Selecting a Large Flight Cage

[flyover]

I was getting ready to start keeping finches after a five-year break, when I discovered some rust spots on the cage, which I had set on a basement floor that got wet. I guess I am now in the market for a new cage unless anyone can advice making the one I have safe again. It was a nice flight cage that measured 60" long x 18" deep by 30" high. I want one at least as big, but finding a good used one is tough!

I hope to place a new cage on an upper bunk of a bunk bed (the lower is used for guinea pigs). This means I have 36" depth to work with and about 72" in length. But I can't find any manufactured cage to my liking, and I can't combine cages for the expanded depth because it will be against a wall and I wouldn't have access to one side (if they were linked back-to-back.)

I am not very handy but I could possibly get a handyman to help me construct a cage similar to the one at the link, which I like but is rather pricy for me. Or do you think it is worth it? They can custom to whatever dimensions I want:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Custom-Built-Bi ... 3a9237e1bc

Also, what about the galvanized steel screen? Is it safe? I guess finches don't cling to the walls like hookbills so it doesn't matter so much for climbing, but I am used to a higher gauge wire.

Any advice on a very large flight cage would be greatly appreciated!

[Sally]

Those are beautiful custom cages, too expensive for me though. The HQ or A&E double flight is a lot cheaper, though not as attractive (and not for your needs, on top level of a bunk bed. You don't say what are the limitations on height.

I wouldn't worry about galvanized wire. Finches don't chew like hookbills. I have many cages made of galvanized wire, and never had a problem. Indoors, 1/2"x1/2" mesh is great, or many people use 1/2"x1". Outdoors, 1/4"x1/4" is better, because it keeps out snakes and mice.

Is the cage that rusted powder-coated? If not, I have painted many of the more inexpensive Chinese-made cages, using a water-based paint. I had white cages, so I found a spray paint at Walmart that was labeled as H2O paint. It covered up rust spots nicely. Perhaps you can fix up the cage you already have, as that is a nice size.

Welcome to the forum! There's lots of good reading at www.finchinfo.com, where you will find many good articles on housing, diet, and many species that are commonly kept. If you put your general location in your profile, it makes it easier to answer locale-specific questions later on.

[flyover]

Sally - Thanks! I had read mixed advice on repainting over rust spots. I did not throw the cage out, and I now I think I could use some vinegar on the rust. It's not a lot of bars and it's toward the bottom on one of the ends.

The cage that I have looks very much like these:
http://stores.kpets.com/flight-cage-30- ... birdcages/

but it's 60" long and only 30" high.

I could actually get the lot of three from that site (which I found on another thread here) and link them together, provided that the cages could stand without the side panels. I have the 90" to work with in length by using a board. I can go up to about 36" in height. I just hate to see all that depth wasted when the space allows for double the size if I were to extend backwards.

I did look at the HQ and A&E cages. I REALLY want a grille that slides out in addition to the tray. I have to decide how badly I want that in monetary terms!

Thanks again for the advice and the welcome!

[J-Netty]

Hello, Pip!

I am actually getting ready to have a cage built by the same seller you referenced on eBay. His regular web site is called Affordable Custom Cages (http://jonverde77.vpweb.com). He's located in Ely, NV. His name is Jon and it appears as though he builds one cage at a time. He seems to be a bit of a perfectionist with a talent for building fine bird cages! I've spoken to him on the phone a few times and he seems very nice.

Jon has many types of cages to choose from and they appear to be well built. My cage should be delivered in a week or so. I can't wait!! Anyway, like you, I looked around quite a bit before I found his cages. So we'll see. Good luck with your purchase!

Jeanette

[flyover]

J-Netty - Thanks for the link. I really love those cages! He does beautiful work. I'm not sure about cleaning poop off the wood, but I'd give it a try if I could afford it. You should post some pictures of your new cage once it arrives with your birds inside so we can see what it looks like in use!