Buying a Sun Conure - Cage Help - Clipping

[Lol101]

Hey guys! I'm buying a Sun Conure very soon, I have located a cage I think is decent for it. I'm just concerned about the sizing I don't want it too big. Lack of room and I don't want to stress the poor bugger out. Opinions?

Cage: https://www.petbarn.com.au/avi-one-...MI4JGygKOB1wIVAX69Ch3irw63EAYYASABEgLn7_D_BwE

Also, my step-dad use to own and breed many birds. He has spoken about the flight feather clipping and said he knows how to do it and can do it, but contrary to what I've heard, he said you only clip one side otherwise if you clip the other side and they're equal it can still fly?

Regards, Corey.

 

[itzjbean]

Hi Corey,

There is no such thing as too big of a cage. The one you picked out is fine, although it seems overpriced in my opinion. I think you can find bigger for cheaper. Just be sure the bar spacing is not too big, nothing over 1 1/2 inches for your conure.

About the wing clipping... it may have been normal practice back in the day to clip only one side but it is generally NOT recommended to do that, as it throws the parrot very off balance. I suggest letting your conure learn to fly and strengthen those flying muscles and let him become a good flyer. Of course you shouldn't take him outside without a harness. If you do decide to clip, clip both sides. Do not let your step dad do it though, I would ask your avian vet to do it and show you exactly what to do.

 

[Flboy]

Please don’t clip in that fashion! It really throws the bird’s confidence off and can easily lead to an injury!
The cage- that seems like a lot of money for a low end wire cage! Or are choices that limited ‘down under’?
We have many folks from your neighborhood in this forum, give them a chance to chime in on your cage choices!

Issues with that cage, wire cages have many trap points where your baby can get really hurt, trapping a toe! He will chew it off in a heartbeat to get free! The door latch is easily figured out by your guy and he will be opening it very soon, same for the feed stations! The feed stations are on opposite sides, most conures like to dunk their food!
The cage does look small, and wire cages are notorious for rust! Also easy for a determined bird to bend!
FYI, I am sure it was a typo, Jackie ment 1/2 inch for bar spacing! 5/8s on the high side!

 

[clark_conure]

yeah don't clip one side, done right a bird can get about a foot up with the jump them glide gently to earth. That's where you want him to be able to do. Once your bonded clip just a bit, then a bit more, then a bit more till you strike the right balance, then your good to go until the next molting cycle.

Some say don't clip at all, but it all depends on your environment and your ability, and what you want to be able to do with your bird. I think the owner almost always makes the right decision but definitely do not do just one side.

 

[FlyBirdiesFly]

There is no such thing as a too big cage. The bigger the better! That cage you picked out looks like it has wide bar spacing, and it's really not that big. As for clipping NEVER clip only one side. I don't agree with any form of clipping, but if you HAVE to do it, never do one side. It throws them off balance and causes all sorts of issues. Instead of clipping in the first place, maybe you should flight train him and teach him to wear a harness so you can take him outside? Flighted birds are healthier and happier.

 

[clark_conure]

I can agree with flybirdiesfly on this! I agree clipping may be a good course of action or a negative course. But you have to decide based on your situation, what is in the best interest of the bird. But don't do the one sided clip thing! PLEASE!

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

I must echo what others have said. There really is no such thing as a cage too big. Bar spacing cannot be too big however (the amount of space between cage bars).

But as far as area goes, actually the bigger the better especially if the bird is going to spend a significant amount of time in it.

I also must agree about pricing. That cage is WAAAAAAAAAAAAY overpriced. You can get a much nicer one for about $75 LESS on Amazon.

This is the cage I got for Skittles. It's extremely well made and is the type of cage you'd easily spend $400-500 for in a pet store.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002SMC25E/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

When it comes to clipping- I believe the decision should be based on what is best for the bird in the circumstances he/she finds herself in.

I don't think it should ever be based on whats more 'convenient' for the owner. I think ultimately that unless safety and security are at issue, there is no justification for clipping.

 

[LordTriggs]

one of the posts further down in the conure section shows 2 Green Cheeks now having a cage that I have seen used by 2 CAGs. There really is no such thing as too big. That cage you posted is really expensive for what it is. you can get much larger much sturdier cages for less.

Also stick away from open top cages, they have resulted in many accidents requiring amputation of the foot

Lastly definitely don't do a single wing clip, think about what happens to a jet in a movie when a wing is blown off. It ends poorly. It also leaves them unbalanced when standing/walking. Think having a heavy weight placed on one of your legs. IMO you shouldn't clip them unless you have a reason to. They can glide indoors when clipped but when outside they easily get lift. If you want to take them outside they need to be in a harness. If you want windows open then they need to be in the cage.

I know your step-dad has done it before but he bred in the old-school time of breeding which looking back with hindsight was pretty barbaric (at nobodies fault none of us knew any better) for clipping ETC only if you feel it's safer for him to be clipped! I'd take them to the vet, they're well-equipped to do so, it's cheap there and none of the family gets labelled as the big meany