New cage prep

[coopedup]

My new cage for Wrangler arrives today. After all i've read about toxicity, etc, I want to make sure I am properly sterilizing/neutralizing? the cage before he goes in. He uses his beak a lot...to slide down the bars, pull himself up, and generally navigate his way around. Do i clean it with bleach? Do i rinse it with vinegar? what strength? how much? how long? sunshine exposure? Its a new cage, but I still want to make sure it's safe for him. Also, perches. Is it essential to have one going the full width or length of the cage? Should dowels be wrapped in vetwrap to make them less hard? ANy type of perch (other than dowel) that is NOT good for ekkies?

 

[plumsmum2005]

My new cage for Wrangler arrives today. After all i've read about toxicity, etc, I want to make sure I am properly sterilizing/neutralizing? the cage before he goes in. He uses his beak a lot...to slide down the bars, pull himself up, and generally navigate his way around. Do i clean it with bleach? Do i rinse it with vinegar? what strength? how much? how long? sunshine exposure? Its a new cage, but I still want to make sure it's safe for him. Also, perches. Is it essential to have one going the full width or length of the cage? Should dowels be wrapped in vetwrap to make them less hard? ANy type of perch (other than dowel) that is NOT good for ekkies?

Well re the washing of the cage IF you use bleach (I wouldn't) you have to be sure to rinse off completely. Vinegar solution is good, so is F10 solution. Have a look at this link, amazing what you can do with vinegar. Strength not sure? Rinse and sunshine dry would be good. Hope you get good advice re perches and Wrangler loves his new home?

 

[plumsmum2005]

PS have a look at last month's cage POTM comp and in particular Parker's cage - Chris is very keen to achieve the very best to be had for him and is a good role model for cages/perches I can think of just now.

 

[ILBnGguy18]

We received the new King's cage for our B&G this week.

I wiped the whole thing down with Vinegar solution from top to bottom, thanks to reading this post!!
Putting a hand on every inch of the new cage from end to end also revealed several welding slag slivers. These are very sharp and would have certainly cause injury to our bird. This gives me a chance to eliminate those before the bird gets into the cage.

 

[Scott]

My new cage for Wrangler arrives today. After all i've read about toxicity, etc, I want to make sure I am properly sterilizing/neutralizing? the cage before he goes in. He uses his beak a lot...to slide down the bars, pull himself up, and generally navigate his way around. Do i clean it with bleach? Do i rinse it with vinegar? what strength? how much? how long? sunshine exposure? Its a new cage, but I still want to make sure it's safe for him. Also, perches. Is it essential to have one going the full width or length of the cage? Should dowels be wrapped in vetwrap to make them less hard? ANy type of perch (other than dowel) that is NOT good for ekkies?

We received the new King's cage for our B&G this week.

I wiped the whole thing down with Vinegar solution from top to bottom, thanks to reading this post!!
Putting a hand on every inch of the new cage from end to end also revealed several welding slag slivers. These are very sharp and would have certainly cause injury to our bird. This gives me a chance to eliminate those before the bird gets into the cage.

Thanks for being so diligent with cage preparation! Even the best cages require a thorough cleaning (with substances previously posted) and an examination for quality control!

Other than plain dowels, most any suitably sized perch is acceptable for an Ekkie. Mine enjoys rope perches strategically placed on two levels. While some folks avoid fibrous materials because of potential ingestion issues, Angel never picks at or chews the tightly woven strands. They are periodically replaced for issues of dirt rather than abuse!