bird cabinet. Good idea?

[Monica]

If no glass is used, then one would need plastic or metal... as you don't necessarily want birds pooping straight onto wood... at least not with some sort of finish or protector type of thing to protect the wood... but the same stuff to protect the wood could be harmful to the birds if they chewed on it (assuming you have birds with beaks... even budgies can be pretty destructive!).

Although they may look nice, still, it's not something I care for. I just like the idea of something that may be easy to take a part, to move, to easily powerwash if I so chose, etc. I know people enjoy those type of cages, but personally I don't.

[zztops]

Thanks for all your respones!

I'm sorry if I confused some, it wont be made of glass.

Any wood within the cabinet will be well protected - no exposed edges, laminex covering etc.

I can do it for less than cages by design (which untill this thread I've not seen before) because I will make the base and hood from pine vs their oak, I'm not making them on mass, so I don't have an outlay of tools etc, and I have no overheads. Making a few in my garage.

In regards to birds not liking the cabinets, from my experience, birds do not mind being in a cabinet - provided there is enough things to perch on and wire to climb on.

More destructive birds with larger beaks in alot of ways would not be suited to a cabinet environment, and I would say that the cabinet is really only something I would consider for birds up to about an Alex size, possibly smaller. However alterations could be made and it could be made bigger with powdercoated metal edging etc.

Thanks for you enthusiasm guys, I think I'll have one done by christmas!

[Eliza]

zz -- here are some other designs that you might like to research:

Nature's World Aviariums.com : Hand Crafted Wood Bird Cages Aviary Furniture

My employers have an Aviarium (or something similar) in the foyer of our main building. Right now we have a pair of spice finches but in the past we've had Lady Gouldians and society finches in there. We've not ever had a problem with the finches and the glass.

leftnav.gif

I had thought about getting an Avian Accents cage when Beetle was still alive. I think that they are kind of neat :D

Decorative wooden bird cages

Keep us posted on your project!

-e-

[Monica]

LOL! Well, you certainly can't please everyone! Someone was making one for a macaw, but ended up selling that and bought a cage instead!

[whitewing]

edit: it seems I am a slow poster I see people have already replied since I started this. Whoops.

Monica, I don't have technical details, but "laminate" is a generic wood thingy with a coating. Pressure-treated wood (which is bad for birds, right?) bonded to some kind of coating.

Laminate - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Like, if you buy a cheap computer desk with a "wood grain" finish that deteriorates and you see the real MDF underneath, which is flaky. I should post a pic of my computer desk hahahaha. It is "laminate" and I can't imagine if my computer desk were the back panel on a cage. No way.

Or like those cheap little "wood" TV stands and bookcases you see at Wal*Mart that are usually black, white or fake wood grain. That is laminate.

Hopefully someone more articulate than me can go into detail about this. But it is my understanding that "laminate" refers to crappy wood bonded to some kind of coating which can either be solid color, or made to look like wood grain. This may be fine for reptiles and such, they tend to not chew on the scenery.

I certainly wouldn't trust that for a bird cage. Does Cages by Design use laminate backing?

I think the bottom line here is that those type of cabinet cages, no matter how well constructed, appeal to people who think of their birds more as display or conversation pieces. I don't like to judge anyone, but I think most bird-nerds (affectionate term) do not fancy a cage like that.

If he really can make his cages for significantly less than Cages by Design then more power to him. But I think hardcore bird enthusiasts are not the best demographic to market them to. Cabinet cages are more for people who want a display piece in their house that they never move. Just my opinion of course. I know that when I had birds, the cage was getting moved every day just for vacuuming and other cleaning. Imagine moving a giant thing like that...

I can say that in my experience, laminate "breaks" easily. The top coating breaks and the pressurized wood peaks through. I know this because I have a bad habit of not using coasters for my drinks. The moisture on my LAMINATE computer desk has deteriorated the finish allowing the pressurized wood to peak through and eventually flake.

Keep in mind I am talking about just a cold cup. I can't imagine the damage on a piece of laminate that was washed down so often as a bird cage needs to be.

Perhaps there are different grades of laminate? I don't care. It still sounds wrong to me, personally.

I hate to be so negative because people should never be discouraged from having ideas.... but he did ask for our feedback.

[jimpierce7]

Originally Posted by zztops

Thanks for all your respones!

I'm sorry if I confused some, it wont be made of glass.

Any wood within the cabinet will be well protected - no exposed edges, laminex covering etc.

I can do it for less than cages by design (which untill this thread I've not seen before) because I will make the base and hood from pine vs their oak, I'm not making them on mass, so I don't have an outlay of tools etc, and I have no overheads. Making a few in my garage.

In regards to birds not liking the cabinets, from my experience, birds do not mind being in a cabinet - provided there is enough things to perch on and wire to climb on.

More destructive birds with larger beaks in alot of ways would not be suited to a cabinet environment, and I would say that the cabinet is really only something I would consider for birds up to about an Alex size, possibly smaller. However alterations could be made and it could be made bigger with powdercoated metal edging etc.

