cage cleaning tips!?

kodimerlyn · May 20, 2015

Ok folks...need some reminders on cleaning Crickets cage...there are her fav spots she likes to sit and where poop accumulates...what's the best way to clean these? It's been a while for me. Also...I don't get newspapers anymore and I don't really like them...I've discovered using plastic garbage bags as liners for her cage and they work really well and she leaves them alone. I've used the industrial ones but they're a bit pricey so will switch to regular.

How often do you clean? What do you use for cleaning solutions that is fid safe? Is it really mostly just elbow grease?

Dopey · May 20, 2015

Someone recommended white vinegar and water to me the other day and it worked wonders on the poop for me. I did have to spray and let it soak for a few minutes. I also have used Poop Off and Nature's Miracle but they get expensive and I don't see those products doing a better job than the white vinegar and water.

I give a big clean once a week but spot check daily. I have to change the paper more than once a week but again its checking. Sometimes they eat the food and sometimes they just throw the food.

Doublete · May 20, 2015

I use vinegar and water with a big scrubby brush and also mango pet focus. That stuff is MAGIC.

rope · May 21, 2015

i was wondering how to clean an african gray cage too..we asked a lot of questions...they do go to the bottom of the cage to scratch...we just got ours...we were use to cleaning conures who just don't like to go down to the bottom of the cage...our tag scratches the bottom when he wants to get out..we take the conures out to fly around early before him so our conures don't feel like their second, after all we have had them for years..then our gray comes out ...this is what we have done so far....we got "poop off" to remove poop...we took the grate out so the bottom is the tray.....we line the tray with newspaper for now..its fast and easy you can get loads of old newspapers at a time from a store for nothing...its so easy without the grate to clean....just clean more often....

Kiwibird · May 21, 2015

Get a dedicated plastic paint scraper (did I say paint, I meant poop

). Seriously, EVERY parrot owner needs one, make chipping up dried poo and food a breeze. Once you get up the 'big chunks' (which can either be vacuumed up or simply picked up with a paper towel), just spray the residue with some vinegar water, let it sit for 10 minutes, and it'll wipe right up. No need for fancy poop cleaners. If you own one (and I strongly recommend them), steam cleaners are fantastic for cleaning cages too!

Terry57 · May 21, 2015

We use a Bar-B-Q brush for the poop, and it works wonderfully on the perches as well. Allee gave me that wonderful tip, thanks again so much!!!

Kyoto · May 21, 2015

Bottle with 90% water, about 8% vinegar, and 2% lemon juice is what I use! works well as a spray around the floor boards to keep the bugs away too (they hate citrus).

Mariar · May 21, 2015

I always use a combo of vinegar and water in a spray bottle and I get cheap paint scrapers and keep those handy for cleaning.its non toxic and cheap!

LeaKP · May 21, 2015

Vinegar and water and I clean the tray daily. Never let poop accumulate, too hard to clean up otherwise.

EdwardH · May 22, 2015

I use a damp sponge and wipe down daily. I let the birds out so that they do not get frightened or territorial. Perches are wiped as required though normally I just replace once they chew off the bark. Every few weeks I give the cage a big clean if required though a daily clean is the best in my opinion.

Bandespresso · May 22, 2015

kodimerlyn said:
Also...I don't get newspapers anymore and I don't really like them...I've discovered using plastic garbage bags as liners for her cage and they work really well and she leaves them alone. I've used the industrial ones but they're a bit pricey so will switch to regular.

Please do not use plastic garbage bags!!! Sure She leaves them alone...for now. Greys get into EVERYTHING so when she gets into the bag, she can ingest it which could KILL HER.

There are so many options for lining cages....butcher paper, newspaper, recycled paper bags, they even make specific cage liners! The convenience of garbage bags not as all worth an expensive vet bill or dead bird.

