Does anyone breed in all wire Cages?

waynomelb · Post by **waynomelb** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 11:39 pm

Hi,

I am making renovations to my aviary and due to size limitations instead of building 3 small aviaries i was thinking about purchasing 9 All Wire Cages.

The measurements are 90cm W x 57cm H x 40cm D for each cage.

There will be 9 cages in total with 3 cages on top of each other. There are metal trays on the bottom of the cages for easy cleaning.

I know finches like their privacy so will cover up some sides where I think it would be best.

What i'm asking everyone is: Has anyone bred finches in this type of setup before or similar. How did things go, What feedback can you give me?

The advantage I think of getting the all wire cages is that I can have 9 pairs of birds breeding instead of only 3 pairs if I build small aviaries.

Thanks

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 1:44 am

Your cages, or 35" x 22" x 13.75" seems like decent sized cages.
I have cages that are 18" x 18" x 30" long. (45cm x 45cm x 76cm)
I looked into the 3 high racks, but decided against them because they don't allow me to use my flourescent light fixtures on top of each cage.
Depending on what species you're trying to breed, lighting is very important.

Both cages and aviaries have their advantages/disadvantages.

Aviary:
Advantages: May help to encourage breeding in those individuals which are stimulated by group interaction.
Disadvantages: Less control over breeding outcomes, may lead to increased aggression among the inhabitants, may not stimulate those birds which seem to need seclusion from other pairs to breed.

Cage:
Advantages: No fighting with or disturbances from other pairs, easier to observe the birds and perform nest checks, more control over breeding outcome since you control who each bird mates with.
Disadvantages: May not stimulate those pairs which seem to breed best in the colony situation.

So for me, it would depend on what specie(s) you're tryin to breed and if those species get along.

Post by **Sally** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 11:32 am

What species are you trying to breed? If you have several different compatible species, you could do the aviary thing, with one pair of each species in each aviary. If they are all the same species, and you want to control the breeding, then cages would be the way to go.

I have all-wire cages, 34x18x18", stacked 3 high on shelves, with 2 cages to a shelf. I cut some plywood in 18x18 squares to put in between the 2 cages on each shelf, as I noticed the birds spent way too much time checking out the next cage. The breeding boxes certainly make it a lot easier to provide privacy, but the cages were available at a very good price.

I have Owls, Stars, BC Cordon Bleus, RC Cordon Bleus, Goldbreasts, and Fire finches in these wire cages, and so-so breeding results. I think I would do better with mixed species in aviaries.

waynomelb · Post by **waynomelb** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 10:26 pm

I have COrdon Blues, the one thing i find with these birds, is dont disturb them or touch their nest, they will leave the nest straight away.

I have bred Stars in a mixed aviary ok.

When you say you have had so-so results what does that mean?

I also have aviaries not too big, Was going to try some mixed pairs in their but you can only limit the amount of birds to what size the aviary is.

Post by **Sally** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 12:55 am

My BCCBs have not been very successful. I had one clutch of 5 eggs, which I took away from them, since they abandoned before. Out of the 5, 2 were infertile, 2 were dead in shell, and the one that was fertile was incubated by Societies. It did fine and is now completely weaned. This pair is back on another nest, eating tons of mealies, but I don't hear anything from the nest. I am afraid to peek, as I know they will abandon, but I should know something in about another week. I have lost two males now on the other BCCB pair, so the hen is resting right now.

My RCCBs are on their first attempt. I'm guessing they should have babies by now, I've heard nothing, but their mealies consumption has increased tremendously.

Fairestfinches breeds their BCCBs in mixed walk-in flights or aviaries, and they've had great success. And I probably shouldn't blame my breeding problems on the cages, as I had a mouse invasion, and almost every cage of 12 had either eggs or hatchlings, and I lost just about everything.

I have a feeling that the wild-caught or imported birds would do better in flights or aviaries, where the domesticated ones that were raised in cages will adapt to cages better. The flights do give the birds the chance to build a nest away from activity.

Post by **Hilary** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 1:13 am

I've found it depends on the species, the individual bird, and the placement of the cages. Some of my cages that are in higher-traffic areas have towels draped over one side and/or the top to give more privacy - that seems to help.

Fancie Flight · Post by **Fancie Flight** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 1:43 am

I use all wire they are 30 by 18 by 18 and i have had NO problems. I keep my gouldians in these and I have lights on every cage, and Modified my stands so NO cages are down now,

waynomelb · Post by **waynomelb** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 11:59 pm

Fancie Flight,

Thanks for your feedback, do you only breed Gouldians or other finches as well in these cages? Are the cages inside or outside?

You also stated you have lights on each cage? what are the benfits of this and you also stated since you have modified your cages, no cages are down? what does this mean?

I am looking at breeding Parrot Finches, Cubans, Painted Finches, Gouldians, Red Brow, Cut Throat, Melba's and others? Do you think I would have luck in breeding these species in cages my size, with one breeding box, one cane nest and brush in each cage.