Moving birds to a new cage

[h2olilee]

I have a male Owl finch and his 6 recently weaned babies that are getting very active so I would like to move them all (babies & Dad) to a bigger cage soon. I am apprehensive about trying to catch them all so I have an idea that may make the move a lot less stressful for them and me. They all still sleep together in the external plastic Abba nest box, so I thought maybe I could wait until dark after they were all asleep and just slide a small piece of cardboard in front of the entry hole and carefully and slowly move the whole nest and family together to the new cage? The new cage is exactly the same as the current cage (30x18x18), but twice as tall (30x18x36) and I'm setting it up to have the same feel too with natural branch perches and silk plants around the outside and the same dishes. So I don't think it would be too much of a shock to wake up to the new environment...
What does everyone think? Or is there a better way to do it?

[Lisa]

Well, I'm sure they will wake up immediately and be freaked out. Although, I'm sure if you catch them one by one instead they'll all be freaked out.

I would just be careful that they don't go into a panic and start frantically flapping around in there. If you darken the room before covering the nest hole, they may not notice such a vast difference when the hole is suddenly covered. I would move it carefully and slowly so as not to alarm them.

Good luck - hope your plan works!

[kenny66]

do the doors of your old gage and the new cage line up. If you can managto face them towards each other and open the doors that would work. I wouldnt do anything at night-it would create panic

[Martie]

Good advice here. A long-time breeder friend swore by going into his aviaries at night and being able to just quietly pluck birds he wanted off their perches. I don't know if he regularly went into the aviaries at night to get them used to him or how he managed, but it sure didn't work for me! In my case, it sent my entire bird room into a panic. I couldn't get to that light switch fast enough!

It is my trial that I am not good at catching birds - no matter how long I practice. I use a small net and the advice from another breeder friend - to put your hands/net in the cage and wait for all the birds to settle - locate the one you want - and then calmly and swiftly catch it up. It works a lot more smoothly for him than for catch-challenged me, but I do get the job done now with as little stress as I can manage.

Good luck! Let us know how you do - both method and result!

[h2olilee]

I do clean my cages at night (change the newspapers/dishes, etc.) after they go into the nest box so they are somewhat used to me messing around in there after dark. No panic yet. Whereas I'm very sure there would be lots of panic with me trying to catch them one by one.

[dcompt]

I have a big cage, but this would probably also work in a smaller. I hang a towel, top to bottom about 12-14" from the end - it has to be that far to reach from where my doors are - it could probably be narrower for you. Then I play cutting horse, and raising part of the towel, gently shoo them one by one in the small catching area, and drop a soft, nylon type cloth over them. In most cases, the catch is very quick. I let the others settle a few minutes before moving the next one in the small area. I have societies that are probably less panicky than owls, but any bird being caught will freak. So would I if a huge giant hand was after me!

I tried the night thing too and if it was a disaster. If I had barely enough light to see, so could they, and I just has lots of birds madly finging themselves about in a dark cage. But it seems to work for some. I also tried the nest at night trick, but my nest was inside and I wasn't quick enough to close it before they rocketed out.

Aligning the cage doors is by far the easiest on everyone if you can manage it.

[ac12]

I would pre-position the cardboard above the opening, so all you have to do is push it down. That will be less disruption and chance for them to get out of the nest prior to you "closing the door."

[rcirmele]

I snag em with chopsticks like Mr. Miyagi.

Just kidding, but I do just grab them with my hand.

[h2olilee]

Well this morning was the big moving day. Since so many of you advised against it, I didn't do it like I originally was planning with moving them at night in the nest box. I did it by putting the cages face to face and opening both of the bigger doors. It was so easy--they all immediately flew over to the bigger cage! They settled in right away and spent the day exploring, preening and enjoying more flying room.

On another note- for those who saw my post on my homemade coconut nest box-- I have it in the new bigger cage along with their original plastic Abba nest box they were raised in. So they had the choice between either one. Well they took to the coconut right away and they are now sleeping in it their very first night! I guess it's a hit!

[Sally]

I'm glad the move went so well. That is by far the easiest and least stressful way to do it, if the doors will align. That way, there is no catching, no chasing, they make the move on their own.

I also am challenged when it comes to catching finches. I am just not quick enough. Even when I have them at a mart, and I have some birds in one side of a 24x16 cage--we're talking a 12x16 space, and I still have trouble catching the one I want! I have a friend who can reach right in, snatch up the exact bird she wants, and have it all over with in a matter of seconds. I'm jealous of her ability.