How to Choose the Right Bird Cage

When you make the decision to purchase a bird as a pet, the type of cage you will keep it in usually is not the first thing on your mind – the bird is! But in the end, you will need a bird cage for your pet bird, no matter how exotic or ordinary it may be.

Just as there are many different sizes and breeds of birds, there are many sizes and breeds of bird cages and not all bird cages are suitable for all birds. Bird cages are available in all sizes, shapes, and price ranges, and they are made from many different materials as well, such as metal, iron, wood, acrylic, and even stainless steel. There are new cages, custom made cages, and antique bird cages. The options are endless.

The first thing to consider is the size of your bird, including its wing span. Once a bird matures, it does not increase in size, so in most cases, you won’t have to worry about your bird out growing its bird cage. Many people mistakenly think that size doesn’t matter. It does in deed. Simply buying a large cage that your small bird cannot escape from won’t do. Of course, buying a cage that is too small for your bird won’t do either. Different types of birds require different sized cages. The pet store can tell you what size bird cage you should purchase for your particular breed of bird.

The material your bird cage is made out of is also important. You want it to match the décor of your home, but you want it to be suitable for the safety and health of your bird as well. Acrylic bird cages are quite cheap, but many people report that their birds are not able to crawl around the edges of the cage easily. This can be unhealthy for your bird, preventing it from getting exercise that it needs.

You will want a cage that has a large door. You should be able to fit your entire hand in the door, and still have some room to move around. Birds are smart, so you also need to check the clasp that closes the door to ensure that it is easy enough for you to open – but not easy enough for the bird, or a small child to open.

You will have to clean the cage at one point as well. Metal is easier to clean than wood. Some cages even have bottom plates that easily slide in and out for easy removal and replacement of newspaper. Some cages have the food and water containers attached to them. You need to be able to remove those containers for cleaning, and you should also choose a cage with feeders that can be filled from the outside of the container. If the cage you have in mind does not come with food containers, look for the containers that will work with the cage before making a decision.

If your cage will be hanging, make sure that you purchase a hanging device that can support the weight of the cage, including the bird. Make sure that it will be stable as well – Birds are small, but they are strong, and their movements could cause the cage – as well as its stand – to tip over.

You don’t want your bird to be bored either. Make sure that there is plenty of room for toys as well. Toys are often attached to the cage, so make sure that this is possible. Once the toys and the food containers are in the cage, your bird still needs plenty of time to move around, flap it’s wings, crawl around the edges of the cage, and even hang upside down.

Jason Petrina is the Editor and Publisher of Article Click. For more FREE articles for your ezine and websites visit - www.articleclick.com

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