Parrot cages: requirements, types, selection rules

Not only convenience and comfort, but also health, as well as the life span of the feathered pet, depends on how correctly the parrot cage is chosen. Some inexperienced breeders of these funny birds often pay attention to the aesthetic component when choosing a cage, evaluating, for example, how it can fit into the interior of an apartment. Other novice owners of parrots and do believe that the main parameter of a good cage is the high cost. What criteria should be paid attention to when choosing a cage for a parrot?

In choosing a cage for a feathered pet, it is important to focus on a number of significant criteria relating not only to the dimensions and design of the structure, but also to the individual characteristics of the parrot. So, some birds are distinguished by mobility and increased activity during the day, others - degree and tendency to solitude. The common criteria, which is desirable to guide the selection of housing for a parrot, are usually referred to as:

• species of feathered pet and its features;
• cell type (outdoor, tabletop, suspended);
• cell size and shape;
• device of functional details (roof, door, sides, pallet);
• materials of which the parts and the body of the product are made;
• name of the manufacturer.

Separate attention requires the purchase of additional accessories and accessories.

Trying to diversify the parrot's leisure with the help of game accessories, it is important to maintain a balance, avoiding cluttering up the space. Also, when choosing a home for a feathered pet, attention should be paid to the functionality of the structure and the characteristics of its structure. The convenience of cleaning and washing the cage, removing debris and cleaning the pallet will continue to depend on these parameters.

Among the general requirements that a birdcage must meet, Experienced breeders say:

• reliability;
• security;
• durability;
• hygiene.

Reliability design should not be in doubt. This concerns the strength of the structure and its functional elements. The cage must be securely locked, leaving the parrot no way to get out of it. The same condition applies to the cell size of the cell. If the cells are too large, the feathered pet will be able to sneak through them outside. In addition, it is known that parrots really like to check the strength of the bars of the cage, and some individuals even manage to gnaw them. For this reason, when choosing a bird's dwelling, preference should be given to structures with strong and moderately thick rods.

Parrot cage must be safe. This also applies to the environmental friendliness of the materials from which it is made, and the features of its device. In the internal space of such a structure there should be no elements dangerous for the pet, about which it can be injured. The quality of the materials from which the cell is made, depends on its durability.Preferably, the structure is made of materials resistant to moisture, light, corrosion, and rotting. The resistance of materials to mechanical stress is also important.

Hygiene is another significant requirement for a bird cage. This design should be convenient for washing and garbage collection. If the configuration of the bird's dwelling includes complex functional elements, it will significantly complicate the cell cleaning procedure.

In the modern sale you can find birdcages of various shapes and sizes. Estimating the potential dwelling for a pet by these parameters, it is important to take into account the individual characteristics of the parrot. In their natural habitat, these creatures are able to cover enormous distances during the day, therefore roomy cells are most preferable for their maintenance. In very small homes, parrots feel depressed, are more likely to get sick and even suffer from depression.

It should be sufficient for the parrot to move freely, fly from perch to perch, flexing its wings. It is necessary to take into account the number of pets that are planned to be kept in one cage. Even for a pair of small birds, the dimensions of the dwelling should be substantially larger than for a single individual. It is noticed that in cramped cages, parrots not only experience severe discomfort, but often fight with each other.

Even if the owner plans to continue to provide his pet the opportunity to fly around the apartment, using the cage only as a place to sleep, the design still should not be small. The inner space of the bird's dwelling should be enough for the parrot itself, and for functional accessories (drinkers, feeders), and for toys.

The shape of the cage also matters, which, according to the statement of experienced parrot owners, is also capable of influencing the psychological state of the birds.

Round cages, according to breeders, are not able to provide a sense of security to feathered pets.

Parrot breeders recommend placing the cage in such a way that one of its sides is adjacent to the wall. Such an arrangement also affects the psychological comfort of the birds. In the case of a round square, this condition cannot be fulfilled. Bird feathers are disoriented in space and polygonal designs. Their other disadvantage is the difficulty in washing and cleaning of garbage accumulating in hard to reach places. At the same time, the angular shape of the dwelling for a feathered pet is considered preferable to the rounded.

Most often in the manufacture of bird cages Such materials are used as:

• tree;
• plastic;
• metal.

Each material has its own specific advantages and disadvantages. So, wooden cells are considered the most environmentally friendly and fairly durable, but the least practical and durable. Wooden pallets and rods of such structures are able to accumulate moisture, which over time leads to deformation and destruction of elements. The irreversible process of deformation, in turn, is the cause of the skewing of the whole structure and, as a consequence, the need to purchase a new cell. Other drawbacks of cells with functional elements of wood are usually attributed to the complexity of washing and cleaning.In addition, moisture-swelled wood is a favorable breeding ground for disease-causing bacteria.

Plastic cages are more convenient in terms of washing and cleaning procedures. They are easy to clean, handle detergents and disinfectants. Another advantage of plastic constructions is their low weight. The disadvantages of plastic houses for birds, in turn, are usually attributed to increased fragility and vulnerability to mechanical stress, as well as sensitivity to high temperatures. When carelessly handling plastic pallets often crack and break.

