Bar spacing! How to tell?

[Brenda74]

Hey y’all! I recently got a used bird cage but I have no idea how to tell what the bar spacing is. I think it is 5/8. Is that to big for a parakeet? I have seen a lot of varying answers on this.

 

[Ripshod]

That's 7/8, too big. You want 1/2" or less for a budgie, and 3/4" or less for larger parakeet.

 

[Zara]

Welcome to the Avenue Brenda!

What species of parakeet do you have(or are getting)?

 

[finchly]

Actually – scoot your measuring tape over just a little. You need to measure from the very center of the bar to the center of the next bar. I think it is 5/8, which should be fine.

 

[Ripshod]

Centre to centre is the same as left side to left side and right side to right side. I'm looking at the left side to left side measurement.

 

[Zara]

I read 2.2 which is 7/8. However it is impossible to say too big or too small without knowing what bird we´re talking about...

 

[finchly]

I read 2.2 which is 7/8. However it is impossible to say too big or too small without knowing what bird we´re talking about...

OP said parakeet?

 

[Ripshod]

Some call budgies parakeets. But the 3/4 I quoted is for the larger parakeets (eg moustached).

 

[finchly]

Some call budgies parakeets. But the 3/4 I quoted is for the larger parakeets (eg moustached).

Oh, oh oh. What kind of parakeet. I'm caught up now!

 

[Brenda74]

That's 7/8, too big. You want 1/2" or less for a budgie, and 3/4" or less for larger parakeet.

Thanks! That is super helpful!

 

[Brenda74]

Some call budgies parakeets. But the 3/4 I quoted is for the larger parakeets (eg moustached).

Ah yeah my bad. I’m used to hearing budgies called parakeets. I’m not as knowledgeable about birds as I’d want to be so I’m really trying to learn as much as I can before getting a bird. So I’m going to look for a cage with 1/2 bar spacing! I want to make sure my future bird has the best life I can give him/her!

 

[finchly]

Keep asking questions, Brenda. There are lots of people here who will help you!

 

[tka]

Try searching for flight cages. They usually offer more space than traditional bird cages, and are usually designed for small birds so the bar spacing should be narrow enough.

 

[Monaco]

I think I saw one similar to the prevue(sp) on Amazon for 85ish. Cool cage, very roomy for a budgie!

 

[JLcribber]

That is what they call a "nominal" 1 inch spacing cage. (Just like if you measure a 2x4, it's actually only 1 1/2 x 3 1/2) If a bird's head can "squeeze" between them then it's too big for a parakeet. This is medium bird or larger spacing.

 

[Cat The Great]

I don't know if you are getting one or two budgies, but the A&E elegant flight cage would be really spacious for one. Here's the link for that:
Amazon.com : A&E CAGE COMPANY MA3221FL Sandstone Elegant Style Flight Cage with Stand : Birdcages : Pet Supplies
Note: I don't know what country you are in so this cage may not be available to you.

 

[Jan]

If you place the tape measure where it should be, you'd be looking more like 3/4" bar spacing. Yes, Budgies should have along 1/2" to 5/8". You want to measure the inside area from one bar to the inside of the next bar. See my image. If you were measuring for fender washers for a perch then you would go to the outer edge of each bar.