Inquiry about having more birds inside a cage

wiji

New member
Apr 12, 2020
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0
Manila, Philippines
Parrots
I currently have a Meyer's Parrot that is with me for a couple of months now.
Hi everyone, I am new here in this forum and also new in birds in general. A couple of months ago, a bird just flew inside my room. I don't have any knowledge about birds/parrots at that particular time but I decided to keep the bird while I am finding the owner. The parrot is a Meyer's Parrot (I asked a couple of facebook groups that's why i know what kind of parrot the bird is). So, unfortunately I wasn't able to find the owner and I just decided to invest knowledge about birds and make it a pet. Fast forward to the present, he/she is kind of sweet and loves attention from me. As I was getting more and more interested in birds, I am now planning to get another one or two. But lately when we are bonding, I decided to let him/her watch videos of other birds. Suddenly he/she became aggressive and tried to bite off the mobile's screen. Now I wonder if he/she will become aggressive towards other birds if ever i get another one?

All plans for DIY Cage is set, i have prepared the design and just needs the materials to do it. I am planning to have maybe a pair of green cheek conure or cockatiels together with the Meyer's i have at present.

If ever that he/she (Meyer's) is truly aggressive towards other birds then i have to redesign and make a partition...

Kindly enlighten me on this, and feel free to make suggestions.

Thanks,
wiji

:gcc:

EDIT: I think my title is wrong.. Im sorry, it should be Inquiry about having more birds inside a cage
 
Last edited:

Scott

Supporting Member
Aug 21, 2010
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San Diego, California USA, Earth, Milky Way Galaxy
Parrots
Goffins: Gabby, Abby, Squeaky, Peanut, Popcorn / Citron: Alice / Eclectus: Angel /Timneh Grey: ET / Blue Fronted Amazon: Gonzo /

RIP Gandalf and Big Bird, you are missed.
Welcome to you and your Meyer's Parrot, thanks for joining!

I especially appreciate your inquiry before acquiring more birds in the same cage. Please use extreme caution before adding others or mixing species. There is no guarantee any two (or more) birds of a species will get along. You also have the risk of them bonding closely and ignoring or becoming hostile to you. Combining different species and especially varied sizes is a recipe for potential trouble. Please know there are some species that co-exist; you'll have to research potential combinations. I am not familiar with Meyer's and cannot offer personal guidance!

Parrots are extremely visual and easily interpret screen video. Difficult to know whether the hostile reaction to your phone equates to real life interactions. May have just been surprise and wonder the "birds" were not 3D and confined to such a tiny space!

Best way to accommodate multiple birds (unless arriving as bonded pair) is with individual cages. Again, other members may contribute knowledge of safe combinations with Meyer's.
 

Laurasea

Well-known member
Aug 2, 2018
12,593
10,702
USA
Parrots
Full house
Each bird needs it own cage. Two birds may never be freinds, and are three time the noise!

I think she's telling you , she wants all your attention and doesn't want to share.
 
OP
wiji

wiji

New member
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Manila, Philippines
Parrots
I currently have a Meyer's Parrot that is with me for a couple of months now.
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #4
Welcome to you and your Meyer's Parrot, thanks for joining!

I especially appreciate your inquiry before acquiring more birds in the same cage. Please use extreme caution before adding others or mixing species. There is no guarantee any two (or more) birds of a species will get along. You also have the risk of them bonding closely and ignoring or becoming hostile to you. Combining different species and especially varied sizes is a recipe for potential trouble. Please know there are some species that co-exist; you'll have to research potential combinations. I am not familiar with Meyer's and cannot offer personal guidance!

Parrots are extremely visual and easily interpret screen video. Difficult to know whether the hostile reaction to your phone equates to real life interactions. May have just been surprise and wonder the "birds" were not 3D and confined to such a tiny space!

Best way to accommodate multiple birds (unless arriving as bonded pair) is with individual cages. Again, other members may contribute knowledge of safe combinations with Meyer's.


