FAQ: Cages for birds

First remove all dirt with hot water and detergent, then use a bird-safe disinfectant as the label directs. Old wooden perches and toys are better replaced, and the cage should be rinsed and dried well before use.

It is time for a new cage when bars are bent or broken, the coating is peeling or rusting, doors close badly or the bird is cramped. A new cage is also needed if you get more birds.

A slight bend can sometimes be straightened, but if bars have come away from the frame or welds have cracked, the cage is no longer safe. Large parrots often exploit a weak spot, so such a cage is worth replacing.

While cleaning, look for loose or sharp bars, peeling paint, rust, loose screws and latches. Also check that toy chains and hooks are not worn.

Yes, some bird mites hide in cracks, wooden parts and perches of the cage and attack the bird at night. If you suspect mites, for example the bird is restless at night or scratches a lot, see a vet and clean the cage thoroughly.

Most cages go together without tools or with a simple screwdriver, following the manufacturer's instructions. Once assembled, check that all panels are firmly joined, there are no gaps at the corners and the doors close properly.

A stand raises the cage to a convenient height and lets you place it anywhere in the room, not just on furniture. It must be stable and suited to the cage's size and weight so the cage does not wobble or tip over.

Wheels make it easy to move a large cage for cleaning or to another spot. Choose wheels with brakes so the cage stays put when the bird moves around or someone bumps it.

The cage can stand on a sturdy table, chest of drawers or shelf as long as it is stable and cannot fall. Make sure there is room to open the doors and that the bird cannot reach anything dangerous from the cage.

Some small cages are made to hang from a bracket or a stand with a hook. A hanging cage must be firmly secured and not swing, as constant movement can stress the bird.

Clean and dry the cage thoroughly before taking it apart, and keep the parts somewhere dry so they do not rust. Put screws and small parts in a separate bag so nothing is missing when you reassemble it.

Most parrots are recommended a few hours a day out of the cage, in a safe room and under supervision. For canaries and finches, which bond less with people, a spacious cage or aviary matters more.

It is a platform on the roof of the cage with perches, ladders or a dish, where the bird can spend time outside the cage. It is convenient, but the bird must be supervised on it, and droppings will fall on the cage and floor.

Close windows and doors, cover or mark large panes of glass and mirrors, switch off the fan and remove poisonous plants and other pets. Also check that the bird cannot reach electrical cables, hot surfaces or containers of water.

Many birds go back on their own if a favourite treat or fresh food is waiting inside. Get the bird used to returning at the same time each day and do not chase it around the room, so going back is not linked with fear.

Some owners set aside a safe room for their birds, but most birds still need a cage or aviary as a safe place to sleep, eat and stay when nobody is home. A bird flying freely around the home unsupervised faces many dangers.

Canaries and finches can spend all day in a spacious cage or aviary, but most parrots also need time out of the cage and social contact. If a bird spends a lot of time caged, the cage should be as roomy as possible with plenty to do.

For the first few days leave the bird in peace, talk to it quietly and do not put your hands into the cage unnecessarily. Change food and water calmly, and once the bird is eating and preening calmly, you can start taming it.

Some birds are afraid of a new cage, so it helps to stand it next to the old one for a few days and fit it with the same perches, toys and dishes. Move the bird once it no longer seems afraid of the new cage, and check that it finds food and water.

Birds are prey animals in the wild, so new objects and changes often make them suspicious. Familiar accessories, a calm move and time usually help a bird get used to it.