Hi, everyone this is my first attempt to post inforamtion. In advance thank you for your help.
My new Quaker has recently developed a habit of trying to eat the coating off our new Top Wing Parrot Starter kit, form Petsmart. If anyone can help me as to weather this small amount of her chewing the cage is very harmful. As well as were I may be able to replace it quicly with a better cage around 100 dollors is what I paid for this cage.
I also tried to include picture. still working on that
thanks, Andi
Full Version: Help Please, Cage Question/powder Coating
examine the cage and see if the powder coating has came off. If so and you have purchased it recently take it back to the store and get a different one. I know which cage you are talking about and the powder coating shouldnt come off that easy. If its the cage I am thinking you have it has a gate that opens up for an extra ledge?
You might also want to see if there are specific parts of the cage your bird is trying this at and adding a toy there to prevent or deter him from doing it.
Also maybe add more chewing and foraging toys to keep your fid occupied.
I sometimes even throw paper towels in and let mine go to town shredding it as well as coffee stir straws that he weaves in and out of the cage bars.
You might also want to see if there are specific parts of the cage your bird is trying this at and adding a toy there to prevent or deter him from doing it.
Also maybe add more chewing and foraging toys to keep your fid occupied.
I sometimes even throw paper towels in and let mine go to town shredding it as well as coffee stir straws that he weaves in and out of the cage bars.
I would say that it is not good for your Quaker. Since its a chemical and it looks like he/she could be eating it, it could make him very sick or even kill him. I would take the cage back to petsmart and demand my money back because if the cage was made with good quality the powder coating shouldnt be comming off. I wouldn't take any chances with your baby quaker.
QUOTE (IMPduJour @ Jul 3 2007, 12:56 PM) 
examine the cage and see if the powder coating has came off. If so and you have purchased it recently take it back to the store and get a different one. I know which cage you are talking about and the powder coating shouldnt come off that easy. If its the cage I am thinking you have it has a gate that opens up for an extra ledge?
You might also want to see if there are specific parts of the cage your bird is trying this at and adding a toy there to prevent or deter him from doing it.
Also maybe add more chewing and foraging toys to keep your fid occupied.
I sometimes even throw paper towels in and let mine go to town shredding it as well as coffee stir straws that he weaves in and out of the cage bars.
You might also want to see if there are specific parts of the cage your bird is trying this at and adding a toy there to prevent or deter him from doing it.
Also maybe add more chewing and foraging toys to keep your fid occupied.
I sometimes even throw paper towels in and let mine go to town shredding it as well as coffee stir straws that he weaves in and out of the cage bars.
thank you,
she does specifically chews on the top of her cage while at play. Is it harmful, because I don't know if the cage is stanless stell under the coating. This is what I have been concerned about?
That is what you have to check. I'f assunme it is stainless steel and do what you would do if it is.
QUOTE (andiblayze @ Jul 3 2007, 12:01 PM)
thank you,
she does specifically chews on the top of her cage while at play. Is it harmful, because I don't know if the cage is stanless stell under the coating. This is what I have been concerned about?
she does specifically chews on the top of her cage while at play. Is it harmful, because I don't know if the cage is stanless stell under the coating. This is what I have been concerned about?
If its powder coated and I am familiar with that brand it isnt stainless steel yet the powder coating shouldnt come off that easily so just get your receipt and go back to the store and get a different one if you see the powder coating being chipped away.
Also you might want to check some pet stores around. I got a really good deal on my cage from a local petstore and so far it has been great for my QP. I have learned with petsmart they are a little pricy compared to alot of local petstores when it comes to cages.
QUOTE (IMPduJour @ Jul 3 2007, 01:05 PM)
If its powder coated and I am familiar with that brand it isnt stainless steel yet the powder coating shouldnt come off that easily so just get your receipt and go back to the store and get a different one if you see the powder coating being chipped away.
yea, I just got off the phone with the department at petsmart they said it's aluminum. Is this an accepted metal. I have been researching meatal and other info and don't remember seeing this as a non-toxic metal for Sulee.
Thanks Andi
QUOTE (antcop @ Jul 3 2007, 01:16 PM)
Also you might want to check some pet stores around. I got a really good deal on my cage from a local petstore and so far it has been great for my QP. I have learned with petsmart they are a little pricy compared to alot of local petstores when it comes to cages.
I agree, however the closet store is an hour away. Thus that's were I bought the cage. I love the cage other wise. I just like to see what I'm buy to make sure it is safe for Sulee(my little one).
