Help putting together a 'Natural Inspirations' double small bird cage (without divider piece)

[angelica.madalena]

Hello Everyone! Over the summer I was looking for a spacious home to house my small flock of budgies. I saw some folks on Parrot Forum give positive reviews of the Natural Inspirations double/divided cages(Cage Model 5024), so I ordered one, and was super excited. I ordered it in June and finally received it in September.

Unfortunately, it did not come with instructions, but I did manage to get some videos/info from the company about how to start setting it up. They were not comprehensive, but through trial and error over the course of a few days it gave me enough to get the main frame of the cage together. I eventually received the written instructions via email last week, but they were less helpful.

Now, a few weeks and some missing parts later(I eventually received the missing screws in the mail), I have it most of the way done- but the finishing touches to make it livable for the birds are just not working out. (I am not a builder, but even with the help of some fairly handy friends, some things just aren't working.) The screw holes are not lining up well at many points in the cage, and some of the screws seem too small to catch in the places they are allegedly supposed to be. After weeks of it sitting half-done I have improvised with some different screws to get it mostly together.

One main problem I am still having is with the floor grates- with all the cage screws loosened I can move them in and out of the cage, but once I screw in the partition bars (I need the bars since I am using it as one large cage, not a divided cage) It tightens the cage to the point where I can no longer pull the grates out, which would make cleaning impossible. Has anyone come across this issue, or have suggestions on what to do ? If I don't install the partition bars, the grates will slide, but I fear without them the budgies could get out through the large gap, or get stuck in it.

I noticed as well that the grooved pathway in the center of the cage ceiling (where the divider wall would go, if it were being used) is very sharp and has pointy edges that seem unsafe to have exposed inside the cage. I cut my finger on it just while trying to build the cage. It seems unlikely that it is meant to be like that, but I don't see any pieces that would cover it to make it safer.

I do have a lot of remaining hardware pieces that I am unsure how to use- as they weren't mentioned in the videos or the instructions. These include:
a third partition bar, 5 "safety catches", 2 wing nut looking screws, and many regular screws of all sizes.

I also could not attach the swivel feeder doors latch with the short screw I was told to use, and currently have them attached with longer screws, and held closed with clips I found around the house.

Another oddity I noticed is that once having installed the door locks, one door locks by moving the lever upwards, while the other door locks by moving the lever downward. Not sure why this inconsistency is occurring?

I am looking for any help I can get on this project, as I have been hoping to get my birds into a new home for 5 months now. The cage is also quite expensive, so I feel like it's not normal to have to be rigging it to make it work.

I am truly at a loss as to how to proceed here, and if anyone has had an experience with this cage please let me know! Photos of your Natural Inspirations cage 5024 are welcome.

Thank you all and I wish you and your feather friends a good day

 

[Vampiric_Conure]

OOoooh.... That's frustrating when they don't have proper instructions! Oy vey! I don't have that particular cage, but I might be able to help you with the cage.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I wish you would post some detailed photos of the cage and the issues. I'm looking at a picture from their website and I can't figure out what you're talking about with the grates.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I see from the website picture that the two main doors open opposite each other- the left door opens right to left and the right door opens left to right. It makes sense that the locks work in opposite ways because they're using the same part (the door) for both sides but one is installed upside down reversed.
The thing that's odd about the assembled cage in the picture is there are holes drilled in the frame of the cage that don't have screws in them. Don't these holes have a purpose that requires screws? I'm not sure the company knows how to put their own cage together.

I really like the cage for budgies. I have a double wide Pawhut cage that similar but differently configured and I like it. It's slightly larger than your cage and I paid about $300 for it. I never use the grates because it's just another part to have to clean. I see that your grates slide into a pre-made slot in the front. I don't see how any screws could do something to make the grates impossible to remove.

 

[angelica.madalena]

I wish you would post some detailed photos of the cage and the issues. I'm looking at a picture from their website and I can't figure out what you're talking about with the grates.

