I am going to build some breeding cages

[Ben.G]

Could anyone suggest what size I should make them.
and does anyone have any pics of their cages Just to give me a reference.

[Ring0Neck]

Hi Ben

I suggest you do at least:
wire 1/2inch X 1inch or 1/2inch (you can get rolls of 10m & 30m from Masters) don't buy cheap thin wire.

900cm H X 900cm w X 1.8m L
800-900 off the ground for suspended cages
suspended cages are safer to protect against snakes, rats, etc.
One end about 800 or so to be covered i used mini-orb or flat sheets.

i don't have good pics of the cages but here's a front view

[Ben.G]

thanks for that
Have you used aluminum box with joiners or gal with an open joint, a bit hard to tell?

[Ring0Neck]

I've used aluminium and plastic joiners but you can use gal and weld them.
Aluminium gives in a tad if not properly supported but easy to move, very light.
i made all mine in lots of 2 cages, so it is easy to move/trasnport and set aside next to each other and if you want opposite of each other cover the area and you have a safety walkway. this way a bird gets out you don't lose it.

If you decide to go aluminium you can get what you need for frames from here:
http://actionaluminium.com.au/contact_Queensland.html
these guys sell metal sheets , seconds as well as galv posts/beams etc
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/jimboomb ... 1016393304

Here's my unfinished cage

[Ben.G]

very nice
I have the materials to build in steel.
I purchased extra when I built my aviary
And I have 20+m of wire left on the roll and the gal edging from a pool.
that will do the trick.
I will get stuck in to it this week then

Thanks.

[Ring0Neck]

That's the spirit Ben !

Here's a drawing (diff measurements, wider mini-orb sheets, less wire)

[Ben.G]

I had a look in the aviary tonight and one of the hens is in the nest.

[JonoH]

They look great, i'm building a new aviary soon and was thinking of having a seperate breeding area built into the back.

Do you just place your feed bowls on the floor?

[Ring0Neck]

In most suspended I do, I have found the ceramic soup bowls are best as they are eay to clean, heavy and they won't carry it around all over the cage floor.
You can also get swivel feeding doors with 2 bowls fitted on it. That's if you want to avoid opening doors while feeding.

[JonoH]

In most suspended I do, I have found the ceramic soup bowls are best as they are eay to clean, heavy and they won't carry it around all over the cage floor.
You can also get swivel feeding doors with 2 bowls fitted on it. That's if you want to avoid opening doors while feeding.

Yeah i use the swivel feed doors at the moment in my main aviary as i don't like stressing out the untame birds by walking in to feed them everyday, but for a breeding area there pretty pricey to have to buy a set for each cage, i like your way better!

[MissK]

I'm kicking around the idea of building a cage around my (indoor) Budgie cage, just so I can stop chasing my Ringneck off it. I'm worried about the Budgie inside starting an argument she can't finish. Understanding I should not use galvanized mesh, I'm at a bit of a loss for materials.

What should I be using for wire, and what sort of establishment is likely to sell it? I'm in USA, so I can't pop out to your regular shop.

-MissK

[Ring0Neck]

Hi MissK

idea of building a cage around my (indoor) Budgie cage

It all depends how big the budgie's cage is.
If small enough, you could simply buy a similar cage to yours but 1 to 3 inch wide and longer, remove the bottom an pop it over the budgie's "cottage" like having double walls an inch or two apart; or buy a smaller 1 if current one is larger.
This way they can still interact from a safe distance and 1 day become best friends.

BTW - before i posted this, i had same amount of posts as you race is on!

[MissK]

HAHAHA! RingO, I'm a Leo, so I *do* talk a lot! Might give you a run for your money. I'm sure I've got you on word count!

I did try looking for a second cage, but the sizes didn't work out for me. Larger issue, too, seems to be lining up the doors and the pan. I'm thinking I'd like to build just a simple screened box where the front side is hinged as a door for service of all types. I couldn't move the Budgies to a smaller cage - in fact, I'd go larger if I could manage it. But at 30" x 33" x 18", I think all would agree they are sufficiently housed.

If you do have some tips for me on wire, I'd surely be in your debt.

-MissK

[Ring0Neck]

HAHAHA! RingO, I'm a Leo, so I *do* talk a lot! Might give you a run for your money. I'm sure I've got you on word count!

If you do have some tips for me on wire.

-MissK

Well, word count... it's a Venus V Mars and all that, so i could never hope to win that battle

This is the wire i used for my last suspended cages. I guess you'd find wire at Home Depo.
http://www.masters.com.au/product/90003 ... m-90cmx30m

i have washed the wire mesh with apple cider vinegar as well as left it in the rain/sun to avoid metal poisoning.

Ben