Thank you for your insight!! I really appreciate it and i think i just have to redesign my DIY cage. Thank you again :)
 
OP
wiji

wiji

New member
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I currently have a Meyer's Parrot that is with me for a couple of months now.
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  • #5
Each bird needs it own cage. Two birds may never be freinds, and are three time the noise!

I think she's telling you , she wants all your attention and doesn't want to share.
Then maybe I'll just get a pair of birds I mentioned above and separate my Meyer's. It'll be easy to just redesign the cage than having multiple problems of bird being aggressive to each other. Thank you for responding!
 

Scott

Supporting Member
Aug 21, 2010
32,673
9,789
San Diego, California USA, Earth, Milky Way Galaxy
Parrots
Goffins: Gabby, Abby, Squeaky, Peanut, Popcorn / Citron: Alice / Eclectus: Angel /Timneh Grey: ET / Blue Fronted Amazon: Gonzo /

RIP Gandalf and Big Bird, you are missed.
Excellent! Nothing wrong with creating a large structure with partitions. Might be a good compromise rather than a series of smaller cages.
 

Amsterdam

New member
Sep 8, 2018
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Turkey
Parrots
..
Each bird needs it own cage. Two birds may never be freinds, and are three time the noise!

I think she's telling you , she wants all your attention and doesn't want to share.

this plus dont forget the care and attention they will need!
 
OP
wiji

wiji

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I currently have a Meyer's Parrot that is with me for a couple of months now.
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #8
Each bird needs it own cage. Two birds may never be freinds, and are three time the noise!

I think she's telling you , she wants all your attention and doesn't want to share.

this plus dont forget the care and attention they will need!

Yes sir I will definitely will care for all of them when I acquired my additional feathery friends! Thanks though
 

Ira7

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Feb 9, 2020
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Coral Springs, FL
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YNA
Better know what you’re doing about building your own cage.

There are a dozen ways to make it not practical or convenient for you when completed, and even more ways to make it dangerous to your bird.
 
OP
wiji

wiji

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I currently have a Meyer's Parrot that is with me for a couple of months now.
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Could u elaborate some bad examples? Im still on the design part and i can make adjustments. Suggestions are welcome :)
 

Ira7

Banned
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Feb 9, 2020
621
8
Coral Springs, FL
Parrots
YNA
Could u elaborate some bad examples? Im still on the design part and i can make adjustments. Suggestions are welcome :)

1) Sharp edges.

2) Bar spacing: Too wide and they’re dangerous for bird trying to peak out or escape. Depends on bird size, too. Too narrow and you can’t see the damn bird, and he can’t see you.

3) Food bowls: Will you only be able to remove bowl from the inside? This is a pain, and very bad if you have a skittish bird. Outside configuration is much better, especially when your bird won’t get his ass off of the bowl you want to get!

4) Door size and design: You want a large door that just about runs the vertical length of the cage, not a small square opening. Also, will design pinch bird’s foot when he hangs on side of door and makes it swing? There are a bunch of engineering details that go into the design of a good cage making it safer. Also, LOCKING the door. Parrots are damn smart, and what you might think is secure isn’t. Modern cages use this new design, where the bird simply can’t access any parts to open it.

5) Convenience to clean: Forget using wood anywhere, a breeding ground for every disgusting bacteria and parasite. Ditto, avoid narrow channels that you can’t easily access to remove seed husks, poo poo, and other crap. Of course, you want two pull out trays. One a grate, the other solid. Some people just go with solid, which I don’t understand.

6) Attractive: Will it be beautiful to look at!? Your bird may have to live in it, but you have to live WITH it! Is it going to ugly up your living room?

7) Finish: How will you finish the bars, if they require finishing? Many paints are toxic to birds, and birds are constantly gnawing on their cage. This is why the best cages today are either stainless steel ($$$!) or powder coated.

–––––-

Look, I’m not saying you’re going to immediately kill your bird with your homemade cage...I’m a do-it-yourselfer myself...but I don’t think it’s worth the time versus the risk. If it’s totally a matter of money, I understand, but if you can scrape the dough together for a good cage, I think that’s a better way to go.
 