Thanks Andi
QUOTE (andiblayze @ Jul 3 2007, 12:21 PM)
yea, I just got off the phone with the department at petsmart they said it's aluminum. Is this an accepted metal. I have been researching meatal and other info and don't remember seeing this as a non-toxic metal for Sulee.
\
Thanks Andi
\
Thanks Andi
Do me a favor? You have a magnet around? Try to put it on the cage. Aluminum isnt magnetic and I think top wing uses rolled steel (not stainless) but I could be wrong.
If its chipping tho I cant say this enough take it back that powder coat should not be chipping.
QUOTE (IMPduJour @ Jul 3 2007, 01:45 PM)
Do me a favor? You have a magnet around? Try to put it on the cage. Aluminum isnt magnetic and I think top wing uses rolled steel (not stainless) but I could be wrong.
If its chipping tho I cant say this enough take it back that powder coat should not be chipping.
If its chipping tho I cant say this enough take it back that powder coat should not be chipping.
cool, the powder coating is not chipping off she trys to chew it off. In that one area.. I hope I not killing you with these simple questions. Thanks for you help. New be.
QUOTE (andiblayze @ Jul 3 2007, 12:55 PM)
cool, the powder coating is not chipping off she trys to chew it off. In that one area.. I hope I not killing you with these simple questions. Thanks for you help. New be.
Its ok dont worry about asking too many questions alot of times its the way I word stuff that makes it confusing.
I have a sun conure that uses a top wing cage. His beak is really powerful and even when he bites on the cage he cant get any of it off. I also keep alot of wood in there for him to keep him from doing it because he likes to shave wood.
Yet I keep thinking if your cage is new it shouldnt wear down that easy however with time it might wear from the chewing but not this soon.
There are many reasons cages are powdercoated. For one it keeps the price down. Stainless steel cages can be quite costly and unafforadable for lots of ppl who want parrots. The other reason is aesthetics as cages that are powder coated can come in a multitide of colors that allow for a cage to fit into a decorating scheme. They are also powdercoated to keep the bird away from the cheaper metal which would more than likely be toxic if its bare.
Another idea I was thinking about to deter your bird from chewing in those specific areas is to get some vet tape and just wrap the specific bars. It wont look pretty yet maybe it will get her out of the lets chew everything phase. I also think there is a product you can buy to put on the bars to deter a bird from chewing and hopefully someone else will come along and explain that one because I dont use it.
good luck
QUOTE (IMPduJour @ Jul 3 2007, 02:03 PM)
Its ok dont worry about asking too many questions alot of times its the way I word stuff that makes it confusing.
I have a sun conure that uses a top wing cage. His beak is really powerful and even when he bites on the cage he cant get any of it off. I also keep alot of wood in there for him to keep him from doing it because he likes to shave wood.
Yet I keep thinking if your cage is new it shouldnt wear down that easy however with time it might wear from the chewing but not this soon.
There are many reasons cages are powdercoated. For one it keeps the price down. Stainless steel cages can be quite costly and unafforadable for lots of ppl who want parrots. The other reason is aesthetics as cages that are powder coated can come in a multitide of colors that allow for a cage to fit into a decorating scheme. They are also powdercoated to keep the bird away from the cheaper metal which would more than likely be toxic if its bare.
Another idea I was thinking about to deter your bird from chewing in those specific areas is to get some vet tape and just wrap the specific bars. It wont look pretty yet maybe it will get her out of the lets chew everything phase. I also think there is a product you can buy to put on the bars to deter a bird from chewing and hopefully someone else will come along and explain that one because I dont use it.
good luck
I have a sun conure that uses a top wing cage. His beak is really powerful and even when he bites on the cage he cant get any of it off. I also keep alot of wood in there for him to keep him from doing it because he likes to shave wood.
Yet I keep thinking if your cage is new it shouldnt wear down that easy however with time it might wear from the chewing but not this soon.
There are many reasons cages are powdercoated. For one it keeps the price down. Stainless steel cages can be quite costly and unafforadable for lots of ppl who want parrots. The other reason is aesthetics as cages that are powder coated can come in a multitide of colors that allow for a cage to fit into a decorating scheme. They are also powdercoated to keep the bird away from the cheaper metal which would more than likely be toxic if its bare.
Another idea I was thinking about to deter your bird from chewing in those specific areas is to get some vet tape and just wrap the specific bars. It wont look pretty yet maybe it will get her out of the lets chew everything phase. I also think there is a product you can buy to put on the bars to deter a bird from chewing and hopefully someone else will come along and explain that one because I dont use it.
good luck
your awsome thanks
Aluminum contains zinc, which is toxic at higher levels. Keep an eye out and do look for spots that may have become bare and exposed. Powdercoating is pretty tough so it should be difficult for a smaller parrot to chew through, unless it's defective from the factory.
