new cage or small indoor aviary

Hi guys,

Enzo's cage is a little on the small side and im thinking of 2 option.

1. Just buy a new cage, at least 100" wide
2. Build an indoor aviary under my staircase, which will be a lot wider, problems being my electric board is under there so ill have to box it in, also no direct window that Enzo can look out of so she may be too bored in there during the days i work.

Any advice or things i should think about please?

I'd buy a new cage, that way it can go anywhere. And when you said under the staircase, all I could think about was how loud it might be when someone is walking up or down.

Cage! Unless there is a different option for built location! To use the proper material, homemade can get very pricey!
There is a cage distributor somewhere in the New Jersey area that has some fantastic deals on Frankenstein cages from trade shows. Someone on this forum, approximately a year ago, snagged a $1000 cage for $200! Have tried and tried to find that thread!

Building an under-stair aviary sounds novel, but a big cage is more practical.

bigfellasdad said:

Hi guys,

Enzo's cage is a little on the small side and im thinking of 2 option.

1. Just buy a new cage, at least 100" wide
2. Build an indoor aviary under my staircase, which will be a lot wider, problems being my electric board is under there so ill have to box it in, also no direct window that Enzo can look out of so she may be too bored in there during the days i work.

Any advice or things i should think about please?

Click to expand...

Large cages can be a blessing and a curse depending on how they are constructed and the placement of the large full-height access 'double-doors!' Once you begin to exceed 40 to 48" (1015 to 1220 mm) they become difficult to move out of a room or home without dismantling them. This because, as they become wider, they common have greater depth (front to back), which can quickly get them wider than a standard door opening!

Cages over 48" (1220 mm) wide are commonly sold as double cages with a separation (commonly structural) panel that unless you choose to cut a mid-size opening limits use. There are some, in which the panel can be left out as part of assembly, but you need to confirm that prior to purchase.

Always remember to check bar spacing as these much larger than standard cages are commonly designed for the larger Too's and Mac's. A Parrot with its head hanging outside of the cage is a serious hazard to the Parrot!

We have used Bird Cages 4 Less for years. Watch for sales and look at their accessory packages, which are commonly much less than if you buy those items separately. Also, they sell mostly Cages and a few other cage supply items. This means the person answering the phone will likely know the answer and the staff prepping the shipment only ships cages! This means getting all the parts and pieces is far more likely!

I vote cage, b/c it can go anywhere and that under the staircase thing with no window sounds like it would be stressful over time. I think birds should be close to windows if possible or at least be close enough to enjoy the daylight from them.

Cage. Building an aviary, outside or in - the materials needed to make it safe for your Grey are not cheap by any means and if not chosen correctly can be deadly. Ie: chicken wire instead of powder coated steel bars. One is zinc galvanized ( very poisonous) and the other is hard and very durable. Yep, cage. Enzo deserves the best.

Cheers guys, then a cage it is You are right about manoeuvring a larger cage around the house as i can only just about get Enzo's cage through a door today, so i think the new cage will be permanently positioned and more tall wood stands dotted around the house for her to perch away from the cage.

You guys are awesome.

Just an update really, ive sourced a brand new display Montana Castell play top cage for Enzo, hopefully it can get delivered next week, got it for £350 which is £120 cheaper than any other delivery price i can find. The cage is 19cm wider and twice as deep as enzo's current cage so hopefully she will feel happy in it. Some tall 5' branch perches to get now for around the rest of the house.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Montana-Castel-Play-Parrot-Stone/dp/B000PZ6PHC

I am guessing that you meant 91 cm, right!

I can convert meters and mm quickly, but I'm a bit slower with cm! When I first read it, questioned it and had to get out my conversion booklet. In international engineering, tend to see meters and mm, very rarely cm's.

Neat looking cage. Just an FYI, I have been assembling this type of cage up-side down on a flat surface. Everything just lines up a bunch easier!

Have fun assembling it. We love to have our Amazon involved in the assembly and decoration! Over the years, we found they just move right in after everything is in place.

SailBoat said:

I am guessing that you meant 91 cm, right!

I can convert meters and mm quickly, but I'm a bit slower with cm! When I first read it, questioned it and had to get out my conversion booklet. In international engineering, tend to see meters and mm, very rarely cm's.

Neat looking cage. Just an FYI, I have been assembling this type of cage up-side down on a flat surface. Everything just lines up a bunch easier!

Have fun assembling it. We love to have our Amazon involved in the assembly and decoration! Over the years, we found they just move right in after everything is in place.

Click to expand...

Well, I have got the shop to assemble it for me and deliver it as well, I can get the cage into my rear kitchen patio doors I drive a hard bargain :54:
the 19cm (190mm) was the increase in width over enzos current cage (810mm wide)