Potential Metal Danger?

[elliebirdyx]

Hi everyone,

I have a green cheek conure parrot and have for about 3 years. He is my sweet baby boy. I realized a while ago that the cage I got him had parts of the paint chipped off from screwing and unscrewing perches/bowls/water bottles.

I knew that zinc/lead/copper were all toxic metals to birds, but my avian vet informed me that very few places make cages of these materials as of late. I also have horrendous OCD and fear of losing him, so I put the subject to rest for a bit.
Flash forward to present-day, I did more research on birds and metal dangers because of odd-looking metal fittings that came in for a new bowl I bought. I realized that the manufacturer of the cage I purchased him 3 years ago as a brand-new bird momma does not state what material the cage is made of other than "metal". Additionally, everything I research states that the metal under the paint/coating is likely zinc. I am in full-fledge panic mode.

Any pointers? I have a travel cage for him that I can temporarily relocate him into until the new stainless-steel cage I ordered arrives, however, I believe there is a small bit of exposed metal from screwing perches onto as well. I absolutely love my baby boy and am trying to do everything right by him, but it's difficult because everything in our modern world is seemingly harmful.

This is the cage he has: Petsmart cage ( https://www.petsmart.com/bird/cages-and-stands/cages/all-living-things-multi-bird-cage-82092.html )

Thanks in advance to all of the more-educated bird parents out there!

 

[LaManuka]

Hi everyone,

I have a green cheek conure parrot and have for about 3 years. He is my sweet baby boy. I realized a while ago that the cage I got him had parts of the paint chipped off from screwing and unscrewing perches/bowls/water bottles.

I knew that zinc/lead/copper were all toxic metals to birds, but my avian vet informed me that very few places make cages of these materials as of late. I also have horrendous OCD and fear of losing him, so I put the subject to rest for a bit.
Flash forward to present-day, I did more research on birds and metal dangers because of odd-looking metal fittings that came in for a new bowl I bought. I realized that the manufacturer of the cage I purchased him 3 years ago as a brand-new bird momma does not state what material the cage is made of other than "metal". Additionally, everything I research states that the metal under the paint/coating is likely zinc. I am in full-fledge panic mode.

Any pointers? I have a travel cage for him that I can temporarily relocate him into until the new stainless-steel cage I ordered arrives, however, I believe there is a small bit of exposed metal from screwing perches onto as well. I absolutely love my baby boy and am trying to do everything right by him, but it's difficult because everything in our modern world is seemingly harmful.

This is the cage he has: Petsmart cage ( https://www.petsmart.com/bird/cages-and-stands/cages/all-living-things-multi-bird-cage-82092.html )

Thanks in advance to all of the more-educated bird parents out there!

I went stainless steel a few years back, after my then purple-crowned lorikeet (tiny bird, only the size of a budgie) chewed off a section of powder coating from a BRAND NEW cage that I had got for my cockatiel when she was trying desperately to get into his cage to steal his breakfast. This would have been in 2018, and although the cage was new, she must've somehow found a flaw and before I knew it she'd removed quite a sizeable chunk of it, exposing what I can only describe as "mystery metal" underneath. Like you I went into panic mode and immediately ordered stainless steel cages for both my lorikeet and my 'tiel, and I cable-tied a bit of wood over the missing powder coating while I waited for them to arrive. I don't think you'll regret going stainless, just give it a good wash with warm soapy water and a thorough rinse to remove any residue that may be there from the factory and it should serve you and your baby boy for a very long time to come

 

[wrench13]

Dont let your OCD get control! Powder coated cages are usually just the powder coating on bare steel, no zinc under it. But toy hardware is often zinc plated or stainless. Scratch the hardware - if flakes come off its zinc plated or check with a magnet. Stainless steel is non-magnetic ( or very very slightly). zinc plated steel is highly magnetic.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I just went around and tested all my metal cages with a magnet and they're all magnetic. They are the standard black hammertone metal cages sold all over Amazon and Chewy.

Then I did what I aways do when I want to learn things- I googled magnetic metals. It said that "steel" is magnetic because it's made with Iron which is magnetic. It also said that "certain" stainless steels are also magnetic. Nickel is magnetic as are some rare earth metals.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I also read that zinc itself is NOT magnetic but galvanized zinc is magnetic because it's over steel which is strongly magnetic.
I agree with Wrench13- don't get too OCD over this, but I also agree with LaManuka about the benefits of stainless steel cages. However, not many average people can afford large stainless steel cages for their birds and its not reasonable to expect people to incur thousands in debt to house them. Responsible bird ownership is expensive enough as it is with the cost of regular cages, toys, perches, playstands, quality food and routine and emergency vet care without the added cost of stainless steel cages.

