I have a few cage questions

[christie]

I am currently doing research on cages. I am searching for a cage for a Senegal or possibly a Caique. Due to time/space/cost I am probably leaning towards a Senegal (I have not gotten this bird yet, I want to make sure I can have everything in order first). I live in an apartment, so the cage size is somewhat limited, and I'm on a budget, so the cost is somewhat limited.

The current bird cage that I have was for my parrotlet, and even though it was a large flight cage (24x36x36) I don't think the wire gauge? (thickness) is strong enough for a larger bird. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I can slightly "move" the bars with my fingers.

I am questioning the size of a cage. I have been reading that a Senegal should have a minimum of 18x18 home. I'm figuring this is minimum requirements if the bird has a lot of out of cage time?

I plan on having him/her out of the cage as often as I can, but I do work outside of the home, and I will be the primary/only care giver. I work 4-10 hr days per week. So with lunch and travel time I will be at work 11-12 hours (closer to 11 since I live 10 min away). I am lucky in the fact that I will be able to bring him/her to work with me at least two days a week, where I will be able to let him/her out periodically during the day to play and socialize (I plan on making sure he get's along with other staff/friends there as a back up sitters ). And the other days I can go home for lunch to spend some time with him/her.

I have found these cages and want to know if it really is acceptable with my schedule and the amount of time he/she will need to spend in the cage.

This cage (Super Pet EZ Care Playtop Cage for Small Birds) is in my budget and will fit in the space I have easily, but I'm not sure it's quite big enough. Actual size is 27.25" long, 27.25" wide and 49.25" high with scatter guard (18" long, 18" wide and 49.25" high without the scatter guard). 1/2" bar spacing.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000OQ ... PDKIKX0DER



This cage (Prevue Pet Products Wrought Iron Select Bird Cage) is in my budget, and it will fit into my apartment as well. 24-Inch long, 20-inch wide, 60-inch high with 3/4-inch wire spacing. I can't find the interior spacing anywhere (unless that IS the interior spacing). I am not seeing anything about ease of cleaning and I've been trying to find it on other sites but have not been able to find anything. The cost and size seem to be a great bargain, but I also know many times you get what you pay for..........

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000QF ... PDKIKX0DER



This cage (Petco Designer Mink Brown Standing Parrot Cage) is also in my budget and can fit in my space, but it's a bit on the large side for my available space, and I've been reading some reviews that bother me. Hopefully someone has some experience with these cages? 1/2" Wire Spacing. Cage with stand: 38.25" L X 38.25" W X 65" H. Cage: 30" L X 30" W X 43" H

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004HL ... rt_title_1




This cage (Super Pet EZ Care Playtop Cage for Medium Birds) is probably out of my budget, at least for now. The size is a bit big for the spacing I have set aside. Actual size is 40.25" long, 32.75" wide and 80" high with scatter guard (31.5" long, 23.75" wide and 80" high without the scatter guard). 3/4" bar spacing. Interior living space is 30.5" long, 22.75" wide, 37.25" high. Truthfully I like this cage the best, it's also the only one I've been able to see in person at a store for comparison. I've almost talked myself into just waiting longer to buy something and save up the needed cash.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000OQ ... rt_title_3





This cage (Midwest Poquito Avian Hotel) I am looking at for a travel/sleep/work cage. Is this one truly big enough to keep him/her in on days we go to work together or to travel on the weekends? I visit my parents every 3-5 weeks for about 3 days and I want something he/she would be comfortable in, but is still portable. I might be going on a week vacation I would be able to take birdie along with too. I'm actually thinking about getting two of these, one to keep at work and the other as a travel/sleep cage and just use a smaller carrier for the 10 min drive to work.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0018C ... rt_title_4


If anyone knows of any decent bird shops that have cages that I can actually see in person in Central Florida I would appreciate knowing. I've been looking but so far the only places I've been able to find any thing is Petco........

Thanks!

[Lovebird Lady]

Hello there Christie,
I am fairly new to this Forum but am interested in all information on parrots, including their cages. I have two Lovebirds and they are each in separate cages, (due to them not getting along)and I am now in the same position as you, in that I am searching for a baby Brown Head (poicephalus) parrot, from the Senegal family. I am also looking at cages for this slightly larger parrot, and I too have heard that the minimum cage requirements are 18x18, and I too have looked at the EZ Care Cage with playtop, as well as the Avian Adventure, HQ and A&E cages.

