Pros/cons of stacked cages?

[ravvlet]

Hey y’all!

Firstly, Kirby and Broccoli are doing well.

However, in my never ending quest to maximize space utilization in my tall and narrow townhouse, I was thinking about those stacked cages they use at parrot stores, etc. They often have the same footprint (width/depth) as a regular cage, they just have less vertical space.

My guys don’t seem to use the vertical space much - Kirby because of his arthritis and Broccoli because, I guess it’s just his preference. Are there any cons to those type of cages? It’s getting hotter here each year and it would be nice to free up a corner to put in an air conditioner.

Alternatively do any of you with lots of birds have clever layouts for fitting cages in without compromising your birds’ space and ability to keep it clean?

Missed you guys! Hope everyone is doing well!

 

[AprilRobin]

A possible pro is that some birds are annoyed by other birds walking/perching on the tops of their cages, and they will try to nip the toes and feet of those birds through the cage ceiling bars. A bird who doesn't like this could be kept in a bottom cage. I've never tried it, but I know some people set play gyms or boards on the tops of cages for this reason.

 

[rheashard2]

What are your avian friends personalities? Birds don't usually keep sounds coming from above them. This could be a potential problem.

 

[onamom]

I’ve been wondering how Broccoli was doing! Good to see you!

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I love the idea of stacked cages for space saving but I would hate to be the bird in the bottom cage where it's darker and gloomy, listening to upstairs neighbors and having to watch peoples' legs walk by instead of being closer to eye level. Plus, birds' instincts are to be high off the ground for safety and I wonder if being so low would be stressful. Breeders use them because they don't care about these things- they must save space.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I don't know how big your cages are or how big they need to be but one large 64x18x34 cage with a divider in the middle may save space. Each side is 32x18x34. If the two birds don't get along well enough for the wire divider a solid divider can be used. I have one of these cages that comes with a stand with wheels and can easily move it to clean. I have 4 budgies in each side- boys on the left and girls on the right- to prevent breeding.

 

[zERo]

I use a triple stacker cage! I use a light behind each one so that no bird is in the dark.
Definitely does save on space, I put my green cheek Tom on the bottom as he doesn’t seem affected by being lower.
It is a bit hard to maneuver around for sweeping etc. but it’s not impossible!
Here’s a picture of the one I have:

 

[ravvlet]

What are your avian friends personalities? Birds don't usually keep sounds coming from above them. This could be a potential problem.

Broccoli is a menace, as you might expect from a conure! Kirby is older and has heart disease and suspected arthritis, so he’s a lot calmer. Broccoli bullies him so they can’t be out together, and that also means a side by side cage likely wouldn’t work.

 

[ravvlet]

I use a triple stacker cage! I use a light behind each one so that no bird is in the dark.
Definitely does save on space, I put my green cheek Tom on the bottom as he doesn’t seem affected by being lower.
It is a bit hard to maneuver around for sweeping etc. but it’s not impossible!
Here’s a picture of the one I have:
View attachment 80588

This is cool. I wonder if they have a double stack version. We can’t afford a third parrot

 

[Vampiric_Conure]

The only serious downside I can think of is the birds being unable to see each other for entertainment. **Shrugs** Otherwise, I don't see why not!

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I have the double divided Pawhut cage for 8 budgies. I can't let the four boys on the left see the four girls on the right so instead of the wire divider I use a piece of luan plywood.