Cages

[clsegura]

I am Haveing a new cage built for Coco Loco I wanted to know If you could have any size or shape cage what do you think would be the
dream cage? The only limet I have is what I can Think up.I have a round hangingcage that he only uses as a bedroom and a place to eat the rest of the time he is on my solder or near by playing with a toy.Speacking about toys what toys would you get for a active bird that likes to bite things? well thanks in advance for all your help.
Carol And Coco Loco

[Franciscus]

Hi Carol,

I would make the cage at least 3'x4'. Bigger would be better, I would go 4'x6' if I had enough space. I would also have the bars be horizontal on all sides, to make climbing easier. Make sure the metal used is safe for birds. It should not have lead or zinc. If possible you should have the cage powdercoated unless you are using stainless steel. Make sure the bars are VERY strong and of proper spacing, 1" would be good. Do not have any bar spacing go from wide to narrow because that can trap toes and feet. Have the door be of a large size, the hight of the cage and about 2' wide would be good. It would also be ideal to have access to the food and water bowls from the outside of the cage in case someone who is not comfortable with the bird needs to look after him for a day or two. Also make sure the grate at the bottom comes out easily for cleaning and it would be best if the cage can be taken apart for cleaning outside once in a while. It may be more expensive to have the cage made so it is easy to clean but in the long run it'll be well worth it, when you consider it needs to be done frequently in the bird's long life. If possible wheels would be ideal also in case you need to move the cage.

As far as toys are concerned, variety is the key. My birds all have destructable toys, made of wood, vegetable tanned leather (regular leather is not safe due to chemicals) and thick rope. They also have non-destructible toys made of a safe metal (stainless steel or powder coated) and acrylic. Some toys are puzzle type toys, some a forraging toys that they have to manipulate to get a treat such as a nut. Some toys make sound, such as bells. Unsprayed branches from certain trees make great toys. I don't know the kinds of trees you have in your area but apple branches are safe, as are birch, and citrus (I think). Perhaps you could do a search on the internet listing tropical woods and which are safe or not. It is good to rotate toys on a regular basis, every week is best, to prevent boredom. Parrots should at least have one each of the types of toys I mentioned in the cage at all times. Keep an eye on the toys, inspecting them every day to make sure they are not becoming unsafe. That means if ropes are becoming frayed (fray shoiuld be under 2" for macaws), or toys that should not break do, causing the possibility to trap toes, tongues or beaks. One of Razz's favourite toys is made up of a chain with wooden blocks with sections of thick bamboo in between the blocks. The bamboo sections are great to hide nuts and other treats in. Another is a stainless steel "treat cage" that has a top that comes off. I wrap nuts in paper and stuff that inside. It's also great to fill with leafy greens and pieces of wood, sometimes a combination of all three works too. A really easy quick toy can be made of a clean sock (perhaps if you have one of a pair that the other is lost) make sure it is cotton. You can stuff the sock with pieces of wood, nuts, and small stones (big enough that the bird can't swallow) Put a knot in the sock and hang that in the cage with a short lenth of rope. It makes a quick, cheap foraging toy.