| Thinking of raising a bird indoors? There are a many | | | | which gives the birds much needed calcium and other |
| things that should be considered and obtained for | | | | minerals. A cage cover is optional, but prevents birds |
| clean and stylish bird cages from the design of the | | | | singing into the night and early morning, however, if |
| cage to the type of wood on the perch. | | | | you live in a drafty house it is highly recommended. A |
| The most obvious and arguable the most important | | | | substrate is used to soak up bird droppings while still |
| part is the cage which can be constructed with a | | | | being easy to clean, newspaper is popular, cheap, |
| variety of materials though coated steel wire is the | | | | works well and prevents bacteria from growing. |
| most common and inexpensive. Things to look for | | | | Regular cleaning prevents any unpleasant smells. A |
| are bar spacing, non-toxic materials and coatings, the | | | | seed skirts on the bottom of the cage also prevents |
| amount of assembly required, ease of access for | | | | any spillage from the sides keeping the bird cage tidy |
| food and water as well as for the bird, and ease of | | | | and contained. |
| cleaning. Prices for a suitable cage start as low as $35 | | | | Don't forget the food and water bowls! These are |
| and go up from there with many people having | | | | very important and should be kept full and clean at all |
| cages as well as table perches and other play areas | | | | times. If you have a canary, get them a bird bath or |
| for their bird. | | | | else they will use their drinking water as one. This can |
| The cage still needs quite a few accessories before it | | | | be very dangerous as the small enclosures in drinking |
| is ready for housing a bird. The perch is one of the | | | | water is still alluring to these birds to the point where |
| most important accessories for the bird and should | | | | they will break their neck trying to get in. A small, |
| be suitable for the type of bird. Canaries are fine | | | | shallow dish is ideal. Remember the toys as well and |
| with any hardwood perch, but parrots require | | | | be sure to put the cage in a consistently sunny and |
| something softer yet still durable material such as | | | | warm location but not too close to a window which |
| bottlebrush wood which has a soft outer bark that is | | | | could be excessively hot or cold depending on the |
| ideal for gripping, chewing and grooming beaks and | | | | season. |
| has a hard inner bark that lasts for years and retains | | | | A bird cage that is placed alongside a wall gives the |
| its grip. | | | | bird a sense of security which is also insured by |
| Other accessories for bird cages include sandpaper | | | | placing the cage high in the room so they can |
| for grooming beaks and mineral block or cuttle bone | | | | observe any potential predators. |