Posted by Karlene Sunday (128.227.99.49--ds099049.shands.ufl.edu) on February 27, 2000 (or so) at 07:17:23:
In Reply to: Galvanized Cages posted by Pam on February 20, 2000 (or so) at 13:51:52:
: My bird has has been diagnosed with a respitory infection. We have been letting him sleep in an older galvanized cage and it seems that is when his symptoms started. Is it possible that the cage made him sick? I have heard that zinc is very harmful to them. I didn't know what symptoms would occur from the cage.
: Thank you.
Galvanized cages have been directly linked to zinc poisoning. That is what galvanizing is, a zinc coating to protect the metal. You can spray the cage down with vinegar and scrub it with a metal scrub brush which neutralizes and removes most of the zinc.
I would not house your cockatiel in this cage unless you do the above.
It would probably be even better if you painted the cage with non-toxic paint to protect your cockatiel from ingesting anymore. I highly recommend you have him tested for heavy metal poisoning.
Karlene Sunday