new cage

Winston · Post by **Winston** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 4:40 pm

I recently lost a nestful of baby zebras and their mother to a young corn snake. This happens during every breeding season. The cage has half inch mesh, and I'm planning to build a new cage, eight feet long with quarter inch mesh. I'm wondering though if even this will keep out snakes? There are baby spice and orange cheeked waxbills on the way, and I would hate to lose them too. I'm planning to take pictures during the building process (for the website?).

Crystal · Post by **Crystal** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 10:46 pm

I am sorry to hear about your corn snake problem. I once had rats find their way into some of my suspended flights and lost birds to them, so I know how frustrating and disheartening this kind of problem can be.

http://www.finchinfo.com/housing.htm#snakes is an article I wrote up detailing some tips for preventing snakes from entering your outdoor aviary.

1/4" wire mesh will help, but you should also consider lining the bottom half of the aviary with sheet metal and possibly constructing a "snake proof fence" around the perimeter. Both these suggestions and more are detailed in the link above.

Winston · Post by **Winston** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 11:36 pm

Thanks. I used to have problems with rats too, and ants. So hopefully the 1/4" mesh will be enough, but I'll move the cage away from trees and shrubs too.