Aluminum VS Stainless steel cages

When we first got Kiwi, my parents lent us a old, but nice stainless cage he lived in for about 2 years. A couple welds on the bottom popped one morning, so we had to rush to find a new cage that day (it was unsafe). We bought the largest in-stock cage we could find locally (the black open top one he has now) which is acceptable for an amazon (and he's never had an issue with it), but has never been the "ideal" home I would like Kiwi to have. This is the cage, except black-
A&E Cage Co. Large Victorian Dome Top Bird Cage | Wayfair

Anyways, we are doing some budget re-arranging, and starting some saving envelopes for longer-term items that we would need to save up for a year or so to get. I would like to add a "cage" envelope and start saving now. I am really looking for an "investment" cage that will last as long as Kiwi does Something a little bigger too and preferably with the open play-top. I have been looking at Kings Cages, at their stainless and aluminum models. Looking at the aluminum cages, I like the price, the fact they are lightweight and the color, but I don't know how well aluminum holds up over time. I'm also hesitant on the fact there is no open top model available, only flat top and dome top Kiwi REALLY likes having the top of his cage open. This would be the aluminum one I would look at- King's Cages - Avian and Pet Bird Cages, Supplies, Food, Toys, Perches, Aviaries, Pluck No More Does anyone know of any other manufacturers besides Kings that make aluminum cages (specifically large open-top ones?). They do have a amazon-approrpiate stainless cage too. The price makes me want to cry, but I would be almost positive this cage would last the rest of forever (and would probably take me closer to a year and a half-2 years to save for)! King's Cages - Avian and Pet Bird Cages, Supplies, Food, Toys, Perches, Aviaries, Pluck No More I notice they mention cheaper quality stainless cages rusting, but my parents amazons have been in the very same non-"brand name" stainless cages for 40 years. Their cages have no rust and really no problems besides a few scratches. They're actually still pretty shiny! Wondering if there are other reputable (lower cost) stainless cages out there of a similar style?

Suggestions, comments or insights:54::?

I actually think Kiwi would adjust well to a top that didn't open, he would just come out and climb to the top and play on the surface.
I'm all for aluminum...especially since I carry the cages outside every day for sunshine and air . I've been looking for a good aluminum cage myself.

I have only heard good things about Kings cages. Your parents cages are a testimony to the longevity of the stainless steel cages. They don't rust and they last forever. Put it in your will type forever. Just depends on what you are willing to spend. Personally, I don't think you will be happy with anything but the best for your Kiwi. Just by waiting a little longer you will have the cage you really want and never look back

OK, KB, if the old stainless cage is still around, the broken welds can be re-tacked, though it would need to be done by someone who welds stainless steel.

I’ve never delved into King’s cages, so don’t know anything about them, but yes, depending on the grade of stainless that a cage is made from, stainless steel can rust...a good place to check that out is a stainless steel kitchen sink, the cheaper ones are often made from a lower grade stainless and will show rust in scratch marks and even around drains, where the baskets mount.....older sinks and replacements for mobile home sinks are often good candidates for rust blush.....

Like I said, I’ve never checked into King’s cages, but their no paint aluminum cages must be anodized, it’s the only way to color aluminum without using some type of paint surfacant.....it’s safe, permanent & will prevent raw aluminum from oxidizing.....looking at the link you posted, their frame may be welded, also possible with aluminum.....as to brand name or non-brand name stainless steel, you really need to read up on how stainless steel is graded, what makes it stainless steel, then what grade stainless was used to manufacture a particular cage.....everything you read in that King’s ad is true, it just doesn’t explain how or why it’s true.....is it an ethical ad...there is no truth in advertising.....

I personally, really wouldn’t be concerned about finding a little rust on a stainless cage, because the place I might expect to find it would be at loose joints or possibly where a door might not fit exactly right and causes two metal parts to rub together & abrade a bit.....you won’t find an appreciable amount of rust, it won’t rust through, at least not in your or my lifetime.....

So, having said all that, the only of their cages that will not rust are their aluminum cages.....every other one, made of steel, except and unless they are made of medical grade stainless steel will have the potential to develop some rust.....


Since I saw someone had posted links to online acronyms on another thread...HTH.....!

