What you need to know Guess what; size does matter. That along with a number of other items to consider when purchasing a cage. Remember this is not only a major fixture in your home, it’s your parrots main home. A place to play, sleep, eat, and feel safe. Usually the more expensive cages are made from the best materials. Stainless steel for example is excellent, as is powder coated metal. Acrylic plastic or cages made of thin wire will not hold up as well as those made from more expensive materials. The amount of time the bird will spend in the cage each day should be considered when looking for a cage. A bird that is caged most of the time requires far more space than a bird caged only at night. Some birds have special requirements. Parrots tend to gnaw on cages, and macaws have been known to tear bars from flimsy cages. Amazons prefer horizontal bars, as they like to climb. Messy eaters should have a seed skirt to catch food. Breeding birds may require a nest or breeding box and a larger size cage. Cage Types: Flight cages – Also known as aviaries, these cages are large in either width or height to encourage your bird to move around. Dometop cages – These cages have an expanded, curved top section as opposed to the traditional box shape. The extra interior space in these cages is great for active birds who like to climb or fly. It is also an easy way to offer multiple birds a little more head room without sacrificing more floor space in your house. Playtop cages – For active birds who spend large amounts of time outside of their home, these cages make an excellent choice. Many models even boast a detachable playtop that allows you to carry it into a different room for a change of scenery for your bird. Plus, since the playtop matches the cage and sits on top of it when not in use, you get a cage-coordinated playland that easily stores in the otherwise wasted space above your cage. Classic cages – Whether short and squat or tall and long, these boxy cages are full of both function and style. Similar to flight cages, but more proportionate in overall size, there is a classic cage to comfortably suit most any bird, often at a more affordable price. Cage Placement: If possible, place he cage up against one or more walls. This will make your parrot feel more secure. In the wild, an attack from predictors can come from any direction. Therefore if you eliminate the back or a side, this is one less direction your parrot won’t worry about an attack. The birdcage should not sit directly on the floor. Birds need to feel they can see what’s going on in a room. Unless the cage has legs, set it on a cage stand or a table. If possible, position by natural light (however, be careful not to put a cage in front of a drafty window). If the cage can’t be set up near a source of good natural light, set up a timed full-spectrum lamp near the cage. The timer should be set to keep the light on for 12 to 14 hours a day. Although the cage should be in a well-trafficked part of the home, it shouldn’t’t be anywhere that’s extremely busy. For example, keep the cage out of a front hall where people rush in and out and the door keeps slamming. Cage Maintenance: Here is a Simple Checklist for Cage Maintenance: Cages should be cleaned weekly, but daily is ideal
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