Cage setup: do's and dont's

Ok, it's 2 weeks until I bring Liesl home (YAY!!!!!) and serious prep is starting. Today I cleaned the cage with a solution of dish soap, bleach, and water---it is still drying in the sunshine. This was on the recommendation of my vet. The rescue I had back in Feb. died after 24 hours...we dont know exactly why other than she was clearly not well. Just to be safe, Im disinfecting the cage and removing all of the old perches that came with the cage. I know many say dont use bleach around birds, but since she's not actually in the cage yet, is there any reason I shouldnt do this? Should I do a vinegar rinse in a few days? What about loose toys, ones that were not "hermetically sealed" that I have acquired? How do I sanitize them? do i need to?

How do I set up the cage? is there any philosophy about placement of perches, types of perches, size, etc...how many toys are too many? Since she's still a baby, what are the must haves for the cage? heating element? snuggle hut? rattle toy? Swings? boings? BTW, i have all of these already. What is too advanced for her, what is essential?

What are the min/max temps for an ekkie? We live in Southern CA and dont use AC or heat all that often. There is no humidity layer so temps can drop a lot once the sun goes down. We often leave windows open to help cool things down in summer, and leave them open all night upstairs (with screens, of course) Not unusual for temps in the house to drop to mid 60s by morning in springtime--summer is more likely to be high 60's inside, and low 60's during winter. Likewise, it can easily get up to 80 inside as well...we dont have great insulation or an effective HVAC, not much can change that, so how do I compensate for this? Her main cage is downstairs, I havent decided if a sleeping cage is essential yet, but if needed I could move her upstairs at night. There is also about a 10 degree temp difference between upstairs and downstairs. We have portable fans too. Given these parameters, what do i need to compensate for, if anything?

Very exciting for you!! The only thing you need to remember is don't put perches OVER other perched or toys to avoid getting poop on everything. And give him reasons to go to different parts of the cage. Don't keep all valued toys and activities on one part of the cage.

I would ditch the snuggle hut. Also, make sure the highest perch is not a dowel or a rough perch (like sand or concrete) because that is where she will most likely choose to roost overnight and you don't want to hurt her feet. A natural wood branch perch is probably best. That being said, Dexter sleeps on the very top of his boing snuggled up next to the fluffy knot, so it wouldn't matter which type of perch I placed highest LOL. I also try to make sure the area right under where he sleeps overnight is clear of other perches or toys because it's a heavy poop zone.

As far as cleaning toys and perches, I use my steamer and him them with a ton of steam for a good sanitizing. I know others who put them in the dishwasher, but I don't know if they use soap or vinegar or no cleanser and just count on the hot water jets and heated drying cycle to sanitize.

Have you heard of F10 pet disinfectant? It is safe to use for all pets, a little goes a long way and much better than bleach IMO. It can be used to wash the cage, toys, perches etc, I regularly put a drop in my mop bucket.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/F10-Disinfectant-100ml-concentrated-solution/dp/B005AIOBRU

I am trying to limit my use of bleach in general as it isn't apparently very good on the environment.

Havent heard of it here in the US, but I will google for an equivalent. In general I dont intend to use bleach or chemicals around the bird/cage, just wanted to be double-triple-quadruple sure I killed any bacteria/infection that the rescue bird could have brought with her and that the cage is clean and safe when Liesl arrives. It's been 3 months since the rescue bird was in the cage, Im just being a bit OCD about things. I took a bird care basics course from one of the rescue groups and they made recommendations for non-toxic/bird safe cleaning products for the cage. Other than sinks, toilets and the shower, I wont be using any chemicals. Im planning on having the house bug sprayed next week and cleaning the ovens...trying to get all of the fumes and toxins out before she arrives. I was actually steaming the curtains last night, forgot that the steamer was a good way to sanitize. Thanks for the reminder

Yep probably a good idea to get rid of the snuggle hut. My girl had one and she chewed it. She now has some fabric in her tummy :/

Great advice, all.
I agree with pretty much everything.
Another suggestion... when you put anything new in or make any change... sit in a corner and just watch. Looking for anything BIZARRO that only your bird would do.
Example... got a new toy... hand-held (foot-held) little barbell thingie. Gave it to the Rickeybird. He picked it up and started shaking and twirling it, hitting himself in the head, HARD, getting infuriated, doing it over and over. I took it away, tried it one more time, then... gave it away. No concussions, thank you!