I am also interested in the quality of these cages, and I would like to refer you to another Post by lotus 15 dated Jan. 22, 2011 under Housing which is found under Parrot Care, in which the post describes in detail the different brands of cages as well as their quality, for you to review.

If your parrot will be spending at least half of its waking hours home alone in his cage, then I would suggest that you go with a cage with minimum dimensions of 22x24 (on the inside). If your parrot will be spending most of its waking hours in your company and most of this time out of his cage or on his playtop (supervised) then I would say that an 18x18 size cage is sufficient.

With regards to the Midwest Poquito Avian Hotel, I would say that this cage is strictly for traveling, and not for any bird to stay in for several days. I keep my Lovebirds in a similar size cage when we travel by car five hours to visit my parents. What I do then is that I have a larger cage (but smaller than the ones at home) that I keep at my parents' home all the time (so I don't have to pack an extra cage at every trip) and this is only for up to one week, and the birds also get lots of outside time.

I find that having the spare cage at my parents' home is very convenient, and adequately sufficient for short trips to the same place, such as visiting parents (provided your parents don't mind storing the cage for you at their home when you go back home).

On another note, if you don't have a second bird, I would suggest that you seriously consider getting a second one, even if it is a budgie, as a single bird is a lonely bird for whatever amount of time you are absent. All birds need to feel a belonging to a flock. Like I said, my two Lovebirds detest each other to the point that they need to be kept in separate cages for their own safety, but I do believe that they take comfort in each other's presence/company during the hours that I am away at work. This makes for a psychologically healthy bird.

As for bird cages in bird shops in Florida, I'm afraid I can't help you there, as I reside in Ontario, Canada.

Good luck with your search and let me know if you have reached success in your search, as I am planning on adopting my Brown Head by this summer (they haven't even been conceived at the Breeder's yet, LOL!!!).

Sylvia
a.k.a. - Lovebird Lady

[christie]

Thanks for the reply Sylvia!

I did see the post by lotus and found it very informative! I don't recall lotus getting into the EZCare cages did she? Or are they part of a group of cages she reviewed? I've never seen them before until I happened across the one in a large chain store here.

The more I look at the 18x18 cage, I just think it's too small for home regardless. lol, after all I had my little man Mu (parrotlet) in a larger cage! It's too bad his old cage won't work.

I've decided I'm going to have a small fortune in cages. Since I have the opportunity to take my friend with me to work, it will probably be easier and less stressful for the bird for me to set up a separate cage there. That one will have to be an 18x18, it's literally all the room I'm going to have, but if I can get a non bulky style that has a perch/playtop, I should be able to let them out most of the time I'm working. My office is in the back and away from all the "dangerous" stuff (I work for a vet), and want them to be well socialized and ok/happy with the other staff around and handling them. Afterall, one of my co-workers will probably be taking care of the fella if I go on vacation and can't take with me. So I plan on encouraging "play time" with others. It will just have to be in the back staff room away from the other critters. we are mainly a dog/cat practice so they could be an issue, but not in my area so it should be all good!

Then there will be my parents house. They will be more accepting of keeping a separate cage there if I can find something that is countertop and collapsable.

Then I'm going to need a travel cage for when we are on the road........... So I have a lot of looking and buying to do!

Have you seen one of the EZCare cages? I rather like the idea that the whole front panel will act as a door to help making cleaning and toy deployment easier. The metal basket that held the ceramic food bowls were a little difficult to take out and put back in. The bowls come out nicely from the side door though. And the wire basket will make it impossible for them to be moved by the bird. It had three "pull outs" the play top, bottom of the cage and the bottom cage wire floor also pulls out. lol, now all the cages may have nice features like this but I've never had to look at cages this size before so I really want to see some more before making my decision. Thankfully since my original post I have discovered two "bird" stores within driving distance. I'm hoping to visit them this weekend and do a little more research.

[Lovebird Lady]

Well, I haven't seen the EZ Care cages anywhere but in pictures but I have heard that the full front opening as a door feature is convenient for cleaning. What I have like about these cages is that the playtop play bar (metal bar across top of playtop perch) has many holes in which to hang toys, which offers the parrot more variety for toys at one time rather than the single hook that some playtop cages have where only one or two toys can be hung at a time. On the down-side, it seems that this cage only comes in one color, the dark metalic gray.