VICTORYCC124 · May 22, 2015

I actually use really hot water and a cloth, and that works perfectly for me. I used to use Poop Off but I realized that I didn't need it. Although if the poop has sat for too long I do soak a paper towel in that really hot water and let it sit for a few minutes first. Unless its a major periodic scrub down I honestly don't think you need to use any thing else on a regular basis.

labell · May 22, 2015

I go to Uhaul and buy their boxed white packing paper for lining cages it's convenient, pre-cut and white to check poop.

kodimerlyn · May 22, 2015

Bandespresso said:
kodimerlyn said:

Also...I don't get newspapers anymore and I don't really like them...I've discovered using plastic garbage bags as liners for her cage and they work really well and she leaves them alone. I've used the industrial ones but they're a bit pricey so will switch to regular.

Click to expand...

Please do not use plastic garbage bags!!! Sure She leaves them alone...for now. Greys get into EVERYTHING so when she gets into the bag, she can ingest it which could KILL HER.

There are so many options for lining cages....butcher paper, newspaper, recycled paper bags, they even make specific cage liners! The convenience of garbage bags not as all worth an expensive vet bill or dead bird.

Can you verify this information please? Why would it kill her? Plastic bags are inert and non-toxic...they have to be when used in a household environment. Are you saying this could create a blockage?

Kiwibird · May 22, 2015

I've been using washable, reusable cloth cage liners for almost a year:

http://www.parrotforums.com/do-yourself/47208-re-usable-cage-liners-how-diy-tutorial.html

I will NEVER go back to disposable. These are so easy to make, clean, and have a waterproofed backing to prevent damage to the tray. Not to mention they are more environmentally friendly, since one isn't throwing out a huge piece of paper daily/every other day.

kodimerlyn · May 22, 2015

Kiwibird said:
I've been using washable, reusable cloth cage liners for almost a year:

http://www.parrotforums.com/do-yourself/47208-re-usable-cage-liners-how-diy-tutorial.html

I will NEVER go back to disposable. These are so easy to make, clean, and have a waterproofed backing to prevent damage to the tray. Not to mention they are more environmentally friendly, since one isn't throwing out a huge piece of paper daily/every other day.

OMIGOSH!! That is BRILLIANT!! I am SO doing it! Adds the the laundry load but still! Brilliant. Thanks!

Bandespresso · May 22, 2015

kodimerlyn said:
Bandespresso said:

kodimerlyn said:

Also...I don't get newspapers anymore and I don't really like them...I've discovered using plastic garbage bags as liners for her cage and they work really well and she leaves them alone. I've used the industrial ones but they're a bit pricey so will switch to regular.

Click to expand...

Please do not use plastic garbage bags!!! Sure She leaves them alone...for now. Greys get into EVERYTHING so when she gets into the bag, she can ingest it which could KILL HER.

There are so many options for lining cages....butcher paper, newspaper, recycled paper bags, they even make specific cage liners! The convenience of garbage bags not as all worth an expensive vet bill or dead bird.

Click to expand...

Can you verify this information please? Why would it kill her? Plastic bags are inert and non-toxic...they have to be when used in a household environment. Are you saying this could create a blockage?

Yes it could absolutely cause a bIockage, intestinal twisting, or could even get stuck in the crop and cause a crop infection. Plastic just doesn't break down as easily as, say, paper if she were to accidentally injest that instead. It's just not worth the risk with so many other viable options out there.

My CAG is obsessed with plastic bags and would shred the crap out of it if I let her anywhere near one hahaha. I'm not at all worried about toxicity...Espresso has a few plastic toys that she jingles around but they get taken away if she starts chewing on them. Same with her rope perches!

roosta · May 28, 2015

kodimerlyn said:
Kiwibird said:

I've been using washable, reusable cloth cage liners for almost a year:

http://www.parrotforums.com/do-yourself/47208-re-usable-cage-liners-how-diy-tutorial.html

I will NEVER go back to disposable. These are so easy to make, clean, and have a waterproofed backing to prevent damage to the tray. Not to mention they are more environmentally friendly, since one isn't throwing out a huge piece of paper daily/every other day.

Click to expand...

OMIGOSH!! That is BRILLIANT!! I am SO doing it! Adds the the laundry load but still! Brilliant. Thanks!

Agreed. I'll look into this too!

cage cleaning tips!?

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