Some of you may remember I was having some trouble with excessive bickering at night when it was bedtime. I solved that by getting a new cage. It is a really nice sized home for all of my hens. :hap: Who, undoubtedly, need their 'personal space'. I'm sure I'll end up changing things around as we figure out the best use of the space, but for now, here's what it looks like. The pictures ended up making the cage look smaller than it is, but it takes up the whole corner, and it is taller than I am. They can actually fly in and out of the door without their wings touching - you can tell a little in the last picture.

 

 

 

I took some screw-on perches that are supposed to go on the outside of cages and hung them upside down. Of course, they love these spots. I tried to make it so that most all of the perches at the top of the cage, no matter where they were, were all at the same height. I did this so they could all spread out to go to sleep if they wanted to. Well, guess where they all want to sleep?

 

 

Yup. You guessed it. Sky will not allow any other bird anywhere on the perch she is sleeping on. The other three will allow one bird to share...so that leaves one bird the odd one out. Sky is sharing in this picture because the lights are still on, LOL. When I turn them off if she's still there, Skittles will be forced off. They all still bicker when the lights go out, but not as much as when they were in the smaller cage. During the day, when I am home I leave the door open, and one of the nest box doors on the side, so they can come and go as they please. Funny thing is, they just fly around in the cage and don't come out much! I'm guessing they like it. They have all been much more active, talking more, flying and flapping around, and giving lots of tail-wags. I am thrilled. So I have helped them overall by giving them more room (did I mention they LOVE it?) but the original problem still exists, albeit on a lesser scale. I think if I can find one more of those types of perches and hang it up, they might all finally be happy....

 

I just don't remember where I got them - and I haven't seen any in the stores! **sigh**

Edited May 10, 200718 yr by Rainbow

That is a brilliant space for the birds. They will be so happy in there. What spoilt little budgies you have

Thanks Kaz. I was thinking it might have been big enough to house them all when I had 11, but there were males then, and I think males must be some sort of buffer between the hens because my birds rarely used to bicker until all the males were gone. How funny - the cage could fit a mixed aviary of 11, but barely contains 4 hens....LOL what a riot!!!

Edited May 10, 200718 yr by Rainbow

Thanks Kaz. I was thinking it might have been big enough to house them all when I had 11, but there were males then, and I think males must be some sort of buffer between the hens because my birds rarely used to bicker until all the males were gone. How funny - the cage could fit a mixed aviary of 11, but barely contains 4 hens....LOL what a riot!!!

 

Sounds like that TV show....The Golden Girls

Hey Rainbow, Looks great..

I don't know where you could get more of those perches from but I had an idea ( Before i got the aviary) there are wooden Mug holders that have a stand with 4 - 6 peg things ( dowel sticks to rest the mugs on ) you could try that ?

But the GOLDEN GIRLS look like they love their new home

Edited May 10, 200718 yr by Kaz

That is a great looking cage

wow, what lucky girls you have there!! Looks amazing!!

Great cage!!

That's a great sized cage! Your girls seem very happy in their budgie mansion

 

I need to replace my old cages so I'm trying to figure out what size and style would be best. I have a VERY bossy hen that picks fights with whoever she's in a cage with, even when I leave it up to them to decide who's sleeping where. I keep threatening to put her in solitary if she keeps misbehaving!

 

But maybe something the size you've got is the way to go ...

What a great new cage, Rainbow, they will all be loving it. It is so good to see so many members here now have that style of cage. Lucky little budgies.

 

 

Feathers.

Ann that cage is the same exact one I have except I have it in green vein, they will love it. Just think Merlin is in that cage all my himself now

That's a great sized cage! Your girls seem very happy in their budgie mansion :sad:

 

I need to replace my old cages so I'm trying to figure out what size and style would be best. I have a VERY bossy hen that picks fights with whoever she's in a cage with, even when I leave it up to them to decide who's sleeping where. I keep threatening to put her in solitary if she keeps misbehaving!

 

But maybe something the size you've got is the way to go ...

:sad:

 

Leanne, it is a very good cage. It is powder-coated instead of painted so no chance of rust. There are two nest box doors, one of which I use as an alternative exit/entrance for the birds. The bowls are stainless steel and huge - I use them both for water. They are up high and with no perches above them the water stays clean! They swing out which is great for ease of changing. (Something I never thought much about until I had it.) There is a key lock in addition to the 2 latches on the door. I believe that is more to keep people out rather than the birds in...I have never locked the cage, but think in certain circumstances it might be a handy option. The dimensions are 34" x 22" x 43" (86 1/2 cm x 60 cm x 109 cm). The only drawback is that is it taller than me, and I can't get the all the girls when they are on top of the cage unless I pull up a chair, LOL! I have to be taller to herd Skittles toward the "side entrance".... :budgiedance: But there is so much room in the cage, I can have the food on one side with no perches above so it doesn't get fouled. They fly from side to side, perch to perch (no more hopping for them!), and have to be active to get to the food. I'd recommend it, but it DOES take up a good chunk of floor space.

Nice Rainbow :budgiedance: Like my cage but with the one big door rather than two.

great cage!! I was thinking of getting that one too.