Cages for Lovebirds
Are rectangular
cages better than round ones? Why is bar spacing important? What
size cage should you buy? What materials should the cage be made of?
Where can you buy cages? What are the best types of cage door locks?
Do you need a traveling cage?
1. Cage Size
and Shape
The minimum cage size for a single pair of
lovebirds is 30 X 30 X 18 inches, or 80 X 50X 50 cm. In general, the
bigger the cage, the better. Do not buy an old, second-hand cage.
Make sure you have enough space in your house for the cage.
The spacing between the bars of the cage is very important, and
should be no more than ½ inch or 15 mm apart. Otherwise, your
lovebird may squeeze out or get stuck in the space. Makes sure the
bars run horizontally, because lovebirds love climbing. The cage
should not have sharp edges or areas where a toe, foot or wing could
get caught.
A good cage should be enclosed on three sides and have a rectangular
floor. The cage must be square or rectangle shaped, because round
cages make lovebirds nervous, and it is harder for lovebirds to
climb round cages.
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2. Cage
Construction Materials
Do not buy cages made of wood, bamboo, or
plastic. Your bird will quickly destroy these cages! It is best to
invest in a sturdy, well-constructed cage made of restless metals
such as stainless steel, that may be coated with a durable,
non-toxic, safe finish. Make sure that the finish on the bars of the
cage will not flake off. The cage bars may be painted in a variety
of colors. Choose bars that are white or metallic, because these
colors are usually the least disruptive to the birds, and they show
off their colors the best.
Cages made of ventilated glass are also available. Although you can
have an unblocked view of your birds, your lovebirds will not be
able to climb around the cage. If you buy this type of cage, make
sure your bird has enough perches, toys and exercise.
Mature lovebirds can have a cage with a grate in the bottom to
prevent them from walking in their own waste. This grate also makes
the cage easier to clean. If you line the bottom of the cage with
paper, your bird will chew the material up.
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3. Places
to Buy Cages
The best place to buy a bird cage is in a
specialty bird store or a pet store with a wide selection. Starter
kits or cages from general pet stores are often poor in quality and
flimsy. You can also buy cages from respectable sellers by mail.
Look in magazines such as Bird Talk and get recommendations from
bird fanciers. Glass cages are harder to find, but you can probably
find them in specialty bird stores. You can also order them by mail.
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4. Cage
Doors and Locks
Don't buy a cage that does not have a lock or
has sliding doors. Lovebirds are very smart and can easily figure
out how to get out of a cage. Make sure the door has a sturdy catch,
and that the door closes tightly.
If you have
a door that opens downwards, it's a great idea to use some string to
attach the door to the cage body, so that the door is at a 90º angle
and looks like a drawbridge. Here is a photo of Melody on her
bridge. She loves to sit outside and guard her cage, and this
landing gives her a place to take off and land when she is flying.
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5. Travel
Cages
You may want to buy a travel cage, so your
bird can easily be taken on trips or to the vet. This carrier should
be big enough for the bird to move around in, but it should not be
so big that she can take flight inside the carrier.
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