Should I use a rusty cage?

[Ashling]

I found a little black cage in the hard rubbish collection on the nature strip. Of course I couldn't pass it by, so I took it home. It is a little black cage with feeders, a perch and some toys.
It is a little rusty and has cob webs all over it- obviously it had been in a garage for a while!
I was thinking of keeping it for when my chicken's eggs hatch as a handy cage for sick birds, or a place for abusive/ abused chicks, a transport cage etc... and also in the future if I am in need of seperating my birds, they'll all have a cage each.
So I have good use for it, but the thing is- should I use it? I'm mostly thinking of the rust. There is a way to get rid of rust isn't there? Also, what would be the best way of cleaning the cage? Would bleach do the job? And should I keep the toys or bin them? The perch will definately go!
Thanks

[Sashagirl]

I can't tell any way to clean rust from a cage.But just for safety reasons rust is very bad for birds.If it was me I wouldn't use it to keep any kind of birds in it.Better safe than sorry.

[ndeben]

NO, plant something in it, use it for something else..

[huntress]

Rust from cold steel will not hurt your birds but any metal in the system from chewers is not good. For hatching chicks it would be OK - they dont chew. The best way to clean it is to simply wire brush the heck out of it and wash it with a good bit of vinager wash. Remove any loose rust and leftover paint with the wire brush. Get into any corner. Then you can paint it with paint declared safe for childrens toys (spray paint). Hold a piece of cardbord behind it to help as you spray. Do this outside away from your fids and apply a few coats. Allow the cage to dry and cure for several days before putting any birds into it.
I rehab cages all the time. I still would not keep a heavy chewer in it for too long but its great for finches ect.
Word of advice - choose a color close to what it is or was and you will not need so many coats of paint but use a minimum of two coats. If you use a rusty metal primer allow it to cure for several days BEFORE adding the paint color coat.

People wine about rehabing old cages but to tell you the truth how many cages are out there new that we have not tested for lead from China???? Many. At least when I am stripping and repainting an old cage I know the paint I use is lead free?

[Ashling]

Thanks for the replies. I shall be VERY careful about anything my birds stay in.
I have white vinegar and a metal wool scourer, so I'll get stuck into it today. Good idea with the paint, I'll see if I can go shopping for that tomorrow. None of my birdies are heavy chewers, and it'd probably be young chicks who live in it until they out grow it.
Can I wash the toys and re-use them?

[Courtzrocks]

HA I was gonna say go for it! I had beetle in an old cage when i first got her. Some dodgey $5 cage from a garage sale with a bit of rust until i put her into matches travel cage. She isnt a chewer though. I think it would be fine for your chicks, and huntress said some good tips there.

[Ashling]

Huntress certainly did! The chickes are hatching, I am sooo excited! I think they shouold be fine in the hutch until tomorrow. I've barrickaded the brrod box so that the others don't disturb/ crush any chicks!

[ljhassell]

I just rehabed our 506 kings cage- we sand all rust and chipped paint, then use krylon primer and let dry then hit with a clear coat- let air dry a few weeks and I can now use our 1200.00 cage again for Greenwing comming Friday.

[Ashling]

I just realised my spelling was terrible last post! ^
ljhassell, that's really cool. I'll definately get onto cleaning up this cage.
A greenwing!? How exciting! I think of a green macaw when I hear that name, even though they're red... hehe

[ljhassell]

Gw not comming, people upped the cash price. When I get contacted to take in a bird- Im not paying their auction prices, we only care about the birds well being not their pocket. So Everyone got spaced back out.