Cage with rust ( few in some spots)

Brian the pied · Sep 10, 2025

Hello long time no see! I was a bit buzy these last months! Im here for help! I optained a much bigger cage with stand for my cockatiel still in very good condition but has some rust in some some spots i took it at a very good price all good bottom etc etc but im worried about the rust! You think i return it or i shall keep it? I give a very good clean and all is good..Here photos,video attached...wait your help! I realy hope to keep it..

wrench13 · Sep 10, 2025

The rust may be better off left. Let me tell you why- recoating it with something may be worse then the rust. Using any kind of paint that you might be able to acquire will always be a weak point and if your bird starts to pick and scrape on it, could ingest it. Cages are usually plated with nickel or chrome or powder coated ( a very tough polyester based powder sprayed on then baked at high temperature to fuze it to the metal). Garden variety paints do not do that.

Why not leave it as is, save your $$ and get a new BIGGER cage because while adequate, this cage is like the smallest I would consider for a 'tiel.

LaManuka · Sep 10, 2025

Brian the pied said:
Hello long time no see! I was a bit buzy these last months! Im here for help! I optained a much bigger cage with stand for my cockatiel still in very good condition but has some rust in some some spots i took it at a very good price all good bottom etc etc but im worried about the rust! You think i return it or i shall keep it? I give a very good clean and all is good..Here photos,video attached...wait your help! I realy hope to keep it..

Honestly I think you're better off going with a new cage, or at least one with no rust spots or flaws on it. In my experience, the moment there's a fault or something you'd rather your bird not worry at or chew on, that's exactly the bit they will see and make a beeline for. Cockatiels also can get very single-minded, mine certainly do, and if there's one thing I don't want them to do, that's the thing they will do, over and over and over again! You could maybe still use that cage for emergencies, but for your peace of mind I think a flaw-free one would be best for daily use.

DonnaBudgie · Sep 10, 2025

I would clean it up and use it with the rust if you can't afford a better, newer cage. It doesn't look that bad.

Macawdamia Nut · Sep 10, 2025

I have had stainless steel cages for decades, but before that I remember taking cages to a local place to be sandblasted and re-powder coated.

bug_n_flock · Sep 10, 2025

It doesn't look that bad id probably use it if I were in your shoes. Just clean it good and keep eyes on it to make sure the rust spots don't grow and your bird isn't picking at it.

times are tough, gotta save a few $$$ where ever possible these days. My (dirt cheap) ground coffee jumped up by 10$ in the last week.

kme3388 · Dec 10, 2025

Macawdamia Nut said:
I have had stainless steel cages for decades, but before that I remember taking cages to a local place to be sandblasted and re-powder coated.

My macaw got his new cage back in June. He’s already chipped away at some paint (it’s not terrible yet), and he can partially bend the cage bars. I’m going to try to re powder coat through a company here where I live. May I ask what you used for powder coating, and how long it lasted? If this doesn’t work I may have to do a custom cage and I’m looking at $8000-10,000.

Macawdamia Nut · Dec 11, 2025

kme3388 said:
My macaw got his new cage back in June. He’s already chipped away at some paint (it’s not terrible yet), and he can partially bend the cage bars. I’m going to try to re powder coat through a company here where I live. May I ask what you used for powder coating, and how long it lasted? If this doesn’t work I may have to do a custom cage and I’m looking at $8000-10,000.

This was decades ago, so my memory is hazy. I remember that it was pretty costly, but less expensive than buying a new cage. The cage itself was in great shape. The issue you are facing is that your bird can bend the bars. They don’t build cages like they used to (or you have a particularly strong bird!). The cage lasted about 8 years before I decided to bite the bullet and go the stainless route.

You must be able to find a quality SS cage for less than $8k. I see them often on Offer Up, Craig’s List, etc. I bought an outdoor SS cage for my bird for $300 through Offer Up. It needed cleaning up and it is smaller than his high quality indoor cage, but it will do. You have to be diligent in your search and fast to act. They sell quickly.