Here's an interesting question.

[KGWatkins]

Has anyone used a cage that was NOT a bird cage for a differently abled bird? For example, I was thinking about buying a long, short RAT cage for Zephyr, it has a shelf and a ramp, rather than being tall with perches, which are of no use to him. Has anyone done this sort of thing? And how did it work out for you?

Super Pet Deluxe Rat My First Home - Habitats & Cages - Small Pet - PetSmart

This is the cage I'm considering, it IS rather narrow, but keep in mind, he CAN'T move around all that well, and I have him out of the cage at least 5 hours or more sporatically throughout the day.

[KGWatkins]

Any suggestions for other, better cages is welcome, I don't have my mind SET on anything, but the thought occurred to me that since he doesn't DO vertical anymore, that a BIRD cage is pointless for him.

[Greycloud]

A good idea, but my concern is what the cage is coated with. If it is safe then see if it works.

[KimM]

What is his disability? My Elliot cannot fly due to a birth defect in his wings. I have just put his perches lower in the cage.. Now he has built up his foot strenth and chest strength and he's all over the place.. HE still takes a tumble once in awhile, but at least its not too far.

[KGWatkins]

Well from what I gather, it's powder coated with the same stuff that bird cages are coated with, but thicker to *resist* chewing, it doesn't work though, since small animals always end up chewing it off in the end.

[perchingbird]

Maybe a ferret cage? Those might get too large though, and I don't know what they are coated with either.

You could always get some stainless steel mesh/screen and make him a cage, using the base of the rat cage or something. Heck, you could go CraigsList hunting for old used cages just to get a cheap base!

[KGWatkins]

Zephyr's legs are horribly splayed, one is pointed completely backward and the other one is LOCKED in the fully extended position out to one side, he can't perch at all, in fact, even if I'm holding him, his legs don't fold underneath him, I have to spread my fingers a bit to allow them to dangle through so he doesn't feel unsteady, I hold his belly.

[KGWatkins]

Well, I considered a ferret or rabbit and guinea pig cage, they are larger and they have some short, wide and deep ones, BUT the wire spacing on all those cages is 1 inch, WAY too large for a cockatiel.

[KimM]

Boy, that's a tough one! Does your vet have any suggestions? I'll ask around here with my resources and see what I can find out

[KGWatkins]

Well, I did ask my REGULAR vet, I haven't found an avian vet YET, since I only got the birds by short notice 4 days ago, all he said was to keep him from climbing on stuff, buffer his flooring and keep it spotlessly clean, he said that ramps and shelves would be good in a cage, but the small animal cage thing was my idea, since his cage is kind of tall, if I put shelves in it, he fell and would surely hurt something in the fall.