What do you think of this as a flight cage?

[dfcauley]

I agree with Poohbear! too narrow......

[Grant]

Wow--lots of neighs! Of course it would be better if the cage were a little deeper, but it isn't. I really think that the cage will work fine for you as long as you can solve the rear access issue. I definitely had to install two doors on the back of my cage, which is more or less of similar dimensions. It would be really difficult to get inside to catch the birds, clean, etc. without rear door access. How would you ever be able to clean the plexiglass if you're trying to reach through tiny cage doors? Trust me: it will get dirty frequently.

Your new cage will be a little chaotic for your birds at first--i.e., until they learn to navigate their new cage. The birds are also likely to smack into the front a few times until they learn that they can't fly through the glass. Decals might help with this...but my birds learned within a few hours.

Now, I do have some advice:

You will need to be very strategic in how you place your perches to prevent poo in the food/water dishes, etc. Also, you might want to try smaller perches that are attached on the back of the cage (and not larger ones that are attached to the ends). This will allow the birds to fly back and forth without obstacles. In my cage, I found that the best solution was to make an L-shaped perching area near the top of the cage on both the right and left sides. The arrangement prevents fights over who gets to sit at the top; there is room for everyone this way. To make the "L" (or "U" if your perches are curved as mine are), I used one small perch attached to the back and a second attached to the side. This arrangement also works pretty well because it leaves a space for side-mounted dishes on both sides and the finches won't poo in them. Lastly, I also put one small perch in the center (mounted from the back) and two small perches (also from the back) at a lower position on both ends of the cage. The latter are near the level of the food dish, but not directly below the upper "L" perch arrangement (i.e., to prevent soiling on lower perches).

I think of narrow cages like pinball with birds! You will want to give your birds space to fly both horizontally and vertically, but you also need to make it easy for the birds to access the lower areas of the cage and possibly the cage floor.

My perch arrangement is working really well for my finches. You wouldn't believe the maneuvers they are able to make in there! One of my juvenile Gouldians thinks she is a hummingbird. She zips back and forth, and even does her best rendition of a hover!

Sorry if this is too much info. Trying to be helpful! Good luck with your project!!!

[Ginene]

Grant
Would love to see a pic. Sounds like a nice set up. It would probably help Cleo set hers up successfully too...

[Grant]

Sorry, I guess it would be more helpful for Cleo to see a photo. You can see what I was trying to describe in my previous post in the photo below. This arrangement worked well for me. The finches regularly fly horizontally from perches of equivalent height, as well as from the top most perch diagonally to the bottom most perch. I think having these lower perches is essential; I think the birds would have a hard time getting to the floor of the cage otherwise.

Someone mentioned above that you should limit the number of birds in the cage. I definitely agree with that (but I guess this is true for all cages). I know I have too many birds in my cage, but that's because I'm in the process of building another cage!

[Ginene]

Grant
I remember this flight...its amazing!!! And I am completely JEALOUS and want one sooo bad. I think that it is great that you posted this pic for Cleo. She will have a much easier time setting up her flight, as you already worked out the kinks. Thanks for the awesome pics, Grant