As is to be expected, bird cages are the most expensive part of any bird equipment. For parrots in particular, it is important to take time to choose the right one. Because they are bigger than other pet birds, the cage needs to be well-built and strong. You will also need to consider the bar-spacing of the cage, to make sure that your parrot can’t get his beak stuck or manage to get out.

Ideas-4-pets have a wide variety of cages available for small, medium or large parrots and some can be used as small pet carriers too. There is also a selection of different shapes, such as rectangular, open top and domed top. Round cages are no longer advised because they can disorientate your parrot. All Ideas-4-pets products include VAT and a prompt, free delivery service and you can order online or by phone.

When you have a parrot for a pet there are few things you will need to keep him happy and healthy.

Choose one of our wide varieties of bird cages we have in stock at Ideas-4-Pets. We have a range of bird products to complement our bird cages and parrot cages.

Parrot cages should be large enough to let your parrot stand, move around comfortably and at the same time be able to spread his wings.

One of our most popular parrot cages is a rectangular one as the size allows easy movement and flight.

A parrot is intelligent and he likes to be entertained, especially if he or she is left alone during the day. Parrot and bird toys are an excellent way to satisfy their curiosity.

Purchasing a gym or a T stand, ropes and other bird products or pet accessories allows your parrot to keep fit and healthy.

Most parrots or birds that are cage bound are picky eaters and will choose one particular food they like and throw away the rest.

To avoid a large amount of waste, reduce the amount of each type of food you give to your pet.

Using this method your parrot will eat his food.

As with any pet, the main consideration is to keep your parrot healthy.

At Ideas-4-Pets we have a range of parrot cages for you to choose from.

Depending on the parrot you have chosen the cage you require will have to be large enough to allow him to fly around and to spread out its wings to their fullest extent.

Parrot cages have been updated to fit into modern décor and can become a feature of any room. The cages have been redesigned to help your pet parrot maintain a good, healthy life.

If you have decided to keep your parrot outside, we at Ideas-4-Pets are able to help with advice on how to find the correct parrot cage for their environment.

All parrots soon become bored if they are left on their own all day and we have a wide selection of parrot cages, accessories and toys to keep your pet entertained while you are out or at work.

A parrot will need time out of his parrot cage to enjoy a little freedom and you will have to make sure your windows are closed. One thing to remember is your parrot is clever and will be able to spot any openings to make his escape.

Caution: Cover your parrot cage at night to ensure you and your pet has a good night sleep.

Larger parrots can live for a very long time so you are committing yourself to long-term care of the parrot.  If you intend to put your parrot in an outside aviary during the colder months, you should ask the breeder how acclimatised the bird is and if you are already the owner of parrots, it is also advisable to quarantine the new one for approx. 35 days before allowing it into the same area of your existing parrots in case it is carrying any form of disease.

Check to see if your new parrot is fluffing up his feathers, resting with his head in his wing, is standing on two legs rather than one leg or is breathing heavily with discharge from his nostrils, as these are sure signs of illness and you need to keep him warm and quiet.  The best temperature is around 80 to 90 degrees F (27 to 32 degrees C) and make sure that he’s provided with easily digestable food like baby food that is easily reached from his perch.  We would advise that you then contact a vet with avian expertise immediately. As these Vets are not common, it would be sensible to locate one before you buy the parrot as it’s often in the very early days of ownership that you might need one.  If you contact The Parrot Society, they will assist you in finding a vet with avian expertise who is the most local to you.

Feed your parrot a wide variety of foods such as canary seed, mixed millets, hemp, wheat, maize, safflower, sunflower (in moderation as it is an oily seed and can cause your parrot to become overweight), oats, buckwheat, paddy rice, niger, linseed and groats. Also let him have fruits such as oranges, sweet apples, grapes, pears, cherries and bananas. If possible try to include some exotic fruits such as papaya, mango and kiwi.

