7 Things You Need To Know Before Buying A Bird Cage

An Info Article From Avian Emporium/Everything For Birds (www.Bird-Supplies.net)

Here at Avian Emporium - Everything For Birds we have found that people are generally not educated enough on what to look for when buying a bird cage. It is hard to make an informed decision on such a large variety of cages when all the cages "appear" nearly the same. Many cages have only minor feature changes, but large material differences. With such a large array of differences, this situation is not on confusing, it can be down right frustrating. Most often if you are buying a decent quality bird cage it isn't going to be extremely cheap, and if you are paying a fair amount, you need to get the best product you can get for the money you pay.

1. Is the cage you're considering made of materials that are safe for your bird? Have you considered the toxicity levels of minerals like Zinc & Lead in the cage you are looking at? This is your #1 priority when shopping for a bird cage. This is the very first question you have to ask! If you can't get a straight answer, then it's time to move on, and this is why some cages are priced so much lower than other cages. Most all powder-coating on regular powder-coated cages have Zinc and/or Lead in them, but companies like Interpet Products, A & E Cage Company and Avian Adventures have taken the time to discuss this issue with veterinarians and other bird experts to determine a safe level for both of these minerals and they demand that their cages are manufactured in a manner that meets or beats these standards!

2. Is the cage you are considering large enough to keep your bird safe, happy, and healthy?

   This is a tricky issue to consider when shopping for a bird cage, but here is the rule of thumb; the bigger the cage the better, as long as the bar spacing isn't to wide. So what is to wide of a bar spacing for your bird? Basically you don't want your bird to be able to put it's head between the bars, because this can cause major injuries or even death to your bird. You also want to consider that the bigger the cage the better. Studies have shown that the larger the cage, the happier and healthier your bird(s) will be.

   To help out, we have created a chart that shows you what bar spacing & cage size is appropriate for your species of bird. View this chart by clicking here. Please keep in mind that all bird's are different, even bird's of the same species can be significantly different sizes (for example, a small Conure might fall into the Small Bird Category & a regular-sized Conure would fit into the Medium Bird Category).

3. How easy is the cage to clean?

   People tend to overlook this when shopping for a bird cage. This is arguably the most important factor to consider beyond the toxicity levels in powder-coated cages. Let me tell you why; when a cage is easy to clean it not only cuts down on the amount of time you need to spend on cleaning, it also increases the lifespan of your cage. If your cage is a major pain to clean and it takes multiple hours to take care of, you will tend to put off cleaning it for longer spans of time and this will drastically shrink the lifespan of your cage (especially a powder-coated cage). Bird droppings can actually become an erosive chemical to your cage and the longer that sits on your cage, the more damage it can do. Even the best of cages will only last 3 or 4 years if not properly cared for. And on the other hand, a properly cared for, good quality powder-coated cage can last over 10 years. So what makes a cage easy to clean? The biggest thing to look for is a cage that is sturdy, but can still be broken down easily in a matter of 1 or 2 minutes without the need for many tools. All of the top quality cages have this feature. Avian Adventures Cages are some of the only large cages not needing tools to break it down. Even if you don't plan to break your cage all the way down, it's nice to be able to remove a portion of the cage to clean it without having to get out a tool box or spend an afternoon getting that part off with the possibility of damaging or destroying your cage. The Avian Adventures Cages literally snap in & out of place with no tools required! Another great feature to look for is drainage holes in areas where moisture tends to collect, like on the bottom of each panel. This makes it so the moisture drains into the tray rather than sitting on the panel itself and eroding it. You should also shop for cages that have optional-use grates. Here's why this can be important; if the grate is optional use that means the bird cannot escape when it's out. Here are two reasons that you may want to remove the grate: 1> Some people think it's a more natural living environment if their bird lives in a cage that has a solid bottom & 2> Nothing gets dirty faster than the bottom grate & if it can be removed and quickly cleaned without creating a gap for your bird to sneak out of this is a very nice feature.

