Cage Cleaning

[MarieAnn]

Hi All, I was in here a bit ago with some questions. I have taken on the care of a 47yo Citron. She's adjusting very well to her new home and all the crazy kids and pets we already have. I recall someone mentioning how these birds are very messy, dander-wise, and this is the primary reason she was rehomed.

So, I'm curious...does anyone have any tricks for keeping things clean? I have a piece of plexiglass on the bottom of her cage, we line it with paper and change that everyday. I vacuum at least once a day. I need some trick to cleaning the dander off the cage itself and the food that she often flips around. Sometimes I will just use a hot wet washcloth to wash down the cage, but I feel like there must be a better way. I can see that power washing the cage is going to need to happen. If you do it, how often do you? Her previous owner used to run an air purifier next to the cage, but I can't stand the sound of fans and I hate wasting electricity.

Thanks for any tips!

 

[itzjbean]

I don't own cockatoos but I do know that making sure to give them regular baths (spray mist, plain ole in the shower on your arm, etc.) can help with the amount of dander/dust they make. A few showers weekly would be great to keep dander levels down.

Other then that, I will let the too experts chime in here!!

 

[noodles123]

Do you have an ozone free (non-ion producing air filter? Those suck up a significant amount...If you had quite a few, you would probably have an easier time. I have a U2 and that purifier is a help ..not a huge help (but huge compared to life without one)..After one month, the pre-filter is COATED in white cockatoo powder (thickly)...even though I still find it all over the cage etc. I also cut carpet protectors/ runners (those clear/spikey/plastic mats) and surround cage w/ them after allowing them to off-gas (they have a bit of a chemical scent, so I washed mine with water and vinegar and set in sun for 2 days)...It also helps to mist your bird often (don't over-bathe though, as this can lead to dry skin issues)...Lightly clean the cage daily (just general dusting/actual cleaning of where the poop falls etc) while bird is on separate perch.


With a Cockatoo, an air filter is pretty much non-negotiable for your and your bird's health...Just make sure it is the safe kind...YOU DO NOT want one that produces any of the harmful chemicals...E.G., Germ Guardians etc = unsafe due to chemicals produced.

 

[Scott]

Vinegar mixed with water is an effective cage cleaner. I have a power washer and use it every 2 months or so. Must be careful of intensity or the powdercoated paint can be literally blasted off!

 

[Siobhan]

You just have to go at it pretty much every day. I generally only use a wet cloth to clean bird cages, though when it's really bad I might use Dawn, because it's safe for birds. Get one of those scrubby sponges like you use to do dishes and probably a scrubby brush, too, for tough poopies. And yes, occasionally you have to haul the cage outside for a cleaning with the hose or, as we did once, to the car wash. Rocky didn't know WHAT to think of Daddy making off with his cage like that. And in some ways, you just have to learn to live with dust. I'm a big proponent of lowering your standards. LOL

 

[MarieAnn]

Thank you for the responses! Maybe I'll ask the couple I got her from if they'll lend me their air purifier and see if I can handle the noise.

I do give her a bath once a week. It's odd, she doesn't preen herself after the bath, I think it has to do with her arthritis...so I decided to only do it once a week.

 

[noodles123]

Thank you for the responses! Maybe I'll ask the couple I got her from if they'll lend me their air purifier and see if I can handle the noise.

I do give her a bath once a week. It's odd, she doesn't preen herself after the bath, I think it has to do with her arthritis...so I decided to only do it once a week.

mine preens when dry but not after I mist here...no arthritis here (that I know of) but mine just doesn't like the sensation and is quite possibly lazy lol.

 

[TiredOldMan]

Mine doesn't preen when wet or even damp. When he starts FDB I mist him with chamomile tea. Puts a stop to it for at least an hour.

 

[tanyamitchellrn]

I bet a steam cleaner would work well!

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

 

[ToMang07]

Vinegar mixed with water is an effective cage cleaner. I have a power washer and use it every 2 months or so. Must be careful of intensity or the powdercoated paint can be literally blasted off!

^This. Plus regular showers help.