Bought an A&E Stainless Steel Cage- Thoughts?

[elliebirdyx]

Hi all!

Thanks for everyone’s insight on stainless cages. I am so grateful!

I decided on this cage by A&E, as my local bird store had it for nearly half the price of the MSRP: https://www.aecageco.com/Products/9003223-SS-Dometop-Cage.html

I researched for DAYS and this turned out to be the best option with appropriate bar spacing.

I do have a question: I brought the cage home and tested it with a magnet. It did seem a bit magnetic, but not as un magnetic as I was hoping… It wasn’t super snappy, but enough. The solid doors for the feeders were nearly 0% magnetic, but the bars and frame of the side pieces were all slightly magnetic. I wonder if it could be related to welds or something. A&E claims that their cages are 304 grade stainless steel. Any insight? I’m burnt out by tireless research and want to know if anyone has experience or believes this to be safe?

Thanks again, all!

 

[LaManuka]

Hi all!

Thanks for everyone’s insight on stainless cages. I am so grateful!

I decided on this cage by A&E, as my local bird store had it for nearly half the price of the MSRP: https://www.aecageco.com/Products/9003223-SS-Dometop-Cage.html

I researched for DAYS and this turned out to be the best option with appropriate bar spacing.

I do have a question: I brought the cage home and tested it with a magnet. It did seem a bit magnetic, but not as un magnetic as I was hoping… It wasn’t super snappy, but enough. The solid doors for the feeders were nearly 0% magnetic, but the bars and frame of the side pieces were all slightly magnetic. I wonder if it could be related to welds or something. A&E claims that their cages are 304 grade stainless steel. Any insight? I’m burnt out by tireless research and want to know if anyone has experience or believes this to be safe?

Thanks again, all!

I just tested out my Caitec cages for magnetism and they're VERY slightly magnetic in the framework but the bars are not magnetic at all - so kinda similar but a little different to yours, and mine are 304 stainless too. Don't ask me why, I couldn't even begin to explain it, but that cage you've got looks very nice and I think you've bagged yourself a bit of a bargain!

 

[elliebirdyx]

I just tested out my Caitec cages for magnetism and they're VERY slightly magnetic in the framework but the bars are not magnetic at all - so kinda similar but a little different to yours, and mine are 304 stainless too. Don't ask me why, I couldn't even begin to explain it, but that cage you've got looks very nice and I think you've bagged yourself a bit of a bargain!

Oh my gosh, you're the best. Thank you for taking the time to test and confirm with your cage. The magnetism on mine is a little more than "very slight", although it does not snap super hard luckily.. I am just hoping that A&E is indeed 304 stainless as they claim. My overthinking at work lol!


I definitely got a bargain! I'm excited to assemble it in the morning and update ya'll on how I like it! Thanks again for always popping in to clarify any concerns I have and shed your knowledge/light on a subject

 

[LaManuka]

Oh my gosh, you're the best. Thank you for taking the time to test and confirm with your cage. The magnetism on mine is a little more than "very slight", although it does not snap super hard luckily.. I am just hoping that A&E is indeed 304 stainless as they claim. My overthinking at work lol!


I definitely got a bargain! I'm excited to assemble it in the morning and update ya'll on how I like it! Thanks again for always popping in to clarify any concerns I have and shed your knowledge/light on a subject

You're most welcome, I'm happy to help and I hope you're and Yoshi are both pleased with it!

Have a good look at it when you assemble it and when you wash it down, which you'll want to do because it may still have some residue from the factory on it, because there *may* be a stamp on it somewhere telling you what gauge of stainless it is. When I was in the market for a cage for my princess parrot, (which my cockatiels decided they loved so they moved into it instead, go figure!), I got one that is 202A stainless, it's much lighter weight than the Caitec cages and it has a "202A" stamp on the door frame, whereas the Caitec cages have no such stamp - well none that I've been able to find anyway. Perhaps someone with a little more of a scientific background can explain what the difference is, but I've been happy with all of mine so far

 

[wrench13]

Austenitic stainless (302, 304 etc, etc ) can be feeble, slightly magnetic. Comes from stretching out the metal into the wire for the cages.

 

[LaManuka]

Austenitic stainless (302, 304 etc, etc ) can be feeble, slightly magnetic. Comes from stretching out the metal into the wire for the cages.

Thank you Master @wrench13, I kinda knew you'd know

 

[elliebirdyx]

Austenitic stainless (302, 304 etc, etc ) can be feeble, slightly magnetic. Comes from stretching out the metal into the wire for the cages.

Thanks so much for the deets!!

 

[elliebirdyx]

You're most welcome, I'm happy to help and I hope you're and Yoshi are both pleased with it!

Have a good look at it when you assemble it and when you wash it down, which you'll want to do because it may still have some residue from the factory on it, because there *may* be a stamp on it somewhere telling you what gauge of stainless it is. When I was in the market for a cage for my princess parrot, (which my cockatiels decided they loved so they moved into it instead, go figure!), I got one that is 202A stainless, it's much lighter weight than the Caitec cages and it has a "202A" stamp on the door frame, whereas the Caitec cages have no such stamp - well none that I've been able to find anyway. Perhaps someone with a little more of a scientific background can explain what the difference is, but I've been happy with all of mine so far

Awe- so happy you are happy with yours!! Thanks again so much for the info.

