A Home of My Own

The Crystal Parrot - To have your own home is an American dream - your own four walls where you can feel comfortable and at peace.

Our pet birds have this same dream. They want and need a space of their own so they can rest, play, sleep, and just be themselves. The cage we choose for our bird is probably one of the most important things we buy. The cost of the wrong cage will not only be money for a new, more appropriate cage, but it could also be hundreds of dollars in veterinary bills or behaviorist fees because of the physical and emotional damage the wrong cage can cause your bird.

When considering an appropriate bird cage, you must consider the individual bird that will be living in the cage. All birds need a cage that is wider than it is taller. Birds aren’t helicopters - they don’t fly up and down. Don’t make the mistake of thinking one size fits all and buy a bird cage before you know who will live in it.

Things to look for when buying a bird cage:

1. Size: This is generally the first thing we look at when shopping for a cage. The size of your bird’s cage should be determined by what species your bird is. Consider if your bird is going to be allowed “out time” every day? If your bird will live in their cage all the time like a canary or finch the cage must be bigger. Is your bird a high energy species, or is it more of the sedate type. How old is your bird?

2. Bar size and spacing: Make sure the cage you choose has appropriate bar spacing for your bird. If the bar spacing is too wide, your bird may be able to get its head through the bars and could get stuck. You also need to make sure that the actual bars of the cage are thick enough to be safe for your birds. If the bars are too thin and weak, you may be buying a new cage when your bird breaks the welds on those bars.

3. Door size: Some smaller bird cages have only very small sliding
doors. Small doors make it not only difficult to get your bird in and out, but
it can make your job of daily cleaning infuriating.

4. Paint or Coatings: It should go without saying the paint or coating
should be bird safe, but it will pay off in the long run to look for cages that have long lasting powder coatings, preferably a double powder coating. Remember that you will be wiping down the cage daily and doing complete cleaning weekly. If the paint begins to chip, wear, or peel, a new cage would be needed. Look for a cage that will last through years of cleaning not months.

The Crystal Parrot believes that a bird’s cage should be their castle, not their prison. Think about the long term consequences to a cage that is too small or poorly made. Your bird will be with you for many years, so buy the right cage for your individual bird. You wouldn’t skimp on the investment of your own home, and you shouldn’t for your bird.