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HOUSING:
It will off course be down to individual circumstances were you choose to house your birds, it may be in a garden shed, spare room or custom built bird room. But wherever you commence your birdkeeping activities you need to ensure you have control over temperature, humidity and lighting. These means ensuring it isn't to hot or cold, to damp and you can provide adequate lighting.
All these are down to good design, and the fancy press contains many articles on how to achieve this.
Bengalese are mainly kept in cages although were possible an outside flight is beneficial if you can provide one.
The cages used for Bengalese are the box type cages, that is solid on all sides except for the front which is
fitted with a standard wire cage front, and a wooden cleaning tray should be fitted, the door should be large enough to accommodate the removal of the nest box if fitted inside.(See next article for details of nest boxes)
They are available ready constructed or you can make your own.
The ideal size is 24 in long 15 in high and 12 in deep for a single breeding pair. Many fanciers use smaller cages I
recommend the size above to you. When making your own cages ensure no nails or splinters are protruding on which a bird might catch itself, and paint the inside with a washable matt paint.
Most fanciers construct long flight cages, that can with the use of dividers be partitioned into 2ft breeding cages, this is ideal giving long cages after breeding to house your stock.
Cage furniture :You will need to provide your birds with fresh water, seed, grits and green foods, and most importantly for Bengalese bathing facilities. These all need their separate vessels and this again is a matter of preference, water is best provided in tubular drinking vessels that clip to the outside of your cages.
There are many types of seed containers these can also be tubular and clip outside the cage, whatever containers you choose ensure they are easily cleaned as washing them will soon become a daily job.
A plastic bath that fits to the front of the cage, usually the door, is a must, Bengalese are avid bathers.
Ensure you make your layout easy to keep clean, with the least amount of hard to reach places, hygiene being the most important of your duties in the care of your birds.
There are many sources of information on cages and their designs, read as much as possible to avoid mistakes in design or layout that you may have to change later
BELOW A FEW PICS OF THE CAGES I USE FOR MY BIRDS............
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