About Cages

I agree with Berna- I think you should get a different cage. The health of your bird is at risk here and I had also read bad things about those "rabbit" cages. We wouldn't want you to have to go through your bird having trouble because of something that could have been prevented.

Zinc was the metal that caused all the health issues with that cage...you said you got a lead test but did it test for Zinc? If your cage is like the one with at least one complaint of heavy metal poisoning I would chuck it without a second thought. I don't think a home test would make me feel safe enough to keep Elmo in a cage that could be toxic.

I too got my cage from Ebay and I love it. Here is a few cages the seller I bought from has listed.

A 40" cage
http://cgi.ebay.com/Parrot-Bird-Wrought-Iron-Cage-40-x30-x69-WI40HGN-R_W0QQitemZ250172752132QQihZ015QQcategoryZ46289QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1713.m153.l1262

and a 32" cage
http://cgi.ebay.com/Parrot-Bird-Wrought-Iron-Cage-32-x23-x66-WI32AS-R_W0QQitemZ250172752249QQihZ015QQcategoryZ46289QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1713.m153.l1262

Hi Claire,I said boy Claire is going to think (This chic does not know WHAT she wants)Ha Ha.I just decided that I will have both so it does not matter which one I have first.I wanted to put a pic on here of my baby,but I can't figure it out.Thanks Jen

I don't think that you are a doo doo I love Ekkies & Goffin's!!! If you would have gotten another kind I may be upset (J/K!!) I'm sure you will love whatever you have chosen!

On another note, I purchased all of my cages on EBAY and have been very happy with them! I saved a lot of money too!

Ok first thing this morning I ran to Home Depot and bought a Lead paint test kit. I used all 4 tests through out the cage and they all tested neg.What do ya think?I even scraped open some of the paint to make sure it got down inside. Thanks Jen

OMG,I can't believe this.I thank you all,do you think I should get it tested?I hope this lady gives me my money back and then I am just going to go on Ebay Ronda.Thanks guys for the help Jen

I agree Jen, you can go on e-bay where I got mine and they have cheaper cages. That is where I got my Goffin Cockatoo cage. I really like it! Here is a link to the exact one I have.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Bird-Parrot-cage-Macaw-Cockatoo-African-Grey-Q32-3223-S_W0QQitemZ150255027677QQihZ005QQcategoryZ46289QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1713.m153.l1262

Here is an article on the "bunny cages". The link to the article is... http://www.parrotparrot.com/birdhealth/alerts.htm



In February 2002, my husband and I purchased a wonderful Moluccan Cockatoo from a family who could no longer keep her due to respiratory problems. The Cockatoo, Spike, was being housed in a one-year-old cage which we continued to house her in ourselves. In November 2003, Spike self-mutilated her preen gland. At the time it was thought that she may have done so due to an infection. She was treated with antibiotics and I kept an extremely close eye on her. A short time later she appeared to suffer a "neurologic episode". She was uncoordinated, blind, and deaf for approximately 45 minutes. It was most likely a petit mal seizure.After routine blood work came back normal I decided to have her cage tested for heavy metals just for peace of mind. I honestly did not expect the tests to show anything. You can only imagine my shock when the results came back showing that the cage contained 20,000ppm of lead and 147ppm of zinc. I just couldn't believe that in this day and age any company would still use these materials in the metal and paint of an animal cage. After getting this information, I took Spike back to the vet for heavy metal toxicity tests. The vet determined that Spike had most likely suffered both lead and zinc poisoning. The lead poisoning had somehow resolved itself, unfortunately, the zinc poisoning had not. Four months later we are still making frequent vet visits and medicating our beloved pet with oral doses of Cupramine in an attempt to get the zinc out of her system. I cannot emphasize enough how emotionally and financially draining this ordeal has been!

Spike's cage had no manufacturer information on it whatsoever. The only marking was an engraved rabbit on the latching mechanism of the cage door. Through a great deal of research, I eventually found the company that sold Spike's cage. An employee of Parrot Playstands in Florida said the cage I described was one of theirs and that he did alot of business in Tennessee where the cage was purchased. When I asked him who the manufacturer was he said he made them himself. I told him about our bird getting lead and zinc poisoning from the cage. He then said he didn't actually make the cages, but rather imported them from China. When I asked if he had the name and/or contact information for the manufacturer he said no. He told me that the owner of Parrot Playstands goes through a broker who goes through another broker that works for the other company.We are extremely fortunate that we still have our Too. Please, please, please be careful when purchasing a cage for your bird! Beware of generic, "no name," and imported cages sold at bird fairs and stores. Buy a high quality cage from a reputable manufacturer only. Spending a little extra money now can save you alot of money, as well as heartache, later. Karen & Roy Smith
Paducah, KY

Hello,

You need to get a POWDER COATED cage.
Any Metal coated cages are not good to have at all. There are many alloys in the metals that are very harmful. Zinc is a large metal that is used in wire cages and is very harmful to parrots. You need to get a cage that is not painted as well because of the lead and zinc based. Only use powder coated cages.

Mario

I have heard BAD THINGS about the bunny cages. Something about heavy metal poisoning in birds due to toxic coating. I'll try to find the article on it and post a link.

Hi Guys, It's been a long time since I have been on the forum but I have been reading everyones topics all the time.Well I know Claire your going to think I'm a DoDo bird but I have decided again on my Goffin.I couldn't find an Eclectus that was available and after thinking again for awhile I decided on the Too.He/she is about 7 wks old and I went and got my cage from a nice lady,bigbig cage for 150.00.My question is that it had very little rust on it so I sanded the rust off and spray painted it with Krylon paint,I was told that was the kind that was safe for birds. Has anyone ever done this before and what did you use.The cage also has a bunny on the front lock.Does anyone know what kind it may be...Thanks so much Jen