Saving a chewed-up powder-coated cage

Saving a chewed-up powder-coated cage...

I started a thread a while back asking for advice about touching up a chewed/damaged powder-coated cage. I got lots of great advice. Long-story-short... here's what I have done.

I ordered a cage online... it fit into my budget... but when I received it, I saw it was a cheap, poorly-made rattle-trap... I returned it. I realized that the cage I have is of EXCELLENT quality, and to replace it with an equivalent one would be terribly expensive (I bought it about 6 years ago during a good disposable-income period). I wanted to save it but touch-ups weren't a good option... that I learned in my previous post. What to do, what to do?

Solution (thanks to my ol' man, who had a "fresh eye" on the situation. I moved perches and stuff to draw the bird away from chewed areas, and then covered the bare metal with pvc pieces (non-toxic, safe for passage of human water/etc.), secured over the damaged spots. He found the pvc boring and pretty much ignores it. All bare metal is now safely covered, and I can keep his beautiful cage.

I'm submitting this in hopes it might help somebody in a similar situation.

Whewwwwwwwwwwwww!

Great Idea and as a result; Great Save!

Thank you, THANK YOU!

Super idea and so simple and affordable too

Most cages don't come in the quality they used to, that's for sure. I finally got Robin a new cage last year after using the old one for 20 years. It had a broken weld, and was in pretty tired shape, so I decided to replace it. I'm just not happy with the quality these days, and they don't last nearly as long. I guess you have to spend top dollar on one of the 'better' brands nowdays in order to get something decent. So I settle for "halfway decent" now, and plan to use the old cage as a garden decor to eventually use it for plants in and on it. Climbing plants would look nice.

Thanks, Birdigirl! I appreciate that.

Yeah, RavensGryf! This cage is only about 6 years old... cost about 150 then, and comparable ones are at least 400 and even then, not made as well. He has needed one about every 5-7, due to chewing off the powder coat. I still wish I had bought a stainless steel one 30 years ago!!! Thanks for the support!

GaleriaGila said:

Thanks, Birdigirl! I appreciate that.

Yeah, RavensGryf! This cage is only about 6 years old... cost about 150 then, and comparable ones are at least 400 and even then, not made as well. He has needed one about every 5-7, due to chewing off the powder coat. I still wish I had bought a stainless steel one 30 years ago!!! Thanks for the support!

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Griffin is my one who chews powder coating right off the bars. When it got to be a habit with him, I had to get him an aluminum cage.

Thanks...
Googling aluminum cages...!!

GaleriaGila said:

Thanks...
Googling aluminum cages...!!

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As far as I know, King's is the only one who has these. You can read my replies to the OP in this thread what I have to say about it . http://www.parrotforums.com/cages/59152-wrought-iron-aluminum-stainless-steel-cage-suggestions.html

I read the thread and had a look at the cages. They're gorgeous. But outside my budget, at least for now. The smallest one I could use was about 800 bucks. The lightweight aspect is wonderful. I'll keep an eye out for a used one for now. Not likely, huh?
Good to know about them, though!

Wow! That a great idea! I may have to consider this! Thanks so much for sharing!!

You are so very welcome.
I am so relieved to retain a quality cage this way. I think I can probably keep it for quite a while... or at least plenty of time to look for a bargain on an aluminum one (my new dream cage).