GaleriaGila said:

Great advice, all.
I agree with pretty much everything.
Another suggestion... when you put anything new in or make any change... sit in a corner and just watch. Looking for anything BIZARRO that only your bird would do.
Example... got a new toy... hand-held (foot-held) little barbell thingie. Gave it to the Rickeybird. He picked it up and started shaking and twirling it, hitting himself in the head, HARD, getting infuriated, doing it over and over. I took it away, tried it one more time, then... gave it away. No concussions, thank you!

Click to expand...

I know it's horrible that your poor bird was hurting himself, but imagining it is funny!!!

coopedup said:

Havent heard of it here in the US, but I will google for an equivalent. In general I dont intend to use bleach or chemicals around the bird/cage, just wanted to be double-triple-quadruple sure I killed any bacteria/infection that the rescue bird could have brought with her and that the cage is clean and safe when Liesl arrives. It's been 3 months since the rescue bird was in the cage, Im just being a bit OCD about things. I took a bird care basics course from one of the rescue groups and they made recommendations for non-toxic/bird safe cleaning products for the cage. Other than sinks, toilets and the shower, I wont be using any chemicals. Im planning on having the house bug sprayed next week and cleaning the ovens...trying to get all of the fumes and toxins out before she arrives. I was actually steaming the curtains last night, forgot that the steamer was a good way to sanitize. Thanks for the reminder

Click to expand...

BTW F10 safe to use as a spray for your bird also. I think it is avail in US.

jess.reco said:

GaleriaGila said:

Great advice, all.
I agree with pretty much everything.
Another suggestion... when you put anything new in or make any change... sit in a corner and just watch. Looking for anything BIZARRO that only your bird would do.
Example... got a new toy... hand-held (foot-held) little barbell thingie. Gave it to the Rickeybird. He picked it up and started shaking and twirling it, hitting himself in the head, HARD, getting infuriated, doing it over and over. I took it away, tried it one more time, then... gave it away. No concussions, thank you!

Click to expand...

I know it's horrible that your poor bird was hurting himself, but imagining it is funny!!!

Click to expand...

It was HYSTERICAL! He's trying to shake it into submission, but it keeps attacking back, and he's yelling NO NO NO HELLO HELLO NO NO NO!!!
Now who would predict such a thing???Who would think the toy needed a warning: "Concussion Danger! Bird may beat itself in head"

F10 is available from mysafebirdstore which will become your favorite supply store. Sign up for their emails they run daily sales.

GaleriaGila said:

jess.reco said:

GaleriaGila said:

Great advice, all.
I agree with pretty much everything.
Another suggestion... when you put anything new in or make any change... sit in a corner and just watch. Looking for anything BIZARRO that only your bird would do.
Example... got a new toy... hand-held (foot-held) little barbell thingie. Gave it to the Rickeybird. He picked it up and started shaking and twirling it, hitting himself in the head, HARD, getting infuriated, doing it over and over. I took it away, tried it one more time, then... gave it away. No concussions, thank you!

Click to expand...

I know it's horrible that your poor bird was hurting himself, but imagining it is funny!!!

Click to expand...

It was HYSTERICAL! He's trying to shake it into submission, but it keeps attacking back, and he's yelling NO NO NO HELLO HELLO NO NO NO!!!
Now who would predict such a thing???Who would think the toy needed a warning: "Concussion Danger! Bird may beat itself in head"

Click to expand...

I would have wet myself watching that!!! ROFLMAO

My condolences for the rescue who died after 24 hours. I can imagine that must've been quite a shock for you.

As for the cage, the bleach you used won't be a problem so long as you washed it off thoroughly afterward and let it dry out completely. There should be no smell at all, afterward.

