Mesh help?

betaseal · Oct 23, 2014

I would like to make a DIY cage for a small parrot like a conure or quaker if I get one. I was thinking about getting GAW mesh, but this has zinc on it. I have been looking for affordable stainless steel mesh but I have not had any luck. Is it alright to use plastic or pvc mesh? Not the coated kind, I am talking about chicken wire made of plastic like this:Tenax 3 ft. x 25 ft. Black Poultry Hex Fence-206866 at The Home Depot

I have been to a lorikeet aviary at a zoo before and I think they had some kind of netting. I have heard of netting for gamebirds. Would it be alright for parrots? I am willing to research any other bird safe meshes too.

Mekaisto · Oct 23, 2014

Do you mean cage as in indoor cage, or aviary?

The method I find the best is getting GBW mesh, leaving it out in the elements for a few months to draw out all the zinc, making the cage, then powdercoating it. Obviously not particularly quick.

You might be able to get away without powdercoating if you make sure to scrub it down thoroughly with vinegar and leaving it outside for a few months longer.

Stainless steel is even better, but as you mentioned it's not cheap.

I wouldn't use plastic or PVC mesh, simply because conures and quakers are chewers, and will rip through it in no time.

Netting it really no good for any parrots that chew, and I'd question their ability to climb up it.

If you're trying to find a cheap way to get a cage, just get a parrot cage second hand and give it a good clean.
If you're just out to make your own cage, regardless of cost, I'd go stainless steel.
If money is a problem for you, probably not a good idea to get a parrot right now, you'd be amazed at how quickly they drain your funds,

betaseal · Oct 23, 2014

Mekaisto said:
Do you mean cage as in indoor cage, or aviary?

The method I find the best is getting GBW mesh, leaving it out in the elements for a few months to draw out all the zinc, making the cage, then powdercoating it. Obviously not particularly quick.

You might be able to get away without powdercoating if you make sure to scrub it down thoroughly with vinegar and leaving it outside for a few months longer.

Stainless steel is even better, but as you mentioned it's not cheap.

I wouldn't use plastic or PVC mesh, simply because conures and quakers are chewers, and will rip through it in no time.

Netting it really no good for any parrots that chew, and I'd question their ability to climb up it.

If you're trying to find a cheap way to get a cage, just get a parrot cage second hand and give it a good clean.
If you're just out to make your own cage, regardless of cost, I'd go stainless steel.
If money is a problem for you, probably not a good idea to get a parrot right now, you'd be amazed at how quickly they drain your funds,

I could get a cage, but I would rather make a large indoor enclosure. Would it be quicker to use gaw wire instead of gbw wire? Also what paint would be good for powder coating?

Mekaisto · Oct 24, 2014

Fair enough

It wouldn't be quicker, but GBW wire is safer as the galvanising at the seams gets 'trapped' in the welding process, so if a parrot picks the welding apart, it won't get a mouthful of zinc.

Powder coating isn't the same as painting, you need a special machine to apply it. Having said that, a non-toxic paint wouldn't hurt over your mesh, if you can't find someone to borrow a powder coater from

betaseal · Oct 24, 2014

Thanks for the help guys! I will try to get gbw wire if I can. My lowes leaves their hardware cloth outside and a lot of the galvanizing comes off. Apparently the hardware cloth is galvanized with silver or something

Shop Blue Hawk 24-in x 25-ft Silver Galvanized Steel Hardware Cloth at Lowes.com

I have a few other options, they have a vinyl coated one, but I have heard bad things about vinyl poisoning. This: Shop Blue Hawk 36-in x 15-ft Black Plastic/Polyresin Hardware Cloth at Lowes.com is made out of plastic, but its sturdy and can stand up on its own. Would a parrot be able to chew through it?

Mekaisto · Oct 25, 2014

That hardware cloth looks good, as long as the wire isn't too thin

I wouldn't trust any plastic mesh - the sturdy stuff also tends to be kinda brittle, and can snap under pressure.

Mesh help?

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