Bar Spacing Confusion!

[GreatBlue320]

Hi Everyone!

I'm in the process of getting a cage for "Birdie" (Illiger's Macaw) and have gotten three conflicting responses to my question regarding bar spacing.

The woman who owns the bird store where we are getting him from says 5/8". The manager of the same store says 7/8" and maybe 1".

The owner of a high-end cage manufacturer is saying that 1" to 1.25" would work. She actually had me take some cardboard and cut out a rectangle for each width: 7/8", 1" and 1.25" I held it up to "Birdie's" face today to see if he/she could pass his head through...



This ridiculous photo is 1" spacing. Birdie's eyes didn't even clear it.

I'd like to make my decision from a larger pool of suggestions than the 3 I have so far so please weigh in with your thoughts even if they continue to be conflicting!

Thanks!

 

[JerseyWendy]

There is no way I'd go over 1" for an Illiger.

 

[RavensGryf]

I think a 1 inch is perfect for an Illiger's, but not over. Although they make cages 1.25", it's harder to find anyway, and only for extra large species.

My Pionus's old cage was a 1 inch, and even Griffin my little Ruppell's parrot (smaller sized Poicephalus like a Senegal) was safe as far as head size when he'd go over to Raven's cage and visit and play in there. Not that I'd recommend a 1" for Griffin's size, but just saying it to give you perspective and some info to go on. Even little Griffin's eyes were behind the bars.

On the other hand, 5/8 is really small... Sure it's fine, but it is erring too far on the side of caution. If you have a choice, it might even be a bit easier to clean if the bars are wider apart as in the 1".

 

[GreatBlue320]

Thanks Wendy and Julie!

Based on the "cardboard test", 1" seems to be the right size.