Areas where coating has flaked off!

Hi guys! I'm hoping you can share some advice or ideas.

Several months ago my 13 year old Cockatiel got very sick. She had a large distended crop. The first vet thought it was simply a yeast or bacterial infection but after months of stressful medication dosages we saw no relief and she was going down hill. She was skin and bones so I took her to an avian specialist. X-RAYS, blood and everything didn't give us any clues and we finally settled on heavy metal toxicity. We treated with EDTA and a medication to help empty her crop quicker and she improved. I was still convinced it's probably a tumor and the crop medication is what is helping. After weeks of tube feeding she has improved and put on a little weight.

Meanwhile I was in the middle of moving so she has been in a small travel cage for the last 3 months. I finally found a place to live and scrubbed down her old large cage today and sure enough. I found several small areas where the coating on the bars has flaked off revealing rust underneath. And it's right next to where she perches.

Now these large coated cages are quite spendy so I'might stuck with a dilemma. Scrap the cage all together and see if I can find an affordable used one? Or try to see if I can do something with the old cage.

My initial thought was to just cover up those bars with something. Rope that she can chew on? A plastic shield over that spot?

I don'the think I am handy enough to try to professionally refinish the cage.

Other thoughts? Anyone else had this problem?

I personally wouldn't, I would bin the cage. There are some on here that may be able to give you some solid advice regarding the cheaper options. I hope your girl improves.

I have extra paint that was sent to me when I bought the cage. Just a small amount. I have had to touch up a few places around the Water dish. It really was easy to do. Used a small file to rough it up . Painted then rolled the cage over to window and let it sit in sun for a day. <-- advise given to me from a guy that Powder Coats cages.

You can call around and check the price of powder coating a cage. Then go from there. Most of the time from what I read. When it gets bad enough you are just better off buying a new cage.

If you paint be careful re any fumes.

plumsmum2005 said:

If you paint be careful re any fumes.

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Remove the cage from the house while paint is wet. Sorry I should have added that.

I moved it to the other end of the house and it was a small spot I touched up

Thanks for the reply guys! I didn't think of seeing if there is a company who could do it for me. I seem to have found one powder coating company down here. I'll give them a call and see what they charge.

She is just on the up slope now. So I would hate to put her back in an environment she could get sick again!

I think you might be in for a 'little' shock when you find out how much companies charge for powder coating. :54:

If you tell us where you are, and what your budget is, we might be able to help you locate a brand new cage that your cockatiel can call her home for many years to come.

It was a little shock. ONE company quoted me 100-150

I live in Key Largo, FL. Luckily a lot of people down here have parrots. So I feel it shouldn't be hard to find a used cage. Though I'may interested if you know of any in the area!

Ideally I would love to find her a nice large cage for under 50.

She is used to a lot of space. She has lived in the Taj Mahal for 13 years! Her old tainted cage stands about 5 foot. (It's on a stand) and is about 3 feet wide

I ordered my cages on Amazon.com, once arrived I put together. Ordering online is cheaper but however really look at the description very well to make sure unwanted items are involved. Let us know how things work out!


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I find a lot of listings for cages on Craigslist, most priced very well. Be sure to very carefully inspect the cage you are considering. Good luck and I'm glad your baby is doing better.

If used also make sure you disinfect it.

Christinenc2000 said:

If used also make sure you disinfect it.

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Absolutely. Think I'd go all three - F10 disinfectant, steamer and sunlight. Should do it!