As for the toys and such, anything that came in contact with the bird that died should be treated as diseased and contagious. If we're talking stuff with fabric, up to and including rope perches, I'd say throw them out. Hard plastics, wood or cement should be thoroughly and painstakingly disinfected. There's no such thing as being too careful when it comes to preventing disease transmission.

And I'm with DexMom and Jess.reco as regards the snuggle hut. Some birds never have an issue with them, while others ingest enough fabric to cause potentially fatal complications... or tear loose enough string to create a strangulation hazard. My stance? Why take the risk that your bird will be one of the ones to run into issues? The positives do not outweigh the risks, and there are no snuggle huts in nature. Know what I mean?

Believe it or not, this thread is the first time I've heard of parrots eating fabrics. Obviously, after 3 decades, the Rickeybird doesn't. I can see I've been lucky.

GaleriaGila said:

Believe it or not, this thread is the first time I've heard of parrots eating fabrics. Obviously, after 3 decades, the Rickeybird doesn't. I can see I've been lucky.

Click to expand...

Very lucky!! My little girl is very lucky. She has fabric sitting in her stomach, but it's not causing her issues luckily. If it were she'd need an invasive operation worth over $1200 and it's not 100% she'll make it through. So now I'm very careful with what she puts in her mouth!!!!

WOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!
They are just such truly EXOTIC pets/companions!

Anansi said:

My condolences for the rescue who died after 24 hours. I can imagine that must've been quite a shock for you.

As for the cage, the bleach you used won't be a problem so long as you washed it off thoroughly afterward and let it dry out completely. There should be no smell at all, afterward.

As for the toys and such, anything that came in contact with the bird that died should be treated as diseased and contagious. If we're talking stuff with fabric, up to and including rope perches, I'd say throw them out. Hard plastics, wood or cement should be thoroughly and painstakingly disinfected. There's no such thing as being too careful when it comes to preventing disease transmission.

And I'm with DexMom and Jess.reco as regards the snuggle hut. Some birds never have an issue with them, while others ingest enough fabric to cause potentially fatal complications... or tear loose enough string to create a strangulation hazard. My stance? Why take the risk that your bird will be one of the ones to run into issues? The positives do not outweigh the risks, and there are no snuggle huts in nature. Know what I mean?

Click to expand...

Thanks, and while it was very sad to lose her, it wasnt unexpected. She was very ill and the owner was not stepping up to her care, which is why I took her (he actually tried to sell her to me--and he was a retired breeder--he KNEW how sick she was). I knew I was in for the vet bill and that she likely wouldnt live but did it anyway. Still glad I did,there was no way I could leave her--at least I tried. She had no toys, I wasnt exactly looking for a bird the day I got her and I was just lucky to find a cage for her. The one perch ive not sterilized yet (how would you sterilize wood?), but i did remove it. The other swing/perch I cut off the rope knots and tossed the branch perch but im in no hurry to hang it--it's not a priority for the first few weeks. I am setting up her cage this week and will get a large branch for the width of the cage, and possibly a few other types/lengths. I had thought of the snuggle hut as a way to keep her warm during our cool nights, but I will rethink that since many of you have advised against it.

My plan is to outfit it with a few branches/perches, maybe a toy or two, but not much else. From what I understand about babies is that they arent all that active on the toy front initially and she will be understandably a bit out of sorts for the first few weeks with all the dramatic changes she'll be undergoing, so I have time. I will introduce toys to her when I have her out of cage and then start adding them to her cageas she shows interest. I did get a nice manzanita branch for a stand today. It's been sandblasted and has several branches so she will have different areas. I may put it in her cage, but most likely I'll use it as a tabletop out-of-cage perch/play stand. I wouldnt mind sanitizing it too, but not sure how to do it.

About the only questions I have right now that I need answers to are temperature ranges, especially for sleeping at night. Since the snuggle hut isnt a good idea, would a K&H heat pad be sufficient?

From what you wrote in your initial post, the low 60's F is the lowest the temp gets inside. That wouldn't be a problem as long as the drop in temperature is gradual.

You also say the temperature can go as high as 80° F inside in the summer. 80° would be okay, but high 80's or 90's could be a problem.

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