Dangerous Zinc Levels In Powder Coating - Cages Of What Ages ???

[Violet_Diva]

I found online a suggestion that older powder coated cages can have high zinc levels...

"Still yet another consideration is the zinc levels in the powder coat paint itself. Some cage manufacturers use paints that contain varying amounts of zinc. We are currently researching this issue, but the information that we have now that most of today's more popular cages with a powder coat finish contain from 0-50ppm of zinc. Some older powder coat cages do have zinc levels of up to 1,200ppm, so if you have an older cage, you might want to take this into account. Or if you are purchasing a new cage you might want to make sure that it is not an older model that the retailer has had in stock for a while. Ask the retailer for more information. We are currently gathering information on cages and their zinc levels and will be posting them soon. On that page will we list a lab that will conduct a test for you on a particular cage. Note that a cage's zinc level of, say, 40ppm does not equate to a zinc serum level in a bird on a one-to-one basis. If you suspect you have an older cage that might have a zinc problem"

Does anyone know when powder coating zinc levels changed???

I'm a bit worried as both of my cages are second hand and could be maybe even 20 years old! I believe one is an old Berlin SP and the other a Heidelburg.

Should I be looking to replace them with newer ones???

 

[SailBoat]

I found online a suggestion that older powder coated cages can have high zinc levels...

"Still yet another consideration is the zinc levels in the powder coat paint itself. Some cage manufacturers use paints that contain varying amounts of zinc. We are currently researching this issue, but the information that we have now that most of today's more popular cages with a powder coat finish contain from 0-50ppm of zinc. Some older powder coat cages do have zinc levels of up to 1,200ppm, so if you have an older cage, you might want to take this into account. Or if you are purchasing a new cage you might want to make sure that it is not an older model that the retailer has had in stock for a while. Ask the retailer for more information. We are currently gathering information on cages and their zinc levels and will be posting them soon. On that page will we list a lab that will conduct a test for you on a particular cage. Note that a cage's zinc level of, say, 40ppm does not equate to a zinc serum level in a bird on a one-to-one basis. If you suspect you have an older cage that might have a zinc problem"

Does anyone know when powder coating zinc levels changed???

I'm a bit worried as both of my cages are second hand and could be maybe even 20 years old! I believe one is an old Berlin SP and the other a Heidelburg.

Should I be looking to replace them with newer ones???

Please provide the link to the quotation above.

I have been aware that there was a minimum amount of Zinc in the Powdered base of the coating. It's used as a binder and the amounts have historically been very low, under 50ppm. Both of the Cages you are naming are likely make in Europe. 20 years ago, there was a much smaller number of cages coming from China.

The only reason for the higher levels of Zinc that comes to mind is that a more expense hardener was reduced and replaced with powdered Zinc. If so, the powder coating would be prone to flaking as it ages. Complete a detailed review of the cage surfaces, especially those areas that the coating would be thinner or much thicker.

It has been a longtime since I had worked with that chemistry and will yield to anyone with more current experience.

 

[Violet_Diva]

It was from this page: Cage Safety

 

[GaleriaGila]

ACK!

I bought this cage new, about 8 years ago. I can't remember the brand. Does anybody recognize it, please? The stainless steel washers which you see here and there are to cover places where the powder coat was wearing. Yeah, I'm cheap. But also, I hate to evict the Rb and make him get used to a new cage...

Wow... there's always something new to learn about! Like... ppm is parts-per-million, right?

 

[SailBoat]

It was from this page: Cage Safety

Thanks' for the Link! BirdSafe.com has been around long enough to have either a great name or not. And, I have only seen good things from and about them! At present, its wait and see what their finds are!

 

[GaleriaGila]

Sorry, forgot to upload picture.
This is the cage I was asking about.
Anybody recognize it, please? I want to buy a replacement grate...
I bought this cage new, about 8 years ago. I can't remember the brand. Does anybody recognize it, please? The stainless steel washers which you see here and there are to cover places where the powder coat was wearing. Yeah, I'm cheap. But also, I hate to evict the Rb and make him get used to a new cage...

 

[SailBoat]

Sorry, forgot to upload picture.
This is the cage I was asking about.
Anybody recognize it, please? I want to buy a replacement grate...
I bought this cage new, about 8 years ago. I can't remember the brand. Does anybody recognize it, please? The stainless steel washers which you see here and there are to cover places where the powder coat was wearing. Yeah, I'm cheap. But also, I hate to evict the Rb and make him get used to a new cage...

Provide a measurement of the outside dimensions of the grate you wish to replace. It is likely a common size and if so, you can likely order a grate from a supplier. One of the secrete to keeping costs low is to use as many standard parts in many different cages!

 

[GaleriaGila]

The cage is 32x23, Mr. Boat.
The grate is unlike any other I have seen. It has this weird little tab at the back (red circles). No others do. I corresponded with a couple of major companies and they weren't encouraging and also don't do refunds. The replacement grates are 50-80 bucks. Maybe it's just time for a new cage. Grrrr.

Pleeeeeease forgive the rooster poop!

 

[SailBoat]

That tab is not critical in this size cage! Lets take this off of this Thread. PM me and I will provide you a possible source cause its been a long day and I'm signing off now!

 

[GaleriaGila]

Okie-dokie, Mr. Boat!

 

[EllenD]

My Senegal's cage has those tabs on it's grate as well, they're a pain. His is a YML, but the cage looks nothing like yours, just the grate. I've never seen a cage like the RB's!

"Dance like nobody's watching..."