 

[angelica.madalena]

I see from the website picture that the two main doors open opposite each other- the left door opens right to left and the right door opens left to right. It makes sense that the locks work in opposite ways because they're using the same part (the door) for both sides but one is installed upside down reversed.
The thing that's odd about the assembled cage in the picture is there are holes drilled in the frame of the cage that don't have screws in them. Don't these holes have a purpose that requires screws? I'm not sure the company knows how to put their own cage together.

I really like the cage for budgies. I have a double wide Pawhut cage that similar but differently configured and I like it. It's slightly larger than your cage and I paid about $300 for it. I never use the grates because it's just another part to have to clean. I see that your grates slide into a pre-made slot in the front. I don't see how any screws could do something to make the grates impossible to remove.

Hello, Thank you for the response. I attempted to post some videos showing what I mean about the floor grates, however I am not sure if they will work. To clarify about the grates- Right now every screw in the whole frame of the cage has been loosened, and the partition bar that covers the gap in the middle of the cage has not been installed. This looseness allows enough space and leeway for the floor grates to slide in and out of the cage, and be used as they should be.

However, when I install the partition bars, OR tighten the screws in the frame of the cage, it just tightens the cage too much, and the grates get stuck, unable to slide in and out of the cage.

Please let me know if that makes any more sense to you! I think if you see the videos it will make more sense.

As far as the door locks, I see what you mean about it being the same part just flipped around. Still odd to me that they close different ways but I guess it is understandable.

Below find photos of- the gap in the cage w/o partition bar, the partition bar, the feeder door closed with a clip, and the unused hardware I still have after completing the cage. Not pictured is the sharp metal inside the cage that I can't capture well in photo

 

[DonnaBudgie]

It's kinda ridiculous that they send people cages disassembled without providing detailed instructions on how to assemble them.
Is the stand included? Is it separate from the cage? I ask because it seems like the partition space could be made smaller by just pushing the two cages closer together. It looks like there's a bar installed on the flat top of the cage to close off the gap there.

Those small triangular metal parts look like they would be parts for the feeding doors latching system.

Sometimes you need to be creative about things like this and find another way to conceal that large gap in the from between the two sides.

If keeping the screws looser helps with the grates functioning then I would just keep the screws as loose as you need to.

 

[kme3388]

Small bird 5024

NEW! Small bird double cages! Non-toxic, durable and safe powder coated finish 2 Entry doors Includes outside feeder doors Four stainless steel bowls Removable Center Divider 1/2" bar spacing for small birds Bolt together panels for easy assembly 50" wide by 24" deep by 65" tall. Inside...

naturalinspirationsparrotcages.com

Is this the cage you bought ?


Also can you take a photo of the bottom of the cage where the divider is or should be?

 

[angelica.madalena]

It's kinda ridiculous that they send people cages disassembled without providing detailed instructions on how to assemble them.
Is the stand included? Is it separate from the cage? I ask because it seems like the partition space could be made smaller by just pushing the two cages closer together. It looks like there's a bar installed on the flat top of the cage to close off the gap there.

Those small triangular metal parts look like they would be parts for the feeding doors latching system.

Sometimes you need to be creative about things like this and find another way to conceal that large gap in the from between the two sides.

If keeping the screws looser helps with the grates functioning then I would just keep the screws as loose as you need to.

Hello! The stand is attached to the cage as one piece, it cannot be detached. The whole cage/stand is one large structure fully attached, so unfortunately the dimensions of the cage cannot be altered at all to close that gap. It is all screwed down into the stand. I will post a photo below.

Those long bars are what are meant to be placed over the center gap, I just can't figure out why when I put them on the grates don't move at all anymore. Did you manage to see the videos?

I did get creative at various points with this, and hopefully I can get my birds in there sooner than later they have been waiting so long for their new home!

I also will have to do something to cover the sharp edges that are exposed inside the cage before they go in. I just feel for the money and time it took to get this cage, it stinks to have to be rigging it up.

