Cage Questions for a first time owner

[Santaeid]

I am getting my bird on Friday and am still doing some more research but want to know if it is possible to get like a home cage that can be collapisble akin to a dog kennel? I will be traveling in June on an airplane to the East coast and I will be there for a month and coming back in car. I am just wondering if there is a cage that can be a full size for a African Grey but can collapse like a dog kennel. If not is there a way to take a cage like that on a plane as a checked in luggage. I tried looking online for answers but was unable to find any.

 

Thanks in advance.

[Luvparrots]

http://www.windycityparrot.com/Airline-Underseat-Travel-Carrier-for-Small-to-Medium-Parrots-Animals-by-Doskocil_p_1055.html#.U2HKH_ldXUV

 

http://www.wag.com/bird/p/prevue-pet-products-travel-cage-white-127428

 

I have both these two travel cages. The underseat one was used from Washington to California in SW airlines for my daughter's puppy. The larger is collapsible and I have used them for my parrots for over the weekend caging and transport back and forth. I have three of each one for each parrot.

[Santaeid]

http://www.windycityparrot.com/Airline-Underseat-Travel-Carrier-for-Small-to-Medium-Parrots-Animals-by-Doskocil_p_1055.html#.U2HKH_ldXUV

 

http://www.wag.com/bird/p/prevue-pet-products-travel-cage-white-127428

 

I have both these two travel cages. The underseat one was used from Washington to California in SW airlines for my daughter's puppy. The larger is collapsible and I have used them for my parrots for over the weekend caging and transport back and forth. I have three of each one for each parrot.

 

 

The only problem is that I will be there for a month? Is that second cage comfortable for a month. I don't mind paying a little extra if I can bring my cage on a plane but was wondering if anyone had experince bringing a whole cage as if they were moving or whatever.

[birdhouse]

The Midwest 2100 or 2200 would be nice. But I don't think they make them anymore, unfortunately. You could try calling Midwest or check to see if there is any old stock still hanging around somewhere.

http://www.petworldshop.com/midwest-homes-for-pets/midwest-small-medium-parrot-bird-cage.php

 

If you found one, could you have it drop shipped to your destination? Airlines do like to beat things up & lose them, for a hefty fee, of course. They can also have complicated rules about flying birds in case you haven't already checked.

 

Collapsible type travel cages (Janet's 2nd link) can get pretty big. All the way to XX large designed for the big Macaws, etc. I have the size Janet linked & what I'll call a large size. No idea what brands. But the large carrier is not only roomier, but so much sturdier.

 

Just for example see vid in this page

 

http://www.windycityparrot.com/Fold-Away-Travel-Cage-Carrier-for-Large-Parrots-603-30-X-19-x-22_p_605.html#.U2I8mlcV_ow

 

Whatever way you go, advise giving the cage a ridiculously thorough going over before the bird is in it. Make sure all the clips & latches secure really well, all spaces are consistent & there are no sharp edges.

 

Since your fid will have "nothing" better to do but look for vulnerabilities, keep checking regularly. He will no doubt want to make his own enhancements to the cage's original design because that's just who they are.

[Santaeid]

I am fine with getting a travel cage but I guess I could just get a big cage for where I am now and another cage there (I will be traveling somewhat every month or two between these two places). I guess in the end getting 2 cages would be cheaper and for the best.

 

Which one would you people recommoned to be a good secondary cage?:

http://www.amazon.com/Prevue-Products-Wrought-F040-31-Inch/dp/B00176F5L0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1398964976&sr=8-1&keywords=bird+cage

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bird-Parrot-cage-Macaw-Cockatoo-African-Grey-Q24-2822-S-/151202823170?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item233463fc02

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Parrot-Bird-Pet-Cage-Macaw-African-Grey-Cages-Cockatiel-House-Stand-Lock-/281308641742?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item417f4d39ce

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bird-Parrot-cage-Macaw-Cockatoo-African-Grey-Q27-2422-B-/151053598778?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item232b7f003a

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bird-Parrot-Cage-Cockatiel-Amazon-African-Grey-Caique-Conure-20-x-20-x-57-H-/141167408506?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=440240985026&hash=item20de3bb57a

 

This would be a secondary cage I would get later or maybe order for my bird if the lady doesn't have any good cages.

