Help design my new cage!

Kiko · Post by **Kiko** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 5:22 pm

So, my case of cages has arrived. I now have 4 black 30x18x18 cages.
I intend to use two of them to make my new cage.

My idea is to make a wood frame and use panels from the 30x18x18 cages. The cage will be dividable, narrow wood strips in the middle where a barrier can be slid in.

My current plan is to use two 30inch BACKs from the cages as the upper FRONTs on the new cage.
To use the two 30 inch FRONTs from the cages, as the SIDES of the new cage.
So the cage will be a little over 60 inches long and 30 inches deep.

The back of this new cage may be solid , or may be cage pieces, I have not yet decided.

I think the bottom portion will be clear acrylic, to keep in mess and seeds, and will not be very large, maybe 1 foot?
So the final height would be about 28-30 inches tall.

It will be on legs, with space below for storage.

Does that make sense? Any suggestions for improvement or change?

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 5:43 pm

Sounds very sensible and a good size...the divider is an essential for me and I'm glad to hear you're fitting one.So much easier when catching individual birds and cleaning out.

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 7:13 pm

Sounds good to me too. For the back in my experience I would now prefer a solid piece to prevent seeds and stuff flying out the backside.

Where did you get the cages if I may ask?

Post by **Sally** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 9:37 pm

Quite a project you are taking on, but you will wind up with a cage that suits your needs, not what some manufacturer thinks we want! Definitely have provision for a divider--with 60" length, it would be pretty difficult to catch a particular bird.

Kiko · Post by **Kiko** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 9:49 pm

Thank you both for the comments.

L - I ordered them off Ebay, from kpetstore (seller). I got a case of 4 black cages for $70usd. I asked them to ship the case ($45) to a UPS store in Ogdensburg NY, it took one week to arrive. I drove down (1 hour) to pick it up and paid $5 to UPS for accepting the package, no biggie.
The real bonus was that when I got to Customs and declared the purchase, they waved me through with "have a good day". So no duty and no taxes! Woo Hoo!

Just for your info, I had phoned Canada Customs and was told it would be 6% duty on cages made in China.

So $120 for 4 cages, I will use two to make a large flight cage, and either sell the other two or hang on to them for a while "just in case".

Now I have to draw up a plan so hubby can make the cage.

Kiko · Post by **Kiko** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 9:51 pm

I am thinking of using choroplast (corrugated plastic) for the back. Cheap, easy to clean and to replace if necessary.

I can't decide whether to put a tray of some kind in, which I think would be easiest. Don't know what to make it out of, I will have to go wander around the Home Depot store.....

If no tray, then I would have to move the birds too frequently in order to open the end and clean the bottom out.

Any ideas on what to make an easy clean tray out of?

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 3:27 am

Kiko,
A lot of feed stores have replacement metal trays they use for rabbit cages and such. I've never been able to find one made out of plastic which would be my first choice. What about one made out of wood if the metal trays don't suit your liking?

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 7:53 am

Kiko wrote:So $120 for 4 cages, I will use two to make a large flight cage, and either sell the other two or hang on to them for a while "just in case".

You really did your research beforehand. If you decide to sell the other 2 cages - I will buy them from you and pick them up personally (if you're not located in "timbucktoo")! You got a pretty good price on them... okay really good price with no duty or taxes at the border!

Please let me know.

Kiko · Post by **Kiko** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 8:44 am

Atarasi - wood is my last choice, not easy to clean, even with layer of varnish on it. I'd like to find a plastic I can cut and put together myself, that would be the least expensive way.

L in Ont - I will keep you in mind! I will likely hang on to them for several months though. I did get a great price, and might not be able to duplicate that in the future. Who knows, I might want a larger aviary!

hfentj · Post by **hfentj** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 10:36 am

Got me thinking, you can make a bottom tray out of the acrylic or a sheet of tin that is used for flashing on roofs. The acrylic if thin enough you can cut and glue with aquarium glue ???? and the tin just cut and bend. Just a thought.

franny · Post by **franny** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 10:47 am

Kiko wrote:Atarasi - wood is my last choice, not easy to clean, even with layer of varnish on it. I'd like to find a plastic I can cut and put together myself, that would be the least expensive

Here's a site that sells plastic trays in 2 sizes - pretty cheap - if the sizes will do.

Fairest Finches - Cage Accessories

I made a wood one out of 1/4" birch plywood - the lip around the edge is wood corner molding - I have about 10 coats of varnish on it! But I also still line it with kraft brown paper...

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 11:40 am

For the bottom tray, if you make it out of wood - you can line the top of it with laminate - like for countertops. My daughter used that in her aviaries and it works very well being water resistant or proof. She still lines with newspaper on top for ease of cleaning of course.

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 11:45 am

Find a sheet metal shop and have trays made out of thin galvanised steel...not expensive and last forever...easy to keep clean.A metal worker can fold the edges to suit in a few minutes.

Kiko · Post by **Kiko** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 4:12 pm

Ohhhhh, some very good ideas there, thank you all. I remember now that my Dad used to make our hamster cages when we were little. He would bend thin galvanized sheeting to make the bottoms and weld the corners.

Lino on wood is good too, might do that on the wood bottom even if there is a tray over it, because we all know those little poopers can fling it into the smallest spaces.

Just need a free day to get out and do some shopping now!

THank you all for those great ideas!