Buyer beware

Kiko · Post by **Kiko** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 7:44 am

The story:
Initially I purchased a single 30x18x18 cage for my pair of Gouldians.

Last fall I bought a case of four, of the 30x18x18 cages from a store in the USA, had it shipped to a post office across the border. I drove down and picked it up and brought it home to Canada.

My intention was to dismantle two cages and make a large flight cage, which is a work in progress.

With my daughter wanting a budgie, I though how perfect that we have two more cages, so I got one out and set it up. Then I got out the tray to slide in, only to find out it, and the other 3, are all a good inch too small! They are a half inch short at either end, than the length of the cage. As well the cages themselves are not nearly as well built as the very first single cage I bought.

So buyer beware - there are definitely good cages and knock-offs out there. I am going to have to make a new tray for the budgie cage, and get some zip ties to tighten up the joints in the cage.

franny · Post by **franny** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 12:32 pm

Instead of replacing the tray, an easier way to make it "fit" might be to make a square frame from wood molding, and zip tie it inside the cage just above the tray - it will help make a deflector to direct seed into the tray.

Kiko · Post by **Kiko** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 12:53 pm

franny wrote:Instead of replacing the tray, an easier way to make it "fit" might be to make a square frame from wood molding, and zip tie it inside the cage just above the tray - it will help make a deflector to direct seed into the tray.

Oh Fran - what an excellent idea. I can certainly figure something out, and that would be way easier than a whole new tray.

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 1:15 pm

I agree - buyer beware. I just bought my third shipment of a set of 4 cages from California (from the same seller) and this set of cages is different from the other 3. Cheaper made - thinner wires and the breeding doors on each side are now swing outs instead of slide ups. I don't like these cages nearly as much as the first 2 sets of 4. So even if you buy from the same seller - ASK questions.

franny · Post by **franny** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 1:36 pm

Kiko wrote:
franny wrote:Instead of replacing the tray, an easier way to make it "fit" might be to make a square frame from wood molding, and zip tie it inside the cage just above the tray - it will help make a deflector to direct seed into the tray.
Oh Fran - what an excellent idea. I can certainly figure something out, and that would be way easier than a whole new tray.

Funny that you should have this problem just when I was figuring out a way to adjust the cage I just bought. It comes with a grill on the bottom, but I don't like that. I like the finches to be able to forage on the bottom. But when I mentioned it the store said that if I take out the grille it will ruin the integrity of the cage. So I suggested that I'd make a wooden frame to "replace" the grill. At the same time it will help direct seed into the tray, and allow my birds to forage in the hay I put in the tray. I can take the grill and attached it below the tray, and with a bit of added trim to fill gaps, I can remove the tray to clean it, and close the added tray door to keep the birds in while the tray is out. I may actually put a plastic corrogated board under the tray as others have done, to keep the poop from dropping through while the tray is out. Then I can take it out and wipe off when the tray is put back in.

It's frustrating to have to make these "adjustments" to brand new cages...but you never seem to find one that is 'just right' right out of the box.

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 1:38 pm

I would be VERY interested to see the adjustments you make to your new cage, Franny.

franny · Post by **franny** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 2:24 pm

L in Ontario wrote:I would be VERY interested to see the adjustments you make to your new cage, Franny.

It's basically doing what Sally did with her HQ cage - reversing the grille and tray. When I get it done I'll post pictures.

Don't hold your breathe though. I'm a real procrastinator!

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 3:05 pm

No problem Fran. I'll be trying the same with the second of these cages I have yet to put together but the tray doesn't seem to fit easily where the grate was - but I'll work it at more on the second cage. I just wanted to get the birds into the first one. So I'll be re-reading Sally's post and definitely making adjustments to it before adding birds. Then I'll go back and adjust the first cage too. I also like the idea of sticking vinyl on the back of the cage to keep the poopies off the wall.

perrysbirds · Post by **perrysbirds** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 10:41 pm

I see that there are quite a few Canadian members on this site.
Thats good to see.

franny · Post by **franny** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 12:33 am

Yah! Nice to find other folks in to finches here. You wouldn't know it, by the poor number of bird marts here compared to down in the southern US.

I've noticed that there are a lot more birds available in your neck of the woods Perry (Ontario), so that bodes well for me when I retire. Planning on retiring back to my home town of Winnipeg. Even have an apartment picked out, which is not too far by bus from Air Canada Cargo... so it will be easy to pick up any birds I can get shipped.

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 11:11 am

franny wrote:Yah! Nice to find other folks in to finches here. You wouldn't know it, by the poor number of bird marts here compared to down in the southern US.

I agree - we don't have nearly enough bird marts up here and the USA are starting with theirs already!! I could sure use more bulk Millet Spray and Cuttlebone and Wheat Germ Oil and...

mickp · Post by **mickp** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 5:23 am

Fran wsh your mouth out with soap. now that you are a confirmed finch addict how the hell can you even consider an apartment

.
you will need at the minimum a 3 bedroom house. 1 for you and two for birds

hfentj · Post by **hfentj** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 10:08 am

mickp wrote:Fran wsh your mouth out with soap. now that you are a confirmed finch addict how the hell can you even consider an apartment .
you will need at the minimum a 3 bedroom house. 1 for you and two for birds

Boy is that ever true, my grand kids toy box got moved out of the spare room.

franny · Post by **franny** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 2:22 pm

Well I didn't win the 649 Lottery.... so it's still got to be an apartment.