Cages are expensive! $100.00, will provide a suitable cage for a small bird (Cockatiel/ Lovebird) but large parrots need LARGE cages (Rule of Thumb…go with the biggest you can afford, check to make sure the bar spacing is appropriate for your species.) You’ll need a cage large enough so that your bird can stretch it’s wings out fully without touching the sides of the cage. (Hookbills require horizontal bars!) $500-$600 is not unusual. For large companion birds – $1000 !
Cages must be kept spotless at all times
- Tray paper must be removed and replaced every day
- Food and water dishes must be cleaned and freshly refilled daily
- Perches, dishes, and toys must be sterilized in the dishwasher once a week
- Perches must be of the correct size for the bird’s feet, of various diameters and preferably natural branches
- Total cage cleaned a minimum twice a month, and weekly is better
- Place the cage in a draft free corner of the room with plenty of light, where there is lots of family activity
- Beware of cages made of Zinc or Toys that have Zinc by products, which can lead to Zinc poisoning Stainless Steel, although expensive is best and non toxic
- Use newspaper in the trays…it’s cheap, plentiful and makes ‘dropping’ monitoring easier! (some birds pick at commercial litters such as pelleted newspaper, corn cob bedding and walnut shells……all of which could cause serious injury or death if ingested)
- Put layers of newspaper in the trays…that way, all you need to do is replace the dirty top layer several times a day! (Clean cage bottom – Clean Bird)
- Use a grate above the tray.. for small birds, especially if you have two or three to a cage. With single Large Parrots, it is not necessary to have the grate in. Parrots generally go to toilet in same place and do not stand in their ‘droppings’!