This article was co-authored by Melissa Nelson, DVM, PhD. Dr. Nelson is a Veterinarian who specializes in Companion and Large Animal Medicine in Minnesota, where she has over 18 years of experience as a veterinarian in a rural clinic. She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Minnesota in 1998.
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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.
Steps
Picking the Right Cage
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Give your bird room to stretch its wings. Parrotlets will like some space, so a cage that’s about 18 inches (46 cm) on each side and 20 inches (51 cm) 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]
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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 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) between each bar.[2]Advertisement
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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.[3]
- You can put newspaper or wood shavings on the tray to absorb the droppings and make it easier to clean.
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Adding the Necessities
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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.[4]
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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.[5]
- You can place heavy ceramic dishes that the bird can’t tip over in the bottom of the cage. Or, you can secure lighter dishes to the bars of the cage so they don’t get knocked over.
- Choose dishes made from glass, ceramic, or metal, rather than plastic.
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Install at least 1 perch. Choose a perch 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.[6]
- There are many different types and styles of perches available, from natural to artificial and rigid to flexible. It’s best to provide a variety of perches for your parrotlet.
- Don’t use sandpaper-covered perches, however, since these can hurt your bird’s feet. Perches that are too smooth, such as those made from PVC, also don’t work well as the bird may be unable to grip them.[7]
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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]Advertisement
Finding the Right Cage Location
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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]
- Make sure the cage is not placed near a window, as both drafts and direct sunlight can harm your bird. Avoid placing the cage near heating or air conditioning vents as well.
- Don’t put the cage in the kitchen. The temperature fluctuations along with fumes from cooking with nonstick pans can kill birds.[10]
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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.[11]
- 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.
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Put a 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.[12]
- Be sure to keep your parrotlet’s cage away from other pets, like cats and dogs, as well.
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Expert Q&A
References
- ↑ http://shadypines.com/plet.htm#caging
- ↑ https://www.animalhumanesociety.org/adoption/parrotlet-care
- ↑ https://www.animalhumanesociety.org/adoption/parrotlet-care
- ↑ https://www.animalhumanesociety.org/adoption/parrotlet-care
- ↑ https://www.animalhumanesociety.org/adoption/parrotlet-care
- ↑ https://www.animalhumanesociety.org/adoption/parrotlet-care
- ↑ http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?articleid=288
- ↑ https://www.animalhumanesociety.org/adoption/parrotlet-care
- ↑ https://www.animalhumanesociety.org/adoption/parrotlet-care
About this article
To set up a parrotlet cage, start by choosing a roomy cage with enough space for your bird to fully stretch out its wings. Since parrotlets can easily get caught between the bars, make sure your cage has narrow bar spacing. The cage should also have a grated bottom with a pullout tray where you can put newspaper or wood shavings for easier cleanup. For food and water dishes, go with open styles made from glass, ceramic, or metal. Then, place the dishes next to each other at one end of the cage. Also, be sure to install at least one perch made of natural eucalyptus or manzanita wood for your parrotlet! For tips on where to position the cage in your home, read on!
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