What to do with old cages?

[MissV]

Okay, so in replacing all my fids cages with bigger, better, ones, I run into a problem:

What to do with the old cages?

As usual, there is a lot of rambling in here, so feel free to skip to the actualy point at the bottom if you get bord. ;)

The little cheapy topwing one I was able to break down totally so I may store it in a box...granted, pulling it apart exposed the slighty rusted wire under neath the joints, so I'm not sure if it's worth keeping....i would never use it for a conure again, but maybe something smaller? But then again, those are so cheap as it is! The cage is tiny too-- like 16 by 18 or something stupid like that.

The larger one (20 something by 20 something) is a great quality cage, easy to clean, no idea who the maker is, but came from petsmart and was pretty pricey but does NOT break down completely (the four sizeds of thecage are welded together), but the assemply is pathetically easy--no tools required.
I thought...huh, maybe I could just the top as just a play pen type area if I needed to keep one or more of the conures in a central location for some reason...but it's also heavy so I have no idea.
I also breifly though of using different parts for things (cutting it up)...but that would just expose the iron to rusting, right?


Finally, the BIG issue is the BIG cage. It's 40 x 40, minimum size for a large macaw. It's a great cage, (I think it's AE or HQ....looks like one of their designs) but I can't possibly get it out of the room without dissasembling it.
I paid some 500 bucks for this one (wish I would have been more patient cause the double macaw I'm getting is almost the same price--and it's double!) .
Anyway, It'd be great to get money for this, but part of me is just thinking of seeing if I can't donate it to a rescue or someone who really needs it. I have a friend who's helpfully offered his van to get it to wherever it needs to go if that's the case.


SO THE POINT:

Any suggestions as to what to do with these? Particularly the big macaw cage? Anyone around the Northern VA area need a giant or not-so giant cage on the cheap? I'm not really fixated on getting tons of money for it, which is why I'm hesitant to throw it up on craig's list....

And if there's a rescue (near me) that REALLY needs one or the other, I could part with it that way too...

But I definitely just can't throw these out. Heck, I've only had the macaw cage for like 5 months!





Edit: Would be willing to ship it if someone really really wants, but that would require pick up/shipping costs.

[Freedomoflight]

Hmm.... I'm in need of a new cage for my macaw... *thinking*

[Muchi]

Wow I wish I could steal the macaw one XD
Hmn, well if you cannot sell the old cages, I'd give them a good scrub and donate them to a local bird group/rescue.

[maggy]

A couple of ideas; donate to rescue organisations, keep one to use if you find a stray, and you can put climbing plants in little cages and hang them as planters...I guess you could use bigger cages as lockup garden storage units, for tools, fertilizer and chemicals.

[Greycloud]

I could use the big cage for my U2. His is the original I rescued him in. However, sorry to say financially strapped here, even my car is not running at this point! Ugh!

[ThreeX]

It's a dilemma what to do with old (too) small cages.. i just sold my CAG's old cage (a way too small one for a couple of CAG's) The dilemma is the new owner will probably put bird/s in it that should really have a bigger cage.. In my moral dilemma $$ won, and i am not too proud of that. At least i told the buyer that the cage is legally too small even for a Senegal.
(Btw 40x40 for a Macaw is loathsome, no offence.. ) minimal cage size here for a macaw is 141" x 70".
So, depending on consciense (and bar spacing) i'd sell the "large" cage as suitable for birds up to and including a Pionus in size.

[MissV]

Originally Posted by ThreeX

It's a dilemma what to do with old (too) small cages.. i just sold my CAG's old cage (a way too small one for a couple of CAG's) The dilemma is the new owner will probably put bird/s in it that should really have a bigger cage.. In my moral dilemma $$ won, and i am not too proud of that. At least i told the buyer that the cage is legally too small even for a Senegal.
(Btw 40x40 for a Macaw is loathsome, no offence.. ) minimal cage size here for a macaw is 141" x 70".
So, depending on consciense (and bar spacing) i'd sell the "large" cage as suitable for birds up to and including a Pionus in size.

>_> Not to get into a total debate here because I dont' want that, but while I'm not a fan of the 40" x 40", it IS standard and exactly what just about any expert reccommends as the minimum. Eti has room to stretch and move about, I just have him caged through the day while I'm at work and would prefer more room for both of us to work with. (I know you don't mean to offend, but Loathsome is a very strong word in English and 141" x 70" (inches) is just about ridiculous for inside a house...that is seriously over half the size of my bedroom)


But...seriously, this is about what to do with old cages, so no debating please. ^^;

[usamma]

I donated one that was ugly but sturdy to a bird rescue group. They were glad to have it. :)

[LovelySydney]

I could definitely use a bigger cage for my BFF's, Oliver & Emi. Could I see some pictures? I would pay you the shipping. Ive been trying to find some on craigslist but people really want more money than they should.


If not, donations to rescues, or if you post them on CL or a site like that for free or for cheap I know people in your area would come get them.

[sailorkelly]

What is the bar spacing? I am looking for a new cage for Abbey, the bigger the better in my mind. As long as she can't get her head through the bars..lol I don't want her playing Peak A Boo with me. Plus I am in your area.