I Really Like My New Cage...But

[FeatherHarp]

Now that I have my cage set up...I really like it except that I have noticed it is harder to see the birds through the white bars. I noticed viewing a picture of other cages that were a darker color it was easier to see inside the cage. Now I kind of wish I would have picked a darker color. I picked white because I figured it wouldn't show the white bird poops so bad. I have a light on top of the cage which helps some.

What color cages do you guys have?

[Sally]

I have the dark green, or hunter green, color. I bought the single flight used from a lady that was downsizing, and it happened to be the green. That was fine with me, as the colors in my house are greens, browns, peaches, yellows, so it was going to fit in. When I ordered the double flight, I got the green for that as well, figured if I ever have a sun porch, they would like nice together out there! I don't know why the birds show up better in darker colors, I guess because lighter colors stand out more and dark recede. Maybe it is just a case of getting used to it.

[Rae2]

I have the white one also. Works out better for me, as it goes well in my living room. I debated on the green. I have noticed that it is harder to see the birds, but all in all very glad I got the white.

I really love this cage. Only problem I have had with it, has been discussed on another thread. That is the large door on the top half of it. I have had one escape when I was getting the seed hopper out to fill it. I thankfully was able to catch the little guy without injury. Next trip to the pet store and I will get a net! Hopefully it will never again happen, but if it does I want to be prepared better.

I now have everything in a location that I can reach by going in the bottom half door.
When I do have to get in cage, they stay towards the top. Liked Houstons idea about the curtain. I might have to make one to fit.

[Hilary]

All of my cages are light-colored (white, grey, oatmeal), and to tell you the truth I don't even notice the bars.....

[jabo322]

My cage is the green color, and I love it. I, too, had the problem with escapes through the top door, so everything I need to reach on a regular basis is accessible from the bottom door. I have an idea about using a pair of pantyhose when I do have to open the top door, but I haven't tried it yet . The only bad problem was the escape of my two Orange-cheeked Waxbills. My daughter noticed today that on the front panel, the bars at either end have an ever so slightly larger spacing. That may be how they got out.

[S. W. Houston]

FeatherHarp.

Thought about just painting it ?

They got some new "Plastic" Paint out by Krylon, that seems to be impervious.

You also could go with a Latex, or Oil Enamel, millions of colors, you could match it to your new Curtains !

Have a good Day !

[rfn1]

This cage color topic interests me because I agree that white cages make it very difficult to see the birds. One remedy may be putting a light bulb up to the edge of the cage to illuminate the interior. But I also have a dark brown (almost black) cage that makes it much easier to see. So.... what are peoples' thoughts on painting a cage a darker color? Is there a type of paint that is safer than others, or do all cages pose a hazard to the birds?

While I'm at it, my cages are a bit austere (not littered with toys). But I've seen others' with tree branches and toys. I have stars and goulds; do they actually prefer toys, and if so, what kind?

Thanks...

[S. W. Houston]

rfn1,

Sure, you can paint a Cage.
Probably something in a medium Gray, would be as "out of sight" as any color.
If your Birds are prone to bite/peck the Cage Wire, then no paint is safe.
If they don't, pick a more "Flat" finish, it will seem to "disappear" more.
Some Birds like toys, some don't, try um, maybe they'll like um.
Mirrors, Dangley stuff, Swings are usually accepted well, even a little branch, they can "whip".

Have a good Day !

[FeatherHarp]

First of all thanks for the replies....it is interesting to find we all have different color cages. I guess I liked the white cage because 1. It goes with my dining room decor 2. It hides the white poops. even if 3. White does make it a tad more difficult to see the birds....so 2 out of 3 ain't bad...hehe!

rfn1---I did put a light on top of my cage and it really does help to see the birdies...it is an old aquarium light I had and it sure brings out the colors of the Gouldians.

Also...here is a link to an article I found about painting bird cages that seemed informative and gives some cautions about choosing a paint etc.

http://www.eartheasy.com/article_birdsafepaints.htm

[rfn1]

thanks for the help guys....