Last edited:

Snapdragon

Member
Dec 26, 2019
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8
Everett, WA
Parrots
Tashi, almost-2-year-old female moustache parakeet, Indian subspecies (Psittacula alexandri fasciata)
Also, any metal used should be stainless steel. Galvanized wire is outright toxic. Plain steel can contain enough zinc to poison your birds, and on top of that if it rusts, that's bad for the bird as well.

Some wood can be toxic, and pressure-treated wood is always toxic. Paint, sealants, etc can be toxic. If you use wood as a structural component, your birds may be able to chew through it. My mustache parakeet is a nearly obsessive chewer and would gnaw his way through a wood-framed cage in a matter of days.

I love to DIY things as well, but I would not be comfortable building a cage. There are just too many materials that could kill your birds. You really would be much, much, MUCH safer buying a cage.
 
OP
wiji

wiji

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I currently have a Meyer's Parrot that is with me for a couple of months now.
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Bumping so that someone may see this thread :)

:gcc::green::green1:
 
OP
wiji

wiji

New member
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Parrots
I currently have a Meyer's Parrot that is with me for a couple of months now.
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #14
Could u elaborate some bad examples? Im still on the design part and i can make adjustments. Suggestions are welcome :)

1) Sharp edges.

2) Bar spacing: Too wide and they’re dangerous for bird trying to peak out or escape. Depends on bird size, too. Too narrow and you can’t see the damn bird, and he can’t see you.

3) Food bowls: Will you only be able to remove bowl from the inside? This is a pain, and very bad if you have a skittish bird. Outside configuration is much better, especially when your bird won’t get his ass off of the bowl you want to get!

4) Door size and design: You want a large door that just about runs the vertical length of the cage, not a small square opening. Also, will design pinch bird’s foot when he hangs on side of door and makes it swing? There are a bunch of engineering details that go into the design of a good cage making it safer. Also, LOCKING the door. Parrots are damn smart, and what you might think is secure isn’t. Modern cages use this new design, where the bird simply can’t access any parts to open it.

5) Convenience to clean: Forget using wood anywhere, a breeding ground for every disgusting bacteria and parasite. Ditto, avoid narrow channels that you can’t easily access to remove seed husks, poo poo, and other crap. Of course, you want two pull out trays. One a grate, the other solid. Some people just go with solid, which I don’t understand.

6) Attractive: Will it be beautiful to look at!? Your bird may have to live in it, but you have to live WITH it! Is it going to ugly up your living room?

7) Finish: How will you finish the bars, if they require finishing? Many paints are toxic to birds, and birds are constantly gnawing on their cage. This is why the best cages today are either stainless steel ($$$!) or powder coated.

–––––-

Look, I’m not saying you’re going to immediately kill your bird with your homemade cage...I’m a do-it-yourselfer myself...but I don’t think it’s worth the time versus the risk. If it’s totally a matter of money, I understand, but if you can scrape the dough together for a good cage, I think that’s a better way to go.


Hi, thanks for your suggestions. Here is my design for my DIY cage and i wanted to show it to you. I will reconsider my choices since our country is still on lockdown and cant make the cage any sooner!

I wanted a wood type since I imagine it as a furniture type that will also serve as a decoration in my room, I searched that beeswax is safe for birds as a coating to wood also. I will also add grated stainless steel on the poop tray. And btw im using acrylic doors with U bar sliders at the bottom without any hooks inside for the birds to open. In terms of bar spaces, i had searched somewhere that a meyer needs around 20mm of bar spaces, so I designed it that way. I guess that will be alright. Thanks again for your insights! Kindly don't hesitate if you have more suggestions :)

7YqzIqr.png
 
OP
wiji

wiji

New member
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Manila, Philippines
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I currently have a Meyer's Parrot that is with me for a couple of months now.
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #15
Also, any metal used should be stainless steel. Galvanized wire is outright toxic. Plain steel can contain enough zinc to poison your birds, and on top of that if it rusts, that's bad for the bird as well.

