Here is the hospital cage my Dad made for me. Its not a thing of beauty but it works really well.

interior shot

The box is around 2 foot wide by 12 inches deep by 15 inches high. The top comes off for ease of access and is attached to the body of the hospital cage by latches on the sides. There are carrying handles as well.

There is a main perch that runs across the width of the cage. A lamp fitting fitted into the cage and accessed by the bird on the lefthand side. The electrical components are simply a lamp fitting from the elctrical plug right through to the bayonet section that holds the light bulb. There is an external switch. You may recognise the electrical components from any old lamp you may have. The bayonet section with globe also is fitted with an old style metal shade which assists in directing warmth downwards.

The perch running across the width of the cage allows the bird to move under the heat source or move away from the heat source as needed.

The perch is a maximum 2 inches above ground level. I put paper in to line the base and change the paper 3-4 times a day for health reasons. I also often have a diagonal perch in there running front to back...from floor level to the food and water dispensers that would be clipped to the front of the cage. The diagonal perch helps any sick birds who can neither perch not reach up to food dishes..it allows them to walk from ground level up to the main perch and access seed and water. The water is put on the right hand side of the cage and would be medicated with whatever is necessary for the sick bird at the time.

As there is a cage front and not perspex, it seems to maintain a constant temperature with no chance of over heating. In this cage I use a 25 watt globe.

As I said...it is no thing of beauty but it works really well, is easy to make and I could NOT do without it. Thanks to my Dad.

Edited June 3, 200717 yr by **KAZ**

Unfortuantely I got to see it in action when it was full of sick birds from the poisoning episode The cage itself works brilliantly.

 

 

Feathers.

wonderful Kaz and with your permission will add to the FAQ..yes

wonderful Kaz and with your permission will add to the FAQ..yes :hap:

Of course it is a simple design, easily copied and workable

it has been added to the health section and the cage section

Thank you Kaz

i like that hospital cage and the idea with the light bulb

Kas your dad's hospital cage is great I might try to make one like that next but the only thing that worries me is that the birds are in constant bright light 24 hours a day, that is why I went for the design I made because the light was hidden under the floor. But if I was going to make my design again I would make it deeper depth and put a wire front on it plus the glass.

Kas your dad's hospital cage is great I might try to make one like that next but the only thing that worries me is that the birds are in constant bright light 24 hours a day, that is why I went for the design I made because the light was hidden under the floor. But if I was going to make my design again I would make it deeper depth and put a wire front on it plus the glass.

Well, the light being above their heads doesnt matter as much and they do sleep in there so thats okay. It doesnt matter what design it is as long as it works

Kas your dad's hospital cage is great I might try to make one like that next but the only thing that worries me is that the birds are in constant bright light 24 hours a day, that is why I went for the design I made because the light was hidden under the floor. But if I was going to make my design again I would make it deeper depth and put a wire front on it plus the glass.

Well, the light being above their heads doesnt matter as much and they do sleep in there so thats okay. It doesnt matter what design it is as long as it works

 

 

I agree with you Kas and I think your cage is a better design than mine as it has more space and I wish I had the wire on the front of mine for more options.

Having the light on all the time could be a good thing, with sick birds, as they can feed when ever they feel like it, which could aid in their recovery.

Having the light on all the time could be a good thing, with sick birds, as they can feed when ever they feel like it, which could aid in their recovery.

It seems to help a lot. Birds that were "at deaths door" have come good in this cage

And they really don't seem to mind the light? That's fascinating... I was always under the impression that a budgie would not thrive if it was exposed to bright light 24/7...

And they really don't seem to mind the light? That's fascinating... I was always under the impression that a budgie would not thrive if it was exposed to bright light 24/7...

 

 

That was my understanding also.

A couple months ago I had a bird little fluffed up, so I put him in a show cage with a light attached to the outside, it was only 25watt, but it was blinding to him. So I had to put a piece of board over 1/2 of the front

so he could get away from a bit of the light. Greg said the poor little thing was been blinded from too much light.