Never give your parrot avocados as these are toxic to birds.  You can however offer him  carrots, celery, spinach, beetroot, peas, beans and lightly cooked corn on the cob. They also enjoy sprouted seeds and soaked biscuit but don’t feed him scraps from the table.

Larger parrots like macaws should be given nuts in their diet throughout the year and these can include walnuts, brazil nuts, pecans, macadamia, cashews and hazelnuts. He will also enjoy a few cob-nuts when they are in season.

Don’t forget to wash all fruit and vegetables that you give your parrot and make sure that the bowls inside his parrot cage are washed thoroughly before use.  It’s best not to place any food bowls directly underneath the perches in his parrot cage as they will soon become soiled.

Of course, the usual proprietary foods in pellet form are available from pet shops, but a lot of experienced aviculturists believe that this doesn’t provide foraging experience for the parrot and so has little therapeutic value. However they are very convenient and will provide adequate nutrition so can be used extensively or in part. Your avian vet will be able to advise you further on this.

As with all pets, the larger the home you can provide him with the better.  A large parrot cage is acceptable so long as your parrot is allowed out of his cage every day.  Don’t however, leave him on his own, unsupervised as he may chew electric cables, damage your furniture and fittings or escape.  Provide him with a bird play stand and some parrot toys so that he can amuse himself as well as fly around when he is out of his cage.

Large macaws are better kept in large outdoor aviaries and ideas-4-pets have some quality aviaries to choose from – both timber and metal.

The floor of his parrot cage should be covered with peat, shavings, sand or newspaper and changed daily to make sure it is clean, fresh and hygienic. Garden aviaries should have a draught-proof, weather proof indoor section to protect your parrot from extremes of weather. Because parrots are intelligent and inquisitive, provide your parrot with an interesting, stimulating environment with plenty of climbing opportunities.  These could include cotton rope, ladders and wooden climbing frames. Packs of suitable toys can be bought from ideas-4-pets. If you are keeping your parrot in an outside aviary, make sure he has penty of perches and cotton climbing ropes but remember to leave him enough room in there to fly around.

All bird cages and aviaries are better if they are fitted with natural perches (fruit tree or sycamore branches are ideal) as these provide different diameters for your parrot’s feet to move to.  This allows him to flex the bones in his feet. It is also important to change the perches on a regular basis.

As with all pets, fresh, clean water should be provided daily. In the case of parrots, multi-vitamin drops can be added to the water and should have access to grit cuttlefish which will provide him with calcium.

If you provide your parrot with the correct housing, the correct food, things to play with and time to spend with him, he will provide you with amusement and wonderful companionship for many years.

Difference making factors

One significant difference between average birdcages and parrot cages is the size. Parrots are generally much larger than other domestic bird species. Thus parrot cages are normally much larger in order to accommodate a parrot comfortably. If you try keeping a parrot in a cage that is too small for it, you will end up with a depressed and sick bird on your hands.

Space is important for your parrot to play, move and entertain itself in. The second huge difference is the materials the cages are made of. Average birdcages are made of relatively flimsy materials compared to a parrot cage. Parrots are strong birds with lots of power in their beaks and a lot of intelligence too. Many owners are surprised when their parrot learns how to open their cage door on their own, or chew through wire in order for a taste of freedom.

The placement of birdcages and parrot cages is also going to be different. You can place other birds in a quiet corner of the room and they will be happy. Parrot cages take up lots of room and they need to be in high traffic areas. Lonely parrots can wreak havoc on themselves and their surroundings.

These cages are made specifically to ensure that the parrots are comfortable.  One should remember that the bird cage will be your pets’ home for most of its life.

Good quality parrot cages are usually made of strong, powder coated metal. Then for safety they are finished with non toxic paint. It is likely that your parrot will have a good chew on the cage so it needs to be safe to do so.

When all is done perfectly it all results in a good quality long lasting cage that will ensure a safe environment for your parrot.

