Hi all again

 

I've finally come out into the workforce and earning a bit of $$$. One of my first priorities is to replace the god awful "aviary" (a phone booth with a terrible cleaning system) my dad has built for my 4 budgies.

 

Because of space limitations I would like a cage large enough to house up to about 6-8 birds, be able to be put outside close to permanently in all weather and be able to move on castors. Oh, and must be easy to clean with tray

I am thinking of putting a pair of quails in as well to mop up and just give the bottom of the cage some life.

 

So far I'm after something like this::

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/New-Rain-Proof-Steel-Bird-Parrot-Pet-Aviary-Cage-Wheel-/300363718970?pt=AU_Pet_Supplies&hash=item45ef12a13a

or this

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Brand-New-1-6M-Weather-Proof-Bird-Cage-House-w-Wheels-/220481549519?pt=AU_Pet_Supplies&hash=item3355b974cf

 

What are your expert opinions on these cages? I can modify them to clad one/two/three sides in sheet metal to prevent the elements wreaking havoc.

 

Finally, if anyone knows where I can find some cages similar to the above mentioned in Sydney for a decent price (sub $160) please feel free to direct me

 

Thanks again!

if you get these dont put in quail unless your wanting them to have short lives :{

fine for 6 to 8 birds though

not quail at all

Edited March 7, 201113 yr by GenericBlue

I agree with GB...............quail need ground and soil and sand floors not grids.

Those cages aren't the best either. The quality is pretty bad. I have seen some of those ( after a year ) with rust and those cages werent even outside in the elements. Roof on those wont keep budgies from getting wet. If you enclose it to fix that you defeat the object of having an outdoors aviary and the birds lose important airflow too. Dont get me wrong, birds cannot be wet outside as it brings diseases like coccidiosis.

The thing is most of the cages that are sold with wheels are cheap construction and also the wheels even seize up before too long and they will no longer wheel along. Then the wheels hardly ever are replaceable as the construction mostly doesn't allow for replacements.

If you are handy and it seems you are. Why not plan for something bigger and better and just buy materials and see what you can acchieve ? Or a proper aviary off ebay.

Wider rather than taller being the best way to go.

Happy to help you search Set a budget and your general location and we can hunt for you.

Cheers for the fast replies people!

 

I thought so, with the cages off ebay. I work in a metal fabrication company so manufacturing one a couple of hours after work isn't too bad. However, the material cost (Thinking 25x25 Aluminium frame with no idea for mesh) would be more expensive than buying one flat packed! I guess thats what you call "You get what you pay for".

 

As for getting something larger/bigger/better, I'm pretty much limited to a 1mx1m width/depth space as that is the only space the boss would allow me to keep the birds... He's pretty much decked out every square inch of the garden that you can put an aviary/cage with comcrete, plants or random junk. As much as I would love a walk in aviary (was planning to build one myself) there simply isn't room for one until I get my own place (hopefully soon!).

 

I live in Inner West Sydney, and my budget is around the $160 mark. If it isn't possible to find one suitable in this price range, I guess I'll make do with building my own, and rest assured I'll be posting pictures of it if I do

 

Just another question, what kind of mesh/panels/design would you use for an outside cage and links to websites if any? I've been looking around and the only real designs I've found are avaiaries (which are too big for my pujny space)

 

Thanks again for the comments!

Got a suggestion if you are limited on space. How about making a suspended aviary ? Waist height upwards on legs. Plantpots underneath or put it over some garden. Again wider rather than taller.

Hmmm, suspended aviary sounds like an idea! By the way, would this cage be suitable for all purpose outdoors use?

http://i143.photobuc...ame/cage7-1.jpg (Cage C from the sticky)

 

Just that it was pictured outdoors that piqued my interest.

 

Cheers

Edited March 7, 201113 yr by Randmness

Hmmm, suspended aviary sounds like an idea! By the way, would this cage be suitable for all purpose outdoors use?

http://i143.photobuc...ame/cage7-1.jpg (Cage C from the sticky)

 

Just that it was pictured outdoors that piqued my interest.

 

Cheers

 

same quality as the other ones you posted. They are all thin wire and the wire tends to rust at the joins even when not in wet weather.

Why don't you make one, probably would be cheaper, You can make it from wood like hard wood.NOT treated wood though. You can use alumimun and connector joints or steel. You can buy off cuts of steel sheeting or packing sheets which are the same as the normal pieces but shorter like 4 feet long at steel places etc, I paid $5.00 for mine and when I bought some other tin he gave it to me. If you have it suspended you will not need much, depending how long and wide, you would need a piece for the back and a piece on each side plus roof, around $5.00 pieces. I would have wire at front and sides 3/4 of the way from from the back as long as there is enough height for the light to get in. After the problem I am having with mice I would go with mouse proof wire which are really tiny squares because mice can climb through normal bird wire.

 

If you were to buy one of the above , I would add some tin on back and sides and roof if there is none. BUT when aviaries or bird cages are to shallow, rains goes all the way in and everything gets wet including seed.

 

Good luck with what you choose.

Hmmm, suspended aviary sounds like an idea! By the way, would this cage be suitable for all purpose outdoors use?

http://i143.photobuc...ame/cage7-1.jpg (Cage C from the sticky)

 

Just that it was pictured outdoors that piqued my interest.

 

Cheers

 

 

i have one it sucks big time and the amount of birds you lose as they are supper quick :{

 

suspended is great idea stop things like cocci too as no food on ground or poo to get sick from just let the seed grow up and will have home grown bird garden under them put you beets their too

Got a suggestion if you are limited on space. How about making a suspended aviary ? Waist height upwards on legs. Plantpots underneath or put it over some garden. Again wider rather than taller.

 

Exactly what I was going to suggest. My budgies are in a suspended that is hanging on the side of the shed. It is very easy to keep clean and away from my dogs as well.

Have had one of these cages outdoors all weather for several years now http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r145/kazzart/more%20same/cage7-1.jpg

It has held up very well with only very minimal rust, where some original paint had lifted, not a problem though, casters still running well enough too.

OLD topic Trefto and the original poster may no longer be around ....but your post is also relevant