Non-toxic bird cages

I had noticed that my lovebird has been urinating frequently and in big amounts. I took him to the vet a few days ago and they took x-rays which showed that he has small pieces of metal inside his body. I was absolutely shocked and devastated at the same time. He is currently at the vet undergoing therapy. I am beating myself up trying to figure out from where he could have ingested this. I took out all of his toys that have metal in his cage but I am also worried because I see little pieces of the cage chipped here and there. (By the way when I have him out of his cage he is constantly supervised and with me so I strongly believe he got into something in his cage).

Anyway, I have been trying to research cages that are safe and will not chip or break and that he can't get sick from. I had thought about getting him a vision cage but I'm not really sure. I would like to buy a cage before I pick him up from the vet so I don't have to be worried. I also have a green cheek conure that I am paranoid about too. He will be going to the vet as soon as everything is resolved with my lovebird just to make sure. Can anyone recommend any durable, non-toxic cages? Thanks!

Cages - Parrot Forum - Parrot Owner's Community

This is the section on here to have a mosey on through.

In a nut shell a good quality from a reputable supplier powder coated or stainless steel one.

Remember it may be a new cage but it does need a really, really good clean before use as they can harbour all sorts of nasties.

Very scary! Hopefully he will respond to treatment and is on his way to recovering. Stainless steel is the only material that will not flake and the metal is completely non-toxic. Standard powder coat cages are, well, all coated. No coating is really a match for a powerful beak if the beak is so inclined to chew off the coating. If a bird is known to chomp the paint, it is probably necessary to invest in a stainless cage. Stainless is the gold standard of cage materials, and has a price to match that of gold too However, if at all possible, go with stainless. It is EXPENSIVE but you'll never need another cage and your bird will live in a completely non-toxic cage. Case in point, my mom bought her amazons in the 1970's and bought stainless cages for them shortly after she got them. They still live in the same cages she bought with them. The cages are even still shiny, 40+ years later. A standard powder coat cage comes with expectation you will likely need to replace after about 10-15 years, a stainless cage will likely outlast even the most long-lived parrot.

plumsmum2005 said:

Cages - Parrot Forum - Parrot Owner's Community

This is the section on here to have a mosey on through.

In a nut shell a good quality from a reputable supplier powder coated or stainless steel one.

Remember it may be a new cage but it does need a really, really good clean before use as they can harbour all sorts of nasties.

Click to expand...

As far as the powder coated cages, I don't really know reputable suppliers. I also did read that you have to clean those cages with a vinegar solution so it's not toxic? I can't seem to find any stainless steel ones for small birds. They all look like they're for large birds.

Kiwibird said:

Very scary! Hopefully he will respond to treatment and is on his way to recovering. Stainless steel is the only material that will not flake and the metal is completely non-toxic. Standard powder coat cages are, well, all coated. No coating is really a match for a powerful beak if the beak is so inclined to chew off the coating. If a bird is known to chomp the paint, it is probably necessary to invest in a stainless cage. Stainless is the gold standard of cage materials, and has a price to match that of gold too However, if at all possible, go with stainless. It is EXPENSIVE but you'll never need another cage and your bird will live in a completely non-toxic cage. Case in point, my mom bought her amazons in the 1970's and bought stainless cages for them shortly after she got them. They still live in the same cages she bought with them. The cages are even still shiny, 40+ years later. A standard powder coat cage comes with expectation you will likely need to replace after about 10-15 years, a stainless cage will likely outlast even the most long-lived parrot.

Click to expand...

Wow you're not kidding about the price :53: I looked them up but can't seem to find ones made for small birds. Most of them look like they are for large birds and the bar spacing is pretty big. I would totally get them stainless steel cages despite the price. They are worth it k

Jedig said:

plumsmum2005 said:

Cages - Parrot Forum - Parrot Owner's Community

This is the section on here to have a mosey on through.

In a nut shell a good quality from a reputable supplier powder coated or stainless steel one.

Remember it may be a new cage but it does need a really, really good clean before use as they can harbour all sorts of nasties.

Click to expand...

As far as the powder coated cages, I don't really know reputable suppliers. I also did read that you have to clean those cages with a vinegar solution so it's not toxic? I can't seem to find any stainless steel ones for small birds. They all look like they're for large birds.

Click to expand...

It's just the initial clean before introducing a bird to his new home, any new cage should be washed down thoroughly upon delivery as they can pick up all kinds of nasties in transit.