[birdhouse]

Sounds like a good idea to invest in a "real" cage if you're going to be going back & forth like that. But I think you could do better if you are going to invest in something as a continuing home away from home. Mostly those have a problem w/the bar spacing which is too small & too light weight. They won't be comfortable for a grey to climb. They wouldn't probably fit a healthy perch either space or weight. Ditto many grey size toys. And the smaller the bar spacing, the harder I find a cage is to clean. Speaking of which, One's got a pretty small door. It's easier to be able to fit your body inside the cage to clean, rearrange, etc.

 

Also, they're a little small. Still better than a travel cage certainly. But for about the same money, you could get a legit size cage. The top link below is a cage I'd jump on, if I needed a cage right now. Good size. Reputable manufacturer. Excellent price. Besides, I think it's purrty

 

 

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bird-Parrot-cage-Macaw-Cockatoo-African-Grey-Q39-3223-White-Vein-/111252445243?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19e729983b

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Large-Play-Top-Parrot-Bird-Cage-Storey-Deluxe-Ladder-House-Pet-Supply-w-Free-Toy-/191005786358?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item2c78d500f6

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rolling-PlayTop-Ladder-Parrot-Bird-Cage-5-Bowls-Gym-Aviary-Free-Toy-Pet-Supply-/191157621442?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c81e1d2c2

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Large-Parrot-Bird-PlayTop-Stand-Finch-Cage-Macaws-Aviary-Pet-Supply-w-Free-Toy-/380896967438?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item58af3a7b0e

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rolling-PlayTop-Ladder-Parrot-Bird-Cage-5-Bowls-Gym-Aviary-Free-Toy-Pet-Supply-/380896965640?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item58af3a7408

[Santaeid]

I am choosing between two bird cages:

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Overall-32x18x64-Black-Vein-Bird-Parrot-Cage-Aviary-Flight-Cart-Stand-Chinchilla/141274659028?rt=nc

 

This one seems to have the same specs as the second one but is just a little smaller and I save $100.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rolling-PlayTop-Ladder-Parrot-Bird-Cage-5-Bowls-Gym-Aviary-Free-Toy-Pet-Supply-/380896965640?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item58af3a7408

 

Is there somethign besides the little play area on top? Is it that important? I am not belitting it but just wondering. Thanks in advance for any replies. My Timneh is in a somewhat smaller cage but these cages can come by Tuesday.

[birdhouse]

See the 4 little doors? The smaller cage is not designed for "big" birds. A grey won't be able to use the cups & perches that will come w/that cage. Add roughly $50 to get the right size.

 

A grey will also have those doors opened in pretty short order. You could add $10-15 of clips, but the odds are, a grey will either outsmart them or be able to tear apart the wire the door is made of. In which case, the cage becomes worthless & hopefully, the fid didn't hurt himself on the sharp wire. In which case, add conservatively $100+ in vet bills plus the cost or replacing the cage & possibly even your fid.

 

Bar spacing counts. It needs to be comfortable to climb & to fit grey sized perches, cups & toys. Bar spacing n/l/t 3/4"- 7/8", although 1" is doable. The bars on the smaller cage are too small & too thin.

 

That cage also has too little living space. Assuming a fid is going to get daily time out, the smallest permanent cage for a grey s/b n/l/t 23"dx32"w & 24"dx36"w is better. Otherwise, there is not sufficient room for the fid to have everything it needs to keep him active & health.

 

The greater the interior height the better. Which is why I tend to like dome top cages. There's always more height to the living space in them, w/o a bigger footprint.

 

I've found open dome tops work better w/my fids. Phenix, my grey, really doesn't want to hang out on top of his cage when he's loose. Nothing to see there that he can't see from the inside. Which is pretty normal. Many parronts have had to put up play stands or swings somewhere even though their cage have lovely gyms on top.

 

I also learned to love having veranda doors above the main door. They're handy for leaving treats & foot toys. I can just open that door for the fids to come & go at will while the dogs can't get access into the cage. Otherwise, they tend to scarf whatever they can off the cage floor & may steal random bird toys.

 

Treated well a decent cage should last 10 - 15 yrs, at least. A good cage can go 20 yrs & still not show it's age. Cheap cages peel & rust in a couple of years & are a waste of money. So it really is well worth the initial expense.

[Santaeid]

I see. Then I will order the $200 one. I had a feeling something was up. I don't mind spending the money to get a proper cage but I mind spending it senselessy when I could use the extra $100 for vet bills and what not.

 

I was thinking of getting your first link and recommended cage but it will take too long to get here. The $200 one will be here by Wednesday the latest for me and I rather have a good cage sooner than wait for almost a week. And I plan on getting toys for the bird that is why I was wondering about the whole $100 difference more toys and my wallet is happier!