Photo by Jamieleigh Location: Orlando, FL Shown: Triple bird cage
Not only should you be changing your bird's bottom of the cage (liner/newspaper) at LEAST once a week, but actually washing down your bird's cage is just as important.
If your cage fits through your doorways, simply wheeling it outside for a nice power wash is key. If it is too big to take outside without completely disassembling you should consider doing so every couple of months or as often as you feel necessary depending on your situation and environment.
And at least, take off parts that can come off easily (seed catchers, trays, grates, play stands, perches) and wash those pieces outside. Only put back on the cage when those pieces have completely dried.
When I power wash my own cages outside, I take EVERYTHING out except for maybe a perch or two. And I make sure to clean the perches just as well as the cage itself. I find that "poop off" wipes make it pretty easy to clean around your bird without worrying about it getting sick from what you're using. You can find them at Bird.com here. They sent me a sample pack and I can't believe I've gone on wasting all my paper towels for so long!
Article by Jamieleigh Womach. She has been working with parrots and toucans since the age of 17. She isn’t homeless but is home less than she prefers to be. She travels the world with her husband, daughter, and a flockful of parrots whom she shares the stage with.
2 comments
Hi Jamieleigh, I spend most of my time in my home and so do my birds. Their cages are part of the environment in which we spend most of our time. I sometimes feel like I’ve spent a quarter of the past thirty years cleaning bird cages every day! Scouring perches, toys, trays and grills, scrubbing the insides and outsides with a toothbrush… (sigh!). As you say, it’s vitally important. As the human companion half of the relationship, we are the ones capable of reflection, responsibility and wielding the scouring pads.
I have a 21 year old African Grey Congo Parrot. She has lots of powder and tiny fluffy feathers that cover her entire cage a the front room. I clean several times a day. I have even created a “Mess Maker” song that I sing with her while we clean. She loves the singing and it lightens my mood as I slave over her environment each and every day.
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