Need old key for Island Cage

[Ladyhawk]

I bought an Island cage for Gabby just as the company was going out of business. Years before, his Pacific cage had fallen out of the back of my father's pickup truck onto the highway. It was a testament to the toughness of Pacific cages that it was usable after that. We patched it together and it remained Gabby's home for many years.

When I got the Pacific cage, it was pretty much escape proof and Gabby stopped trying to devise escape plans for cages. I never even had to use the lock on the Island cage. Kizzy, however? She's a smart little bugger. She's no cockatoo, but I wouldn't be surprised if she figured out how to open the door.

I need to start locking the cage before Kizzy starts thinking of opening the door herself, but I'm reluctant to do so because I could only find one key that fits the lock.

I paid easykeys.com for blanks they said would work. When I got them, I wasn't amused. They are about twice the size of the key in question. Either the people at easykeys.com can't read rulers or they're yanking my chain. I think it's the latter because now they're trying to get me to take the blanks to a hardware store for duplication. I think they want to see just how much work they can put me through: "Will she actually take those huge blanks into a hardware store, man? Ha ha! I wish I could be there when the clerk laughs in her face." XD The thing is, I'll probably do just that because I really want duplicates, even if there's almost no chance those blanks will work.

I've been in touch with two other online keymakers and they've both told me the key looks like a proprietary one made specifically for those cages. Drat!

Does anyone here have an Island Cage key? The keys might be standard issue. They were intended to keep birds in, not thieves out. If I lock Kizzy inside, I'm going to hang the key on the wall and have a huge sign next to it that says: "Emergency Bird Cage Key!!!"

Anyway, I thought someone might 1) have a key they're willing to part with for a small sum or 2) point me in the right direction so I can get the key duplicated. I might have to go into super spy mode and duplicate the key from scratch or maybe a locksmith could help me. I don't want to spend tons of money. If I have to, I can put a padlock on the cage. It's just I'd prefer the convenience of the built-in lock.

Attached are pictures of both sides of the key.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Flboy]

Not kidding, try taking it to Walmart! I had to duplicate a post office key that was not copiable, well the folks at Walmart took care of it for me!

 

[Skyrider]

Awe man I had that same deal with Pepper Jack's cage.
I was paranoid my new buddy would pull a Houdini on me and escape to Neverland.
I took the lock off and ran it over to a friends locksmith shop. They have blanks for Noah's Ark, Tuts Tomb and the Pearly Gates. Most shops have access to lots of blanks. Jack's was a common blank. However I have had Michaels Keys cut some unusual stuff. If they don't have it they have a massive library of catalogue to order from. I'm gonna say most shops do. Nearly every lock I've dealt with has some type of numerical code or marking to help identify the maker. They're usually easy to remove.
Hope this helps

 

[Flboy]

Another thought. Since your concern is you do not want your baby in there, locked and you then lose the key, why not put the key on a chain and have it attached to the cage! If your bird learns how to pull the chain up and put the key in the lock and unlock it, then he deserves to be free!

 

[Aquila]

From the bit of research I did, it should be a Wind Danburry CT key, see if there's a number on the face of the lock that might give you another reference number.

I would definitely see if a local locksmith can help you out on it. At the very worst, you can see if a locksmith can replace the lock with something newer. I would take some pictures of the lock and how it's attached and go in person if you can. I don't see any reason that you shouldn't be able to either get a new key or a new lock.

 

[plumsmum2005]

Another thought. Since your concern is you do not want your baby in there, locked and you then lose the key, why not put the key on a chain and have it attached to the cage! If your bird learns how to pull the chain up and put the key in the lock and unlock it, then he deserves to be free!

Dead right!

You could just use a padlock instead?

For the key you will also need one of these

 

[Ladyhawk]

another thought. Since your concern is you do not want your baby in there, locked and you then lose the key, why not put the key on a chain and have it attached to the cage! If your bird learns how to pull the chain up and put the key in the lock and unlock it, then he deserves to be free!

rotflmfao!!!! Xd xd xd xd

 

[Ladyhawk]

From the bit of research I did, it should be a Wind Danburry CT key, see if there's a number on the face of the lock that might give you another reference number.

I would definitely see if a local locksmith can help you out on it. At the very worst, you can see if a locksmith can replace the lock with something newer. I would take some pictures of the lock and how it's attached and go in person if you can. I don't see any reason that you shouldn't be able to either get a new key or a new lock.

Yes, it's a Wind Danbury Ct key, but it's not standard issue. The lock is very simple with no external numbers. I didn't even think about removing it. I imagine it can be removed, but I'll have to take a closer look.

 

[Ladyhawk]

You could just use a padlock instead?

For the key you will also need one of these

That's pretty cool. And yes, I could use a padlock if I needed to. It's just that I have a strong preference for the cage lock. It's more convenient, less bulky and won't collect bird poop when Kizzy is sitting on the cage door. Also, with padlocks, it's possible to lose both the lock and the key when little busy birdies distract you.

Ever since I got Kizzy, I've been losing things like crazy. She has to be right in the middle of everything I do. It's cute, but sometimes exasperating. Her intense interest in life, the universe and everything is so distracting it has led to permanent losses of toys and treats. I'm sure all the missing objects accidentally ended up in the trash. May they rest in peace at the dump.

 

[Flboy]

You could just use a padlock instead?

For the key you will also need one of these

That's pretty cool. And yes, I could use a padlock if I needed to. It's just that I have a strong preference for the cage lock. It's more convenient, less bulky and won't collect bird poop when Kizzy is sitting on the cage door. Also, with padlocks, it's possible to lose both the lock and the key when little busy birdies distract you.

Ever since I got Kizzy, I've been losing things like crazy. She has to be right in the middle of everything I do. It's cute, but sometimes exasperating. Her intense interest in life, the universe and everything is so distracting it has led to permanent losses of toys and treats. I'm sure all the missing objects accidentally ended up in the trash. May they rest in peace at the dump.

That is why you hang it on a chain attached to the cage!
Give Walmart a shot, automotive dept! They have a computer that dumbs down the process so much, even I could make a key! They are also the cheapest place for keys!