Any way to make zinc plated metal safer??

[Starlit_Night]

Yesterday afternoon we picked up our new baby pineapple green cheek. Super excited about it and will follow up with pics soon.

However, not what I needed to know. The breeder had taught her that her cage is her safe place, so naturally she keeps trying to go to the new cage when she feels anxious. We have a busy home and I don't blame her for needing a time out! The problem is we have our indoor dog kennel Precision Pet - Detail in the same room as our birds. I've never had a problem with my budgies going on or near the kennel. The new baby however, is unfamiliar with our space and has clear visual of the kennel as she heads towards her cage. Since she is clipped she keeps turning towards the kennel as a place to land because she has lost too much altitude to reach the play centre on the top of her cage.

We don't have a huge space and have re-arranged to accomodate everyones cages.

Does anyone have any ideas to help make the kennel safer? Can it be coated with something? Sprayed with a paint or something? We have no intention of letting her play on it even if it is treated, but at least we wouldnt worry as much as she trys to climb to the top before I can get to her.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be really appreciated!!

 

[D13H4RD]

Would have thought a spray on plasticcoat would do the job, can get this in the UK from local car spares place. Halfords or the like, comes in various colors : )

 

[weco]

As D13 said, you could use Plasti-kote, it is available on this side of the pond.....

While I've used it on metals, whatever you paint that pen with, may not stay on too long, at least not around the connecting joints, because the rubbing factor will quickly wear away the paint coating.....with home/DIY spray paints, you have no way to bake/harden the paint.....

To get the best adhesion, you would want to disassemble the cage, wash it down well with soap & water, rinse well & allow to dry well...then carefully wipe down the sections, again, allow to thoroughly dry before you spray or otherwise paint the cage.....along with removing zinc oxidation from metal surfaces, washing down with vinegar actually does a slight scoring of the surface, providing a much better adhesion for paints.....

After you do your painting, it should sit as long as you can let it...most people don't realize that while paints may feel dry to the touch, they are not dry below the top skin...paints take a month or longer to properly cure out.....it's just the nature of the beast.....

Sorry that this is probably not what you want to hear.....

 

[Starlit_Night]

On the contrary! Thats exactly what i wanted to hear! Id prefer it take less time, obviously, but at least something can be done! I can technically kennel my dogs in another way for a short time. Thery dont like being seperated, but it can work. Thanks for the info!

Christine