Ideas 4 Pets parrot cages differ in sizes and shapes depending on the parrot they will house. Depending on the size or quantity of your parrots, we can help you get the perfect housing for your parrot and our prices are very competitive.

Depending on where it will be placed you will also see if you need any another accessories for the cage like a cage cover.

Pairing cages and parrots

You need to invest in a top quality cage that is large enough to house an adult parrot in the breed you want. Too small is never an option, you will get much less joy out of an uncomfortable and cranky parrot than one that is happy in a roomy cage. Bigger can be better in this case because there are no real drawbacks to having a bigger cage than needed.

You need to make sure that the cage has no toxic elements or finishes that could harm your parrot. Another good idea is to choose a really sturdy cage so that your parrot cannot break free by chewing at the bars. Spending the money on top quality parrot cages is worth more than spending the same amount or more on constantly replacing sub standard parrot cages.

You also need to make sure that locks on your parrot cages are parrot proof. These birds are smart, dextrous and very strong. Another thing you will want to look for is the ease of maintenance. If it is a mission to clean parrot cages or to change the food and water dishes then leave those cages well alone.

What you want are parrot cages that are easy and quick to maintain so that you can spend more of your time enjoying your pet so check out our range at Ideas 4 Pets and don’t forget that we can offer expert advice by phone or email to make sure you get the right cage for your parrot’s requirements.

If you are purchasing your bird from a pet shops you should be offered some advise on which type of parrot cage to buy, but it’s still better to do your own homework as well before purchasing.  Different breeds of parrot require different types of cages.  For instance, some birds like to climb so they are better with a cage which has some horizontal bars for them to climb up.  The width of the bars on the bird cage are also important because you wouldn’t want your bird to get his head stuck in the bars !!  A reputable breeder should guide you in the right direction as these are the experts and expect the best for their birds.

Amongst the many factors to take into account when choosing and buying your parrot cage, I still think that the most important factor is that the bigger the bird cage the better.  I know that this isn’t always financially possible, but if you really want the best for your bird then invest in a parrot cage that you know you can afford and can provide the best home for your parrot.

Your new bird needs plenty of room to move about, exercise and flap his wings easily without any risk of him banging on the sides of his parrot cage.  If you are able to provide this for your parrot then this is an excellent start for both of you.

Consider what shape of parrot cage to purchase.  Some people like a square or rectangular shaped cage and others like the look of a rounded one.  I think that most parrot owners agree that a square parrot cage will provide a more secure environment for your bird whereas a round one can cause your bird to feel stressed as these do not fit into corners of the room very easily and can cause your bird to feel vulnerable. A square cage can be put against a wall or in a corner so that 1 or 2 of the sides are closed in and parrots appear to prefer this.

It’s worth knowing that African Greys and Macaws enjoy plenty of space in their parrot cages as they are large birds and if they are cooped up in a small parrot cage they become depressed and stressed which can lead to feather plucking.  Parrot cages with a gym or play top are a good idea if your bird likes to come out of his cage and also if you can’t afford to purchase a playstand for your bird.

It’s wise to invest in a good quality cage – there are some good powder coated ones on the market which have been oven baked at high temperatures resulting in a parrot cage that will provide a long lasting and safe environment for your bird.  Always check before purchasing that the paint is non-toxic and doesn’t contain any zinc which can be fatal to birds.

You should also consider a bird cage cover as birds need their sleep just as we humans do – a tired parrot can be a grumpy, aggressive parrot and it cruel to expect your bird to sleep without the darkness of a cover.  They are used to sleeping among the foliage in the wild and this is the next best thing.  Expecting your parrot to sleep whilst the light is on and the TV is on and people are chatting and moving around is like expecting a baby to do the same – it won’t !!

One point to remember – Your parrot will be like having a small child in the house again.  He will rely on you not only to provide the best housing for him, but also to provide good, nutritious food, toys to play with.  Last but certainly not least,  because parrots are very social creatures, you will need to spend plenty of time playing and interacting with him.

