double flight cage (notice the caps on that first word), which is better, A&E or HQ?

Here's the A&E:

http://www.birdscomfort.com/double_flight_cage.html


Here's the HQ:

http://www.birdscomfort.com/doubleflight_bird_cage.html


Does anybody own either of these, and have you had any problems with them?

If hubby won't let me have something that big, I'll probably get something like this:

http://www.overstock.com/Gifts-Flowers/ ... u=12131630

Just from looking at them, if I were going to pick one I'd go with the HQ. Both flight cages have the same amount of floor space (area) but the HQ also has slightly more vertical room (which perhaps doesn't make much difference, but I like the idea of giving birds as much space, both horizontal and vertical, as possible). The HQ is also a few pounds lighter, which for me would be a plus if I needed to move the cage. Otherwise they seem pretty similar -- I didn't look at the cost of each one though.

[diinin]

Hmmm...I knew one was a little taller than the other, but wasn't really paying attention to height. It's 3", which is significant! They look pretty much the same from pictures, so I don't know if that extra height is in the stand or the cage itself.

Looks like the A&E is the taller one. A&E is also available in sandstone, which would probably look nice with plants, because it's earthtoned. Ratings are good too. Maybe that's the way to go.

[Sally]

I looked at those cages, but one thing I think is curious is that both the HQ and the AE have the same model number 16421. Usually the same model number means the same cage.

I have one of the HQ double flights, and a number of the HQ single flights. I love them, but they do have a few disadvantages (as do all commercial cages--manufacturers don't make finch-specific cages). There are some gaps, but that can be taken care of easily. There are some rust issues--the bars that are near a bath and getting wet all the time will rust, but it has not been enough to ruin the cages for me. This cage takes up a lot of wall space--over 5 feet. The slide-in divider makes cleaning a breeze, as you just shoo all the birds down to one end, put in the divider, and clean away with no thought to escaping birds. I take out the grate, and place the tray in the slots designed for the grate--just don't like grates personally, and I have the type birds that like to forage on the bottom of the cage, so I try to accommodate them. As far as difference in weight between the two cages, this should not be a factor, as they are on wheels and roll easily.

I also have the Prevue F30 flight cage. This is a nice cage for looks, but a lot smaller than the double flight. If I remember right, the dimensions given are measuring the roof, which is larger than the cage itself. I will try to remember to check it in the morning (the birds are all asleep now. I did a quick search on that one, and found it at a number of places, with big differences in price, so shop around if you decide on that one.

[diinin]

Ugh. If the F30 length & width are measured around the roofline, then the actual dimensions of the cage won't be any different than the other single flights, like 32 x 22. That is totally cheating! I do think it's a nice looking cage, but I don't like white (or blue), and would like something bigger if I can talk my hubby into it. Haven't asked him yet...I'm trying to get up the courage. The only other larger single flight I've found was a big huge 40 x 30 box that was just hideous. No amount of decorating with plants could fix that thing up.

I noticed the identical item #'s too, but couldn't really figure it out, because there seems to be differences between them. Food dishes attach at the front of the HQ and the side of the AE. They also come in different colors. Just doesn't make much sense.

We must have the same tastes in both cages and birds. Unlucky for you, because you end up having to answer all my questions! I so appreciate all the help you've given!

[Sally]

Oops, I was wrong, the dimensions of the F30 cage are 37x27, not the roof dimensions. Here is a photo of my cage, I think I had an assortment of juvies in it--Owls, Stars, BCCBs. I am adding a photo of my HQ double flight so you can compare them.

[diinin]

Oh, that's *beautiful* the way you have it decorated! It looks spacious too. I'm very glad it really does measure 37 x 27.

I need to think about which would be better, since we're getting GBs for sure--more space to fly, or tighter bars. We're going to start off with pairs of owls, GB's, and orange cheeked, and maybe add a pair of stars in the future.

So since you have both, and most of those species, what would you do in my situation?

[Sally]

I can't really say what would work best for you. The double flight, if you have the floor space, will let you have more birds. Both cages needed adjustments for me to be happy with them. If you look at the photo of the F30, I have removed the floor grate. This left a large gap at the front, so I had to cut a piece of molding, paint it white, and then ziptie it in place to cover the gap. On the HQ, I have also removed the grates. I slide the trays up one slot into the slots designed for the grates. It is a tight fit, and some have had trouble doing this on their cages. The last single flight I got, supposed to be an HQ, I could not swap out the grate and the tray. So I did the same thing on it as I did on the F30--cover the gap with a piece of molding ziptied in place. I just have a thing about grates--do not like them!

Both cages have places to hang seed hoppers on the outside, as well as baths. This leaves more space inside the cage. But seed hoppers and baths (and nest boxes, too) that are hanging on the outside can be knocked off, so I use the mini bungee cords to hold them in place.

The HQ cage has shallow trays, so you won't want to use a bedding like aspen shavings, they will be all over your floor. The F30 cage has a bit deeper tray, so I use aspen shavings. However, any cage that uses aspen shavings will have some on your floor.

If you will have the cages in a public area, where escapees could be a problem, you might want to make even more modifications to either cage. My Goldbreasts have never escaped from my HQ cage, but I had a BCCB male that figured out that if the seed hopper wasn't just exactly in place, there was a gap at the side he could squeeze thru--the mini bungee cords helped with that problem, too. I have read of other people on this forum having Orange-cheeked escapees with the HQ flight--I think it might have been StevePax long time ago.

[Sally]

One more thing, if you decide on the F30, $249 is too much for that cage, I feel, and it is available much cheaper at other sites. Of course, this is coming from someone who has only bought a few new cages ever--most of mine came from craigslist, etc. My F30 was $75 on craigslist.

[diinin]

I owe you a million bucks, Sally! Your info has been invaluable, as is the picture. You got a deal on your cage!

I noticed the trim tied to the bottom, and had often wondered how people block that grate gap off. I'd also wondered about the 3/8" wiring and outside waterers and feeders. You've answered so many lingering questions that I'd had.

The A03 is $194 at Target, with free shipping. I guess I'm leaning that direction, partly because of the GBs, and partly because I don't think hubby is going to go for the 5' long cage. I can try 3 pairs, and decide later if it can fit a fourth.

Do you have a strip bulb up top, or compact flourescent? That's exactly what I had envisioned, with the lighting and plants and everything, except that I'm going to have some of those tree limb type perches here and there. It's going to be very visible in our house so it will have to be pretty. If mine ends up half as pretty as yours, I'll be thrilled to death!

[diinin]

I just now saw the picture of the HQ...somehow missed that earlier! I think it looks fantastic too, and I see how you used greens to close that center gap. I'm going to show both pics to Bill and see what he says. I think I could be happy with either one, and hopefully my fids will too. I love seeing them decorated. That part is going to be a lot of fun!

[AiSell]

IF I can talk hubby into a double flight cage (notice the caps on that first word), which is better, A&E or HQ?

Here's the A&E:

http://www.birdscomfort.com/double_flight_cage.html


Here's the HQ:

http://www.birdscomfort.com/doubleflight_bird_cage.html


Does anybody own either of these, and have you had any problems with them?

Correct Sally. Usually the same model number means the same cage.
but in this case one model is HQ brand Other is A&E. Different brand mean different manufacturer, different factory, different quality. So in this case the question is : Which Brand is better quality? HQ or AE
I have HQ single flight cage 13221 and I am very satisfied of quality