Cage feedback?

[birdq]

Could I get some feedback on this cage setup? I’m considering getting a small bird, though I haven’t owned one in years and I’m wondering if my cage setup looks decent.

I haven’t decided on a kind of bird yet, just that I want something small-ish and not particularly noisy. I measured this cage today and it’s like 18x18x23. Do I have too many toys in there? Or too many perches? I need a tray for the bottom, but I plan to buy one once I find a place that sells just the tray.

 

[tka]

That cage is the absolute minimum you could keep a single budgie or lovebird in. Because it's so small, you have very limited scope to create an interesting layout and offer enrichment. That cage would be fine as a temporary cage e.g. if you travel and take your bird with you but I really think you should get something bigger as a permanent residence. A 32x21" flight cage would make a much better home.

I can't see any natural perches. Natural perches are the best type of perch that you can offer - the natural variation in diameter and shape allows the bird to exercise their foot and prevents pressure sores. Are the coloured perches textured? If so, these are rough on their feet and not recommended as the bird's main perch.

The fabric around the cage will get picked at and chewed, and is a hazard if the bird ingests any.

Weirdly, bigger cages are often much easier to clean and set up. One of my birds is in a smaller cage because it's the one she came with and I haven't yet got her a larger one, and it's honestly really hard to arrange perches, toys and dishes so that nothing overlaps or gets pooped on. I can't fit in things that I'd like her to have, like a hanging foraging toy or platform perch. In contrast, the 40x30" cage is a dream to set up and there's plenty of scope for different toys and to move things around.

 

[birdq]

That cage is the absolute minimum you could keep a single budgie or lovebird in. Because it's so small, you have very limited scope to create an interesting layout and offer enrichment. That cage would be fine as a temporary cage e.g. if you travel and take your bird with you but I really think you should get something bigger as a permanent residence. A 32x21" flight cage would make a much better home.

I can't see any natural perches. Natural perches are the best type of perch that you can offer - the natural variation in diameter and shape allows the bird to exercise their foot and prevents pressure sores. Are the coloured perches textured? If so, these are rough on their feet and not recommended as the bird's main perch.

The fabric around the cage will get picked at and chewed, and is a hazard if the bird ingests any.

Weirdly, bigger cages are often much easier to clean and set up. One of my birds is in a smaller cage because it's the one she came with and I haven't yet got her a larger one, and it's honestly really hard to arrange perches, toys and dishes so that nothing overlaps or gets pooped on. I can't fit in things that I'd like her to have, like a hanging foraging toy or platform perch. In contrast, the 40x30" cage is a dream to set up and there's plenty of scope for different toys and to move things around.

Thank you so much! I have decided to use this cage only temporarily and I’m back on the market for a bigger one. I will be removing the fabric netting and buying some natural perches asap.

 

[Shezbug]

Is it just me or is the bar spacing in that cage possibly not suitable for a smaller bird? Just looks to me like the spacing might be larger than you would normally find on a cage for little birds

 

[birdq]

Is it just me or is the bar spacing in that cage possibly not suitable for a smaller bird? Just looks to me like the spacing might be larger than you would normally find on a cage for little birds

I was wondering that too. I was told that a sun conure was kept in this cage before, but upon further research I don’t see how that was done being as the cage is so small and the bars are awfully far apart.

 

[Shezbug]

I was wondering that too. I was told that a sun conure was kept in this cage before, but upon further research I don’t see how that was done being as the cage is so small and the bars are awfully far apart.

Oh, the poor conure

It looks like one of them old fashioned tiny cages they used to shove galahs in. I saw a similar cage just a little bit larger quite recently that was supposedly for a cocky or a larger bird and I honestly nearly cried at the store when I was told they would discount it for me (I buy a fair bit of random stuff from there- it is like a $2 store) knowing I have large birds as I could probably put it to good use and they only had a few left...

If I were you, I would pretend you do not have that cage (you say it needs a part anyhow)- decide on the bird you want and then buy an appropriate sized cage for the type of bird you want, a cage that your bird will be comfortable and happy in and that can fit food dishes, perches and toys without robbing the bird of wing stretching room. Depending on the bar width you may be able to use that cage as a travel cage for vet trips or other transporting that you may need to do.

 

[tka]

I wouldn't bother using it as a temporary cage. The bird won't know that it's a temporary measure

Like @Shezbug says, forget you have this cage and don't plan which species to get around what will fit in this cage. It really is too small to be a permanent home for any bird. It's more important that you choose a species based around what you can offer.

Start as you mean to go on. It is not imperative that you get a bird right now or that you have an unexpected emergency rescue and need somewhere to house them.

Figure out which species you're interested in. Choose a nice big cage that is a suitable size for that species and with appropriate bar spacing, set it up with natural perches, toys, foraging and so on. This is a good resource for minimum cage sizes for a variety of species: Wingspan Info | Natural Inspirations Parrot cages

Both you and the bird will be much happier if you're not scraping by the bare minumum.

 

[Zara]

The cage in these pictures is a travel cage for a larger bird (like a Quaker or the likes).

Shez and Tka left great advice

 

[birdq]

Oh, the poor conure

It looks like one of them old fashioned tiny cages they used to shove galahs in. I saw a similar cage just a little bit larger quite recently that was supposedly for a cocky or a larger bird and I honestly nearly cried at the store when I was told they would discount it for me (I buy a fair bit of random stuff from there- it is like a $2 store) knowing I have large birds as I could probably put it to good use and they only had a few left...

If I were you, I would pretend you do not have that cage (you say it needs a part anyhow)- decide on the bird you want and then buy an appropriate sized cage for the type of bird you want, a cage that your bird will be comfortable and happy in and that can fit food dishes, perches and toys without robbing the bird of wing stretching room. Depending on the bar width you may be able to use that cage as a travel cage for vet trips or other transporting that you may need to do.

Thank you! I’ve decided to get rid of it today and I’ll be heading to the pet store to find something more appropriate and to look at some natural perches. I’m so glad I posted and asked for advice before putting a bird in there! I’m very much considering a green cheek conure and now that I know that, I’ll be looking for the largest possible cage.

 

[birdq]

I wouldn't bother using it as a temporary cage. The bird won't know that it's a temporary measure

Like @Shezbug says, forget you have this cage and don't plan which species to get around what will fit in this cage. It really is too small to be a permanent home for any bird. It's more important that you choose a species based around what you can offer.

Start as you mean to go on. It is not imperative that you get a bird right now or that you have an unexpected emergency rescue and need somewhere to house them.

Figure out which species you're interested in. Choose a nice big cage that is a suitable size for that species and with appropriate bar spacing, set it up with natural perches, toys, foraging and so on. This is a good resource for minimum cage sizes for a variety of species: Wingspan Info | Natural Inspirations Parrot cages

Both you and the bird will be much happier if you're not scraping by the bare minumum.

Thank you! I am getting rid of this cage and beginning to look around at bigger, more appropriate ones. I have purchased several toys but I will be getting some natural perches soon. Thanks so much for the link!

 

[birdq]

Thank you so much everyone! I got rid of that old one and bought a way bigger one!