Help on building a home-made cage!

I hope to get a green cheeked conure soon, so I've been doing some research on cages. I see most cages go for about $300-$500 depending on size and who makes them, but I also read something about home-made cages so I looked into that.

I know that galvanaized wire is toxic, so I'd like to get powered coated wire for the safety of the bird. Also, I see some people use wood for there cages and was wondering how safe it is. I have a guinea pig and her cage has some wood planks to keep up the frame, but I have it covered in fleece to prevent her from chewing on it to prevent splinters from harming her, internally. Is there a similar concern for birds? Or is it okay for birds to chew on wood from a hardware store?(non-treated, of course).

Also, regarding the wire, what gauge or size should the spacing be? I don't want the bird to get it's head stuck in between the wires, but I also don't want it to be too small.

And if anyone can link me a tutorial or explain how to make a door for a home-made cage, I'd really appreciate it!

I think that's all I need to know for now :3 If I have any other information, I'll be sure to come back and update!

Myself, I don't know anything about building a bird cage. This is the cage I have for my GCC Marvelous Pet Supplies Chateau X-Large Bird Cage at PETCO It's really nice, and priced reasonably.

Commercial bird cages are just really set up nicely for birds. Anything from modern times should be bird safe. They are easy to attach perches to, have nice, big doors and the bird can't chew them apart (except for some large macaws and cockatoos). They also have a grate at the bottom to keep the bird from walking around in it's droppings or shredding the newspaper. And they have doors for the food and water dishes, which is nice if anyone else ever has to feed your bird. You might find your new conure is cage territorial or doesn't warm up quickly to other people. So at least they could feed the bird and change it's paper without being bitten.

I bought my new Grey's cage for only $190 including the shipping. It came with 4 indoor food and water dishes, and a playtop with 2 more dishes, and a shelf underneath it to store her cage cover or whatever.

You might also check craigslist for used cages that are still in nice condition for less money.

Also the birds really like bars for climbing on rather than mesh. Parrots really like to climb. Chickens, ducks, quail and similar birds don't climb like parrots do.

You may also want to look here:

Dog Crate Cage Kennel With Top Quality and Wholesale Prices

Safira said:

You may also want to look here:

Dog Crate Cage Kennel With Top Quality and Wholesale Prices

Click to expand...

Thanks for sharing

Building a cage will probably end up costing more than a good used cage. Craigslist is an option, but find out the history of the bird that lived in it and disinfect it very well. In theory untreated wood from a hardware store is ok to use for toys and such, but I wouldn't recommend that you use it for building a cage. Make sure that you know the type of the wood, some woods are toxic. You can google it. Good luck with your new bird.

$112 for a huge cage (new)
[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Prevue-Products-Wrought-F040-31-Inch/dp/B00176F5L0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1334341692&sr=8-1]Amazon.com: Prevue Pet Products Wrought Iron Flight Cage with Stand F040 Black Bird Cage, 31-Inch by 20-1/2-Inch by 53-Inch: Pet Supplies[/ame]

i've had this cage for over a year now, and my green cheek loves it!

I have a very similar cage from Ebay only it is white, for my Quaker parrot and there is plenty of room for Sweetie Pie and toys and room for perches and for him to climb around which he does all over the sides and across the top ect. plus he plays on the top of the cage and climbs all over the outside. I highly recommend it for this size bird. Alison and Sweetie Pie. Also while I think of it I put zip ties on any door I did not want him to open and metal clips like you would use for keys for any doors that I use for food and water.

Sorry I meant to tell you I paid $119.00 with free shipping and no tax . I live in rotonda West Fla and the cage was shipped from New Jersey. Alison