According to experts, nickel-plated structures are considered the best. Among the minuses of metal dwellings for feathered pets, usually noticeable weight, bulkiness and noise. In addition, the price of such structures is quite high.

The best option, according to experienced breeders of parrots, are combined cellsin which plastic and metal elements are combined. Such models are convenient in operation, practical, hygienic and financially available. The lower part, including the pallet, in the combined models is made of plastic, the rods are made of metal. All this causes a small weight of the structure, simplicity and ease of its washing and cleaning.

Preferably, the cage bars are made of steel and coated with non-toxic and resistant lead-free paint. Effectively look cells with bars, covered with gold and white paint. It is categorically not allowed for keeping birds with copper rods.

When choosing a suitable cage for a feathered pet, you should be guided by its size. So, for keeping one small bird (budgerigars, lovebirds), the recommended cage dimensions (length, width, height) are at least 40x30x30 centimeters. For a medium-sized parrot (Nandaya), it is preferable to purchase a home of at least 50x40x60 centimeters. For the maintenance of larger feathered pets (cockatoo), cages are recommended, the dimensions of which are not less than 70x60x60 centimeters.

The largest and most spacious cages are required for very large parrots - macaws. The recommended length of their home should be at least a meter with a height and width of 80 centimeters. The thickness of the bars of the structure should also be determined in accordance with the size of the feathered pet. So, for wavy parrots suitable housing with twigs of metal mesh, the thickness of which varies from 1.5 to 2 millimeters. The distance between the rods should be no more than 15 millimeters.

Medium-sized birds need cages, the thickness of the rods of which is at least 3-4 millimeters. The gap between the bars in this case should not exceed 20 millimeters. Given that the parrots are extremely mobile and active creatures, they need to ensure the ability to move around the cage in all directions.

Choosing a suitable home for the feathered pet, you should pay attention to the door. Their device, size and shape are different.The best option, according to experienced breeders of decorative birds, are simple doors, swinging open to the side and equipped with a reliable latch or bolt. The dimensions of the door must be such that a hand with a bird passes through it freely. Most bird cage models are equipped with retractable pallets. This functional detail greatly simplifies the process of cleaning the homestead of a feathered pet. The most practical pallets are plastic, which are easy to clean with warm water and cleaned from contamination with a scraper or brush.

Studying the features of the cell you like, you should pay attention to the height of its sides. High sides in the future will significantly reduce the amount of garbage flying around the bird's dwelling. Another aspect that deserves attention when choosing a bird cage is the name and authority of the manufacturer. Quite well-known brands are the Italian manufacturers Marchioro and FOP, the Belgian company Savic. In addition, high-quality products and offers a well-known European brand Ferplast.

Demand and cells from Chinese manufacturers, affordable and characterized by quite decent quality. However, when choosing Chinese models, it is necessary to independently evaluate the strength of the product, analyze the composition and environmental friendliness of the materials used. Experienced breeders of decorative birds do not recommend buying suspiciously cheap models. Even a very beautiful cage, realized at a doubtfully low price, can conceal many threats to the health of the feathered pet. When buying a home for a parrot, it is advisable to worry about purchasing a special cover. This accessory is often very useful in keeping hyperactive and shy birds.

In order for the parrot to feel comfortable and not be bored during the day, it is necessary to approach the arrangement of its home with responsibility. Mandatory details of the interior of the bird cage are the perch, house, water bowl and feeder. Drinking bowls and feeders are positioned so that bird droppings cannot enter them. Other desirable accessories are:

• mirror;
• bell;
• ladders;
• rattles;
• ropes;
• swing and rings.

Many types of decorative birds, including parrots, are very fond of water treatments. Bathing not only brings great pleasure to feathered pets, but also helps to prevent the appearance of parasites in them. For this procedure, it is recommended to purchase a capacious container suitable for a parrot in size. Very convenient to use are models of baths, which are suspended from the open door.

Arranging the home of a parrot, you must carefully monitor its reaction to new items. Some birds may be frightened by the reflection in the mirror, the noise or the sounds of a new toy. If an unfamiliar thing causes anxiety and panic in a feathered pet, it is better to hide it for a while.

It is very important to determine in the house a suitable place for placing a cage with a feathered pet. It should be bright, dry and warm area, protected from drafts. It is not allowed to put a cage in the vicinity of radiators, televisions and radios. You can not place it on the windowsills, where the bird may catch a cold due to drafts or overheat in the sun. Another extremely inappropriate place for placing a cage with a parrot is the kitchen. Most often, this room is the hottest and sultry in the house. In addition, in the process of cooking in the kitchen, odors and unpleasant sounds begin to appear that can cause stress in the room bird.

Experienced owners of parrots claim that these creatures like to watch their owners. For this reason, a cage with feathered pets is best placed in a room where family members spend a significant portion of their free time. At the same time, it is desirable that the cage is approximately at the level of human eyes, due to which constant visual contact with the pet will be maintained. If there is no suitable height for a place where it is possible to install a cage with a feathered pet in the house, the problem can be easily solved with the help of a special stand. Modern models of such accessories not only make it possible to place a bird's dwelling in the most suitable place, but also help to diversify the familiar interior of the apartment.

How to choose a cage for a parrot, see the next video.