How to Set Up a Parrotlet Cage

Parrotlets are a small variety of parrot that are becoming more common as pets. They make lovable companions, and setting up a cage for one doesn’t require anything unusual. Look for one that’s fairly roomy, and give it a new necessities, like food and water dishes, and a perch. A few toys will keep your birdy happy, as will a cage cover to ensure it gets plenty of rest.

EditSteps

EditPicking the Right Cage

1. Give your bird room to stretch its wings. Parrotlets will like some space, so a cage that’s about on each side and high will work perfectly fine. You can choose a larger cage if you like, but there’s no need for it to be huge.^[1]
   
2. Choose a cage with narrow bar spacing. Parrotlets can get caught between the bars of cages if they’re not properly spaced. There should be no more than between each bar.^[2]
   
3. Size up the cage’s doors. The cage should have feed doors that the bird can access comfortably, so they shouldn’t be too short or narrow. The cage should also have a main door that is big enough for your hand to fit inside when you need to pick up the bird or its food and water dishes.^[3]
   
4. Make sure the cage has a grated bottom. This will make it easy for your parrotlet to grasp onto it and walk around or rest. The cage should also have a pullout tray at the bottom so it will be easy to catch food, droppings, and anything else that falls through the grate.^[4]
   

EditAdding the Necessities

1. Use only open feeding dishes. Some bird food dishes have a cover. However, parrotlets won’t eat from this type. To encourage them to feed and drink adequately, choose simple dishes that are open.^[5]
   
2. Place the food and water dishes at one end of the cage. This will encourage your bird to use them together. The water should remain clean and free of droppings, so you may have to move the dishes around until you find a position that suits your parrotlet.^[6]
   
3. Install at least one perch. Choose one that is made of natural eucalyptus or manzanita wood. Cement or sand perches can also be used to help keep the parrotlet’s nails worn down. If you use one of this type, place it relatively high up in the cage so that the parrotlet won’t use it so much that their feet become worn down.^[7]
   
   • Don’t use sandpaper-covered perches, however, since these can hurt your bird’s feet.
4. Keep your birdy entertained with some toys. Parrotlets will love some rings, ropes, bells, and other toys to play with. You can find good birdy toys at pet stores. Look for ones that are designed for cockatiels and conures, rather than smaller birds. ^[8]
   

EditFinding the Right Cage Location

1. Place the cage in a spot that’s warm but not too toasty. Parrotlets will want to be kept out of drafts to stay comfortable. However, you should also avoid placing the cage in direct sunlight, since this may make the parrotlet feel hot or disturb its rest.^[9]
   
2. Cover the cage when your birdy needs to sleep. Parrotlets like lots of rest. You should plan on letting them have at least 12 hours of dark at nighttime. Placing a cover over the cage at the same period each night will help your bird get the rest it needs, especially if your area doesn’t always have this much natural darkness.^[10]
   
   • Make sure to place the cage somewhere where it won’t be a problem to get this much darkness, like a room that won’t be used much at night.
3. Put visual barrier between each cage. If you have multiple parrotlets, they can become agitated if they constantly see each other. To prevent this stress, you only have to block their view. For instance, put a piece of furniture or a large plant between each cage.^[11]
   

EditSources and Citations

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source How to of the Day http://ift.tt/2xFuWMz