Personally I don't like to have too much light but it is up to the individual what they like and want.

The big difference here about the light is..........in my hospital cage the light is overhead. In Splats showcage her light was towards the bird and in its face. BIG difference. The fact that I have had many birds at "death's door" and that DO get well in my hospital cage proves the overhead light is NOT detrimental.

I have just picked up a25w heating cable 4 meters long roughly from ebay. So have ideas in making my own. Kaz yours in very insperational. :ausb:

Being a sparky Daz,you should come up with a Rolls Royce model of a hospital cage.

Went to a local show today Macka and the cages where on sale up to $285.00 each. I took a long hard look at them to see how they were made. The bloke thought I was really interested in buying one. Poor bloke. I just wanted some ideas on how to make one.

Hey Daz, Once you have designed and made it, you will have to post it so we can see how it turns out, you might want to share your plans with us. I would be very interested. especially using a heating cable.

One of our members was asking about a hospital cage, so I have brought up this topic again to show that one can be made easily and cheaply to use for any sick birds that need warmth.

Thank you Kaz

easy to make

 

 

Besides my hospital cage which I dont often use these days, I have another method that works really well fort any birds who are sick or just plain off colour. I also use it for my kindie cage babies if some of them need extra warmth.Ever heard of a CAR TROUBLE LAMP ? its what mechanics use to hang up for light when working on their cars.....ask you family, they may have one somewhere. Like this These have a nice long cord, and a part where you screw in the light globe ( you will have to use warm incandescent light globes...I use 40 watt globes )...they also have a hanging hook on them. Great for in the birdroom, quarantine area, or kindie cage. You just hook it onto the front of the cage and the birds gravitate towards it for warmth if they arent well. Very handy for many reasons. I can run two or three at once around the birdroom if need be. Keeps the birds in their original cages and not all in together in a hospital cage. In Australia they have phased out incandescent globes now, but I bought up on the ones I needed so I have about 300 of each type of globe......40 watt screw ins for the car trouble lamps and 25 watt bayonets for the hospital cage :rofl:

Edited August 10, 200915 yr by KAZ

I know this is a very old thread. but im looking into making a hospital cage and i found this thread very helpful. I found a cheap light on ebay and i was wondering if it would be suitable for use with birds. It is a reptile heat lamp. Here is the link http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ReptaLeadEdisonFitt...=item4aa2ad9fcb

Thanks! i just thought i would ask to be sure, i would assume it would be okay though

Cheers

Lozza

Fantastic thread KAZ, this is just what I've been looking for.

 

After the sudden loss of Rosie, I've decided to build a proper hospital cage. What I had for Rosie worked well, but I needed to have a heater on in the room as well, and I don't want to leave a heater on when no one's home in the future.

 

I have some questions regarding the design:

 

What is the height between the perch and the bottom of the lamp?

Do you use a thermometer to monitor the cage temp?

Is humidity an issue? I've read that humidity should be high so the birds don't get dehydrated quickly.

Are there any improvements you'd make to the cage now?

 

Also, if anyone else has built a hospital cage and would like to share their design/feedback/ideas, it would be appreciated :rip:

Fantastic thread KAZ, this is just what I've been looking for.

 

After the sudden loss of Rosie, I've decided to build a proper hospital cage. What I had for Rosie worked well, but I needed to have a heater on in the room as well, and I don't want to leave a heater on when no one's home in the future.

 

I have some questions regarding the design:

 

What is the height between the perch and the bottom of the lamp?

Do you use a thermometer to monitor the cage temp?

Is humidity an issue? I've read that humidity should be high so the birds don't get dehydrated quickly.

Are there any improvements you'd make to the cage now?

 

Also, if anyone else has built a hospital cage and would like to share their design/feedback/ideas, it would be appreciated :rip:

 

I will do some measurements for you. I wouldnt change anything about this cage. It works so well.....better than any other I have used. Its in use right now and is very good.

I dont use a thermometer at all. Birds dont get dehydrated because the front of the cage is a cage front allowing air in.