Bird Cage

Question
Chrys,

Thanks for the great advice in your reply.  We area trying to decide whether to get a couple parakeets, or a cockatiel.  From radig some internet sites I believe my cage may be too small though.  But, as I am sure you have seen, most people I know keep multiple birds in smaller cages then I have.

I am currently a Fish Keeper, and I overstock my tank just slightly.  But with Fish its more of a Water Quality issue then a Space one.  

I was wrong on my Cage size.  Its 24x30x9"  I am concerced about the 9" depth and still alitle scared of the 1" Bar Spacing!

What birds do you reccoment for this new cage size?
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Followup To

Question -
We purchased a Bird Cage on Clearence from Sams Club.  I belive it to be about 30" Wide by 15" Deep i would guess.  As I am not home to measure it.  But not even think ing the Bars are very wide, alitle under 1" apart.  The picture on t he box showed 4 small birds in the cage.  But upon looking into birdkeeping this just wont do for a canary, Love bird or Parakeet.  I do like the Cockatiel, but I rally dont think that wold make a good first bird for my novice status!

Will these larger bars really hurt little birds, or will they simply escape?

Answer -
Hi, Rick.  Thanks for posting.

If the cage wire is a little under 1" apart, this would be fine for a canary, lovebird, keet, or tiel, as well as most other parrots.  What you don't want to have happen is for the parrot to get it's head through the bars and get it's head stuck.  If a bird's head or other body part gets stuck between the bars, it will flap around feverishly to free itself most likely resulting in the bird's death from severe injury and/or shock (I've seen this happen on many occasions).  Another option would be for bar spacing to be bigger than the bird's head so it doesn't get it's head stuck, but not wide enough to get it's body through (so it can escape).  However, the cage size you mention most likely isn't big enough for any parrot other than one small parrot because once you get perches, toys, bird cups, etc. in the cage, there won't be enough room for the bird!  Required cage size depends on how much time the bird is allowed outside it's cage (and the amount of time the bird has to spend inside it's cage).  See my website for more information on cage size, etc.

http://www.angelfire.com/falcon/birdinfo/index.html

A cockatiel would make a good first bird.

Chrys

Answer
Hi again, Rick.  I'm glad I could be assistance to you.

Again, cage size depends on how much time your bird(s) has to spend inside the cage, how much stuff you put inside the cage, how many birds you plan to have, as well as the type of bird(s) you plan to keep.  

The specific cage you mention is only big enough for 1, maybe 2, parakeets, with toys, perches, dishes, etc.  The 1" wire spacing would be fine for keets.  If your plans are for your parrot(s) to spend all their time in the cage, you need to provide them with a large cage so they can get the exercise they need.  If your plans are to allow your parrot(s) to spend a majority of the day outside their cage, then you only need to provide a cage the size for them to enter to sleep, eat, and stay in when you have to be gone for several hours.  My website goes into detail about cage sizes, etc.

Be aware that if you choose to buy more than 1 parrot, they will likely bond to each other more so than you.  This might be OK, depending on what your want from pet parrot(s).  In other words, if you want a tame parrot(s) you can handle, play with, etc., you should only buy 1 bird.  The best pet bird is a single bird in the home.  

Chrys