Acrylic Front Cages???

[Jong81]

Hello. I have an African Senegal and was interesting in purchasing a nicer cage for him. I thought the idea of having a clear acrylic front with no bars was different, but I'm concerned about how it might affect Jake. Does anyone know if it's okay to have a clear side of the cage? Is it going to confuse him. Here is the link to the cage I'm considering:

Pet Bird Cages: EZ Care Bow Front Cages at Drs. Foster & Smith

Please let me know if you think it's a bad idea to have a see-through front. Thanks.

***Additionally, if anyone has better ideas or websites for a low-price quality cage for an African Senegal, please let me know. Thanks.

[brdfvr]

I don't see anything wrong with it. I know there is a member on the conure board that has a painted conure with pretty much that identical cage.

[fifthday]

I was interested in the acrylic front cage until I saw the mini at Petsmart and saw that it wasn't practical. The inside space is extremely small and the acrylic front leaves less climbing surface. The cage looks nice in the pics, but for me seeing it in the store made a big difference.

[Izzy]

My meyers was in an acrylic cage with no problems, as are my tiels now. The only thing I will warn you is that it is impossible to keep the acrylic clean! My meyers likes to dunk her pellets in her water and then shake them, so there was always a mess on the acrylic.

[pecks]

I have Boo in this cage (currently on sale for $350), and it works very well for both of us. Boo still climbs on the front (there are still bars on the front, above the door) and the acrylic isn't too difficult to clean up, although Boo isn't very messy I have to admit. If you do choose to go with one from the Drs Foster & Smith site, I would never recommend anything smaller than the "Small" model.

If/when I get a pionus in the future, I will be purchasing the "Medium" model, though, which I think is a wonderful size...although keep in mind it isn't measured to fit through standard doorways (at least ours ). Although I suppose you could try opening the door all the way and then slipping it through, since a portion of that depth comes from the curved bow-front door.

There was a little bit of a learning curve for Boo, but he picked up fairly quickly that the door was solid. Don't worry, he never hurt himself on it though; mainly it was just beaking and "flying" in place with his beak against the acrylic. He'd go up to it, press his beak against the acrylic, then flutter in place for a bit. Then he'd land, look at it, beak it, then do the same thing. ^^

If you're really concerned about your bird flying into the acrylic, though, you can put things like stickers on the acrylic so the bird can "see" when it's opened or closed. I know people do similar things to their windows and mirrors for flighted birds.

[some-budgie-loves-me]

I've seen those, but I think the acrylic would get dirty all the time. That would bug me. It might not bother the bird. I've also wondering about if the air circulation is as good. Of course, maybe it reduces drafts?

[maggy]

Yeah I've read there are problems with overheating in hot climates, also the birds can't climb the walls like they can with bars. Unless the bird is in a very cold climate a breeze is unlikely to cause it any harm, so the cage (in my opinion) isn't of real benefit.

[Peanutbutter]

I have no real big issues with the concept of an acrylic FRONTED cage.... now, I can see lots of issues with a full acrylic cage. General air flow, urine smells/dander held in the cage reducing air quality, the birds constant reflection, finding cage accessories that attach to non-standard cages. Price. Full acrylic cages are not easy to find either.

I don't like the Kaytee EZ Care Mini cage at all though. Its too small & the food dishes really cut into the interior space. I too, saw it at PetSmart & gave it the once over.... got some good ideas, just don't like the finished product.

As for my thoughts on acrylic *fronts*.... air flow is okay so long as the cage isn't shoved in a corner of the room. I'd be forever wiping the acrylic front down. You can't hang perches on the acrylic (except the "happy perch"). the bird would constantly have his reflection to play with.

As for helping keep the food mess down.... I gave my fids hooded cups & the mess reduced to almost nothing. Still have a lot of feathers and wood... but pellets aren't all over the place.

If I had the money & birds that needed a cage, I admit-- I would LOVE to have this cage Bow Front Dometop Flight Cage for Small Birds, Cages | Pet Solutions