Choosing a Pet Cage

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Keeping your Pet Healthy

When choosing a pet cage select the biggest cage you can afford, or have space for. Your bird must have room to stretch its wings and fly from perch to perch. The cage should have several perches of different thickness for the bird to exercise its feet and at least one of them should be of wood, plastic is not ideal.

The cage illustrated here on the right is ideal for home use >>>

It is advisable to decide where the cage will be placed before purchase. The position should preferably be at shoulder height in a cool well ventilated place where there is plenty of light, but away from draughts and direct sun light.

It is important to choose a healthy bird which will be bright-eyed, alert and smoothed feathered. Get to know your birds normal appearance and watch its daily routine to notice anything unusual. If it is drinking too much water, not eating or has ruffled feathers seek expert advice.

Aviary birds also need the same attention to detail to ensure they remain healthy. The aviary must have a draught proof shelter where the birds can go at night and an outside wire flight for exercise. Size depends on the type of birds kept and the space you have in your garden. There is no reason why an aviary cannot be a decorative feature of your garden, but always put the birds interest first. Your local Cage Bird Society will be pleased to assist in planning your birds home, contact me at my Email address for details.

Should you decide to enter the exhibition side of the hobby your aviary layout would need to have a closed bird room where breeding cages can be accomodated separate from the flight area. The reason for this is so that you can select the birds that you want to breed with to ensure that only your best birds are paired together at all times. A minimum of six cages some 60cm (24 inches) long, 45cm (18 inches) high and 35cm (15 inches) deep would get you started. Again it is wise to join the local club or buy a book on the subject.

There is much more to exhibiting than just benching birds. The shows provide a meeting place for fanciers. Some will be seeking to purchase new stock or sell some of their own. A beginner/novice section is open to all first time exhibitors. Winning a first rosette is a memory that lives forever. I wish you good luck with keeping your first birds.