Show Cage and Perch Sizes

The cage used to exhibit Yorkshire canaries follows a single approved specification, unchanged since 1894. It applies throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland and has been adopted as it stands in many other countries. The design lets the bird display itself in comfort, which is why deviations from the measurements are not accepted.

The figures below are given in inches first; the centimetre values are for convenience only.

Cage measurements

Perches

Perches are oval, measuring ⅝ × ⅜ in in section — that is 15.9 mm × 9.5 mm. They are white and are fitted with the bevelled side uppermost. Round perches do not meet the specification.

The specification calls for three perches. The two lower perches are fixed on the fourth wire from either end of the cage, the top perch on the ninth wire. For the number of perches and the cage conditions that apply at our own shows, see the competition rules.

Seed trough

The trough is ¾ in (1.9 cm) wide inside and 1¼ in (3.2 cm) deep outside. Its top edge is rounded and sits ¼ in (6 mm) below the top edge of the base.

Colour and drinker

The whole cage is finished in black. The drinker is plain black plastic, and the water hole must be large enough for the bird to reach the water easily.

Where the cage label goes

At Yorkshire specialist shows the label is fixed to the short end of the cage — underneath and to the left of the drinker, in the traditional position.

At all other shows the label goes on the bottom right-hand corner of the long side, with the drinker facing right when the cage is viewed sideways on. This allows the cages to be staged sideways on.