Thanks for you enthusiasm guys, I think I'll have one done by christmas!

I only used thhem as an example. I priced out making something like before I brought home Sophie and its pretty easy to come in way under teir cost. Sadly I just don't have the room for something like that. If done well I think it will be awesome.

[zztops]

Eliza; Thanks alot for those sites! It's really interesting to see these other cabinets, as I had trouble finding anything like it before! Definately very cool. Altho, can't say I'd be opting for a glass aviary personally, man that must be tricky to clean! Unless they've got something special for cleaning it that is.

Originally Posted by whitewing

I think the bottom line here is that those type of cabinet cages, no matter how well constructed, appeal to people who think of their birds more as display or conversation pieces. I don't like to judge anyone, but I think most bird-nerds (affectionate term) do not fancy a cage like that.

...

I can say that in my experience, laminate "breaks" easily. The top coating breaks and the pressurized wood peaks through. I know this because I have a bad habit of not using coasters for my drinks. The moisture on my LAMINATE computer desk has deteriorated the finish allowing the pressurized wood to peak through and eventually flake.

...

I hate to be so negative because people should never be discouraged from having ideas.... but he did ask for our feedback.

Thankyou for your lengthy reply!

I feel that you may have found the wrong end of the stick when it comes to laminex. I have used it in the past, and in this situation it would be at ZERO risk to the bird. I am inclined to use the word laminex, rather than laminate, because laminate refers more to the process of applying a material to another with a adhesive than it does the company, Laminex, based on the coast of NSW.

I would use a higher grade of plastic laminex than a computer desk, which is possibly an almost paper-thin decorative finish, remember that laminex is the stuff they make kitchens out of too-which is often heat proof and lasts for a very long time. Also, there would be no exposed edges for the bird to chew on in order to chew through the board, all edges will be concealed by fittings, a detail yet to be explored.

Having said that, the back panel really could be made out of anything, and, as seen in the Cages by Design cabinets, a decorative backing could be applied aswell as many other things. Even glass. I would less inclined to use a wire backing, as this could result in quite a messy wall!


When it comes to your views on the cabinet, I feel differently. The first one I make will be for my use, and I know that it wont be my only cage. My quaker shouldn't have to only be in one place when I'm busy, and I often leave his cage on my patio etc. with this cabinet acting more as an evening cage and when I'm not home.

I feel that a cabinet would just be more functional in my situation where I would like it to match the furniture that I have, rather than having a cheap quality chinese-mass produced wire cage. Unfourtunately I've seen (as have you all I'm sure) how they wear in time, with broken casters and hinges aswell as locks and chipped powdercoating.

I'm hoping that some people (as this project would be small scale) might benefit from my cabinet too, as they can incorperate their precious pet into their already designed house!

[SDavid]

There are more companies out there that make this type of bird enclosure. This past summer I stayed at a hotel that had a large enclosure that housed finches and canaries. The enclosure had nests and a working waterfall. It was a beautiful thing to "observe." It was serviced by the company that made it (forgot the name) on a regular basis much like a large aquarium would be. I think they're nice for smaller birds like finches and canaries but not for budgies, cockatiels or anything larger.

"Observation" is the key word. I don't personally like looking at one of my fids through and enclosure as if I'm at a zoo. I like interacting with them through the bars of their cages-and so do they. I think overall that these enclosures limit personal interaction.

Some assisted living facilities that I visit (as part of my job) also use them. I've seen love birds and cockatiels housed in them. I usually go over to the birds for a few minutes and try to interact with the birds (because they usually seem bored). Unfortunately, all I can do is whistle and wave or shake my keys. The birds always seem to want more interaction than that, like being petted through the bars (if it were a cage) but I can't do that with one of these things. If there are bars on two sides (as there should be-at least) then the perches usually aren't close enough where the birds could come over to me.

Our fids need personal interaction from us because we are all they have and I think this kind of enclosure isolates them further.

Overall I don't think this type of product is an improvement on cages.

"I think the bottom line here is that those type of cabinet cages, no matter how well constructed, appeal to people who think of their birds more as display or conversation pieces. "

Pretty much how I feel as well.

[zztops]

Sdavid, I see what your saying. It seems that alot of bird cabinets etc are used as an aviary?

I am planning on using it as I would any other cage. The whole front of the cabinet slides (divided in half). In no way would it be a display for my birds or a conversation piece. I guess you could think of it as a bird cage with a wooden stand. Thats what it is in my mind.

[whitewing]

Just for the record I wasn't trying to be confrontational. And I realize my reply was LONG. Sorry about that!

All I was saying, was that it's a good idea, but not great in the eyes of bird lovers. More for people who let their birds be. As an aviary it would be fine...

But it wouldn't be great for the people that like to take their birds out and interact with them every day. That's all I was saying.

I hope my posts in this thread were not offensive or confrontational, that was certainly not my intention. Good luck to you.