Cage with separate stand or cage with a play area on top what do you recommend?

We are having a baby LOL a baby Quaker (dont freak it will be fully weaned! I have every intention of leaving the hand feeding to the professionals!) This is my first little baby in a long time, I grew up with Cockateils and have fostered/rehabed two M2s a Goffins, a white front amazon and serveral littles (our family term for finches, parakeets ect) But this is the first in almost 10 years that will be ours! I went to the local pet store, which is a small town store and the owners have been family friends for years so I generally trust there advice. But they told me a quaker really only needs a cage the same size as a Cockateil.... this seems small to me! I was planning on a free standing cage about 24x30. I have always thought bigger is better when it comes to cages.... Also what is your take on stands... should I just buy the bigger cage with the perch and play area on top or should I spring for the separate stand I have room for both but could get a nicer cage and more toys is i dont have to buy the stand! LOL I know I probably sound slightly crazy but I have not done this on my own before.
All help advice is welcomed!! Thank you in advance!

I say....both. Stand keeps the cage up at eye level, and usually has wheels for moving/cleaning. And a play top encourages exercise contained to the cage area. Win-win.

Ok. I may have start with a cage with the play top and add the separate play stand later. We have a big bird fair here in November so I am hoping to find something really cool and some awesome toys there.

IMHO... if you can only do one....cage w/ play top, because you can secure the bird if needed.

That said... I do both, lol (She has a larger full-size cage up in my room for night/when nobody is home. This is her day cage/stand.)

If you have the room, the 32 long by 23 wide is one of the most common cages and can handle the widest range of parrots, excluding MAC's. Most come with the stand builtin as part of the cage. The important thing to watch is the bar separation since this cage size is common for larger parrots like Amazons. Also, this cage size is 'wanted' as a used cage so that if your plans change they have a much larger market.

Look for large (wide) full height doors. They make your access much easier when you are getting the parrot in and out, cleaning, rearranging, etc...

Flat tops with a simple top is better and much easier to clean.

The larger the cage the better! But take care regarding bar spacing. Use bar spacing as your guide.

NOTE: ToMango07's cage door and that fact that it is full height of the cage.

thank you SailBoat! I had not even thought about the bar spacing as being an issue.

Smaller parrots in larger cages provide them with great space and lots of room for hanging toys, etc...

Prior to buying a cage. Stop by the pet store and determine the head size (bone not feathers) of the parrot or parrots you are considering now and in the future. With larger parrots, like Amazons, the common bar spacing will barely let them get their beak between the bars. Not so with smaller parrots. The goal must be that the head cannot fit between the bars.

Example Cage: Lani Kai Lodge Playtop Large Bird Cage 32 W x 23 D x 64 H - Cost range online in and around 340 - 360.00 US Dollars.

Example cage much like the photo from ToMango07, but with a flat top and a play stand on the flat top.

The cages with the fold-open tops are neat to look at, but a pain to clean. Simple is easier to clean

I was looking one with a rounded top (its on sale for a very good price) Plenty large enough with very narrow bars but I dont think I can really put any form of play area on top. I dont have 300+ to spend on one so I may have to look at used cages instead of new...

Just get tree branch perches, and screw them into the top of the cage.

THEN get either a long rope perch or another natural tree branch, and screw it in place on top of the two perches, and you've made yourself an instant playtop on your round top.

OR just build a PVC stand around the cage. Measure it to the right height, and you have a playtop/toy hanging perch that way.

I have acquired over the years a few different hand me down large cages. I have one with the play top perch and feed dishes and it has the separate tray for cleaning. I also have had some dome top cages and other pitched roof cages...I will say that all my favorite cages are big flat top cages because I find them to be the most versatile.

I set large neat branches on the tops for play perches, I can set plates of treats on top, bird safe live potted plants/herbs live on top of my cages. I have exchanged out all my unique topped cages for simple flat tops and if I don't want them pooing through the cage bars, or bothering or being bothered by a bird having to stay in the cage, I set cardboard or paper on top and place their toys, plants, unique climbing branch perches on top.

It's worked great for me and all my birds seem to really enjoy the arrangement.

Toni

Birdman666 said:

Just get tree branch perches, and screw them into the top of the cage.

THEN get either a long rope perch or another natural tree branch, and screw it in place on top of the two perches, and you've made yourself an instant playtop on your round top.

OR just build a PVC stand around the cage. Measure it to the right height, and you have a playtop/toy hanging perch that way.

Click to expand...

Both really nice ideas!