Unfortunate news; I have to refurn the cage due to pretty poor quality and inconsistent bar spacing. It’s listed as 5/8” but some are much larger. I already have a Pervue one at home I assembled that’s 3/4”. I’m not too keen on using that sized bar spacing due to him being a smaller green cheek conure, but it’s so much better quality for $1000 less… I will do supervised visits in that cage until I can be sure it’s safe

 

[LaManuka]

Awe- so happy you are happy with yours!! Thanks again so much for the info.

Unfortunate news; I have to refurn the cage due to pretty poor quality and inconsistent bar spacing. It’s listed as 5/8” but some are much larger. I already have a Pervue one at home I assembled that’s 3/4”. I’m not too keen on using that sized bar spacing due to him being a smaller green cheek conure, but it’s so much better quality for $1000 less… I will do supervised visits in that cage until I can be sure it’s safe

Oh no, and I thought A&E was a pretty reputable brand too! I hope you don't have any trouble getting a refund, but that is massively disappointing

 

[elliebirdyx]

Oh no, and I thought A&E was a pretty reputable brand too! I hope you don't have any trouble getting a refund, but that is massively disappointing

You’re so sweet- thank you!! I thought so too, but it’s all trail and error. Thanks again

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I doubt a GCC can come close to getting his head through 3/4 bar spaces.

 

[JjEjFjF]

Austenitic stainless (302, 304 etc, etc ) can be feeble, slightly magnetic. Comes from stretching out the metal into the wire for the cages.

Welding can also cause magnetism

 

[elliebirdyx]

Welding can also cause magnetism

This makes sense!! Thank you!

 

[elliebirdyx]

I doubt a GCC can come close to getting his head through 3/4 bar spaces.

Thank you for the insight! Prevue powder coated steel cage has been ordered and I shall commission Freedom Cages for later on!

 

[elliebirdyx]

Update—

I know I have taken you all for a ride on this insane journey. Lmao!!

I ended up ordering the stainless steel caitec cage that you recommended @LaManuka !! It’s here and assembled, but some of the welds have little black speckles that are textured. Did yours have that too? I lightly sanded some sharp edges also! Did you experience that on your cage too? @LaManuka

 

[elliebirdyx]

And some rust in the bottom tray but not where the baby will have access. It’s unfortunate that the quality of things is so poor nowadays. For the mostpart, the part he will be in is decent quality and the bottom is pretty bad lol

 

[LaManuka]

Update—

I know I have taken you all for a ride on this insane journey. Lmao!!

I ended up ordering the stainless steel caitec cage that you recommended @LaManuka !! It’s here and assembled, but some of the welds have little black speckles that are textured. Did yours have that too? I lightly sanded some sharp edges also! Did you experience that on your cage too? @LaManuka

I had a look over mine, @elliebirdyx, and I really only noticed a spot or maybe two where it could be said to have textured black speckles on any of the weld spots. Honestly I don't know if they were there from day 1 or if they developed over time. One of mine does have a sharp edge where the tray sits, not accessible by the birds but my hubby did manage to slice his finger open on it when we were assembling it. I'm very sad to hear yours already has rust, mine do develop the odd rust spot but they're fairly easily dealt with with some steel wool at power-washing time. Did you buy the cage direct from Caitec? Even if not, it might be worth contacting the seller to let them know about the rusty tray if it's that bad, they may replace it.

 

[elliebirdyx]

I had a look over mine, @elliebirdyx, and I really only noticed a spot or maybe two where it could be said to have textured black speckles on any of the weld spots. Honestly I don't know if they were there from day 1 or if they developed over time. One of mine does have a sharp edge where the tray sits, not accessible by the birds but my hubby did manage to slice his finger open on it when we were assembling it. I'm very sad to hear yours already has rust, mine do develop the odd rust spot but they're fairly easily dealt with with some steel wool at power-washing time. Did you buy the cage direct from Caitec? Even if not, it might be worth contacting the seller to let them know about the rusty tray if it's that bad, they may replace it.

Thank you endlessly for being so helpful and descriptive! I apologize for my delay; life got hectic!

I ended up having to stick with the "All Living Things" Petsmart branded cage because literally no cage would come in time before I left for vacation, and my poor baby spent far too long in a travel carrier.

I strive for perfection because I care so much about him, which is why I wanted stainless, but he is so unbelievably happy in this cage (he's known it for years). Our local bird store stated that they have never heard of heavy metal toxicity with Petsmart cages, luckily.

 

[SailBoat]

Austenitic stainless (302, 304 etc, etc ) can be feeble, slightly magnetic. Comes from stretching out the metal into the wire for the cages.

Welding can cause low levels of magnetism especially when welding rod as the tip commonly circles one rod over another at 45 degrees.