Cage Size

[Yellownape]

I have been wondering ever since I acquired Sluggie whether or not the cage he came in was the right size or not. It is 22 1/2" W x 18 1/2" D x 32" H. Slug doesn't seem to be oversized in the cage but I can't help thinking he needs a bigger cage? There are a good assortment of big cages on Craigslist but the price range is all over the place. Would buying a used cage be a bad idea? Would a bigger cage meant for Macaws/Cockatoos be a mistake?

The other thing is Slug doesn't flap his wings or try to fly? He can fly and has flown on a couple of occasions but that was mainly because he was startled. And when he does fly he isn't very good at it and loses altitude pretty fast after taking wing. He also seems to be somewhat clumsy and not very good afoot. Like if I have him on my arm or shoulder and walk around the house he seems very unstable and like he is going to fall off of me?

I have not had him to an Avian Vet since getting him but I am thinking he needs a visit to check up on his health and he does need to have his nails clipped as well which I have not had the courage to try and do myself. I don't want to towel him as I am concerned he will get really angry and get to biting me again. So if the vet does it maybe he won't get angry with me and just be mad at the doctor?

 

[lizardsmells]

I would consider that cage too small for an amazon to live in, it's about the same size as Kazi's travel cage. Kazi has a large macaw cage in his room and it works great. Not that he's in it much, but when he is he has plenty of space to climb and play.

Basically, get the biggest cage you can accommodate and afford (make sure the bar spacing is appropriate). If you buy used disinfect it before you let your bird move in. hope that helps

 

[Yellownape]

Thank you that is what I was thinking.

 

[lizardsmells]

I really think given all your questioning that Sluggy is in for a great life with you guys That makes me happy!

 

[roxynoodle]

That cage is a little small. The one my zon came with was a little smaller than that, and he couldn't really move much. Toys didn't fit in there with him so his previous owner didn't give him any. And his food and water bowls were on the same level as his perch so he never really had to move at all. When I first brought him home I decided to put him directly into the cage I had and he was pretty excited about it right away. He started climbing all over, and climbing upside down across the top. I also made sure his big perch was higher than the food and water bowls to force him to climb to get some exercise. He is kind of clumsy, too, but I think it's because he never got any exercise or played. He was either in his little cage or on a T stand. He keeps scaring himself with the toys, lol! He will climb onto one and swing around, but then can't figure out how to get off. He will swing it over to a perch and end up laying on the perch on his back, still holding the toy and it takes him several minutes sometimes to get himself upright and secure again. I don't know if he knows how to fly. His former owner kept him clipped. He is molting right now so I guess I'll find out soon.

My BC conure was never a good flyer despite my never clipping her. She only flew if she was startled and then would end up hanging from a picture frame until I came and got her. My Nanday is a very good flyer who has never run into anything.

I do need to find out eventually as well if they can coexist with both of them flighted. My Nanday is a bossy little thing who thinks she is a huge bird. But the amazon could hurt her badly if he wanted to. I don't want her to go boss him and have him rip off her beak or toes. I don't want to have to clip my Nanday if I don't have to, but if it is needed for her safety, I will.

 

[oled]

Nice conserning questions The cage should be as big as posible. H not less that 1 m. W not less that 0,7 m and L not less that 1 m. But it depend on how much time he is spending in the cage of cause. The vet dont usual need to towen, the know how to hold perrot, it is a good idéa that you dont hold or towel him.

 

[Mitchell]

I agree on a macaw sized cage. My Farley climbs all accross the top and down the sides, he is constantly busy with all the space. it has more room for a large assortment of toys to keep him from getting bored on days that I'm away and he's caged a little longer than usual. I also clip toys to the cagetop outside and he seems to play harder with those trying to figure out how to get them inside. After a while, I'll switch some on the inside with those on the cagetop and he acts like he got new toys. LOL! Plus he has an extra bowl and I'll put foot toys in it when I leave and he loves them. Bigger is better, Amazons are big birds in a smaller body for sure.

 

[henpecked]

I don't really have anything to add to discussion on cage size.Buying used cages is like buying a used car. Are you buying a Yugo or a Caddy ? Most higher quality cages have a label on them,ask if the cage for sale has a name/model number and research.Better cages have the bars welded to the frames which stops food/moisture (bateria,rust) from getting into the cracks.Generally they are better built with better finish on the metal parts.Check new cages carefully for rust and wear, avoid freshly refinished cages and cages with flaking finish. At the parrot shows around here i can buy new (in the box) Macaw size cages for 250 or less,but they are not top of the line cages.I have 2 custom built SS macaw cages that cost 1,500 each, the difference is night and day if you compare them. The only thing i have to add , consider the size and if it will fit though your door in an emergency.

 

[roxynoodle]

Whether it fits through your door in an emergency is a really good point! I thought I had an emergency Saturday night before I realized that fire alarm was actually my new Grey! I darn near started shoving the cages out the door, lol! Even if that means you need a rectangular cage that has a wide front but less depth. And for that matter, it is good if they have wheels on the bottom to roll them fast. You may have trouble getting your arms around it to lift it up.

 

[cindylou_38]

(3 feet by 2 feet by 5 feet). Keep in mind that you can never have too large a cage.

 

[lizardsmells]

Whether it fits through your door in an emergency is a really good point! I thought I had an emergency Saturday night before I realized that fire alarm was actually my new Grey! I darn near started shoving the cages out the door, lol!

I am cracking up! Ms. Merlin is already making trouble!

 

[roxynoodle]

Oh she scared the absolute snot out of me! The fire alarm is going off (or so I thought), and here I'm running around trying to figure out what's going on. I even ran outside and checked under the crawl spaces, lol! She got me good!