I have one cage that is missing some powdercoating, but the bird in that cage doesn't seem to know about the spot and it hasn't gotten any bigger. If it bacame a problem I would get the cage re-coated, which is far less expensive than moving to stainless.
I have one cage that is missing some powdercoating, but the bird in that cage doesn't seem to know about the spot and it hasn't gotten any bigger. If it bacame a problem I would get the cage re-coated, which is far less expensive than moving to stainless.
In re to the issue of aluminum I asked a doctor of chemistry and his response was ----
Because The problem is the term "aluminum". Pure aluminum will not
contain zinc, but aluminum alloys may or may not. When most people say
"aluminum" they may or may not be refering to the pure aluminum, sort of
like when people ask for a Coke, but could mean any soft drink. I
think if you have any questions, you need to contact the manufacturer of the
cage to see which it is.
Because The problem is the term "aluminum". Pure aluminum will not
contain zinc, but aluminum alloys may or may not. When most people say
"aluminum" they may or may not be refering to the pure aluminum, sort of
like when people ask for a Coke, but could mean any soft drink. I
think if you have any questions, you need to contact the manufacturer of the
cage to see which it is.
QUOTE (andiblayze @ Jul 3 2007, 12:48 PM)
Hi, everyone this is my first attempt to post inforamtion. In advance thank you for your help.
My new Quaker has recently developed a habit of trying to eat the coating off our new Top Wing Parrot Starter kit, form Petsmart. If anyone can help me as to weather this small amount of her chewing the cage is very harmful. As well as were I may be able to replace it quicly with a better cage around 100 dollors is what I paid for this cage.
I also tried to include picture. still working on that
thanks, Andi
My new Quaker has recently developed a habit of trying to eat the coating off our new Top Wing Parrot Starter kit, form Petsmart. If anyone can help me as to weather this small amount of her chewing the cage is very harmful. As well as were I may be able to replace it quicly with a better cage around 100 dollors is what I paid for this cage.
I also tried to include picture. still working on that
thanks, Andi
Those are the worst possible cages you can buy!! It's not a true powder coating on them it is a vinyl coating. Please replace this cage SOON! Booger and Boo were housed in them temporally and they began to rust severely. They were put up for travel cages, and later gotten ride of.
A better brand that is affordable is the prevue cages *click on link to see perfect cage* Those run about $115.00 here in WV to $169.00 depending on the size. The one pictured above is the larger one. This is the smaller one. Cage
The top wing cages in my opinion should be removed from the shelves. I am basing this on how sick they made Booger. He had the vinyl chips in his crop. It was a long process to clean him out.
As I see it...If this cage is new, and none of the coating has started to chip or flake off its OK for now...But please keep a close eye on it especially in the area you notice him chewing now. If you notice even a hint of the coating coming off, I would replace the cage with a better quality cage.
A great many cages are misrepresented as being "powder coated" when in actuality they have been spray painted with a vinyl or lacquer finish, which chips off a lot easier than a true powder coated cage.
Powder coating is done electro statically so it really sticks to the roughened metal surface and there more makes it a lot more chip and peel resistant.
HQ also makes a pretty nice cage that is pretty reasonably priced so when you're ready to upgrade you might want to look into the brand Cheryl suggested or HQ and several other good brands out there.
A great many cages are misrepresented as being "powder coated" when in actuality they have been spray painted with a vinyl or lacquer finish, which chips off a lot easier than a true powder coated cage.
Powder coating is done electro statically so it really sticks to the roughened metal surface and there more makes it a lot more chip and peel resistant.
HQ also makes a pretty nice cage that is pretty reasonably priced so when you're ready to upgrade you might want to look into the brand Cheryl suggested or HQ and several other good brands out there.
QUOTE (Cheryl A @ Jul 3 2007, 08:24 PM)
Those are the worst possible cages you can buy!! It's not a true powder coating on them it is a vinyl coating. Please replace this cage SOON! Booger and Boo were housed in them temporally and they began to rust severely. They were put up for travel cages, and later gotten ride of.
A better brand that is affordable is the prevue cages *click on link to see perfect cage* Those run about $115.00 here in WV to $169.00 depending on the size. The one pictured above is the larger one. This is the smaller one. Cage
The top wing cages in my opinion should be removed from the shelves. I am basing this on how sick they made Booger. He had the vinyl chips in his crop. It was a long process to clean him out.
