Catch cage works perfectly!

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h2olilee
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Catch cage works perfectly!

Post by h2olilee » Sun Dec 02, 2012 11:32 pm

I'm very excited to report that my catch cage that I made worked perfectly today! It was the first time I tried it out. I made it out of the bottom grate that I had removed from the cage when I first got it, so it matches nicely and looks like it belongs to the cage. I put it on about a month ago and that is where I feed them their treats, especially millet sprays. So they are very used to it being there and know that the "good stuff" is inside. The door between the main cage and catch cage so far has always been open and they can go in and out as they please. Today I took off the twist-tie holding the door open and tied on some long fishing line and sat a ways away from the cage and just waited for a finch to be in getting some millet. I didn't have to wait very long and one was in. I dropped the fishing line and the finch was caught! It was then very easy to grab the finch in the small catch cage (it's about an 8" cube in size). The outside back panel lifts up so I can reach in easily. It took less than a minute to catch, band and release each bird. A LOT less stressful for them and me! And within about 10 minutes they were going back into the catch cage for millet again!
Attachments
Here's a close up of the catch cage with millet treat
Here's a close up of the catch cage with millet treat
Here's a whole cage shot- the catch cage is on the bottom left front
Here's a whole cage shot- the catch cage is on the bottom left front
Here's the whole family with their new colored bands.  Now I will know who is who and I can name them!
Here's the whole family with their new colored bands. Now I will know who is who and I can name them!
-Gina

Owl Finches
Fawn Societies
Plus one wonderful Senegal Parrot, one fat cat, 4 bantam chickens, FW planted aquariums, and a hefty plant addiction.

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Asym
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Re: Catch cage works perfectly!

Post by Asym » Sun Dec 02, 2012 11:41 pm

That is one awesome idea...
~Ali

Slave to an aviary full of birds, an aquarium full of fish, and 2 pharaoh hounds.

Dayna
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Re: Catch cage works perfectly!

Post by Dayna » Mon Dec 03, 2012 5:18 am

That is very creative. Thanks for sharing.
Owls, Goulds, European Goldfinch, Red Belly Siskins and Zebs... For now...

debbie276
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Re: Catch cage works perfectly!

Post by debbie276 » Mon Dec 03, 2012 7:38 am

Great idea and looks like it was made that way.
Very nice job =D>
Debbie
long time breeder of lady gouldians:
Green
SF Pastel (SF Yellow)
Pastel (Yellow)
Blue
SF Pastel Blue (SF Yellow Blue)
Pastel Blue (Yellow Blue)

GREAT articles on avian lighting:
https://mickaboo.org/confluence/downloa ... ummary.pdf
http://www.naturallighting.com/cart/sto ... sc_page=56

finchandlovebird
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Re: Catch cage works perfectly!

Post by finchandlovebird » Mon Dec 03, 2012 10:03 am

What an absolutely superb idea =D> =D> =D>
Dolly J

1 Canary
, 1 Parakeet
Raised Gouldians & Scarlet Chested Parakeets in past years

maru
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Re: Catch cage works perfectly!

Post by maru » Mon Dec 03, 2012 12:11 pm

Congratulations! It is very creative and looks nice, and very useful. Thanks for sharing.
5 lady gouldians

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6finchfriends
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Re: Catch cage works perfectly!

Post by 6finchfriends » Mon Dec 03, 2012 1:07 pm

Boy Gina that is an awesome idea! My finches are so afraid of the bird eating monster 'net'.
Trish
8 adorable Society finch ~ 4 beautiful Gouldian finch
~1 Cockatoo~1 Sun Conure~1 Green Cheek Conure~1 Parotlet~1 dog~ many pond fish & a 7ft Red Tailed Boa, Little Niki

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h2olilee
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Re: Catch cage works perfectly!

Post by h2olilee » Mon Dec 03, 2012 2:06 pm

Thanks everyone!

After two previous attempts at catching them so I could band them, I decided there just had to be a better way! They are SO FAST and it was extremely stressful for them and me. I searched and searched on the web and this forum for ideas and I got the idea from another member here. I don't remember their name, but it was a bigger catch cage on an aviary. But a great big "thank you!" to them for the idea! It works amazingly well and is (almost) stress free because you can do it so fast. And because 98% of the time they see it as a positive place to go get yummy stuff, they never think twice about going in, even shortly after getting caught in it!
-Gina

Owl Finches
Fawn Societies
Plus one wonderful Senegal Parrot, one fat cat, 4 bantam chickens, FW planted aquariums, and a hefty plant addiction.

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jls7453
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Re: Catch cage works perfectly!

Post by jls7453 » Mon Dec 03, 2012 2:14 pm

Thats a good idea.
Jerry


Gouldians,Owls,Societies , a few Button Quail,a pair of RCCB.....And now a pair of Stars!!

Zebrafincher
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Re: Catch cage works perfectly!

Post by Zebrafincher » Mon Dec 03, 2012 9:10 pm

I've always used the top of an old cage with my finches and canaries. I have got themt o the point where they will hop in, and I can put them back in their cage. Some of the birds are used to hopping in themselves, and some will only go in when THEY want to. Great idea, tho!

Edster
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Re: Catch cage works perfectly!

Post by Edster » Sun Dec 23, 2012 7:26 pm

Fantastic idea. Nice work as well and very clever with the fishing line :-) I love ideas like this that look and work great.

Ed
2 Zebras - Papa and Sonny
2 RC Cordon Bleu - Condor and Lady Bleu
4 Societies - Ruffles, Singer, Chessy and Whitetail
2 Orange Breasted Waxbills - Max and Goldy

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carlamay
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Re: Catch cage works perfectly!

Post by carlamay » Mon Dec 24, 2012 2:23 am

Love it as the stress is lessened for both bird and owner =D>
10 Owl Finches, 15 Pied Societies, 8 Color Bred Canaries and a blind Gouldian, Veronica
2 schnauzers, Herb & Stella[/color][/size][/font]
1 Sheltie mix, Mickey

not much time for a life!

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Sally
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Re: Catch cage works perfectly!

Post by Sally » Mon Dec 24, 2012 3:13 am

Great idea and beautiful Owl family!
3 Purple Grenadiers, 1 Goldbreast + 1 cat.

National Finch & Softbill Society - http://www.nfss.org

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Martie
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Re: Catch cage works perfectly!

Post by Martie » Mon Dec 24, 2012 7:42 am

What a wonderful idea!! Great job!
Martie
Mill Creek Aviary
Erythrura (Chloebia) Gouldiae (Gouldians)
Lonchura striata domestica (Societies)
Taeniopygia bichenovii (Owls)
Serinus mozambicus (Green Singers)
Lonchura punctulata (Spice)
Poephila acuticauda (Shafttails)
Split Plastic Leg Bands
http://sites.google.com/site/finchlegbands/

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