bird cages

Question
hi, i am new to the bird keeping game and wish to build a cage myself and was wandering if there was a decent web site that gives me the basic structures and items required to include in the design. i will be keeping either budgies or canaries and they will be kept outside in an avery of approx dimentions of 2mtrs high 1.5mtrs wide and 1,5mtrs deep. i realy just need some help to get started. or maybe you could recommend a good book.
your help will be greatly appreciated.
thanks
dave g

Answer
Hi, Dave.  Thanks for posting.

I've not been successful in finding information on the internet or in books on how to build parrot cages.  There's information available out there on how to build other types of bird cages, but not parrot.  I actually quit trying to find this information years ago and built my own cages, particularly because I wanted cages that fit in certain spaces, had more horizontal room than vertical, and I needed breeding cages versus cages just to house parrots.  Also need to take into consideration how fancy or elaborate you want the cage(s) to be, i.e., will you use a wood frame or just the wire itself, will the cage be hung from the ceiling or be hung from a stand or be placed on a stand/table, etc.

If you're just looking to make a functional cage without much desire for asthetics, I've found the easiest way to build a parrot cage is to determine size, shape, etc., requirements (much advance thought and planning needed here).  Next step would be to determine the size and type of cage wire you want/need to use depending on the species of parrot you will house in the cage.  You would then cut 2 pieces of wire the same size.  The size of each piece of wire would be the length of the cage you want plus one side.  After cutting 2 pieces the same size, you would bend 1 piece of the wire you cut to the length of the cage and then bend the remaining wire for 1 side.  Take the second piece of wire you cut and do the same thing.  Then put the 2 pieces of wire together to form a cage.  You can attach them to one another with cage clips made specifically for this purpose (available likely online, but you'd need to search for websites regarding poultry supplies).  Using cage clips requires a special tool to make it easier...you could use pliers to affix cage clips (this special tool can also be found where cage clips are sold).  I've also successfully used electrical ties to hold a cage together.  However, larger parrots usually chew the plastic electrical ties off for an escape route!  

You'd then need to cut an opening (or two) for a door(s).  You'd cut another piece of wire about an inch or two larger than the door opening you just cut in the cage.  The second, bigger piece would be the actual door you'd use to access the inside of the cage.  This door can also be affixed on one side with cage clips/electrical ties.  There are many different kinds of door latches you can purchase...might search for different types on the internet, if you don't have a hardware store locally that carries these type items.  I have much luck finding parrot cage supplies at local bird fairs/bird shows.  You might check local parrot breeders, parrot societies, bird clubs, newspaper ads, etc., for bird-related activities in your area.  They're around...you just have to do some research!  

When building parrot housing outside, you need to take into consideration many factors, including keeping wildlife out (during the day, as well as at night), parrots kept outside must have access to shade, must have way to get out of inclement weather, way to keep from being overheated/too cold (if housing during cold months of the year), etc., etc.

One thing to consider...if you will be keeping budgies/american parakeets and plan on breeding them, they don't do well in a colony breeding setup, UNLESS the "colony" provides an enormous amount of room, depending on the number of birds you plan to keep.  There are things you need to consider in colony breeding, so ask if this is your plans.

Chrys