Shezbug
ASK ME FOR PICTURES OF MY MACAW!
Super Moderator
Avenue Veteran
Celebirdy of the Month
Mayor of the Avenue
Avenue Spotlight Award
Cutest Bird Ever!!!
March 2023 Feathered Estates
Highlight
I am very pleased to announce this
months showcased member
Sparkles99
1~ What kind of birds do you have and how many birds did you design your setup for?Highlight
I am very pleased to announce this
months showcased member
Sparkles99
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