Selecting a bird cage
A number of considerations are involved in the purchase of the "right" cage.
Proper Design For Intended Species
- Vertical Bars - for Finches, Canaries, and All Climbers
- Horizontal Bars - for Parakeets, Parrots, Cockatiels, and All Climbing Species.
Wire Spacing
- 3/8" suitable for finches and extremely small birds
- 1/2" general purpose for parakeets, canaries and all medium-sized birds.
- 5/8" suitable for cocktaiels, doves
- 1" suitable for all medium-to-large birds such as African greys.
- 1"+ suitable for macaws, cockatoos and other large birds.
Inside Cage Dimensions
- Should allow birds to comfortably spread wings
- Should have ample cage base depth for birds who do not sleep on perches
- Should have added cage height for climbing birds.
- Should provide ample room capacity for toys and related treats
Special Features
- Seed guards
- Soft wood perches with proper accessibility to feeder cups
- Multiple feeder cups with ample holding capacity
- Sufficiently large doors for easy access and to accommodate bird's size
- A practical method of locking and securing doors
Swing Style
- Proper dowel diameter for species
- Proper hanging depth from top
- An appropriate size that will not over-crowd cage
- Possibility to be sturdily secured to top cage bars
Cage Construction
- In most cases, cost does dictate the amount of quality put into cage construction
- All plastic parts should have thick walls, especially in corner areas. Look for warpage and hairline cracks
- Metal parts should not have any sharp edges. They should encompass solid multi-welds and should have an adequate application of plating or paint coverage
- Generally speaking, all-steel constructed cages are preferable due to their longevity value and their ability to withstand more shock and cleaning than their plastic counterparts.
Cage Finish
- Clear lacquer applied to all plated parts
- Use of non-toxic, baked paints only
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