A better brand that is affordable is the prevue cages *click on link to see perfect cage* Those run about $115.00 here in WV to $169.00 depending on the size. The one pictured above is the larger one. This is the smaller one. Cage
The top wing cages in my opinion should be removed from the shelves. I am basing this on how sick they made Booger. He had the vinyl chips in his crop. It was a long process to clean him out.
Thank you, and for your time. I am trying to get a new cage. What kind of cage did you use?
QUOTE
What kind of cage did you use?
My favourite are King's Cage.
They can be pricey, but I believe in the long run, they are worth it.Good luck!
For my big birds I have California cages, for my medium and small birds I have HQ cages...The Cal cages don't come apart, thus making it harder for the big birds to destroy them. But they can be very expensive and HEAVY and Hard to get through some door ways. If you have big birds that is...I had one Cal Cage given to me when I got my Macaw, and it was too big to get through my front or back doors...Ended up giving it away!
If you need to buy a new cage let me highly recommend shopping on ebay. I purchased, I believe, the same cage you did (like a starter cage w/accessories and whatnot) for about $100 that, as my bird grew, really, to me, was too small. I went on ebay and bought a cage from this person, demsondinc. It cost approx. $55 or so with shipping included and it was a larger better quality cage. If you do go this route, I hope you have the same success I did! I attached a picture of both the cages so you can see. The black one was $100 and the gray one was about $55 and came with the stand, perches and food/water containers.
If you are intested, go to ebay and enter this number in the search box. He is selling one just like mine for the same price I paid. Hope this is helpful for you!
Item # 250138825940
QUOTE (fred29812 @ Jul 3 2007, 11:47 PM)
If you need to buy a new cage let me highly recommend shopping on ebay. I purchased, I believe, the same cage you did (like a starter cage w/accessories and whatnot) for about $100 that, as my bird grew, really, to me, was too small. I went on ebay and bought a cage from this person, demsondinc. It cost approx. $55 or so with shipping included and it was a larger better quality cage. If you do go this route, I hope you have the same success I did! I attached a picture of both the cages so you can see. The black one was $100 and the gray one was about $55 and came with the stand, perches and food/water containers.
If you are intested, go to ebay and enter this number in the search box. He is selling one just like mine for the same price I paid. Hope this is helpful for you!
Item # 250138825940
QUOTE (fred29812 @ Jul 3 2007, 11:51 PM)
If you need to buy a new cage let me highly recommend shopping on ebay. I purchased, I believe, the same cage you did (like a starter cage w/accessories and whatnot) for about $100 that, as my bird grew, really, to me, was too small. I went on ebay and bought a cage from this person, demsondinc. It cost approx. $55 or so with shipping included and it was a larger better quality cage. If you do go this route, I hope you have the same success I did! I attached a picture of both the cages so you can see. The black one was $100 and the gray one was about $55 and came with the stand, perches and food/water containers.
If you are intested, go to ebay and enter this number in the search box. He is selling one just like mine for the same price I paid. Hope this is helpful for you!
Item # 250138825940
If you are intested, go to ebay and enter this number in the search box. He is selling one just like mine for the same price I paid. Hope this is helpful for you!
Item # 250138825940
wow, i checked out the site its great , thanks
We have a powdercoated cage for Hemingway. But we noticed that he likes to bite on the cage bars right outside his Happy Hut sometimes. I stuck a coffee filter in the bars of his cage and he now happily chews on that instead. I've also hung one of those smallish (cockatiel size probably) toys that have the shreddable material on it in the past in the spot and he's chewed that up too. Luckily the little green turkeys CAN be distracted from time to time.
QUOTE (miloreggie @ Jul 4 2007, 04:45 AM)
We have a powdercoated cage for Hemingway. But we noticed that he likes to bite on the cage bars right outside his Happy Hut sometimes. I stuck a coffee filter in the bars of his cage and he now happily chews on that instead. I've also hung one of those smallish (cockatiel size probably) toys that have the shreddable material on it in the past in the spot and he's chewed that up too. Luckily the little green turkeys CAN be distracted from time to time.
yeah I bought some shredders for her yesterday. I like the coffe Idea what type fo filter?
I just got my cage 2 days ago and I bought the very same 1 as andyblayze. Mines white looks nice but I have 2 warn u...it was the cage from hell 2 put together LOL One of the hooks was stuck inside the bars and had 2 b bent 2 get it apart (scratching the coating) then the metal that goes under the tray was too long and wouldnt fit into the bottom (so I tossed it )HAHA Then the top wouldnt fit on *sigh* Its together and looks great but it took me more than an hr 2 put together...The box said it came from Malaysia..So just becareful with ebay
Let me clarify it was from another ebay seller
Let me clarify it was from another ebay seller
I have the same cage as fred and i would highly recommend them!
