Why does bar spacing matter?

[BreannPearlLang]

I know it seems stupid of me, but why does bar spacing matter? what are the cons of too small of bar spacing? what are the cons of too big of bar spacing?
I see no difference between 1 inch, 1/2 inch, 5/8th inch..
i have a budgie, conures, and cockatiels.. online says budgies need 1/2 inch, conures 5/8th to 3/4s, cockatiels 1/2 to 5/8ths..
3/4s is so close to one full inch, why cant i just put my conure in a 1 inch spacing?
what is the main reason? safety?
Also, why are horizontal bars recommended for parrots, yet most cages bars are vertical, is it just because of climbing?
i'm going to have to rethink the cages i have!

 

[Erinsmom]

Yes ... safety as they could and unfortunately many have gotten their heads stuck in the bars.

 

[BreannPearlLang]

Also, why are horizontal bars recommended for parrots, yet most cages bars are vertical, is it just because of climbing?
i'm going to have to rethink the cages i have!

 

[Featheredsamurai]

When bar spacing is to big a bird can get it's head stuck and strangle them self, if they start to panic they can even break their own neck(these two things have happened to to many birds). bar spacing that is too small can trap the body parts of a larger bird, such as the legs.

Horizontal bars are preferred because it's easier to climb, many cages have vertical bars on the front and horizontal on the side.

 

[Mudkips]

When bar spacing is to big a bird can get it's head stuck and strangle them self, if they start to panic they can even break their own neck(these two things have happened to to many birds). bar spacing that is too small can trap the body parts of a larger bird, such as the legs.

Horizontal bars are preferred because it's easier to climb, many cages have vertical bars on the front and horizontal on the side.

All the bars on Birdy's cage are vertical and he's developed the knack of climbing them, but far more impressive is the way he slides down the bars on the side of the cage when he want's to get down!

 

[Riio]

When bar spacing is to big a bird can get it's head stuck and strangle them self, if they start to panic they can even break their own neck(these two things have happened to to many birds). bar spacing that is too small can trap the body parts of a larger bird, such as the legs.

Horizontal bars are preferred because it's easier to climb, many cages have vertical bars on the front and horizontal on the side.

All the bars on Birdy's cage are vertical and he's developed the knack of climbing them, but far more impressive is the way he slides down the bars on the side of the cage when he want's to get down!

Haha I love when they take the "express" way down via sliding on the bars! Its so cute!

 

[DebsFlock]

Horizontal bars are more comfortable for climbing, so it's good to have two segments with them. Yes, they figure out how to get up and down the vertical ones, but it's definitely harder.

Too small is not really a problem, it just often goes with a too small cage, or wire gauge that is too fine. Flight cages are the exception. Too big, what everyone else said.. if the head can fit through, it's a risk. And if it is so ample the head can easily fit in and out, the whole bird could get stuck... or out!

 

[MonicaMc]

Bars that are too small for a larger parrot could mean that the larger parrot could break the bars. Irregardless of size, birds can get feet/wings stuck in the cage bars as well. I had a cockatiel get her wing stuck in 1/2" bar spacing. Go figure.

I have heard of an african grey that got her foot stuck in bar spacing of 1/2", if I recall correctly, although I may not.

Another reason for horizontal bar spacing are the tails. A parrot with a long tail is less likely to damage the tail feathers in a cage with horizontal bars than one with vertical bars. That is, also assuming that they have to sit with their tail feathers touching the cage bars.

My cockatiels and bourke live in a double flight cage which has all vertical bars. They are all long tailed birds. Their tail feathers are fine because they have enough room to move about.

The same can't exactly be said for a macaw in your standard macaw cage.