Joe the Amazon Parrot #17

Maryanna Barber who is on face book and apparently following my moments with Joe the Amazon Parrot sent me an article on round bird cages written by Alyson Kalhagen, a pet bird expert.

Ann and I knew immediately when we saw the five foot tall round black iron bird cage that our new pet Amazon Parrot Joe was going to have to get use to a new non iron and square bird cage. We were worried Joe was growing out of the round cage and that the iron in the cage was bad for Joe who likes to chew on everything.

We knew we could not just take Joe from his home of ten years and drop him in a new cage without causing some trauma and tension so we let Joe stay in his round cage till we could find a suitable replacement and that also allowed Joe to adjust to his new surroundings in his new home with his new flock of Ann and Me.

After Joe had been in his new home for thirteen days Ann and I selected a new non iron square cage for Joe and placed it next to his old round iron cage. Joe took one look at it and turned his beak up at the new cage!

Over the last five days Ann has been trying to get Joe to at least sit on the top of the new cage and that has not worked out that well, but very soon Joe will wake up in his new square cage and his old round cage will just be a memory.

Joe the Amazon Parrot will find it easier to climb out of his new cage to watch television and type on the computer to keep all his fans up to date on the life and times of Joe.

The article follows -

Question: Are Round Cages Really Bad for Birds?

Answer:

Round cages are not recommended for most bird species, for a variety of reasons.

The first reason that these cages can be bad news is because they can be detrimental to a parrot's psychological health. Birds are very intelligent creatures, but many have driven themselves crazy climbing around and around cylindrical cages and feeling like they're never getting anywhere. Giving a bird an angular cage provides them with reference points to different locations in their territories -- thus helping them feel confident, safe, and secure.

Another reason to avoid round cages is because they are often awkward living spaces for a bird to inhabit. They very way that they are shaped causes many bird's feathers to be in constant contact with the cage bars, wearing them down and giving the bird a ragged appearance.

Round cages can also be difficult to maintain. Because most bird cages are now square or rectangular in shape, it can be hard to find certain accessories that will fit round cages -- like cuttlebone and millet holders, seed cups, and cage liners.  

For this reason, it may be easier on both you and your pet to opt for a square or rectangular cage. By doing so, you can provide your pet with a comfortable home, and provide yourself with a cage that is easy to keep clean and well stocked with fun accessories.