Colour variations include albino, lutino, pied, pearl, cinnamon, and silver.  The differences between males and females vary in the different colour variations and can sometimes be hard to distinguish, especially in young birds.   They are attractive birds that are friendly and easy to tame and they have the reputation of being gentle and docile birds who enjoy being petted and held.  Cockatiels are good at mimicking speech and learning to whiste tunes but the male is thought to be better at it than the female.

Cockatiels make good company for each other if they are kept in pairs, but usually will not bond as well with their owners or mimic speech or sounds.  Keeping a single bird is ok so long as you are able to spend a significant amount of time interacting with the cockatiel on a daily basis.  The cockatiel is both playful and active and although they vocalise and whistle most of the time,  they are not as loud as some other parrots.

When choosing a cockatiel, it’s better to choose a hand fed baby or at least a young bird that has been handled regularly.  Prices will probably vary dependant on the colour you want and you can always expect to pay a bit more from a conscientious breeder.  However, it’s well worth paying the extra for a well-handled baby.  You can also purchase a cockatiel from certain high street pet shops, but it’s worth considering that these birds might not have a known history and so could be older, not used to being handled and therefore harder to tame.

As with all birds, look for a cockatiel who appears to be bright, alert and active.  A bird that is seen sitting quietly with puffed feathers could well be ill and so is best avoided. The feathers on the cockatiel should be smooth and shiny and lay down flat on his body. His beak should be smooth and well-shaped with the feathers around his beak clean, dry, and free of faecal matter and his nostrils clear and clean.  The scales on his feet should be smooth, his nails in good condition.

Because cockatiels are active and playful, they should be kept in a large bird cage.  Opinions vary on the minimum size but a good rule of thumb is to purchase a bird cage that is at least 20″ wide x 20″ deep x 26″ high.  The spacing between the bird cage bars should be no more than 3/4″ as anything larger than this is a safety hazard for cockatiels. Horizontal bird cage bars will allow your cockatiel the best opportunity for climbing and exercise and some bird cages offer both horizontal and vertical bars.  Make sure you have space in the bird cage to  place at least a couple of perches at different levels with enough space to comfortably move between them.  It’s also a good idea to purchase a bird cage with a slide-out bottom tray for easy cleaning.

ideas-4-pets have a good selection of good quality bird cages and parrot cages incuding the Montana range who produce innovative and well-designed bird cages for all types of domestic birds. 

You might also want to consider purchasing a bird cage cover for your cage which will give your bird some privacy, darkness and protection from any draughts. 
 

Whether you decide to home a budgerigar or an African Grey, a Conure or lovebird, I am sure we will have the right bird cage for your bird as we have some brand new designs on offer, carefully designed by Michael Wagner of Montana.  Choose from a corner parrot cage, a square cage, a bird cage with an opening top so that your bird can play on the gym equipment outside his parrot cage or alternatively a dome top parrot cage with a large opening front door.

We have added to our great range of Montana bird cages and we think that these cages are probably the best bird cages you can currently buy.   Montana parrot cages are built with innovation and vision to designs based on extensive knowledge of bird and animal requirements.  They provide the ideal environment for your bird and will provide you with the best choice of home for your parrot.  Montana have paid great attention to detail and all their parrot cages are manufactured to very high quality standards.  They offer a one-of-a-kind craftsmanship with a unique design using the highest quality materials.

Their parrot cages are made from lead & zinc free AVILON and they are all oven baked with a powder coated finish which result in a long lasting and safe environment for birds.  They are available with both horizontal and vertical bars to facilitate climbing which all parrots love to do and most of them have a swing-out feeding system with stainless steel cups, making feeding your parrots an easy chore.

Parrot cages come in a great many shapes and sizes to suit both your budget and your requirements and ours have been carefully selected to ensure that they are of high quality.  You might also want to look at a bird cage cover to go with your parrot cage as it is important for parrots to get plenty of sleep in order for them to remain fit and healthy.