Steve Hutchings Budgie Site

Cages
 
Tom Lewis advises on how to modify a conventional block of cages to increase its versatility.
The traditional block of three boxes has withstood the test of time; inserting two dividers creates three
 breeding cages typically 2ft (61 cm) long. Whereas removing them produces a useful 6ft (1 .8m) long
 stock cage (see Fig. 1)  

 

  Fig 1 Traditional block of breeding cages

The fact that this design has been adequate for so long does not mean it cannot be improved, and I
 modified a block of my cages to make ii more versatile.
First I made a wire grid and positioned it just above the cage floor this permits droppings and stale
 food to fall through the wire out of reach of my Budgerigars. Welded wire mesh,
 un x 1/2in x 1(16wg 25mm x 12mm x 1.5mm) was cut to the size of the cage floor.
 Except that wires were left protruding at 6in (15cm) intervals (Fig 2). These acted as supports when
inserted into small holes drilled in the cage walls.  
 
This modification goes a long way towards keeping birds clean while they are being prepared for
 exhibition Indeed, when the food is removed, the wire-floored cage serves well as a spray cage.
The wire floor also persuades Budgerigars, particularly youngsters, that it is more comfortable to sit on
 a perch rather than on the floor, assisting with their show training. The grids are removed during the
 breeding season so chicks leaving the nests have a solid floor on which to sit.
One of the problems of training Budgerigars in cages other than show cages (the use of which is
 restricted by law) is that typical stock cage perches are different from those in a standard show cage.
 In stock cages it is usual for a bird to be able to come up to the wire front while standing on the perch.
Many of my young Budgerigars have tried to do the same thing when introduced to a show cage and
have toppled into the gap between perch and wires.
Another difference is that the show cage has a sloping roof close to the bird’s head.
 A stock cage can be modified quickly to resemble a show cage by inserting a row of show 
cage-type perches.
Fixing a false, angled roof made from sheet metal and held in position by bolts and wing nuts 
can increase the resemblance. (Fig. 3)  

  

Fig 3 False angled roof which, with show cages perches, 

recreates show cages conditions in a stock cage.

The final modification involves removing the solid panel from one end of the cage and replacing it with welded wire mesh. A hospital cage can be made if a solid partition is inserted between the end and centre cages and a dull emitter lamp is placed outside the wired end (Fig 4)

 

Fig4 Solid end of cage replaced with wire mesh. Dull lamp creates

           hospital cage.
The cage is small enough to conserve heat but large enough to permit a sick bird to retire to the
 distance at which feels most comfortable.
 
Most blocks of cages have two functions they act as a stock cage or a breeding cage. 
The simple modifi­cations I have described add the functions of hospital cage. show training cage
and spray cage. while increasing general hygiene. In my birdroom I have found this versatility very useful.  
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