Some wood can be toxic, and pressure-treated wood is always toxic. Paint, sealants, etc can be toxic. If you use wood as a structural component, your birds may be able to chew through it. My mustache parakeet is a nearly obsessive chewer and would gnaw his way through a wood-framed cage in a matter of days.

I love to DIY things as well, but I would not be comfortable building a cage. There are just too many materials that could kill your birds. You really would be much, much, MUCH safer buying a cage.

I see, thank you also for your suggestions.

Considering that my Meyer's is also obssessed in chewing wood.... I think i will have to reconsider a lot of things then.
 

noodles123

Well-known member
Jul 11, 2018
8,145
472
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Umbrella Cockatoo- 15? years old..I think?
Each bird needs it own cage. Two birds may never be freinds, and are three time the noise!

I think she's telling you , she wants all your attention and doesn't want to share.
Then maybe I'll just get a pair of birds I mentioned above and separate my Meyer's. It'll be easy to just redesign the cage than having multiple problems of bird being aggressive to each other. Thank you for responding!

woah woah-- if you get a pair then what happens if they start having babies or become hormonal? Breeding is a whole HUGE ordeal that requires lots of special equipment and experience. If that pair has babies and if they survive to maturity, then each of them would also need his/her own cage (or siblings will mate and you will have a dangerous genetic situation).

You also need to quarantine ANY new bird in a separate room for at least 30 days before introducing to your existing bird..and if the pair doesn't mesh with the Meyers, do you have 4 hours of time to allow each to come of the cage separately (e.g., 8 hours)?

Also- if you use metal in a DIY cage, often contain zinc and other toxic substances that, while safe for chickens, can kill parrots...stainless or verified safe powder coated cages are the safest options for metals..Furthermore, no pressure blasted or chemically treated wood should be used...I would honestly buy a cage because, while this is cool looking, you will be hard-pressed to make something safe that will last the parrot's lifetime. Wood is also not very sanitary because it is porous.
 
Last edited:
OP
wiji

wiji

New member
Apr 12, 2020
16
0
Manila, Philippines
Parrots
I currently have a Meyer's Parrot that is with me for a couple of months now.
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #17
Each bird needs it own cage. Two birds may never be freinds, and are three time the noise!

I think she's telling you , she wants all your attention and doesn't want to share.
Then maybe I'll just get a pair of birds I mentioned above and separate my Meyer's. It'll be easy to just redesign the cage than having multiple problems of bird being aggressive to each other. Thank you for responding!

woah woah-- if you get a pair then what happens if they start having babies or become hormonal? Breeding is a whole HUGE ordeal that requires lots of special equipment and experience. If that pair has babies and if they survive to maturity, then each of them would also need his/her own cage (or siblings will mate and you will have a dangerous genetic situation).

You also need to quarantine ANY new bird in a separate room for at least 30 days before introducing to your existing bird..and if the pair doesn't mesh with the Meyers, do you have 4 hours of time to allow each to come of the cage separately (e.g., 8 hours)?

Also- if you use metal in a DIY cage, often contain zinc and other toxic substances that, while safe for chickens, can kill parrots...stainless or verified safe powder coated cages are the safest options for metals..Furthermore, no pressure blasted or chemically treated wood should be used...I would honestly buy a cage because, while this is cool looking, you will be hard-pressed to make something safe that will last the parrot's lifetime. Wood is also not very sanitary because it is porous.


So my latest idea is to cover the exposed part of wood inside the cage by a stainless steel sheet, what do you think? :)
 

noodles123

Well-known member
Jul 11, 2018
8,145
472
Parrots
Umbrella Cockatoo- 15? years old..I think?
Would it allow light in? If not, you are creating a nest box...which is bad..no shadowy spaces....You need full light on all sides + the top (something like a shoe box or a hut can turn a bird into a hormonal nightmare very easily--even something like a book-shelf can be a trigger for many).

What are the bars/wires going to be made of?

