Finding the Right Cage for Your Exotic Bird

When picking out a cage for an exotic bird, there are a lot of things to consider. Not every cage is going to be right for every bird. You don't want to put a Cockatiel in a Macaw's cage. Look at bar size and spacing, the cage's finish, and rust on used cages. Being vigilant while deciding on a cage can prevent problems down the road.

Proper size and bars

One of the most important factors about a cage is its overall size, bar size and bar spacing. A large bird should have more than enough room to stretch out its wings and have room to spare.

The bars should be thick enough that a large bird cannot bite through them. And the spacing should be wide enough that a small bird won't get its head caught between the bars. Having proper size and spacing will also make climbing around inside the cage easier on your bird's feet.

Bigger is always better. The more space your bird has to move around, the better. Exotic birds like to climb around and explore. No one likes to live in a small box.

Proper painting

When purchasing a cage from a reputable company, paint content shouldn't be a problem. Any cage you buy should be fully covered in a paint that contains no heavy metals and isn't prone to chipping. When a cage's paint chips, it leaves a spot that is open to developing rust.

Rust

A bird should never be put into a cage that is rusty. If any part of the cage is showing signs of rust, the cage should just be replaced or repaired. A lot of research should go into finding paint to retouch a cage. A lot of paints aren't nontoxic, so be cautious. Rust is not good for humans and even worse for a bird. Birds climb around sing their feet and mouths, toxins can be absorbed thru their feet and ingested thru their mouths.

Cage care

Cages should be thoroughly cleaned. Clean the tray, change the papers, and wipe the cage down every day. Once a week, the cage should be fully cleaned, outside with a garden hose is always a convient way of doing this. Your bird's cage is its home and we all like our homes to be neat and clean.

A good quality cage can last for years if it's carefully picked out and taken care of.