7 Tips For Choosing The Right Parrot Cage

Silver Bird Cages at Pet Market Beijing
Image by Ivan Walsh via Flickr

Are you selecting a cage for your parrot?  When selecting a cage for a pet parrot there are many issues to take into consideration.  By that I don’t mean the decor of the house!  Parrots have a very long lifespan so it is imperative that their living conditions are the best that can be afforded by the owner.  There are certain requirements that are essential for the good health of the bird, both physically and psychologically.

The main requirement for a parrot cage is that it is big enough for the bird to flap its wings without touching any part of the cage and even then that is an absolute minimum.

When a parrot is being kept as a pet it is humane to give the parrot as much room as possible for him to move around and not in any way be hindered.  After all these birds are meant to fly around in trees, not be couped up in a small cage.

With this in mind here is a list of considerations when making the decision as to what cage to buy and how to set it up:

1.    The size of the bird: the cage should not be too small as to hinder movement, but by the same token too big a cage can frighten the bird as they like to feel cosy and secure in their cage.  A parrot being introduced to the house may even be better in a smaller cage for the first few weeks.

2.    Perches: if there is room several perches are ideal as the parrot will like to move around but they need to be placed high enough so that he can walk around the bottom of the cage.  Tree branches of the soft wood variety and of the right thickness make great perches because the parrot can chew on them too which they love doing.  The perch should be a size that the parrot can get a good grip on with his feet, but not so small that his toes cross over around the perch.

3.    Mirror: parrots love to have a mirror in their cage.

4.    Lining the cage: shredded newspaper has been used for lining the cage, but the newsprint can be harmful to the parrot so other good options are sawdust, straw or sand.  Sand is good because the parrots sometimes eat it and acquire minerals but they also use it to shape their beaks.

5.    Food and water: food trays are a good idea, one for grain and the other for wet food and it is best if they are put in the cage and removed later in the morning.  A water bottle is better that using a water dish because the water in dishes gets dirty and contaminated.

6.    Cages with deep removable trays: a deep tray with a grate is good because it helps keep the mess inside the cage.  Parrots love to forage on the bottom of the cage and with a grate the droppings go through so the bird is not walking on them or foraging in them.

7.    Toys: keep the parrot entertained with a range of toys being rotated in his cage.  Parrots love to play and enjoy their own tricks so toys will encourage them to be active.  Make sure any toy you put in the cage will not pull apart, break off or catch either their beak or feet in any part of it.

I am sure if you consider all these tips for setting up the parrot cage you will have a very happy parrot in no time at all.  Parrots are wonderful pets and a well behaved parrot is a really enjoyable companion.  Having the right ‘home’ for your bird will go a long way to keeping him happy.  Obviously if an owner is considering breeding parrots then they would most likely look at having an aviary for their parrots.  So check out this article about aviaries.

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