Weco- The old cage was returned to my parents, who did have it repaired and use it for their cockatoo as a outside cage now. It was THEIR cage anyways (it was on loan) and is in another state now... It was actually a little smaller than Kiwi's current cage. No point to try and get that one back now

It does appear Kings Cages are made of medical grade stainless. I found another brand called "heliconia hideaway" that is also medical grade stainless, and though they just have dome tops (but I like the shape better than the regular dome tops)[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Heliconia-Hideaway-Stainless-Steel-Bird/dp/B00JGH69KS/ref=sr_1_31?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1409372057&sr=1-31&keywords=stainless+parrot+cage]Amazon.com : Heliconia Hideaway Stainless Steel Bird Cage - Cage Only : Pet Supplies[/ame]. If I did go with the aluminum, I would go with the "silver" option. I have had anodized aluminum items before, and that perfect finish color doesn't last long before there are scratches. I'd rather scratches on a silver finish than scratches on a red or blue finish with silver showing through:52:

I think deep down, I would really rather wait 1.5-2 years to be able to save up enough to get stainless. Just haven't heard enough about aluminum to really know how long lasting it is. But $1500 on a cage is just...well lets just say it would be many, many kisses ** would owe me
Heck, I don't think hand-reared BFA chicks cost $1500 (and a stainless cage would be over 4x what we paid for Kiwi)! Ugh, what expensive little things they are, yet how we become totally hooked and spoil them rotten (and love doing so:20.

Alluminium won't corrode and it should last very well, alluminium develops a very think aluminum oxide skin over it's surface that protects the rest of the metal from corroding. I don't know much about cages at all but I do know that alluminium is a very durable material.

Kiwibird said:

Weco- The old cage was returned to my parents, who did have it repaired and use it for their cockatoo as a outside cage now. It was THEIR cage anyways (it was on loan) and is in another state now... It was actually a little smaller than Kiwi's current cage. No point to try and get that one back now

It does appear Kings Cages are made of medical grade stainless. I found another brand called "heliconia hideaway" that is also medical grade stainless, and though they just have dome tops (but I like the shape better than the regular dome tops)Amazon.com : Heliconia Hideaway Stainless Steel Bird Cage - Cage Only : Pet Supplies. If I did go with the aluminum, I would go with the "silver" option. I have had anodized aluminum items before, and that perfect finish color doesn't last long before there are scratches. I'd rather scratches on a silver finish than scratches on a red or blue finish with silver showing through:52:

I think deep down, I would really rather wait 1.5-2 years to be able to save up enough to get stainless. Just haven't heard enough about aluminum to really know how long lasting it is. But $1500 on a cage is just...well lets just say it would be many, many kisses ** would owe me
Heck, I don't think hand-reared BFA chicks cost $1500 (and a stainless cage would be over 4x what we paid for Kiwi)! Ugh, what expensive little things they are, yet how we become totally hooked and spoil them rotten (and love doing so:20.

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Cages are ridiculously expensive if you ask me. However I got lucky Riley's cage cost just as much as she did. Any other brand for the same exact cage is ATLEAST $50 more than what I paid for her cage

Kiwibird said:

Ugh, what expensive little things they are, yet how we become totally hooked and spoil them rotten (and love doing so:20.

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No, we humans make items/things as expensive as we care to and if you want to spend more on the dog house, than the dog, it's your $$$ and your dog ! ! !

When I was in the service I wanted a Jaguar XKE, so when I transferred back to the states I ordered one & brought it back with me, so I can relate.....

weco said:

Kiwibird said:

Ugh, what expensive little things they are, yet how we become totally hooked and spoil them rotten (and love doing so:20.

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No, we humans make items/things as expensive as we care to and if you want to spend more on the dog house, than the dog, it's your $$$ and your dog ! ! !

When I was in the service I wanted a Jaguar XKE, so when I transferred back to the states I ordered one & brought it back with me, so I can relate.....

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It just seems contrary to logic that the car costs less than a good set of tires, if you know what I mean

I absolutely love Kings cages and thats ALL i use. My blue and gold is in

King's Cages - Avian and Pet Bird Cages, Supplies, Food, Toys, Perches, Aviaries, Pluck No More

The 506 is HUGE on my tiny blue and gold (shes actually like 3/4 the size of her brother) but she absolutely loves it and it is holding up extremely well.

