05/16/2024
Information on the Manufacturing and Selection of Bird Cages:
I began manufacturing cages and perches a few years ago, becoming the first in my country to specialize in making cages for psittacines, motivated by my love for these talking birds (I adopted my parrot, Psittacus erithacus timneh, when I was 8 years old).
The cage manufacturing process involves two distinct welding methods: The first is spot or resistance welding, which pertains to iron (steel or galvanized) wires. This involves instantaneously heating the wires and simultaneously pressing them with a spot welder, point by point, to weld the entire grid. Some equipment allows for welding multiple points at once, but the quality of the welder plays a crucial role. Without a quality welder, the iron wires can easily detach, especially if the parrot has a powerful beak. The welding starts by positioning the iron wires on the template, beginning with the larger-diameter horizontal crossbars, followed by the smaller-diameter vertical wires.
The crossbars serve as the structure of the grid, and their spacing should not exceed 15 cm. The spacing between the bars (vertical wires) depends on the species of bird the cage will house. Inadequate spacing can lead to the bird escaping or getting strangled. Too much space can compromise safety, while reduced spacing can obscure the parrots' vibrant colors. The recommended spacing ranges from 15 mm for parakeets (12 mm for goldfinches) to 25 mm for larger parrot species, such as the Hyacinth Macaw. As the spacing increases, the thickness of the wire should also increase, due to the growing size of the species and the strength of their beaks.
The second welding method is arc welding or semi-automatic welding, used to weld iron tubes and connectors. This method is reserved for making cages with a square/rectangular tube frame, rather than those consisting of wire grids.
After welding, the discussion turns to the paint used for the cages. Generally, manufacturers use electrostatic powder, a type of plastic powder, applied using a gun connected to a powder container. The cage is suspended during painting, ensuring an even coverage, even in small crevices. The paint must then be baked in an oven. Although the application of electrostatic paint is quick, another option is hammered paint, which can be applied with a brush or an air-compressed spray gun. However, the latter results in significant paint loss, unlike electrostatic paint, which adheres better to the bars and can be recovered if it falls to the ground.
Both painting methods mentioned are safe for parrots, as they do not contain lead. A few years ago, I encountered a serious issue that affected my reputation. I had designed a model of a parrot perch, registered with the National Institute of Industrial Property. However, counterfeits of my product began circulating in the market. Upon examination, I found that the paint used on these counterfeits was lead-rich automotive paint, toxic to parrots. These imitations not only copied my model without authorization but also used dangerous products, cheaper than epoxy paint, to reduce manufacturing costs and sell their products at a lower price than mine to capture the market. This led me to issue warnings against these counterfeits.
Most customers seek durable cages, with rust being the main enemy. Currently, almost all cages on the market are oven-painted (epoxy), as they are made of steel. Galvanized steel cages are less common, as consumers often prefer painted ones, deemed more aesthetic. Normally, galvanized cages are not painted, as galvanized steel is a metal treated in a hot zinc bath. Cold galvanization is not recommended because rust resistance is short-lived. On the other hand, hot-dip galvanized wire cages have a lifespan of about 40 years. The weak point of these galvanized cages lies in the weld points, where zinc can detach during spot welding, creating a spot prone to rust. For the healthy use of these galvanized wire cages, it is recommended to treat them with a diluted sodium bicarbonate solution in water to remove zinc residues.
Regarding my clients, I manufactured galvanized cages that I then oven-painted with epoxy for better durability. I also advised clients whose cages showed signs of rust not to throw them away but to remove the rust and bake the cage, or simply buy hammered paint of the same color as the cage and repaint the cleaned part.
There are also stainless steel cages, which are relatively expensive but offer longer durability. Even within this category, durability can vary depending on the type of stainless steel used, with the most commonly used grades being 304 and 316. The 304 is composed of steel and an alloy of several metals (chrome, nickel, titanium, copper, nitrogen...), widely used. In contrast, 316 stainless steel contains the same alloy with the addition of molybdenum, which significantly increases its corrosion resistance.
Choosing the right cage or perch is of great importance before acquiring a new bird, as it is where the bird will spend most of its time. Therefore, they must be safe and spacious enough relative to its size, with a length of at least one and a half times the wingspan, ensuring its well-being and safety.
