Large Parrot Cages: How to Choose the Best Kind

When it comes to having a large parrot, macaw, or other type of large-sized pet bird, finding an adequate cage can be a real challenge. It can take weeks to find just the right one, especially if deciding to either buy a used cage or a new one from an online vendor. Fortunately, many bird owners have already gone through the rigmarole for you and have collaborated to share their experiences here. There are many factors to consider when deciding on the perfect habitat for your feathered friend. What should it be made from? What styles are available and what are their functions? What types of accessories and bird toys should be included or purchased separately? To get the answers, please read on.

Wrought Iron, Steel, or Stainless Steel?

What a cage and its parts are made of is the most important factor when looking for quality large parrot cages for sale. There are several excellent options: wrought iron, steel, and stainless steel. These metals are all light and come with wheels on the bottom so that even the largest cages are easy to move around. Another plus is that they come in a variety of colors that would suit most everyone’s home décor. Be sure the cage you buy comes with bird-safe, powder-coated paint! Powder coating is a process whereby the paint has been applied in powder form and then baked at a high temperature so it adheres to the metal. It is nearly indestructible when applied to the steel or wrought iron in this manner. Stainless steel has no paint coating on it because it is made of medical-grade steel and its beauty and functionality stand alone. It holds up extremely well in the harshly-acidic and moist conditions present in bird droppings and it is non-porous so it is not prone to harboring bacteria. It wipes clean very easily and can be disinfected as often as needed. Veterinarians and breeders have been using stainless for years and now many retailers and online shops are offering the same quality cages to the average pet owner.

Hazards to Consider

If you purchase an older used cage (or one that is cheaply made) the paint layer can be compromised. This can allow the paint to peel away or chip. This is a health hazard because the bird can ingest the dangerous material along with the lead and other toxins that may be found in the paint. Compromised paint can also allow bacteria to grow on the metal which can lead to infection and illness. The hazards with acrylic or wooden cages exist from the actual materials themselves. Wooden cages are not recommended because they are hard to thoroughly disinfect and some types of wood cannot withstand the abuse of a strong beak and sharp claws. Many parrots will be able to find a way to damage a wooden cage. A sharp splinter of wood is obviously dangerous to a bird who doesn’t know any better than to chew on it. Acrylic is another type of material that is sometimes used in bird cages. This is not a good choice either. Large birds have extremely strong beaks and can work an acrylic bar to the point of fracture. This is an obvious choking hazard to a pet and a cage like this should be avoided.

A Cage Style to Meet Everyone’s Needs

The next factor to look for is which style to buy for the bird’s needs. Styles available include dometops, flight cages, breeder cages, corner cages, and those with playstands. Dometops provide the bird with additional vertical space to fly about and give the illusion of a larger cage. These styles are usually preferred in smaller living spaces because they provide lots of space without taking up too much horizontal room. Flight cages are another type of cage that many owners prefer because they are larger in size overall and provide the bird with more vertical and horizontal space to stretch their wings or fly a short distance from one side of the cage to the other. They are especially popular with owners of smaller birds. Next, breeder cages are generally used by those who have a breeding program, but some non-breeders have also purchased these cages. Some brands come with a center divider that can be removed to turn the breeder cage into a flight cage. This opens up the inside of the cage for the bird to fly about.

Corner cages are another style that is very popular. If there is a limited amount of space, then this is the solution! These corner cages offer the best of both worlds: a tall and wide profile coupled with the ability to fit neatly into a corner of the room. The final style of cage available is the playstand style. Separate playstands can be purchased separately to be placed somewhere in the house or even set on top of a flat cage top to serve as a play area without taking up any additional space. This type of all-in-one cage is a favorite among parrot owners!

Play Time is Essential and Makes Birds Happy

Accessories and bird toys are the final consideration when looking for large parrot cages for sale. Toys can be made from food-coloring-dyed wood, beak-resistant acrylic, rope, or metal. One example would be a swing with a Manzanita branch as the perch and with the rope portions strung in colorful wooden or acrylic beading. Adorning the habitat with the bright colors found in nature makes birds cheerful and encourages play time. Ladders, hammocks, and ropes other excellent options! They provide grasping and climbing practice as well as the foot-beak coordination that is so important to birds. Try choosing bird toys and accessories that have the features discussed in this article in order to provide the most stimulating environment for your parrot. With a little guidance and collaborative advice, it’s easy to decipher between the various types and styles of cages and choose the very best toys and accessories. Your bird will be the happiest winged-creature on the planet!