I wasn't knocking the cage it IS a good cage. Very nice size. The assembly with the one that was mailed to me had something to be desired. I would still purchase this cage, and since the seller fred bought his from was a lot more careful with his merchandise I too would recomend it. Like I said once it was put together it's a beautiful cage. So I appologize if I stepped on anyones toes by mentioning that I had problems with mine.
I contacted petsmart to get more information on the cage in question and the response was:
Thank you for your email.
We contacted the vendor for the Top Wing Parrot Starter and this was their response:
Our wires have no lead;
Our powder coating is powder coating, not vinyl;
Our cages and powder coatings have been tested by laboratories;
In a previous request, we employed the services of a world renowned Veterinarian, who determined that our products are absolutely safe.
In closing, we take great pride in offering safe housing and products for pets. I would also like to point out, PetSmart sells THOUSANDS of our cages every year. PetSmart has been purchasing our cages since approximately 1992. Were our cages unsafe, and they are certainly not, can you imagine the number of birds that would have become sick or died over the years?
We hope that this information answers your concerns. Please let us know if you have any other questions.
Sincerely,
Gail
PetSmart.com Customer Experience
1989 Transit Way
Brockport, NY 14420
1-888-839-9638
http://www.PetSmart .com/
I also wanted to add that be wary of no name cages on ebay etc because there have been documented cases of cages coming from places such as china where they have used lead.
Thank you for your email.
We contacted the vendor for the Top Wing Parrot Starter and this was their response:
Our wires have no lead;
Our powder coating is powder coating, not vinyl;
Our cages and powder coatings have been tested by laboratories;
In a previous request, we employed the services of a world renowned Veterinarian, who determined that our products are absolutely safe.
In closing, we take great pride in offering safe housing and products for pets. I would also like to point out, PetSmart sells THOUSANDS of our cages every year. PetSmart has been purchasing our cages since approximately 1992. Were our cages unsafe, and they are certainly not, can you imagine the number of birds that would have become sick or died over the years?
We hope that this information answers your concerns. Please let us know if you have any other questions.
Sincerely,
Gail
PetSmart.com Customer Experience
1989 Transit Way
Brockport, NY 14420
1-888-839-9638
http://www.PetSmart .com/
I also wanted to add that be wary of no name cages on ebay etc because there have been documented cases of cages coming from places such as china where they have used lead.
Thank you so much for the reply. I have saved this document .. Again Thank you.
I will also have to look into the saftey of the new cage I bought.
Andi
I will also have to look into the saftey of the new cage I bought.
Andi
QUOTE (fred29812 @ Jul 3 2007, 11:51 PM)
If you need to buy a new cage let me highly recommend shopping on ebay. I purchased, I believe, the same cage you did (like a starter cage w/accessories and whatnot) for about $100 that, as my bird grew, really, to me, was too small. I went on ebay and bought a cage from this person, demsondinc. It cost approx. $55 or so with shipping included and it was a larger better quality cage. If you do go this route, I hope you have the same success I did! I attached a picture of both the cages so you can see. The black one was $100 and the gray one was about $55 and came with the stand, perches and food/water containers.
If you are intested, go to ebay and enter this number in the search box. He is selling one just like mine for the same price I paid. Hope this is helpful for you!
Item # 250138825940
If you are intested, go to ebay and enter this number in the search box. He is selling one just like mine for the same price I paid. Hope this is helpful for you!
Item # 250138825940
Hey... that one on the left is one my husband recently bought for Patrick. It seems like a nice cage, but I know nothing about powder coating so I hope it's okay. And the one on the right looks just like Pat's old cage, one we're now using for the cockatiel that found me two months ago. Anyhow I'd been wondering thru this discussion where the new cage came from; thanks for inadvertently clearing up that mystery!
QUOTE (Jan @ Jul 13 2007, 01:16 AM)
Hey... that one on the left is one my husband recently bought for Patrick. It seems like a nice cage, but I know nothing about powder coating so I hope it's okay. And the one on the right looks just like Pat's old cage, one we're now using for the cockatiel that found me two months ago. Anyhow I'd been wondering thru this discussion where the new cage came from; thanks for inadvertently clearing up that mystery!
Hi I saw your post and was checking to see if you needed any info on the cages I bought or from another post from the forum.
Andi
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.