I swear by kings cages

GOOD bird owners understand the whole money aspect of owning them. We will ALWAYS find expensive "stuffs" we think they need or want, just like our human family! While all we're really after, is trying to give them the ABSOLUTE BEST LIFE we can afford!
There's no monetary gain, just the benefits of seeing and experiencing of our efforts, no matter the cost. Money will never be as important to me, as the well being of my ALL members of my family.
The fact is pets, know if you cherish, love them, some may take longer to trust you. But, at the end of the day, animals, can sense good people. And we, as owners, seek the rewards of our efforts.
Rasing humans is alittle tougher, at least in my household.
Look, I did a test one day. Locked my dog in a cool trunk and my son (couldn't convince my wife to get in, go figure? ) in another cool trunk for 1 day. At the end of the day........who do you think was happy, jumping up and down, kissing me when I let them out?

Okay......I made the last part up. But really, who do you think would be happy? Just sayin '! :54:

I have heard King's is one of the best which is why I may ultimately end up paying their prices. They seem to really have a stellar reputation in the avian community for quality (and if I'm spending more than a couple hundred bucks on a cage, it needs to be QUALITY).

Though, while that macaw cage you have linked is lovely, it's a *tad* big for my zon He may be big for a blue front, but he's no where near the size of a B&G(even a small one!). We could house a flock of zons in that cage! My parents have a rectangular double macaw cage for their 2 amazons as an outside cage. They look like a pair of green canaries in that massive cage lol. Plus, I want to get away from powder-coat iron cages and into (most likely) stainless steel

Yeah that's the only thing im not fond about with my cage is its powder coat (which is dangerous if your bird bites and eats the flakes cause it will bind up intestines, if its a poor powder coat job) luckily Mayah doesn't chew her cage, she sticks to get wood toys and acrylic. But i do see your point, it is a tad large lmao.

Mango121913 said:

GOOD bird owners understand the whole money aspect of owning them. We will ALWAYS find expensive "stuffs" we think they need or want, just like our human family! While all we're really after, is trying to give them the ABSOLUTE BEST LIFE we can afford!

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Just so you know, I'm just jokingly complaining We adore Kiwi and definitely knew he was NOT a cheap animal to keep when we got him. If you've seen my history of threads, you'd see Kiwi is totally spoiled (and he KNOWS it))

He certainly doesn't go without, but (in people terms) he went from a studio apartment (the first cage) to a starter house (his current cage) and now we'd like to give him a dream home (a larger stainless cage). Unfortunately, we don't just have $1200-$1500 lying around to spend frivolously. He doesn't have a bad cage now, and I *certainly* would not take that money out of his emergency vet fund nor would I take it out of our emergency savings either just to upgrade to something nicer. Still, no harm in researching what model and how much so we can start saving NOW and when you have an animal who will outlive you and is perfectly happy in their current accommodations, taking a year or 2 to save up for a luxury cage isn't a big deal IMO.

Kiwibird,I think you misunderstood me, or i misunderstood you. I was trying to convey that most all of us do what we can to make sure our flock has the best we can afford to offer them, and yes, we will save money to get the best product to suit us more than them. They just need a clean environment, and lots of toys and loving is what I meant.
I agree with your thread, I too am thinking of aluminum, stainless steel cage investment, although Mango could care less if it was a powder coated cast iron cage like at present.
Research is key to dropping $ on any large investment. I'm sorry for the confusion I may have caused.

I've noticed over many years that most rust areas on stainless articles are where the welding is.

Mango121913 said:

Kiwibird,I think you misunderstood me, or i misunderstood you. I was trying to convey that most all of us do what we can to make sure our flock has the best we can afford to offer them, and yes, we will save money to get the best product to suit us more than them. They just need a clean environment, and lots of toys and loving is what I meant.
I agree with your thread, I too am thinking of aluminum, stainless steel cage investment, although Mango could care less if it was a powder coated cast iron cage like at present.
Research is key to dropping $ on any large investment. I'm sorry for the confusion I may have caused.

