Old cage Vs new?

[xreinx]

I was offered a old cage today, one that was made from stainless steel, one that had to be about 20 years old, even if it was taken good care of, it is well used and I refused...

It needs a good scrubbing, then the base needs to be sandblasted to get the spots of rust from the corners and repainted, a lot of work for a old cage. I guess I should have taken it, just to be polite, but I cant see putting any bird in a cage like that, even if it is going to be a nighttime cage.

They thought I was crazy, and told me as much for refusing the cage, even though it was free. So I have to ask all you bird lovers, if a cage is well used, even if it is still in good condition and taken care of, would anyone be happy to take a 23, by 23 by 23 inch cage that looked like it was made for a african grey? just because it was free? or am I insane for turning it down because I think I can make a better one?

the thing is built like it was made to hold a mini tiger, and to me looks like something you would put a bird in and throw away the key. I cant even find a picture of something like it.

 

[kerry]

I have a few used cages right now that I am happy to have gotten for a low price.
I am divorced & I am in a situation where most of my income goes to my bills right now so I was happy to get some used cages & not have to spend hundreds of dollars on a cage at this time. I hope that maybe down the road a few years I may be able to purchase some nicer cages, but it is not the most important thing to me.

 

[CAGLulu]

No you're not crazy. Just because something is free, we don't need to be greedy. Not saying that if you take something for free it means you're greedy, but if you don't wan't it, and won't use it, but just wan't to take it because it is free, then you're greedy, and that is wrong imo .
Even though the cage is in good condition, I don't like the thought of putting a bird in a 20 years old cage .

 

[kerry]

That is fine. It is a matter of personal opinion. You didn't like the cage, you shouldn't feel obligated to take it, maybe someone else could use it.

 

[wibitywab]

You're not crazy, I wouldn't get a 20 year old cage! #1. It's 20 years old. #2. 20 years ago they didn't make great cages, and very safe cages, like they do today!

 

[stephend]

I definately would not have taken it for a grey. Depending on the bar sepperation and condition I might take it for a tiel or similarly sized bird. If it would cost more to refurbish it than a new cage, or if it would require more than a few hours to clean it up I would again politely refuse.

 

[xreinx]

Thanks, yea, I guess I can see where they are coming from though.

I dont have a night time "roost" cage, and my day/feeding/play cage isnt done yet,and even though they havent said it outloud, I know they dont consider my "Project" a real cage... I think they think I should just take any cage and be happy, considering I really have no extra spending money at the moment.

 

[xreinx]

Spaceing on the bars is 1/2 inch, I can fit my fingers up to my nuckles threw them. Its Heavy, Old and has springs that hold the latches down, I threw away the food bowls, they felt heavy and the paint on the bottems had pealed away compleatly.

I dont trust spray paint of any kind on-in-around bird cages, and no paint really hardens to my likeing, if you repainted something that was once painted and sandblasted, and if it does... Is it Really nontoxic? ... yea...

No, I dont think I am just going to take something and "be happy about it" If I dont feel like it does my bird justice. Thankyou all for making me feel better, I had three people at once giving me the stink eye when I said I didnt want it, and it would take more then a simple scrubbing to make it liveable for a parrot again, though I think its WAY too heavy duty for the doves that were living in it at the time.

 

[KBEquine]

I know this thread is a month old, but here is my position -

I would have taken that cage in a heartbeat, although not necessarily for any specific bird. BUT I've got a lot of storage space, so if I didn't need it immediately, I would have been happy to have a cage I could use in the future, in a pinch. Or to fix up in a cost-effective manner & donate to a rescue who could use it.

We recently bought a vintage 3' x 2' x 4' cage for $75. It is stainless steel, but electroplated with something we just didn't trust (suspecting zinc to be an element of the finish). So we had it sandblasted & powdercoated . . . and now have the ultimate cage for an outlay of $181. (Don't PM me for the name of this inexpensive powder-coater because they frankly misquoted the cost, but stood by their quote & did a wonderful job. Normally the powdercoating alone would have been $250).

Anyhow, I have my eye on a 4' x 3' x 5' cage to use as an aviary for the birds. The cost is $50 & it also needs to be sandblasted, primered & either powdercoated or painted. At this point, I'll be looking for a sandblaster & getting an estimate (in writing) before buying the cage. But a reasonable price for sandblasting & I'll be taking that old cage to use as an outdoor aviary for the amazon and/or pionus . . .

I respectfully disagree with wibitywab's position on 20 year old cages. They did TOO make quality cages back then. maybe not all old cages are well-made, but some certainly are.

In fact, some of the workmanship is far superior to what you find new. And if I can get one of those quality cages inexpensively & refinish it . . . Heck, that 4' x 3' x 5' cage is a $1,000 cage new. Even if I powdercoat it at $250 or $300, I've gotten it for a fraction of its value.