 

[angelica.madalena]

Small bird 5024

NEW! Small bird double cages! Non-toxic, durable and safe powder coated finish 2 Entry doors Includes outside feeder doors Four stainless steel bowls Removable Center Divider 1/2" bar spacing for small birds Bolt together panels for easy assembly 50" wide by 24" deep by 65" tall. Inside...

naturalinspirationsparrotcages.com

Is this the cage you bought ?


Also can you take a photo of the bottom of the cage where the divider is or should be?

Hello! yes this is the cage that I have purchased. posting 2 images of bottom of cage center divider area below.

one image where the partition bar is installed (grates get stuck)
one image without partition bar installed.

Also posting a photo of all the unused hardware from the cage if you have any ideas on that

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I would get a piece of plexiglass cut in a strip about 2 inches wide and the length of the gap. Get some silicone sealant and put a bead of it down each side that will touch the metal on the left and righ

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Oops.
Left and right cages and stick the plexiglass to the cages to cover the gap. Actually, put the bead of silicone sealant directly on the metal and stick the plexiglass strip on to cover the gap. This is what I would do. My idea of "creative". The sealant won't be inside the cages where the budgies could chew it.
This allows you to use the grates, cover the gap, and get your budgies into their new home. Regarding the sharp metal- personally I wouldn't worry about it. Budgies have a thick coat of feathers and down and are very unlikely to get injured on it- much less likely than humans would. We have bare skin that's much more easily cut up by sharp metal. If ypu want to smooth it out a bit you could use a metal file. Other than that I can't see a way to make it less sharp other than to coat it with a nontoxic silicone sealant but the budgies are more likely to chew on the sealant than cut themselves on the metal.

The meantime, I would write a letter to the company telling them about all the problems you have had with their very expensive cage ($1,000) that they claim they personally designed. I would ask for a partial refund, maybe $100 as compensation for your trouble and promise in return not to put a lousy review on their new website (if it ever gets finished). You really shouldn't have had this much trouble with a cage that cost about twice what it should have. Don't get me wrong- it's going to make a great home for your budgies- but you would have been just as happy or happier with the Pawhut double cage that I have which I didn't have any trouble with and only paid less than $300 for. Picture attached. My cage is 60"x 18"x37"h.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

You could use a piece of wood and use adhesive to to cover the gap between the two sides but wood can be chewed and plexiglass can't.

 

[angelica.madalena]

Oops.
Left and right cages and stick the plexiglass to the cages to cover the gap. Actually, put the bead of silicone sealant directly on the metal and stick the plexiglass strip on to cover the gap. This is what I would do. My idea of "creative". The sealant won't be inside the cages where the budgies could chew it.
This allows you to use the grates, cover the gap, and get your budgies into their new home. Regarding the sharp metal- personally I wouldn't worry about it. Budgies have a thick coat of feathers and down and are very unlikely to get injured on it- much less likely than humans would. We have bare skin that's much more easily cut up by sharp metal. If ypu want to smooth it out a bit you could use a metal file. Other than that I can't see a way to make it less sharp other than to coat it with a nontoxic silicone sealant but the budgies are more likely to chew on the sealant than cut themselves on the metal.

The meantime, I would write a letter to the company telling them about all the problems you have had with their very expensive cage ($1,000) that they claim they personally designed. I would ask for a partial refund, maybe $100 as compensation for your trouble and promise in return not to put a lousy review on their new website (if it ever gets finished). You really shouldn't have had this much trouble with a cage that cost about twice what it should have. Don't get me wrong- it's going to make a great home for your budgies- but you would have been just as happy or happier with the Pawhut double cage that I have which I didn't have any trouble with and only paid less than $300 for. Picture attached. My cage is 60"x 18"x37"h. View attachment 82560

That looks like a lovely cage. I am going to write the company and ask for a partial refund, and then hopefully I can put some money into adjusting the cage as necessary, as in fixing the gap between with plexiglass or a fitted wooden dowel. I am not sure yet how I will cover the sharp edges at the top of the inside of the cage. Thank you for your advice! Best to you and your budgies