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General Cage Design <br /> The basic design of the flight cages at the Vermont Raptor Center is <br /> adapted from cages designed by and suggestions from Katherine McKeever of <br /> the Owl Rehabilitation Research Foundation in Vineland, Ontario. Four <br /> basic materials are used in the construction of the Vermont Raptor Center <br /> flight cages: wood, vinyl- coated wire, coroplast, and corrugated <br /> fiberglass. The variety of materials used in construction is intended to <br /> provide inhabitants with a diversity of choices of perching sites. Solid <br /> sections provide complete protection from wind, rain, and snow as well as <br /> a visual barrier from humans and other birds. Wood slat sections <br /> simulate wooded habitats, in which perched birds are able to see between <br /> the slats but have the security of being partially hidden. Vinyl- coated <br /> wire sections allow the birds the option of sitting in the open. <br /> Interior baffles, either solid or slatted, serve two functions: first as <br /> additional visual screens from other cage inhabitants or human visitors; <br /> second, as flight "directors" in larger cages. Given the chance, most <br /> birds will fly straight across the center of a cage, and interior baffles <br /> make them fly a longer, more complex path to get from one side to the <br /> other, thus increasing the amount of exercise flighted birds receive. <br /> The kind of wood used for the framing and wall /roof slats was the <br /> subject of thorough research. The cost and expected longevity of the <br /> wood, as well as environmental and safety aspects were considered. <br /> Decay- resistant woods such as redwood and cedar were ruled out on cost, <br /> availability and environmental factors. Creosote and pentachlorophenol <br /> preservatives were considered to be too hazardous for both the humans <br /> working with them and the birds living with them. Wood pressure- treated <br /> with CCA (chrome, copper, arsenic) preservative was determined to combine <br /> reasonable cost, longevity and relative safety. It was not used for <br /> perches or food boxes. <br /> Vinyl- coated wire has less potential for damaging feathers than <br /> uncoated wire. Three types of wire were used, depending on the size of <br /> the birds housed in the cage. Two -inch mesh chain link was used for the <br /> large birds, 1 1/2 -inch chain link for medium -sized birds, and 1" x 1" <br /> 12 <br />