Parrots are intelligent animals, these curious birds need a large place to live. Choose a cage that has a width of at least 3 times the wingspan of a parrot and a minimum height of 120 cm. A rectangular cage made of stainless steel is a good choice, make sure the lock and all the iron bars on the cage are pointing horizontally instead of vertically.
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Method 1 of 3: Choosing the Right Cage Features
Step 1. Place the cage in a protected area in the living room or family room
Cockatoos are social birds that require a lot of interaction with family members. Place the parrot's cage in a protected area of the room where you and your family spend a lot of time together. If possible, choose a warm place with lots of sun and away from noisy areas, for example you could place the cage in a well-lit corner.
- It's easier to clean the cage if you place the cage on ceramic, wood, or linoleum flooring.
- You can also place a cage on the carpet to help protect your floor from water, food or bird droppings.
Step 2. Buy a large cage
Parrots are not small birds and they need to be able to flap their wings and move comfortably in a cage. At a minimum, the height of the cage is 4 feet or 120 cm, the minimum width of the cage must also be 3 times the wingspan of the parrot. That way, the parrot can move freely in the cage
- Make sure to always buy the largest cage you can buy or one that fits the room in your home.
- The wingspan of a parrot depends on the breed, some of the parrot species have a larger wing span than others. Study 20 different types of parrots to determine the size of your parrot's wingspan.
Step 3. Select a rectangular shaped cage
The shape of the parrot's cage is very important. A rectangular cage will give you more room to move while a round cage will give you less freedom. Always choose a rectangular cage.
Step 4. Choose a stainless steel cage
Stainless steel is the best material for a parrot cage. Make sure the cage is made of stainless steel and not other metal materials. Metals such as zinc and lead can be very toxic to parrots and should be avoided as much as possible.
Method 2 of 3: Pay Attention to Cage Details
Step 1. Make sure to lock the cage door
Cockatoos are clever birds that can easily open a loose cage door. So, buy a cage with a lockable door to prevent the parrot from escaping, getting lost, or being attacked by other pets like dogs or cats.
If the cage door cannot be locked, you can lock it with the latch
Step 2. Select a cage with a horizontal iron
It is easier for the parrot to walk in a cage with a horizontal iron than vertical. When choosing a cage, try to choose a cage made with the iron pointing horizontally rather than vertically. This will give your parrot more room to climb, walk, and perch.
Step 3. Place the bird bath in the cage
You can improve the cleanliness of your parrot with a bird bath. Try placing a bath or ceramic plate under the cage. The bath must be 12 inches or 35 cm wide. Fill the bird bath with lukewarm water.
Clean the bird bath every day. If you see food or dirt in the bath, don't forget to clean it as soon as possible
Step 4. Place a perch or two in the cage
Your parrot will need a perch or two placed in a cage. Each perch should be 2 cm in diameter. Place perches away from places to eat or drink to avoid contamination.
Step 5. Give your parrot some toys
Parrots need a lot of mental stimulation. The best way to keep a parrot busy is with toys. Try hanging a toy in your parrot's cage. You can also hang a cloth toy that will encourage your parrot to use its beak.
Step 6. Consider providing a base in the cage
Some cages are made with removable bottoms, making them easy to clean. Consider buying a cage that comes with a base, you can also use a tool you have at home as a base, or an old newspaper.
Method 3 of 3: Caring for the Cage
Step 1. Clean the base of the cage every day
Cleaning the cage regularly is important to keep your parrot happy and healthy. Remove the mat from the bottom of the cage every day and remove any dirt or food residue and replace it with a clean mat or clean the existing mat.
Step 2. Wash the place to eat and drink every day
Places to eat and drink can get dirty easily. So, it is important to keep places to eat and drink clean. Take food and drink containers from the parrot's cage every day and clean with hot water added with soap and dry. After that, return it to the cage.
Step 3. Clean all parts of the cage once a week
Once a week, you should thoroughly clean all parts of the parrot's cage. In addition to changing the base of the cage and washing the place to eat and drink, you must clean all parts of the cage with hot water with soap added. You should also clean any toys or perches in the cage, as well as clean the floor around the cage with a vacuum cleaner or broom.
