Refirbishing a breeding cage.

[apollo]

We in Australia are heading towards Summer. That means in Brisbane temperatures over 36deg C. In the avairy thats 40 plus. Not good for breeding. So most of my breeding has been through Winter. Average temperature in the avairy has been around 22deg C. Coldest morning was 4deg C. Not too bad.

With the Breeding season winding down in a couple of months there are chores to do.
I have 9 breeding cages. 3 Doubles and 3 singles.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a26/darrylw/nestbox019.jpg
I have taken out one of the duals to recondition. It was my first one I ever got.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a26/darrylw/nestbox018.jpg
Cage with Breeding going on.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a26/darrylw/nestbox017.jpg
Breeding box striped down to refurbish.

First thing I did was to scrape and sand the interior and exterior.
Then gave a coat of exterior paint.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a26/darrylw/nestbox020.jpg

This is so that I can wash it and disinfect it as required.

The two Trays are also given a coat of paint.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a26/darrylw/nestbox021.jpg

and the fronts are sanded and sprayed with nontoxic rust proof black.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a26/darrylw/nestbox022.jpg

All the paint is non toxic. All surfaces are given two coats for protection.

I fitted the fronts after the required drying period.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a26/darrylw/nestbox001.jpg

Then the perches
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a26/darrylw/nestbox004-1.jpg
I changed one the perches to a square one. It was 18mm square before I rounded the corners with a round over bit in the router.
The other perch is 12mm round

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a26/darrylw/nestbox005.jpg
Finger draw for mineral, a cuttlefish,Iodine and Charcoal bell.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a26/darrylw/nestbox008-1.jpg
Trays fitted and off to the Avairy

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a26/darrylw/nestbox010-1.jpg
Back in position and final fit out with Water and Seed.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a26/darrylw/nestbox011.jpg

I have desided to set another pair up. So I better get the Hen.
Sky Blue Cinnamon.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a26/darrylw/nestbox013-1.jpg

Nest box has to be prepared before time.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a26/darrylw/nestbox012-1.jpg
With fresh clean Shavings.

The hen will be in the cage for three days and then I'll hang the nest box. The Cock will join her a few days after that..

I hope you have found this interesting. ;)

[redgirl]

That looks great xxx

[snowy]

Thats really kool! :D

[apollo]

Update.

I have left the hen in the breeding cage and introduced the nest box after three days. With in two days she has been in the box. On the saturday I introduced the cock.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a26/darrylw/chick002-1.jpg

They are not exactly excited to see each other, but this cock has never been that way.

It didn't take long and they acepted each other and the hen has laid her first egg.