Also, as for quarantine, a totally separate air-space is needed for at least 30 days (or, at minimum, rooms with more than one room between them-- and that is less-than-ideal by far) -- a cage-wall won't do it. They even say to change clothes between handling birds during a quarantine....

I hate to sound negative, because I love your ingenuity--- I just feel like parrot housing is not the best DIY project (although I once considered it myself).

I also see you live in an apartment-- I would not get more birds until you have a house (if then). You CANNOT quarantine in a healthy way unless you have an INSANELY large apartment (the likes of which I have never seen). I lived in an apartment for many years and one bird is not even really the safest bet (due to many things beyond your control as a tenant).

How old is your current? If he isn't sexually mature, you could be in for serious bhevaior changes when he becomes mature, and if he is already sexually mature, introducing new birds (no matter age, species or sex) could trigger serious behaviors in him..and potentially the others.

You have only had your Meyers a few months (which is not long enough to really know a bird well---even though I KNOW it feels that way, having lived it myself) and an apartment is really not ideal for birds (also having lived it)..wait a few years before getting more...you will know your current bird better and hopefully have more room to separate if needed (although time is very important-- and a reason not to get more....imagine if you must tend to them all individually....while keeping a job).

1 house is technically too small for a parrot when you think about the fact that they are designed to fly upwards of 40 miles per day--yes-- I have a parrot in a house (but it isn't natural)...My thing is, you want to keep multiples in one cage in an apartment-- just think about how big a mall is to you, and then image how confining that would be to an animal designed to fly 40 miles per day, with the intelligence of a 3 to 4-year old child. Again-- not trying to be a brat- I know people do it, but.....you also must consider quarantine and your ability to prevent breeding, and behavioral issues, while providing birds adequate time out of their cages.
 
Last edited:
OP
wiji

wiji

New member
Apr 12, 2020
16
0
Manila, Philippines
Parrots
I currently have a Meyer's Parrot that is with me for a couple of months now.
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #19
Would it allow light in? If not, you are creating a nest box...which is bad..no shadowy spaces....You need full light on all sides + the top (something like a shoe box or a hut can turn a bird into a hormonal nightmare very easily--even something like a book-shelf can be a trigger for many).

What are the bars/wires going to be made of?

Also, as for quarantine, a totally separate air-space is needed for at least 30 days (or, at minimum, rooms with more than one room between them-- and that is less-than-ideal by far) -- a cage-wall won't do it. They even say to change clothes between handling birds during a quarantine....

I hate to sound negative, because I love your ingenuity--- I just feel like parrot housing is not the best DIY project (although I once considered it myself).

I also see you live in an apartment-- I would not get more birds until you have a house (if then). You CANNOT quarantine in a healthy way unless you have an INSANELY large apartment (the likes of which I have never seen). I lived in an apartment for many years and one bird is not even really the safest bet (due to many things beyond your control as a tenant).

How old is your current? If he isn't sexually mature, you could be in for serious bhevaior changes when he becomes mature, and if he is already sexually mature, introducing new birds (no matter age, species or sex) could trigger serious behaviors in him..and potentially the others.

You have only had your Meyers a few months (which is not long enough to really know a bird well---even though I KNOW it feels that way, having lived it myself) and an apartment is really not ideal for birds (also having lived it)..wait a few years before getting more...you will know your current bird better and hopefully have more room to separate if needed (although time is very important-- and a reason not to get more....imagine if you must tend to them all individually....while keeping a job).

1 house is technically too small for a parrot when you think about the fact that they are designed to fly upwards of 40 miles per day--yes-- I have a parrot in a house (but it isn't natural)...My thing is, you want to keep multiples in one cage in an apartment-- just think about how big a mall is to you, and then image how confining that would be to an animal designed to fly 40 miles per day, with the intelligence of a 3 to 4-year old child. Again-- not trying to be a brat- I know people do it, but.....you also must consider quarantine and your ability to prevent breeding, and behavioral issues, while providing birds adequate time out of their cages.

Great advices!!! Evry note taken and I appreciate your concern and honesty. Thank you very much!!!
 

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