Flight cages are required for exercise and to test a bat’s ability to fly and feed prior to release.
The risk of transmissible diseases should be considered when potentially flying more than one individual after another in the same flight cage. The risks of flying both captive and releasable bats after one another should also be considered (refer to Health & safety).
Care should be taken that the flight cage is secure to avoid escapes before the bat is ready for release.
Indoor flight areas
Indoor flight areas are usually cages made of washable netting or secure indoor spaces.
Adult bats that already hunt and know how to protect themselves from weather and predators can be flown in an indoor, secure, clutter free space but need enough flight time to recondition flight muscles.
Outdoor flight areas
Outdoor flight areas are usually specifically designed enclosures.
The flight cage should be a minimum of 8m x 4m x 2m.
This size cage will accommodate all species learning to fly (although a bigger sized cage would be preferable for noctules).
This size cage will also accommodate small species learning to hunt.
Outdoor flight areas are essential for hand-reared bats (refer to Baby bats):
A hand-reared bat needs to be able to fly at will in an outdoor space,
They must have the opportunity to catch flying insects,
Three weeks of flight practice is required to develop flight muscles and echolocation skills before they are able to become independent.
A flight cage needs to provide sufficient space for flight:
What species will be accommodated?
Is the site to be permanent?
Will there be a balance between flight space and furnishings/enhancement material?
The cage should offer a choice of suitable shelters:
Wild bats choose different roosts on different occasions.
Different species and individuals will have different needs.
Suitable food should be provided:
Consider how much natural food will be in the cage,
Can you increase the supply of natural food? E.g. moth traps, shallow or covered water traps (ensure bats cannot fall in) or stagnant water buckets (outside of the cage).
Has the bat got the skills to feed itself?
Does the bat need experience of catching its own food?
Does the bat know how to find supplementary food in a dish?
Will available food provide for increased calorie use in flight?
Suitable water should be provided:
Is clean water available?
Is there scope to take water on the wing?
How will stagnation be avoided?
If the bat falls into the water can it get out again?
Is water available from dishes for bats that spend more time on the floor?
The location of the flight cage should be considered in terms of:
Providing suitable conditions for bat rehabilitation,