My Cage Quest

[della luna]

Hi! As I am thinking about adding a parrotlet to the family, I have also begun the inevitable quest for the ~perfect cage.~ I would really love to get everyone's feedback or suggestions!

My top choice right now, though it does have .6" bar spacing. Would that be likely to be a problem?
http://www.birdscomfort.com/gable_large_cage.html

Second choice:
http://www.birdscomfort.com/flight_bird_cage.html

What do you look for in a cage? I am just in love with the large door on the marvelous cage, as well as the style of feeding doors (the design of the cage doesn't hurt either! haha), and the seed guard. The second cage posted is about the same size, but minus the seed guard and with two smaller doors (and no feeding doors that I can see of?).

Also, while I am here, what is your opinion on sleep cages? I would love to have a sleep cage in my room, if only for the fact that I don't mind some animal noises (I'm accustomed to rabbits, hamsters, and mice rattling around all night long as I sleep!), and the rest of my family would mind hearing a bird at night. However, I have heard some reports of people saying that sleeping cages caused 'behavioral issues,' though I'm not sure of what sort.

-edit-

Also, what types of cages do you use for carriers? I've seen some very small, cheap ones, and some very sturdy-looking, more expensive ones. Would it be okay to use one cage for both a sleep cage and a travel cage? Or would it be better to keep the two activities separate in the bird's mind?

[Jinx n Noodle]

Both cages are good:) Most people here have the 2nd one, the flight cage. Though the door of the first cage is large, the flight cage doors are also pretty big... at least big enough for what you would need it for:) Personally, I don't use cage guards on my cage because they just take too much room and when I put them on, they get in the way... and then I have to clean them because when the birds are out, they get pooped on. It's much easier for me to just clean the linoleum floor that the cages sit on:) I have a King's double stacker flight cage that has plexiglass cage guards that sit flush against the cage and I like those better than the ones that angle out (more of personal preference because they take up less space) though it makes it hard to attach perches down low on the cage and then it's a pain to take them out to clean them because I have to detach all the perches.

As for feeding doors, yes the flight cage does not have any. I bought metal ones that attach inside the cage (I didn't like the plastic ones that came with the cage). There should be breeder doors on the side of the cage though. I do admit, I like the feeding doors on my cages, it makes things easier for me.

I don't have a sleeping cage for mine, since they have a room to themselves with their regular cages in it. As for a carrier, I either use a small cage (cheap one will do the trick since I don't travel a lot with my birds) or a cat carrier that I've converted into a bird carrier by drilling a hole in the side so that I can attach a perch in it.

[Petie's_Mom]

Do not buy a cage with bar spacing more than 1/2". P'lets can and will get their heads caught and it would be disastrous if that happened and you weren't home to save your little one. I have the second cage and we both love it (Petie & me).
I too have a smaller cage as a sleep cage. Parrotlets need a good quiet 10 hours so if possible a separate room & cage is great.
I only take Petie in his travel cage to the bird store or the vets so I purchased an inexpensive one.

Good luck with your new baby!

[della luna]

Thanks for the input!

As far as the bar spacing, I was looking at some older posts in this forum and found this:


As far as the bar spacing on the larger cage, I did the math before I ever bought a cage. The 6/10" bar spacing is measured on center of the bars, which are 3mm diameter (about 8 gauge), compared to 1.96mm (about 12 gauge) on the HQ cage. So in reality, the actual open space between the bars works out to .48".... slightly less than the 1/2" max recommended. The actual space between the bars on my 1/2" cage is 3/8". I know, confusing switching from mm to decimal to fractions, but its even more confusing using all fraction measurements!


This actually doesn't surprise me, as I had a similar experience hunting for a mouse cage. I was told over and over again that anything over 1.1cm space would be too large for mice, but I went ahead and ordered a 1/2" bar spaced cage anyway, planning on modifying it with mesh. When I received the cage, however, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the 1/2" measured from center-to-center of the bars, and the actual space was <1cm. //OT

Anyway, I think I am still leaning toward the first cage, despite seeing all the raves on the HQ cage posted on this site. Because I am living with my parents, also, I think a seed guard would be very appreciated by them.

I'm considering buying this cage (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=5059+6322+18194&pcatid=18194)for use as a sleep/travel cage. It is on the expensive side, and maybe a little big for vet visits and the like, but it looks very sturdy and easy to clean. What do you think?

-edit-
I did some calculations for myself, and ended up with an actual bar spacing of about .501" for the marvelous cage, which I would still assume to be ok.

[Evelyn]

I have the second cage and love it, so does Noel, she sure stands guard over it when the Tiels are out.:p The first one, not sure about the bar spacing, never delt with that size..good luck both are nice..

[jodeg]

Regarding the Poquito Avian Hotel, I bought one for my Conure, Libby. It is a really well-made cage, but definitely too big and heavy for trips to the vet! I think it weighs about 23 pounds! I'm going to use it for a boarding cage when Libby goes to my neighbor, an outside "get some sun" cage and if necessary (hope not) a hospital cage.

Also, I have 2 of the HQ flight cages and love them! Both my P'let and my Conure use every inch. I also use Libby's (the Conure) original smaller cage for her sleep cage, so she can get away from the t.v. at bedtime. My P'let has her own room, and my Conure sleeps in there in her sleep cage. Nice and quiet for 11-12 hours!

Also, cages with seed guards are nice, but they don't catch everything and take up a lot more room than the HQ. I position the food and water cups (I use stainless steel round ones, easier to clean) low in the cage and that helps a lot to keep stuff in the cage. The first cage is really pretty though! I can see why you want it!

I think you should get the best cage for your bird and the one YOU want -- you and your birdie will be happy that way! LOL!

[della luna]

Ok well you guys have successfully caused me to now lean towards the HQ cage... I feel like I'm jumping back and forth on which one I like better! Maybe I'll get some second opinions from my family.

Will a P'let chew through those plastic cat carriers? I know that they are shipped in them, but that is obviously not a permanent arrangement. Could I use one as a sleep cage? I currently have an older version of this cage (http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=27512190) that I could use.

[Evelyn]

I don't use a sleep cage, mine sleep in their regular cage, I just cover them up with sheets at night, my birds are in the dinning room, so they aren't where the tv is etc.. I do have travel cages for all 3 of my birds, no a P'let cannot chew those plastice cat carriers..my Cockatiel was shipped in one of those, they are nice to have as an extra..but I sold mine wish I had kept it..

[della luna]

Ok thanks! I will definitely use a sleep cage, as where the main cage would be there is often activity late into the night, and I know that there is no way the P'let would be able to get enough sleep!

[Explorer]

I like Cage 1.. different and a palace for 1 Parrotlet..

[Sally]

I would get the flight cage. The other is about the same size so it is good too.