Cage Dilemma!

[amy83 0]

Before I got my budgies, I had intended on keeping them outside - to keep the cats away from them as I didn't know where else I could put it in the house I was about to move into.

 

It turned out we have a spare bedroom I thought I would use, but I'm not so I've put the budgies in there and am discovering the aviary I purchased just isn't practical! I'm so annoyed, I got a great deal for it on ebay but I guess since I hadn't had budgies I didn't realise it wouldn't work...

 

This is it:

 

 

It's 1650mm (h) x 900mm (w) x 600mm (d), but there's just hardly any useable space! I had to get my dad to put some hooks in the top to hang toys and the birds won't go below that top perch. Also, with the door on the side it's impossible to get in there and move stuff around. Sigh.

 

Hopefully I'll be able to get most of what I paid back if I relist on eBay but then there's the new pressing question - what sort of cage should I get?

 

And, aside from eBay, I don't know where to find good cages - we've got Pets at Home nearby but they don't have much selection and it's pricey! Any ideas? I'm in Melbourne (south-east suburbs)

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Edit: Looking at THIS ONE. Bit more than I was hoping to pay though... but they're local so I could pick it up at least...

Edited August 31, 2007 by amy83

[Michelle 0]

I don't know, that cage looks absolutely wonderful to me! Maybe a bit too high? I'm not sure, but I think I'd like it. I would build up some extra perches for lower down and hang the toys directly off 'em instead of adding hooks. Or maybe build some extra smaller perches (fit with a screw and some washers to the side) just to hang the toys right above a desired bigger perch.

 

And if they won't go below, maybe you need to put something down there to attract them below?

Edited September 3, 2007 by Michelle

[Bea 0]

I have, and love, the cage you're looking at. :ausb: Very practical cage.

[Feathers 0]

Hi Amy,

 

in any cage, the budgies will get to the highest perch and pretty much live there if you let them, because they feel safest up high. What you need to do to make them use more space in the cage is place their food and water dishes very low. Not only does that entice them lower, but it helps them get more exersize too.

 

I also bought a cage that was very impractical as it had a solid roof and nothing could be hung, but I got around that by leaving the pitched roof off and attaching bird wire over the top. Now it is great.

 

The cage you are looking at is the same one that quite a few members here have got, including myself, and it is perfect. You and your feathered friends will absolutely love it.

 

 

Feathers.

[Elly 0]

You received really good advice and I want to ditto that. Merlin hangs out on the lower part of his cage all the time because that is where his toys are (but not under perches where he can poo on them). I love that cage!!

[amy83 0]

Thanks guys, I found a good price for one, just waiting on the auction now!

 

It's a great little aviary I've got - but unfortunately it's so awkward to reach into it it makes taming difficult and I can't even imagine how I'll get back in there to rearrange stuff/change the toys around!

 

My boyfriend's mum wants it though and is gunna pay me what I paid for it, so it all works out in the end!

[Michelle 0]

Yea, I see what you mean. I guess the door isn't quite practical for taming and cleaning. There should've been a couple others, at least centered, so you can at least try running around. ...Just the thought of trying to reach in that cage makes my shoulder hurt.

 

But I guess that for fully tamed birds it would be a great spot to live!

Edited September 4, 2007 by Michelle