Suitable Cockatiel Cage Size

[SlaveToAParrot]

What is a decent cage size for one Cockatiel to comfortably live in(including room for toys)? I recently took in a 14-year-old female Cockatiel from a family member. They trust me since I am the most knowledgeable of my family when it comes to the birds. They thought they were being nice by buying a cage and starter supplies, but it seems that the cage they provided me is just the very bare minimum for a Cockatiel. I really don't like it and wish to upgrade it anyway.

Birdie is fully flighted and just barely is able to spread her wings in the cage if she stays in the center of it. This is the cage she is currently in.. minus the grate because they didn't want it. They said it came with a stand to which they didn't want either.
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.j ... lmdn=Brand

I am trying to see if I can find a more suitable cage, the most I'd pay is around $250'ish.. I'd splurge a bit more if I really needed to though.

[Grey_Moon]

OMG

That is one SMALL and inadequate cage.

The smallest you could go would be about 20x20x28 inches high
Look for something at *least* like this

http://ca-en.hagen.com/Bird/Housing/Wire-Cages/B4060

Though for $250 you can also get a lot larger 'no-name' cages but be careful with quality.

[SlaveToAParrot]

That looks a lot like the cages I used for my pet rats long time ago(just slightly more wider than tall), which I had kept two of those cages. I would need to check the bar spacing and add some dishes to it if it turns out to be ok to use. Although I'd prefer to buy a brand new cage though.

They didn't ask me about the cage or anything before getting it so I have to have her in it until I can find something better. It is also collapsible which I'm not too thrilled about either. I had wanted to replace the perches it came with since I believe they are too small for her, but after going out to get nicer ones for her feet. The rope perch won't stay up due to the thin plastic bars and had to take it out. I wanted a cage with just slightly thicker bars on it for this reason.

I would love to add more things to her cage for her to chew and play with but unfortunately I can't because there is just barely enough room for her to spread her wings and flap them. Her tail keeps hitting the back of the cage most times. I am just saying I am willing to go as big as I can afford within that price range for her.

[marie83]

You will be able to get a decent cage for that amount of money I would have thought and a decent sized one at that. Just check and double check the quality and materials and steer well clear of painted cages as I can almost guarentee they will chip or flake within a very short time. I have several cheaper cages to house 'tiels that are 13 years old and still going strong.

Theres nothing wrong with second hand cages if you want a good brand, just make sure they are straightforward enough to be silly easy to get in all the corners and give it a good scrub out with hot soapy water, dry, disinfect and dry again if you get it. When viewing go over it with a fine tooth comb to ensure theres no rust or chipped powder coats and all locks/swing feeders are fully functioning.

I would say to go by the dimensions already given by the previous poster as an absolute minimum but the bigger the better if you can, just watch your bar spacing on the bigger cages.

[Grey_Moon]

When my tiel was with me his cage was about 20x28x48 inches high and cost me about $225 at the time.

If you're in Ottawa I'd check out parrotdiseperch (they've got a Mississauga branch) and if I remember correctly free shipping on cages.
IF you don't find one you like, I'd hit kijiji or craigslist BUT of course be careful about disease transmission and quality.

[SlaveToAParrot]

Well, I've been keeping my eye out for any cages but so far no luck on Kijiji or Craigslist. I like a couple of the cages on Parrotdise Perch. What should the bar spacing be? I'm thinking I'm going to search around to see if I can find any decent sized cages here first. If I can't find anything then I'll order one online.

[Grey_Moon]

The biggest acceptable spacing I've seen is 5/8
You' be wanting 1/2 inch though.

[SlaveToAParrot]

Just giving a small update. There has been no luck with the cage hunting, but that I have realized I may possibly be quite allergic to the powder down dust the Cockatiel produces I'm not entirely sure I am going to be able to keep her with me and will have a talk with her previous owners(my cousin and his wife) about the situation. I feel really horrible about the situation...

Thank you for helping me out with the cage requirements for a Cockatiel though.

[marie83]

How allergic? Just asking because I'm allergic to just about every animal going and quite badly at that, some days when I have hayfever as well as the allergies to the pets I'm really quite ill. I manage because I took on that commitment but it really isn't pleasent at times, my 'tiel will rarely bathe so the dust doesn't really help.
Get some antihistamines, nasel spray and eye drops designed for allergic reaction and take them reguarly as a starting point if you haven't already.

There was a thread about managing allergic conditions a while ago which had tons of good advice from various people, if I can find it I will post the link onto this one for you in the morning.

[marie83]

So much for going to bed now.....

Heres the link

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=8947&p=60975&hilit=allergy#p60975

Hope it helps.