Are Acrylic Bird Cages safe for Budgerigars?

Gone are the days when people used to stick to the societal rigid rules. With changing times, we all change. Just the way humans living ways have witnessed a change over the years, our furry and feathery friends have, too, made peace with dynamism. With pet cats moving on from sitting on a random couch to getting their personalized little huts, the most famous bird pets, parrots, have also come a long way from having a small round cage to a more elaborate one.

Budgies, the most famous bird pet, have always been showered with enormous love by one and all. Traditionally, staying in small cages, they earned their big cages and now, they don’t mind testing life in contemporary homes. These days, acrylic cages are rapidly replacing the old metal cages courtesy their many benefits to the little birdie.

Non-Toxic

Unlike metal cage welds and solders, acrylic has no toxic element used in manufacturing. As per recent reports, metal cages put the bird at risk of inhaling toxins from zinc or lead whereas acrylic itself is inert, which means it will pass from the bird’s system directly without harming him at all. Moreover, unlike metal cages, no chemicals are used in acrylic cages to put them together. Hence, zero or welding paint fumes. That is why fish live in the aquariums made from them unharmed.

Easy to Clean

Against the general perception, acrylic cages do not get dirty quickly. Rather the dirt gets easily exposed to them. Metal cages are great at hiding the debris and droppings by camouflaging all in its creases and finish. Acrylic just happens to expose the unhygienic surfaces. Just a regular wet wipe with soft water is enough to clean them as against using soaps and scrubs on metal.

No scratches

Acrylics do not scratch or peels off, if not practiced deliberately. A bird is incapable of scratching an acrylic cage. But a metal cage’s finish can easily be scratched by a bird, thereby, exposing the bird to the underlying toxic metal.

Comfortable

Acrylic cages have become a preferred home for many bird parents because they feel that their birds are more comfortable to be seen unobstructed without those jail-like bars. The clear area makes the bird feel as if he’s just part of the family and not a captive.

Durable

A good-quality acrylic cage can outlast any bird. Hence, they are way too durable than a normal metal cage. This is because they can never get rusted, cracked or peeled off. If maintained well, they can weather many seasons.

Safe

Acrylic cages are safe for birds as there are no chances of them sticking any of their body parts uncomfortably. Budgies always face the risk of getting hurt in the metal cages which has made the bird parents add more bars and make their little homes congested.

Additionally, many bird parents have complained about their bird’s rugged feathers after getting brushed off with metal bars of the cage. Also, many budgies are reported bruised by hurting themselves against the cuts and creases of the metal cage. All these chances are reduced to zero in an acrylic cage.

Myths about Acrylic Bird Cages

Seeing the changed preferences of other bird parents, many budgie parents have also tried swapping their metal cages with the acrylic ones. But many of them have been deterred by a few unpleasant reviews. Here we are busting the myths circulating about acrylic cages and their probable reasons.

No perches

This has been a consensus that no perches can be installed in the acrylic cages. But just a little online search is enough to bust this myth with so many companies offering them even with an option of customized perches.

Prone to scratches

Acrylic has been known to be scratch-resistant albeit those scratches aren’t kind-of deliberate. And birds are too sensitive to scratch them. Hence, the one to be blamed to scratch them is humans. People have admitted to accidentally scratching them with metal or other things while cleaning or replacing feeders, etc.

Gets foggy soon

Many people have blamed the acrylic material for making their cages foggy. But the only way in which it is possible is by applying the wrong methods of cleaning. The use of harsh chemicals and hard water on the material would undoubtedly deteriorate its sheen and strength.

Birds feel exposed

Many bird parents have claimed that the lack of bars as those in the metal cage makes the bird feel insecure by exposing them to strangers. It has always been an unsaid rule among the pet bird parents to place their cage, metal or any other, in a corner that can cover the cage from two sides. There is no way the bird will feel exposed if his acrylic cage is kept in a room’s corner.

Poor ventilation

Acrylic cages have been blamed for having poor ventilation and getting heat up very soon. Contrary to this, the cages available in the market are made keeping in mind the ventilation needs of the bird. Moreover, the companies offer customization options for the hyper-sensitive bird parents. And about the cage getting heated up, if the room’s temperature is kept cool, there seems to be no way for the cage to catch heat from the atmosphere.

Wise Words

When talking about the safety of our pet budgie, we all are over-sensitive parents. But these safety concerns must not stem from our inconvenience. Take into consideration only your bird’s point of view. That said, many parents have complained about their budgies feeling uncomfortable in acrylic cages. This is bound to happen where the bird has been accustomed to live in a metal cage for years.

Nobody likes changing their comfort area. So, if you are transitioning to an acrylic cage, then introduce that change thoughtfully by probably replacing a few of his metal cage bars to see how your bird responds to the new-found openness. Even when you shift his cage altogether, place it in a covered corner to make him feel safe. After all, we are doing everything for our bird’s safety.