Is his cage too small??

[Rainbow_Feather]

I've been reading all these posts on here, all the recommendations for a conure sized cage and now I'm starting to think I got one too small. The people at the pet shop said the cage was fine for my Green Cheek conure but now I am not so sure.
My GCC is tame so he does get to spend a fair bit out of the cage with me....whether that makes any difference??
Now I haven't quite figured how to attach a pic to my posts so all I can do is describe the cage to you. On top of that, I've never been the brainiest in my maths class so I'm just going to use the ol' tape measure and tell you it's size in cm or inches. ok?
Here it is.....Please can you tell me if it's too small and also the bar spacing??

Height = 25 inches (not including under tray)
Width & Length = both 17 and a half inches
Bar spacing = 1 inch

Keen to read your opinions!!!
Thanks all

Oh hang on, I'll try here to post a pic, think I just figured it out....

[4HAND]

If you can afford a bigger cage you should try to find one that's 24 inches accross.My sun conure lived in a smaller cage like yours but with a playtop for two years.He was out of his cage and flying around the house for most of the day though.Pet store employees aren't always the best source of information.Also,one inch bar spacing is pretty wide for a GCC.I'd look for 1/2 or5/8 in your next cage.
Tena

[swanwillow]

I had my GCC in a cage of similar sized. She was out of the cage more often than in though, but what use did come of it was well spent.

I'm more worried about the 1" spacing, thats a little big for a conure. okay, more than a little, a LOT. Your little bug can get its head stuck in there fairly easily.

[catonroof]

The cage looks fine. It depends on what all you put in it. If the bird is out a lot. Do you have a play pen??? If the food dishes are enough. But I find you always move up to larger later.... our birds do tend to collect toys and exercise equipment...

[PowerBBS]

I have to say that it is too small. The bar spacing is way to large (it'll be hard for your GCC to climb around in it as he could only grab one bar at a time. Plus, he'll easily be able to slip his head between the bars if it's 1 inch spacing.

I agree with the others and would also suggest a 24x24xWhatEverHeight (28 or more inches). Even if you get him out a lot. It seems to me the smaller the cage, more often than not, the more the feathered fella will fight not to get put back into it. Keep in mind the space above the feeding bowls typically is useless space as anything up above them would most likely result in feces in the food and water. A cage as small as you've pictured wouldn't allow for their toys and play area and "living" area whilst they are in it. He/she may/most likely will grow to see his cage as a punishment cell rather than "home".

Our Green Cheek loves his space. He loves to jump around in his cage and fly from one perch to another (he's in a 36x36x72 inch cage with 3/4 bar spacing - and it's been his home for over a year now), he loves to play with all the toys he's got. Jump on his spiral perch (he loves how it bounces), sit on his many different perch types (comfy perches, natural wood, calcium and even a couple cement perches), sleep in his "happy hut", chew on his hanging treat bars, eat from his exclusive treat cup, and swing on his huge swing.

He's got all that, and we still take him (willingly and excited) out for about 5 to 6 hours every weekday and 8 or 12 hours every weekend day. Because of this, he's never seen his cage as a prison cell, we can actually ask him "Wanna to go to bed?" and he'll squawk with excitement and bounce up and down on our shoulder or finger until we get to the bird room, where he literally flies to his cage and "goes to bed" all on his own. We simply change his water and food and wish him good-night.

At least that's our opinion about it. Other fid parents opinions may vary. The best advice I can offer is get the largest cage you can afford. Ask yourself if you'd be happy spending the next 20+ years in there (that's the average age span for a GCC). Yes you can get him a larger cage later, but why torture him for the first few years with a small one and have him learn to hate his cage?

[DarwinTheSun]

I agree with PowerBBS (sorry I dont know your name). Get the biggest cage you can afford and really watch that bar spacing. Birdies can definitely strangle themselves on those bars. You can think of it as their own little bedroom, and look for a similar ratio to what you would want out of a bedroom you had to spend some time in.

[Rainbow_Feather]

Thanks everyone!
Yeah I agree about the bar spacing, he usually pops his head out from the cage in the mornings when he wants to get out - i did think there was something wrong with that 'picture'...hmmm