The 36 breeding cages area are units of 4 cages one above the other as a solid unit. The breeding cages are made from 10 mm square tubing as a frame to which the base and tops, made out of wood, are slotted in. Sand or paper is placed on the bottom of each cage below the perches. The fronts are clipped in and the nest boxes hang from the breeding cage frames. An access door on the breeding cage front provides access to the nest box.
The 20 breeding cage area are units of 4 cages one above the other as the other units but do not offer the option of removing dividers to allow for a long breeding cage. The nest boxes are also hung against a strip of super wood which has the entrance hole drilled through it for access to the nest box. The base and tops of the breeding cages are wooden boards which slot in. There is no tray but sand or paper is placed on the bottom of each cage below the perches.
Both banks of breeding cages are modulare which helps as you can bolt a new set of breeding cages (4) to the end if required. The 36 breeding cage bank is seperated by boards. This effectively means that if we require we could have four by 7 metre long cages to house show birds or babies. This can be achieved by removing all nest boxes and boards which divide the breeding cages.
Power has been layed on and the lights come on at 6:30 in the morning and go off at 20:30 at night after which night lights stay on.
From 1996 to 2008 we used Canary double breeders as our breeding cages. In 2008 we changed the breeding cages to those displayed below and have now custome build an additional 20 breeding cages.
February 2013 updated pictures
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The 36 bank breeding cages can be seen in the left picture.
The zinc drawers can be seen. On top of the breeding cages is a zap machine for insects in the summary months. This is used at night.
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The breeding cage on the left displays the zinc drawer, perch hights as well as the nest position.
On the right a bank of cages can be seen. Due to the high of the sealing show cages are stacked along the top.
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Picture on the left: At the end on the 36 bank of breeding cages shelving has been installed to hold various items.
To the right of the shelves are bar fridge with a computer (covered) for tracking of bird records. Below that the vacuum cleaner is stored.
Picture on the right - This is the kitchen area with water on tap.
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Hot water is provided via a unit installed below the counter as can be seen in the picture on the left.
On the right the light timer and magnetic door release can be seen.
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Picture on the left: The red night lights as well as the Biolux fluorescent lights can be seen.
Picture on the right: On of the 20 bank breeding cages can be seen.
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Picture on the left: The 20 bank breeding cages looking towards the main entrance.
Picture on the right: The 20 bank breeding cages can be seen.
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Picture on the left: The 20 bank breeding cage super wood entrance. The screws to hook the nest box can be seen above the hole.
Picture on the right: The breeding cages can be seen once hooked to the screws. Nests are box in a nest.
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Picture on the left: All three main flights as well as the smaller flight can be seen in the background.
Picture on the right: Sand is placed below each perch area. The seed is spread on the ground which allows the birds to
eat at a similar time. Bowls with food hamper the birds natural insticts and seem to make the birds more wary as they
have to eat with their heads down. Open feeding seems to keep the birds tame.
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The breeding room with breeding cages and external nests.
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Ian preparing the breeding cages before they are installed and the first one
installed.
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Breeding cages being fitted and the stands used to lift the cages off the floor.
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Ian fits the floors and trays and a close up of a breeding cage with nest.
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Breeders with nests fitted.
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Breeding cages with pairs and row of breeders with young.
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Breeding cages against back wall with flights in background and breeding cages
late afternoon.
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Breedering cages against the back wall and the cuboard used for storage.
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The breeding room with flights in the background and a nest.
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A nest box used and made by us and a nest with young.
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Breeding cages with birds in and access to the flights from the breeding room.
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