Round Cages

[lizardsmells]

I understand from my reading and research that round cages are detrimental to a bird's well being and I understand all the arguments against them. I'm wondering if it's possible to make a round cage a healthy environment for a bird at all. The reason I ask is because the rescue passed on a gigantic round cage to me. It's big enough that three of me could stand up inside it and I'm not a small woman.

If it's possible to make this a secure and safe/healthy environment I'd like to do that, if not I'd like to use it as an out door cage for nice weather when I'm out spinning or reading or playing fetch with the dogs.

Are either one of those things possible? I believe I can purchase more suitable cage from the rescue for a pretty good price if I have to, but I'd prefer not to spend any more money than I absolutely have to! (But I am willing to spend whatever I need to in order to ensure our new addition is happy and healthy and secure.

 

[Pearl]

I think you could make it work easily. The problem with round cages is that they make a bird feel exposed on all sides. I think if you put the cage in a corner and made sure to hang up some happy huts or birdie tents and arrange things so you bird has lcornersl to hide in you should be fine.

 

[MikeyTN]

It really depends on individual bird....most of the ones I used to own did not mind the round cage at all. But they were extremely friendly! Shy and skittish birds not so much. Inwhich I agree with Pearl by providing something they can hide in would make them feel safer!!!

 

[IcyWolf]

Unless you like the look of the round cage and really want to use it, you should check on craigslist. In the past week, I've seen at least 3 macaw size cages in decent shape go for under $100 just in my local section. The one was a square cage, probably about 3 foot by 4 foot by 6 foot, and they only wanted $50 for it! I wanted it sooo bad but we're waiting until tax time to get new cages

 

[henpecked]

Please don't put hidey huts or something similar in an amazon cage.Don't encourage nesting behavior with dark hidey holes ,etc.

 

[roxynoodle]

Please don't put hidey huts or something similar in an amazon cage.Don't encourage nesting behavior with dark hidey holes ,etc.

Going to have to agree there. Mine is courting me and keeps going to the bottom of the cage and looking around like he's trying to find nesting materials for us to begin our life together, lol! I was also warned not to let him go under furniture or into a paper bag or anywhere else dark.

I think the cage could be ok as long as the bird feels secure and can climb well in it. I guess one problem is that they can slide down the bars and cause an uneven wear pattern in their beak more with a round cage than a rectangular one.

I also have seen quite a few nice cages on CL lately for good prices. As it is, I have an extra cage right now because the one my zon came with was much too small for him. I'm using it to put the birds in when I take their cages outside for good scrubbing. But, I have to make sure I don't adopt another bird, lol!

 

[suebee]

hummm if cage is that big, then a big plant on the side of the cage would give an instant corner, plus i like the idea of a over sized cage for birds, a small sturdy bird safe table, even put in platforms etc as well as perches, the more space the more things you can do with it, section it, oh the possibilities

 

[lizardsmells]

Please don't put hidey huts or something similar in an amazon cage.Don't encourage nesting behavior with dark hidey holes ,etc.

I am so glad you told me this! I ordered Kazi one, thinking it might make him feel more secure. I'll take it to the rescue instead so it can go to a more appropriate bird. I know a few of them use them up there.

 

[lizardsmells]

As to another cage, I asked the director if I could buy a spare cage from him that was rectangular, the larger the better, and he's giving me a gigantic macaw cage that's in amazing shape. It has a grate, and he hates grates because they catch poop and get disgusting and it's just more cleaning he has to do. While this is true, Kazi is but one bird whereas the rescue has over 40, so I think I can keep up

 

[roxynoodle]

Oh gosh, without grates, my birds would destroy the newspaper on the bottom of the cage constantly, lol!

Pete would have a nest for sure by now and would really be enticing me to come share it with him, lol!

 

[Customcasket]

Oh gosh, without grates, my birds would destroy the newspaper on the bottom of the cage constantly, lol!

Pete would have a nest for sure by now and would really be enticing me to come share it with him, lol!

LOL!!! I can just picture a bird trying to lure their owner over like "oh hey there. look what I made us!" Kayak loves to shred paper and would have made a huge mess out of the newspaper! Carlisle doesn't have a grate at the bottom of his cage (he leaves gigantic piles and is banned from having one... he trashes it within hours) and he stays away from the paper unless he drops a walnut or pistachio (his favorite) in which case he goes down to get it and I just have to hope it didn't land anywhere near his pile (always in the same spot like clockwork... he will not go anywhere else)

 

[roxynoodle]

Oh gosh, without grates, my birds would destroy the newspaper on the bottom of the cage constantly, lol!

Pete would have a nest for sure by now and would really be enticing me to come share it with him, lol!

LOL!!! I can just picture a bird trying to lure their owner over like "oh hey there. look what I made us!" Kayak loves to shred paper and would have made a huge mess out of the newspaper! Carlisle doesn't have a grate at the bottom of his cage (he leaves gigantic piles and is banned from having one... he trashes it within hours) and he stays away from the paper unless he drops a walnut or pistachio (his favorite) in which case he goes down to get it and I just have to hope it didn't land anywhere near his pile (always in the same spot like clockwork... he will not go anywhere else)

You are not far off! He's been going down there and saying in this deep voice, "Hello, dear. Come here!" I also see him staring at the paper for several minutes at a time. I do think he wants to build a nest, and is hoping I will then join him. He's been doing a mating dance for me as well. I am ignoring this behavior for now.

Both of my birds have piles as well. Actually it makes cage cleaning easier when they have a poop spot I think. Although sometimes the Nanday hangs on the bars and shoots it out. It can land on bars, the couch, and once, the cat sleeping on the couch!