Your Bird's Cage
Providing the best bird cage environment is one of the most important aspects to good pet bird management. Detailed information about quality bird cages can be found throughout this website at these links:
However, here is a list of some basic considerations when choosing bird cages:
For most birds there is no such thing as a cage that is too large. It is highly recommended that you purchase the largest environment for your bird keeping the appropriate cage bar spacing in mind for your bird's safety. Special needs birds may require cages with certain specifications, including size depending on their disability.
- At the very least your bird cage should be at least one and a half times as wide as your bird's open wing span. They should be able to flap their wings inside the cage without touching the cage.
- Your bird's tail should not touch the bottom of the cage when it is standing on its perches.
When choosing your cage select one that will be easy to clean.
Food bowls within a cage should be positioned so your bird cannot sit and foul them.
When choosing a cage pay attention to the design to be sure that toys can be hung easily and the cage is roomy enough to accommodate toys and accessories as well as the bird.
Your bird's cage should have more than one perch so it can move around and exercise.
Secure door locks on a cage will help prevent escapes. Many birds are very clever at opening their cage doors from the inside. Many of our cages have safety catches on all doors;that is, the main access door and the food bowl doors. If your cage is less secure you may have to use additional devices like locks and quick-links for that will prevent your bird from escapting. It's a lot more convenient to have doors designed dependable locking devices.
Cleaning Bird Cages. While it is sometimes preferred to thoroughly clean a cage by washing it outside, that isn't necessarily good for the cage since water can get into the small openings in the cage frame which are necessary to disperse heat during the manufacturing process. When water enters these areas it can cause rust. On heavily built cages the rust will not necessarily erode the cage quickly, but rust staining may be evident and be an eyesore if residual water is not thoroughly dried. In any event, you don't want to encourage rust to develop on your cage. It is better to clean your cages daily with safe commercial products like Poop-Off that help remove bird droppings and other debris, and Pet Focus for Avians which a disinfectant product designed for use around birds.
- If you feel the need to wash your cages outside with a hose it is recommended to do so on an occasional basis to help prevent rust damage.
