Feathered Estates March 2023- Sparkles99

[Shezbug]

March 2023 Feathered Estates
Highlight

I am very pleased to announce this
months showcased member
Sparkles99


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1~ What kind of birds do you have and how many birds did you design your setup for?

I have budgies. I designed the set up for 2-4 birds, but have 10. This is why there are two different styles of cages. The two A&E Elegant Flight Cages were a bargain when Petsmart was redesigning their cages & needed something on the shelves. The other three are Prevue Hendryx F040.

2~ Is your setup for a handicapped bird?

None of my budgies have any accessibility requirements, but I made sure that everyone has a platform perch. I think it's important to give birds options, just in case.

3~ Are there any budgeting tips you discovered while doing your setup?

Yes! Skewers & other refillable toys really help & are also more environmentally friendly. Many AA vendors have great toy parts. Similarly, I found that most pet store toys are unsafe, will instantly rust or will fall apart randomly. It is actually better to spend more up front than to try not to.

4~ Is your setup changeable or stationary and do you add or make changes continually or do things stay primarily as is?

Things stay primarily as is, but I refill toys & replace toys meant to be destroyed. I hope over time that Cloud & Ernest need fewer toys to keep the peace, TBH.

5~ Where did you find your materials if you made it yourself or where did you purchase the setup and do you have favorite places to purchase safe toys and/or supplies that you find reliable?

I didn't make things myself, but I like how they look. Two cages came from Petsmart, two from a mom & pop pet store & one from Costco. The toys are a mix of vendor toys & pet store toys, largely from the mom & pop shop.

6~ Do you have a favorite item that you bought for your setup?

Yes, my favourite item is Aurelius' favourite item, his purple moon swing. I've yet to capture a photo of him on it, but you can see that it's well used.

7~ If you made any DIY toys what is your bird(s) favorite and were there any failures?

I didn't try any DIY toys, but I really like skewers & refillable toys which make safe DIY toys accessible to the masses!

8~ Did you incorporate into your setup any foraging toys and how did your bird(s) take to them and was age or inactivity a factor?

They aren't toys, per se, but my budgies enjoy millet hung in random areas.

9~ What difficulties did you encounter, if any, and how did you remedy them?

Though the A&E cages are advertised as having 0.5" spacing, there are decorative gaps. I bought some plexiglass, then cut & drilled it myself to cover them, using zip ties.

10~ What do you like least about your set up (if anything)?

I don't like that the room is small or that the cages aren't all identical.

11~ What do you like most about your setup?

I like that there is space for everyone inside or outside, though most of mine rarely venture out.

12~ Did your bird(s) take to the setup right away or did they approach it tentatively needing time to adjust and do you feel their age was a factor?

All of mine took to it immediately. I think that age wasn't a factor. Most of the rehomed ones, in fact all but Winston, were enraptured to not be in small, inadequate spaces.

13~ Any future renovations planned

I really wish!

Pistachio & Marzipan's Cage



Aurelius & Winston's Cage

• Note the moon swing in front & how worn it is!

Marigold & Frosting's Cage


Cloud & Ernest's Cage


Hickory & Macadamia's Cage


The Prevue Hendryx F040s

• The broom, mop & vacuum are to the right.
• The closet with all the carriers, including non-bird ones, is behind the last cage.

The A&E Elegant Flight Cages

• All of the other supplies are underneath these cages: Food, papers, spray bottle, bucket, dishpan, extra toys, etc.

Close up of supplies






The Air Filter

• There is another air filter outside of their room too, just in case.
• The desk that holds it is my childhood desk & is filled with unopened bird food.

The Dresser of Cage Covers

• This is an antique maple chest from the 1930s repurposed for bird blankets.

In His hand is the soul of every living thing. -Job 12:10

 

[Kiwi's Dad]

 

[Birdie Mama]

Great interview!!

 

[Pixiebeak]

Impeccable!
What a lucky flock!

 

[Nnbal]

 

[Icey]

Love your setup

 

[AussieBird]

You're such an amazing budgie parront!!

 

[Toy]

Very nice set up.

 

[Wardy]

 

[Clueless]

Sweet set up!

 

[KimKim]

 

[Kassiani]

Congratulations! You've made great use of the space you have. I love the old student desk

 

[Xoetix]

Oh man, I am so envious of how clean your floor is I swear the second I clean up, Isadora drops a massive poo. Not to mention what my walls look like

This room is the stuff of dreams, it's amazing!