How to get bird accustomed to new cage?

[mona]

It took almost 2 weeks for my budgies to be comfy around the cage and outside.

However, I have observed a bit of rust on the cage. I have cleaned that up for now. Change of cage was on my list, but a few months later. The rust appearance has made me skeptical now. At my location, these are the only kind of cage available, if I need a readymade cage. All of them are painted, none powder coated or made of Stainless Steel. I am looking at the price for a stainless steel cage (custom made). If that's affordable, I am planning to go for that.

However, the only worry I have is that these buds have been accustomed with this cage for past year. How do I handle the cage change for them? If it was an online order, I could have got the same color. I will keep all accessories inside the cage same..

Sorry for a naive question! 🤦‍♀️ I worry too much always!

[blue48]

Hi Mona

I decided after about 8 months that BertieB's cage was too small, and bought a Hagen Vision (L) cage. I put his new cage in the position where his old one was, and put his favourite toys in and around it plus some millet. Bertie in his old cage I put a a few feet away (with no millet). I left both cages open and expected him to take several days to get used to it before putting him inside. However, on the first day he started exploring his new cage and settled right in. He was still there at bedtime so I covered the cage and took him old one away, and we never looked back.

I expected him to take a few days so I left it to him, but he obviously decided he liked it

[mona]

blue48 Thank you for sharing your experience. I looked up the cage you are using.. I wish I could get something similar at my location.

another query: if stainless steel cage cannot be fabricated here, would it be okay to use an iron cage with powdered coating? Cage will develop rust within 7 to 8 months at my place. However, the powdered coating should help with the rust. But still, the underlying iron or any other metal would work for the cage?

[Hezz]

Stainless steel, of course would be the best but will be very expensive. Powder coating is definitely the next best thing. A good quality one will last you a long time. I still have mine almost 15 years on. The only places that show any sign is a couple of places where the cage sits on the trolley, not somewhere to cause concern, not somewhere the birds go. It's Loki's cage now (sun conure), but he doesn't mine sharing during the day.

[mona]

Thank you for the input Hezz

Stainless steel is costly for sure.. But thinking of it as a one time investment, I have enquired with many stainless steel fabricators.. the only problem is that these people aren't ready to assemble the thin bars with gaps as per small bird cage recommendations! I wish if pet bird cages, accessories and toys were easily available here. Hopefully, will find something nice for them..! 🥰

[mona]

Would such SS mesh be okay for a cage? Generally I have seen either horizontal or vertical cage bars.. This is what's available as an alternative for cage bars. Would this be okay for the birds.. to navigate and hop around if they want.. Not a cage expert. Sorry for the naive questions!


They have such mesh for 1/2 inch width as well.. This sample image has a bit bigger gap.

[Hezz]

Half inch is a little over 12mm which is the recommended sized spacing for budgies, so yes, it would be fine. It will be much more robust than an average cage with more cross bars. It may also look more intrusive because of this. If aesthetics isn't an issue for you, it should work well. You will need to think about how to fit and fix doors as well.

[mona]

Finally, I found a cage manufacturer, who can make some changes to the cage. Size is almost the same. Stainless steel isn't available, but it would be powder coated. I have just asked him to change the sliding doors to open-shut kind of door and remove the plastic food bowls.. Should be getting it by mid of next month! I hope it's good!

[Hezz]

Sounds good, mona. I hope it is up to your standard - terribly disappointing if it isn't. Fingers crossed.

[mona]

No high expectations. Since we don't get good cages over here, I'm not expecting very nice cage to be delivered. If I get a good one, that would be great. The seller is pretty interactive and responding to everything transparently, which is what I like. I have asked him to send a photograph before sending it to me. Fingers crossed!

I'll get this old cage powder coated again, once the new one is in place. Just in case, if I ever need it for future!

[mona]

Finally, I received the cage yesterday! It seems good and it's pretty heavy than the earlier one. He didn't have one with Stainless steel, but he said this one is powder coated. He turned out to be a bird enthusiast and had a lot of knowledge about them, including the perch sizes, safe materials and birds in general. I got to know that he is a renowned bird lover in his area.

Anyways, both of my buds moved into new cage, started preening within few minutes and later were comfy enough to sing! I added the old perch from their old cage, toys food bowls to the new one, along with the new additions to the cage..perches toys, natural branches and also the weighing scale. I thought it would be a good way for them not to be afraid of it. The weighing scale has got a tiny millet pieces there. They are having some difficulty flying perch to perch, as compared to their known and calculated flight earlier. They had trouble finding their swing for sleeping.. Kept the night lamp a bit brighter today and they could find their way back to the swing. Cookie is back to her normal sleep position..but breezie is sleeping on the perch. They did eat well, but ignored the veggies.. they just ate what I handfed them. I guess that should be the effect of a new cage/place. We went in for the tree stand and the entire setup in the room at this time only.. to avoid continued stress from the changes. At this point of time  they don't want to come out of their cage. But I'm sure it will settle out within few days. They were singing and chirping all loud for rest half of the day.. I could tell they were exploring things and so happy flying perch to perch. I had been anxious for no reason?! Not yet sure. But happy with today's experience!

Did they understand that they had a cage upgrade or they think I'm the villain yo snatch away their comfy home?! Who knows?! 😆😅

PS: There seems to be some issue with adding the images as of now. I'll update it tomorrow!

[blue48]

Looking forward to seeing the new cage Mona. I think they'll be fine. They've got each other and sound as though they're happy. Lots to explore

[Hezz]

Can't wait to see photos. How lovely for you to have found an expert in your local area. You and he will become good friends, I can see.

[mona]

[jellybean]

Love it mona, two happy birdies I think.