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There must've been some crossed wires there (or my brain before coffee lol). When I re-read that, I didn't get the same message as the first time:54:

Kiwi seems to do well in his current cage, but I think he would be so much happier in a larger one, and I would be so much less panicky about rust in a rust-free cage. His cage has a few small rust spots on the tray and the latch on the top, nothing to worry about NOW but 3/4/5 years down the road, it is going to need replacement if the current rate of "coating failure" continues. I think they deliberately design powder coat cages to fail in within a decade of regular use and cleaning, forcing you to replace your birds cage (depending on species) 3/4/5+ times in the birds lifetime:20:

I have a Kings cage 406 SS same style as Timothy's but one size smaller. I bought this cage in 2002 for an ILLIGER'S MACAW. LOL. A LOT of cage for a little mini macaw but that little freak used EVERY INCH OF THAT CAGE. When I had to go to Mexico for two weeks and hand my sister say over and watch my flock she was too afraid to take Diego out (he was bonded to me and tolerated everyone else. People could still handle him as he was not a biter but my sister was afraid of his big black beak) so he would have to stay in his cage for the two weeks I would be gone. He never became cage bound or had issues with possessiveness with it. I think it might be because it was so much bigger than it needed to be. Sure I got teased so much for having such a large cage for a mini macaw but in the end it was worth every penny.

Fast forward to now. Valentino my RFM now lives in Diego's Kings cage and this bird has a very different reaction to this cage. I taught him from day one that he needs to be in the cage for about 6 to 8 hours a day because I knew I would be returning to the workforce. He is fine in it during the day but when it is time for me to take him out he is more than ready to come out. Bedtime is a battle as he never wants to go back into the cage to roost for the night but wants to sleep on/with me or on his Java tree. Sometimes I think he is not happy with the space in the 406 and wonder if he would be happier in a 506 but........

The 406 weighs 210 POUNDS and the 505 weighs 250 pounds. I use to be able to get the cage outside on my own but now I have to have help getting the cage out on my patio for power washings. I can no longer handle moving Valentino's cage outside by myself anymore.

I will say the cage has held up very very well over the years and I am hard on cages with my cleaning. I use scrubbies for the poops and fresh food and on a powder coat cage I would and have wore off the paint with my cleaning. I have since found a scrubbie that will not scratch metal but it is not as affective as the 3M yellow and green sponges I have used all these years. (one sponge will last me two to three cleanings only so I have a stockpile of those things)

I love my SS kings cage but its too freakin' heavy for me to handle now. I would like to replace it with a lighter cage that is well made and yes...I want stainless steel.

Here are some pictures of Valentino's cage I prepaired before he came home. Of course now I have it set up totally different but you can mostly see cage sans toys and perches.





I don't use the metal skirt on either of my cages because it takes up more space. Sure I have to sweep a LOT more but for me worth it to have the extra space.

So....what is a stainless steel cage that can replace this monster and hold up to my cleaning and Valentino's slovenliness. He is by far the messiest parrot I ever lived with.

I haven't checked this thread in a while so I just saw your post Noblemacaw. That's a big (and VERY nice) cage! But isn't Valentino a fairly large bird? I'm not too familiar with RFMs but they're bigger than zons aren't they? Well just so you know, if Valentino demands a bigger cage and you just simply don't know what to do with the old one, Kiwi is always open to donations lol:54:

Actually, Kiwi doesn't seem to *need* a huge cage (he cares more about how many toys are in his his cage, and prefers to exercise on his play stand anyways), but it has always been the intention to get him into something a little bigger than his current one. I am (providing it is still available in a few months) going to save up with the intention of getting him the Caitec 2436 stainless cage with the optional exterior feeders in hopes of not needing the seed guard (he's not too messy of an eater, for a parrot:20. Not the open top style he loves, but I couldn't find an open top SS cage in the size I wanted. Kings Cages unfortunately went from their 3224 open-top model (which isn't much bigger than his current cage and certainly not enough of a size upgrade to justify the price) to their 306 (which is too big and doesn't even have the open top). This one from Caitec is more the size I had in mind (24x36" and 52" interior height) and I like that the dome is oriented to the "sides" rather than facing forward like on the Kings aca3325 aluminum. Thats more my personal taste (doubt Kiwi cares either way), but since we have to look at it, after function for him we do get a little say in a minor detail like that right I still wish I could find one with an open top that was the right size, but they just don't seem to be made

So I found a pic of Lucy and Barney (amazons) in their outdoor "double macaw" cage. They honestly look like a itty bitty pair of canaries in there lol. I love Kiwi, I really do, but he simply doesn't need a cage *that* large! I'm going for slightly larger than Alfie's outdoor cage (the G2).


(This pic was scanned, so it looks a little funny, fuzzy and off color)