by Joe Smith
Birds, just like any other pet, require housing that provides them safety and security. Bird cages are the normal means for this, but before you go out and buy the first bird cage you see, it’s important to know what to look for and how much to expect to spend.
Depending on the size of your birds, the size of a bird cage is extremely important. Your birds will need enough space to flap their wings comfortably and have enough space to walk on their perch. It’s important to remember that your bird cage will have other accessories such as food/water bowls and toys, so make sure that you’re not getting a bird cage too small that will make your bird uncomfortable.
Of course, the type of bird should be the determining factor in how big of a bird cage to get. Macaws and other types of larger birds will require larger cages, and a cage too small will create a lot of stress for your bird. This can cause your bird to peck out its own feathers, make a mess in the cage, and make noise. Anyone who has ever owned a bird such as a Macaw will know just how much noise they can make if they’re unhappy!
The bird cage you choose should not include rough or sharp edges, or pieces that can become dislodged easily. A bird cage should be made out of metal if at all possible, but make sure that you get a metal cage that has been treated and designed for its anti-rust properties. Stainless steel is an obvious choice, but be aware that a stainless steel bird cage can cost you much more money than a standard metal cage. Stainless steel bird cages won’t chip or break as easily as cages made out of other materials, so these are often excellent investments.
The shape of a bird cage should also be considered when buying a cage. While there is much debate on this subject, many veterinarians suggest that round cages should not be used due to psychological effects. Even though there isn’t much data on this subject, a bird cage with square corners is always a safe bet. A bird cage with a more square shape tends to make your bird believe that it has more space to move around. This can reduce the stress your bird feels and create a better atmosphere.
I hope that this article has given you an idea of how to properly choose and consider bird cages that fit your needs.
Joe provides information on cheap bird cages at his website. Included are links to large bird cage products.
4 Comments
I have found that there should also be enough room to put bird safe tree branches in the cage. All my birds, from love birds up to the cockatoo, love to have natural tree branches to climb around on and chew. That has now become my standard for cage size, can I fit a good sized branch in it.
Awesome advice, Flo. I had a cockatiel when I was in college and I put her cage on a stand beneath my huge ficus tree. I’d let her out of the cage when I was home and she’d sit up in the tree for hours. That and she’s perch on my shower curtain rod whenever I took a shower. It’s been decades and I still miss having her around!
If I ever get another bird, I’ll make absolutely sure a tree branch can fit in the cage since I no longer have a tiny apartment with a huge ficus tree that’s safe for a bird to enjoy. 🙂
I’ve a macaw bird and I truly adore it. But it was a huge problem to choose a cage for my bird.
This is the second article I have read on your site and I love it, thank you. Very informative.
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