How to Design a Flight Cage for Birds

Providing a flight cage for your birds is an excellent way to allow them room to exercise and enjoy a full environment while keeping them safe and contained. You can build an outdoor aviary so they can enjoy the out of doors or an indoor aviary so their home is comfortable. Both are easy to build but require a little planning to make them the best that they can be. You do not have to be an experienced builder to create a very enjoyable habitat for your birds and most flight cages can be built by a single person.

Things You'll Need

  • Pen
  • Paper
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Instructions

  1. Plan Your Aviary Flight Cage

    • 1

      Decide how big your flight cage needs to be. The larger the bird, obviously the larger the cage needs to be to allow for actual flight. Macaws may require a room-sized cage either indoors or out, but a parakeet's flight cage can be as simple as a 32"-x-32" pre-built birdcage.

    • 2

      Consider the type of flooring you desire in your flight cage. The easiest types of flight cages to clean are ones you can enter yourself and are built right on top of an existing floor without drop pans. The flooring material should be easy to sweep and mop. Concrete works well and tile floors are equally suitable. Rugs should be avoided as they can trap debris and allow mold to form.

    • 3

      Look for hazards such as electrical outlets and light fixtures. Both can be useful but need to be adequately covered to prevent injury to your birds. Childproof plugs for electrical outlets are not a viable alternative for many parrots as they can easily pick them off. If there is an electrical outlet inside the area you wish for a flight cage, it should be covered with a box constructed from stainless steel. Always use stainless steel for any metal or wire to make the cage or anything inside it because other metals can contain lead that is poisonous to birds. Light fixtures should be covered with a stainless steel wire mesh 'basket' and mounted with clasps that are removable so you can get at the bulbs to change them.

    • 4

      Include plenty of natural wood perches and toys for your bird's amusement and mental stimulation. Be careful when picking the wood for your perches to be sure they are non-toxic and well cured. It is best to consider purchasing your natural wood perches from a reputable manufacturer because many indigenous plants are toxic to tropical birds.

    • 5

      Plan an outdoor aviary away from overhanging trees that could drop leaves or seeds into cages that might poison your birds.

    • 6

      Make sure your outdoor aviaries are not only escape proof but impenetrable by outside predators.

    • 7

      Build your outdoor flight cage within sight of your home whenever possible to keep a close eye on your bird's safety as well as to give you the most enjoyment from watching them play.