Quality wise you wouldn't regret buying stainless steel for your conure- those cages are beautiful and safe- but there will be plenty of regret if it takes years to pay off the expense on a high interest credit card or if you can't pay your utility bills while your bird is safe from the theoretical risk of metal poisoning from a cage that is probably made from relatively safe iron based steel, not toxic heavy metals.

 

[elliebirdyx]

I went stainless steel a few years back, after my then purple-crowned lorikeet (tiny bird, only the size of a budgie) chewed off a section of powder coating from a BRAND NEW cage that I had got for my cockatiel when she was trying desperately to get into his cage to steal his breakfast. This would have been in 2018, and although the cage was new, she must've somehow found a flaw and before I knew it she'd removed quite a sizeable chunk of it, exposing what I can only describe as "mystery metal" underneath. Like you I went into panic mode and immediately ordered stainless steel cages for both my lorikeet and my 'tiel, and I cable-tied a bit of wood over the missing powder coating while I waited for them to arrive. I don't think you'll regret going stainless, just give it a good wash with warm soapy water and a thorough rinse to remove any residue that may be there from the factory and it should serve you and your baby boy for a very long time to come

This was such a refreshing read, as were everyone else's comments! Thank you endlessly for sharing your personal experience! I genuinely cannot express the relief I feel when reading that others have had similar experiences and that everything turned out A-okay! I ordered the stainless steel cage and placed him in a temporary travel cage (large enough for a weekend) until the new one arrives!

 

[elliebirdyx]

Dont let your OCD get control! Powder coated cages are usually just the powder coating on bare steel, no zinc under it. But toy hardware is often zinc plated or stainless. Scratch the hardware - if flakes come off its zinc plated or check with a magnet. Stainless steel is non-magnetic ( or very very slightly). zinc plated steel is highly magnetic.

This information is HUGE. I tend to let my OCD devour every beautiful moment of my life... especially when it comes to my little son. Thank you for this reminder. I did use a magnet on the bolts, hangers, and washers- as well as his cage. All of them were magnetic. I was thinking of ordering new hardware (304 stainless washers, wingnuts, and bolts on Amazon).

 

[elliebirdyx]

I also read that zinc itself is NOT magnetic but galvanized zinc is magnetic because it's over steel which is strongly magnetic.
I agree with Wrench13- don't get too OCD over this, but I also agree with LaManuka about the benefits of stainless steel cages. However, not many average people can afford large stainless steel cages for their birds and its not reasonable to expect people to incur thousands in debt to house them. Responsible bird ownership is expensive enough as it is with the cost of regular cages, toys, perches, playstands, quality food and routine and emergency vet care without the added cost of stainless steel cages.

Quality wise you wouldn't regret buying stainless steel for your conure- those cages are beautiful and safe- but there will be plenty of regret if it takes years to pay off the expense on a high interest credit card or if you can't pay your utility bills while your bird is safe from the theoretical risk of metal poisoning from a cage that is probably made from relatively safe iron based steel, not toxic heavy metals.

I went around and tested my cage and toy/perch hardware as well with a magnet and EVERYTHING was magnetic*insert facepalm*. Not too sure if I should be replacing with 304 stainless steel hardware from Amazon or not

I totally agree with your testimony on stainless steel cages being hefty in price. Luckily, I am in a place right now where I can afford swapping, so I figure that it should last him a lifetime due to quality and material.

I am incredibly grateful for your insights in regards to not letting my OCD take over. It's comforting to hear from other bird-parents who acknowledge the realistic approach to owning a bird. I get very hard on myself because I'm not perfect and our human environments aren't natural to these beautiful babies who can be sensitive at times.

 

[elliebirdyx]

Following up on safe hardware choices for bowls and perches. I did some searching on Amazon for stainless steel (304 grade)z

Do these look like safe options?:

Wing nuts: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0D9L9JS6L/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_4?smid=A2EXY88YOB5TV0&psc=1

Bolts: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0FBFHF2DX/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_3?smid=A7VPD78G2EI5K&psc=1

Washers: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0BLGN63DR/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_2?smid=A1CGNHWZKSIK1&psc=1

Carabiners: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0FNN6DZFZ/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_1?smid=A211YMPK4Z34S4&psc=1

Any insight is appreciated. Thank you all again