Lighting for flights

[SamFoy]

I have decided to make 2 long flights(9' x3' x3') stacked on top of each other in my garage. These will be for non breeding times so the birds can get exercise. I will have the opinion to divide the flights at any tome to catch or separate sexes when needed. I need your thoughts on an idea I have. If I do divide the flights to 4'6" long each, can I straddle a 4' lighting bar over the 2 flights? That would put 2' of lights over each 4'6" flight.

[Sally]

If you have some natural lighting in your garage, that may be OK. Personally, I would use two 4' shop lights. I have one of the HQ double flights that is 5' long (21d x 38h), and I use a 4' shop light (with 2 bulbs) on top of it, and I feel that the lighting is just adequate for that flight. Have you figured out how you are going to light the lower flight?

[ac12]

I agree w Sally. Use 2 of the 4ft lights end-to-end on the 9ft flight. That would make more even lighting for the length of the flight cage. I have a 30" cage, and with a bowl light on one side pointed down, the other side is kind of dim.

[SamFoy]

The cost is starting to mount up so I thought I might start out with cutting the cost of lighting. But, I'm realizing more and more that there are some things they need and just bite the bullet for their sake.
The second flight underneath is going to have to be shorter by making a 4" gap for the lights to go in. That will put the lights on top of the lower flight. Any ideas are welcome.

[poohbear]

I built this last year for wintering gouldians indoors 8x2x2 sold it due to house move...I will build more later in the year.Ideal for youngsters.

[bluebutterfly213]

Poohbear
I saw that pic on a site ages ago and it was the inspiration for two of the cages I have now, didnt realise it was yours!
Mine are 6ft x 18inches x 18inches which can be separated into 3 cages if needed.

I couldnt make them any longer as the place I was putting them and the table for them was only 6 ft wide. After stacking them on top of each other and raising them off the table to allow for better air flow Im glad I didnt make them any higher....Im vertically challenged...

Any birds kept in there have other compensations, they are under a covered and planted pergola right outside the family room window so they are sheltered from too much wind and rain and when we get a heatwave as we are right now, 40C yesterday, 41C today, with two more hot days to come, they get the benefit of the air con as it flows out the window.

I have only used them for youngsters, but I am going to be using them for my gouldian pairs. Each pair will get the full use of the cage.

I dont have a pic of the cages in their spot (note to self....take one) but this is one of them in the shed just after being built

[SamFoy]

Nice cages. I hope I don't regret mine as too big at 3' x3'. I might have a tough time catching the bids when that time comes. Oh well, more room for them. These are for canaries tho and I think they are a bulkier bird then most finches. I do plan on slipping in some Goulds or other finches in the bottom flight until my wife needs it.

[bluebutterfly213]

I dont have a pic of the cages in their spot (note to self....take one)

I remembered to take a pic of the cages in their spot, took the cages fronts off as they looked distorted in the last pic.