[S. W. Houston]

Sorry folks, I just can't keep my mouth shut on this one.

That article is in my opinion, extreme.
Another radical environmentalist, pointing out issues, which we really don't have to deal with.

DUH, we are painting metal, of course use a metal based (applicable) Paint.
Lead, I dare you to find ANY paint now a days, that has that in it.
Powder Coat, please, we don’t have the capacity to use that stuff!
Thermo, sure, just let me put my Cage in my Oven.
A week to dry!, this world world creek to a halt, if we had to wait that long.
Something behind the Cage when you are using Spray, I guess you could, but if you’re in a well ventilated area, like take it outside, I just don’t see why you would need to do that.
I can’t find a “logo” (mom holding a child’s hand) on anyting I’ve got out in the Garage, and I’ve never seen that on a Paint Can.

Regardless of what kind of Paint you use, just read the label, and put it on like they say. Drying time included, and I bet you aren’t going to see any Paint available to the general public today, that says wait a week.
WOW, that’s probably the most ridiculous statement (among several) on the Page!

Have a good Day !
UOOPS PS:
FeatherHarp, I just re-read my Post, and it sounded like I was chastising you for bringing the URL to notice.
I’m NOT, thank you for doing that, I’m just a little sensitive about people (the author of the text) who use stuff like that, sensationalistic topics. They speak of stuff we as the General Public, won’t ever come in contact with. That article must have been written in the 60’s. You did good, thanks, and gave me yet another chance, to get on my Soap Box !

[Sally]

Well, I think the article means to be helpful, but it applies more to hookbills than finches. Hookbills not only use their beaks to grab hold of the bars to climb, they chew on just about everything, so you do have to be concerned about what they might ingest. Most of the article is just common sense. I have painted my el-cheapo cages, as the paint comes off, especially where I hang my hang-on baths, that area gets rusty. I got the new H2O spray paint at Wal-Mart, and I spray the cages outside on a calm day, just set feed sacks on the ground. They usually just sit empty for a day. And I expect to have to repaint them with time.

FeatherHarp, with your cage, that is not an el-cheapo, so I would really hesitate to paint it, once you start, you will be repainting regularly. As far as color, having it blend in with our decor is important, to the women on the forum especially. The first people on this forum who got this type cage got the dark charcoal, so I really wanted to get that color. After I got the green used cage, I realized that dark charcoal wasn't going to look that great in my house. If green hadn't worked for me, my second choice would have been white, as all the trim, doors, etc. in my house are white. And I really like using a light on the top of my cages--that helps to showcase them and bring out their colors, plus a full spectrum light is good for them!

rfn1, as far as toys, my Stars are about the most inquisitive finches I have, they will investigate anything new, and love having something to tug on or pick at. My Goulds, on the other hand, are true couch potatoes, they can't be bothered to play with anything. However, every single finch I own loves swings.

[S. W. Houston]

Sally,
That H2O is a Water Based paint. It’s probable that the original paint, was for metal, since that’s what it started with. If you have a chance to paint another cage, and you really like the H2O, they make a Primer paint, which settles the differences between the two types, and makes the Water Based paint, stick a lot better.
Not that any paint will stand up to Hookbills!

Have a good Day !

[FeatherHarp]

Grandpa Gadget....I went back and reread the Painting link I posted...and now I can see where you are coming from....so no offense taken....like Sally said there are some helpful points in the article but the way it was written really does leave much to be disired.

I am not going to repaint my cage....white is what it will stay!

[S. W. Houston]

FeatherHarp thank you for being so understanding.

I really felt bad about that, here you are trying to be helpful and give references and all, and I tore it up like wastepaper! I DO get a little momentum up now and then , when it comes to stuff like that. It really ticks me off, when someone uses a sensationalistic comment to geode you into something.

I’ve herd:
Them: “Don’t ya want to feed the Children?”.
Me: DUH, yea, but you’re not invited !

Have a good Day !