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I was just wondering what size your tiel's cage is, i have heard like 18x18 is minimum, but I am just curious what size everyone has. anything else special I should look at when choosing a cage, what are some of the features your cage has that you like, or the features you don't like?

The cage I have would be considered too small. it's about 12 x 24 x 23 - the peak in the middle is 23, then it slopes and curves down to the sides. Dino is out of his cage a lot, so I don't worry about it being too small.

I love the door! it lowers like a draw bridge and stays out at a 90 degree angle from the front of the cage to make a front porch for him to sit on.

I don't like the thin wires - it is difficult to get heavier perches since the wire is thin - one day we'll get a better quality cage, but for $40 I can't complain too much.

Jo

Mine is 11 x 14 x 8... and that's in feet. I'd say minimum, for one cockatiel, should be 24" x 24" but that's just me. The best cages tend to be ones that have more horizontal space vs vertical space, although since cockatiels do have long tails, they need *some* vertical space, too. I currently have 3 cages setup, although none house any tiels. One cage is the HQ Flight Cage. I like the fact that it's a large cage, it was cheap ($100 - even though I got it second hand - brand new), it's got a flimsy plastic tray (in most other cases, this *may* be a downside rather than an upside, because the cage will last longer than the tray - however, the inhabitant is known for falling, so in *her* case, I'd rather have a "soft" plastic landing vs hard metal), it's easy to clean, and it has two doors. I do, and do not like the two doors, and I can't say I'd like, or dislike the same version of the cage with one door. (made by A&E)

I also have a YML WI32R cage (and a larger version, not in use, the WI40R), it's got a large door, but the bird who uses the cage doesn't need such a big door... then again, the cage was made for species whom are 2-3 times larger than the bird who's using it (a mitred conure, at 230 grams - the previous occupant was a quaker who probably weighed about 90+ grams). I don't care for the cage door locking system, but only because I occasionally get attacked, and a different locking system may make it easier to close the cage door quicker. I don't like the gap's between the cage grate and the tray, either, nor as flimsy as the wire is in that spot, but that aside, it's still a good cage.

The last cage is a smaller one, a 17" x 17" which I prefer to use for a travel cage or hospital cage, although currently houses two budgies (one of which isn't feeling well atm and is getting meds). They did have a larger cage but they didn't come with one, so it's temporary housing, and they enjoy coming out of the cage for some exercise, as well. Neither one are clipped. This is one of the cages that has a large door and a smaller door, so the large door doesn't have to "get in the way," so to speak. It's just a basic square cage, nothing fancy, which is what I prefer.

So MFIDS then what you are saying is stay plain basically, it's easier. I have just never bought a cage before, so I don't know what to look for. And I know how experience goes, I have had and currenlty have several dogs, I know what cages are best, which are easiest to clean, which keep a mess in the cage and which let it out, (not that it is the same with birds all their cages let the mess out) but you get what I mean. I have just been thru many kennels, as we kennel train in my house and I have pros and cons with each kennel I use.

It is nice to get a heads up about this stuff! Thanks for the input!

My cage is pretty big too. It isn't overly fancy, but isn't a standard square cage either. I found that tiels are extremely smart and to make sure that doors cannot be lifted.

Here is a cage similar to my own, just a different model number.



It measures 37.5 X 27.5 X 62 x 1/2 spacing

I find that the plain "square" cages with straight lines are usually safer than cages that have special scrolling, "V's" or other fancy work. Granted, the cages I have for the smaller birds may have some design on them or perhaps the doors aren't completely straight, but it's not part of the bars of the cage so it's not as big of an issue. I honestly hate fancy cages, because most of them are designed for the human, not the animal, in mind. Birds aren't decorations, so should not be treated as such, IMO. Not only that, but the plainer cages also tend to be cheaper than the fancy ones, while still being larger. I'd rather give my birds as much space as I can instead of setting up something that looks nice and pleasing to my eyes but may be completely worthless to the birds because the cage isn't big enough or is poorly designed or perhaps its a health hazard.

I have the HQ flight cage for my two tiels and they have so much room in there and just love it! I really like cages that are flat on top because it gives them a place to play while out of cage and you can put a playgym on top or whatever you want. I always put their plate of veggies on top of cage and with one that is not flat, I wouldn't be able to do that. Flight cages are the best.....very roomy and a good deal! Mine seemed SOoo big when I first got it! but now that I see them in there enjoying it, playing, climbing from top to bottom, I am so glad that they have all that room!

So, MTW what are the dimensions of your cage?

My flight cage size is length 32 in, height 36 in, width(from front to back) 21 in.

Is it one of these?
http://www.mybirdcage.com/hq_flight_cage.html

I used to have one of those, they are awesome!!!
I sold it (same price as what I paid for it ) when I bought an aviary + girlfriend for Noah

Yup.....that's it! I have know alot of people who have gotten this cage and all were very happy with it....including me! especially since I found mine used on craigslist for only 50 dollars! Cleaned it up and it was like new! It was an hour away, but hey for 50 dollars, certainly worth the trip!

Oh, that look like a great size and i think it will actully just fit perfectly in the corner of my living room... here is my next question, see the picture christie posted of her cage? it has like "catcher tray" I don't know what you call it, where it is angled up from the bottom of the cage to help catch seeds and stuff. *** here's my question**** what are (if any) pros and cons with this, I think I would like this, but is it really as effective? what is everyones opinion of them?

I've had two different cages with catcher trays. Neither of them catches anything, in my opinion. The 'tiels tend to sit next to the bars of their cage to each and the pellets and seeds go flying in all directions (up, down, sideways). I also think they are a little harder to clean. My favorite cage is one that I bought last fall. It is very basic -- no catcher tray or any attachments, just a basic rectangular cage with a rounded top. The bars are heavy-duty and the tray is metal. It is easier to clean than any of my other cages, despite being much bigger. Interestingly enough, it was also the least expensive of my cages (it was being clearanced for 75% off!). I'm sorry I don't remember the brand. The dimensions are 25x25x36, if I remember correctly. One of the doors is drawbridge style. I like this feature, because when I open the door, the 'tiels step right out. There are three doors on the cage and even though that one isn't the largest, it is the door of choice when the birds are coming in and out during free-flight time. I have two 'tiels in the cage.

-Maija

That is a seed guard.....it is meant to cut down on the mess around the cage. My Ivy's cage has one and although it does help some with the mess on the floor, they also poop all over it and it is one more thing to clean! With mine, the poop cleans off of it fairly easily so it's not too big a deal. I like the seed guard....but another thing.....I have to take the seed guard off of the cage to fit it through doorways in the house if I want to move her cage, which is kind of a pain. Ivy is terribly afraid of strangers and I move her cage into another room when I plan to have more than a few people over so she doesn't get freaked out.

Yes, that is a seed guard. My tiel cage does not have one. My basic square IRN cage does have one, it is just another thing to clean and it does NOTHING to help the mess. They are usually optional and can be removed, I will be taking mine off since it is just a place for dust and poop to gather when they are out of the cage.