4. Please don't buy a cage to fit into a specific tight spot in your home!

   Here's why; when you get caught up with trying to squeeze a cage into a specific spot in your home this tends to take away from the well-being of your feathered friend! Let us explain; Birds are a lot like humans, they need space, they need sunlight, they need to be able to look around. Consider living your life out in a cubicle, this is where you sleep, eat, and spend ALL your free time. We recommend buying a cage with wheels so you can move your bird from time to time and give them a change of scenery (wheels are also a great feature that could be put under the ease of cleaning topic above).

5. Does your cage give your bird enough stimulation?

   The two best ways to give your bird stimulation are toy hooks & removable playtops. Avian Adventures was the first manufacturer to introduce the removable playtop. The reason we are so fond of this is because it can be pulled off the cage without any tools and placed in a spot away from the cage. This is so great for your bird. This not only gives the bird a change of scenery, it also encourages your bird to exercise. It can give your bird a chance to get some sunlight and social time if he is regularly in a room without these items. Avian Adventures & Interpet Products also make dometop & playtop conversion kits for most of their models, so you can have one of each and switch back & forth between them as you see fit.

6. What's the quality-level of the materials used on the cage you are looking at?

   Avoid hollow bars at all costs! Any decent sized bird can bend or even chew through a hollow bird cage bar. If you are looking at high quality bird cages they will be constructed of steel or iron not zinc or other metals.

   Stainless steel cages should be 100% surgical 304 grade stainless steel, not plated. True stainless steel cages will not hold a magnetic charge. In other words, magnets should not stick to an stainless steel cage.

   There's no such thing as a flawlessly manufactured bird cage, but there are huge differences in quality levels. Companies like Avian Adventures, Interpet Products and A&E Cage Company include long-term warranties against manufacturer defects. These manufactures also insure your cage against shipping damages so you get the best cage available. And since there's no such thing as a flawlessly manufactured cage, you should buy from a company that will back up their product. Don't buy a no-name cage that will come with no manual, no support phone number, and no warranty. Companies like Interpet Products, A & E Cage Company and Avian Adventures will jump to make things right in the rare event that you do have a problem.

7. Functional Features & even more attention to detail!

   First time bird cage buyers usually aren't the type of people that take features & functionality into account like they should. They've never owned a cage so they don't know what to look for and what to watch out for. Bird cages are the type of item that “you never buy cheap twice”. If you buy cheap once, the second time you'll be sure to shop for cages that have features that save you from the nightmares you experienced with your first cage! Here's a feature that's commonly overlooked: bird-proof locks. You need a cage that your bird can't open. Just imagine what could happen to your bird (or your home) if your bird escaped & roamed free the entire time you were out! The patented bird-proof locks on Avian Adventures' cages are unlike any you've ever seen, they actually screw down tight (a movement that birds can't imitate). Here's another functional feature you'll fall in love with; stainless steel bowls that are only accessible through external solid locking doors. If your bird is a “biter” this is a must-have feature! There are other features that you can look for, I will just name a few. Feeder Bowl hold bar, removable grate and cleaning tray, breeder doors or front veranda porch as an example. Though not particularly important, the breeder doors and veranda porch offer more to your bird's enjoyment. Here's an example of attention to detail that no manufacturer besides Avian Adventures, Interpet Products and A & E Cage Company carefully consider danger zones for your bird. These Companies have carefully inspected every centimeter of each of their models to assure that there are no sharp edges or traps for your bird. The smallest planning over-sight in a bird cage can be disastrous for your bird. Bird's are the type of animal that will panic when they get stuck. If your bird gets its foot caught in a small hole, or gap, it will frail around until it is free and feels secure. Sometimes this is at the cost of your bird breaking it's leg, it's wing, or something far worse!

And there you have it! You are now more educated about bird cages than 99% of the people out there trying to figure out which cage to buy. You now have the opportunity to find the cage that is right for you and beneficial to your bird, armed with the knowledge you need to make an educated buying decision!

For a great selection of high quality bird cages visit Avian Emporium Everything For Birds at http://www.bird-supplies.net. We are an authorized dealer of Avian Adventures cages Interpet Products and A & E Cage Company. We exclusively carry these lines in our online store. Once other manufacturers get to the same quality level, we will be sure to carry their cages as well!