What I do like about the Avian Adventure cages is that the entire playtop gym is removable from the cage top itself (the top of the cage has bars without the play gym) and can be placed elsewhere if you want to have the parrot in another room with you on his playgym. I kind of like that feature, and it would be easier to clean this separate piece in a laundry sink because it is removable.

Lotus 15 was very brief in her description of the EZ Care cages but I think she was going to continue researching this. It concerns me that all these cages are all made in China, and that the Avian Adventure has decreased in quality since Midwest Co. took it over. White cages are reported to have a higher percentage of zinc in the paint, which is required to maintain the color white.

I think it's great that you plan to socialize your parrot with your colleagues at your place of work. This should keep it tame.

Let me know how you make out with the cage situation, and also when you get your new baby home. Are you planning on a boy or girl?

Sylvia
Lovebird Lady

[Tarkus]

Hey christie let me know where in Florida and I'll find a store where you can at least look at some cages. If you're not sure of exactly what you want you need to see and touch . I've never been a fan of buying cages sight unseen.

[christie]

I am a bit concerned about the cages being made in China myself. It's part of the reason why I wanted to see if anyone owned one of the cages. Lotus mentioned the cages being tested. Where and how do they get tested? Does anyone know? I'm just curious. If it's reasonable, I'll probably get my cage tested for peace of mind.

I liked that the EZ Care cages also had the bar on top of the cage for multiple toys. When I was playing with it, it did seem to be sturdy. The color doesn't bother me. lol, the dark metallic grey actually works for me!

That AA play top coming off does sound great! That would be great if I did have to go traveling with the new bird then I could possibly take the play top with us as something familiar for them to play with! I have to say I was a bit worried about hearing the quality of those cages coming down with the new ownership. I think that's why I want to actually put my hands on a cage before purchasing one. I want to know what I'm getting ahead of time.

I'm not picky about getting a boy or a girl. I am however leaning towards a boy, but will be happy with either.

Tarkus, I am in the Kissimmee/Orlando area. I did actually find ONE store in Orlando which I am going to check out tomorrow (hopefully), but the more I see the better! So please feel free pass more store options my way! I really want to put my hands on some of these cages before purchasing them! Thanks!

[brfussne]

I TOO am interested in the EZ Care Playtop cage for medium sized parrots for my Caique. This website sells it for around $15 cheaper than Amazon. I don't know if that puts it in your price range or not? If you buy it before I do, please let me know how you like it!

http://www.petsolutions.com/C/Medium-Bi ... Birds.aspx

Also, for travel cages, I've heard King's Aluminun travel cages are the very best! See if you like any of these: http://www.kingscages.com/SearchResults ... yID=Travel Carriers&SubCatID=Aluminum Travel Carriers

[cml]

Then I'm going to need a travel cage for when we are on the road........... So I have a lot of looking and buying to do!

If you are gonna be using the travel cage everyday, I would reccomend one of them backpack parrot travel cages that are sold. Ive been able to look at one for real, and I must say that it was great for a smaller parrot like a senegal. Very handy.

[christie]

I TOO am interested in the EZ Care Playtop cage for medium sized parrots for my Caique. This website sells it for around $15 cheaper than Amazon. I don't know if that puts it in your price range or not? If you buy it before I do, please let me know how you like it!

http://www.petsolutions.com/C/Medium-Bi ... Birds.aspx

Also, for travel cages, I've heard King's Aluminun travel cages are the very best! See if you like any of these: http://www.kingscages.com/SearchResults ... yID=Travel Carriers&SubCatID=Aluminum Travel Carriers

Thanks for the links! lol, $15 saved is $15 saved! (that could be an extra toy to buy!) And I checked it out, it qualifies for free shipping, so that's cool too. Have you ordered from this company before? I was just wondering how they are with returns if for some reason its damaged? I know Amazon is pretty good at backing products sold on their site.

I'll have to take a look at the King cages once I have a little more time to play! There are so many options and things you have to watch out for it can make the whole cage shopping thing confusing!

[christie]

Then I'm going to need a travel cage for when we are on the road........... So I have a lot of looking and buying to do!

If you are gonna be using the travel cage everyday, I would reccomend one of them backpack parrot travel cages that are sold. Ive been able to look at one for real, and I must say that it was great for a smaller parrot like a senegal. Very handy.

I will be looking into these as well! I forgot about them! So thanks for the reminder!