How to choose a pigeon cage? Pigeons are friendly, calm, intelligent, and often very-low maintenance pet birds. That’s why pigeons have always stayed on top of people’s choices as pet birds. If you are looking for a pet that can stay close to you and be the perfect companion, pigeons can be an excellent choice for you. If you are planning to pet pigeons, the first thing you’ll need is a suitable cage as shelter.
How to choose a pigeon cage? Assuming you are new to bird petting and there are tons of options on the market, choosing a cage for pigeons isn’t going to be an easy task. So, in this article, I have got the complete guide describing all the essential aspects you should consider while choosing a pigeon cage. So, without further ado, let’s begin.
How to choose a pigeon cage, Shape and Size
How to choose a pigeon cage? When we talk about a bird’s cage, the first thing that automatically comes to mind is its shape and size. Especially when it comes to pigeons, it gets even more important. As pigeons are comparatively bigger than n a lot of pet birds out there, they also require a bigger cage to live in. Instead of the height here, the width and length sometimes become more important.
This way, the pigeon can have more space to roam, fly or do other activities inside the cage. As for the dimension, a 3.5′ W x 2.5′ L x 2.5′ H should be large enough for a single or two mated pigeons. If you have more than that, the size will increase proportionately.
Cage Material
After the shape and size come the material used to build the cage. As a long-term investment, you should avoid cheap cages and go for something that’s solid and guarantees a longer lifespan. Nowadays, most bird cages available on the market are made of wood, acrylic, and steel, either coated or stainless steel.
The first two are not that durable, so it’s best to avoid those. While the coated style might look better and offer cost efficiency, it’s nowhere close to the stainless steel options. Investing in stainless steel cages will be the best choice if you have the budget. The stainless steel durability will ensure that your beloved pigeons stay safe inside the cage.
Surface
Now, this is a tricky part. The best surface for a pigeon’s cage is flat, which is quite hard to find in the cage market. Most cages have the same grill at the bottom, like the grills around. It can make cleaning the cage more challenging as waste or water from the cage can drip off.
So, you should look for something flat surface in terms of the cage surface. But as they are rare, you might not be able to find one. In that case, you have to make your own arrangement and make the surface flat by placing wood, plastic sheets, or yoga mat cut to size at the bottom. This way, it’ll be much easier for you to clean the cage.
Bar Spacing and Thickness
Bar spacing refers to the distance between each bar of the cage. Often I have noticed people absolutely forget about this aspect. However, it’s an essential consideration as it can be a potential risk for your pigeons. Due to inconsistent or unsuitable bar spacing, the feet, beak, or winds of your pigeons can get stuck or damaged.
The only way to avoid that is to ensure proper bar spacing. For pigeons, the distance of 1.5″ between each bar can be considered decent. As for the bar gauge or the thickness should be at least 3mm thick for optimal durability and drop protection.
Safety
Safety might not be an important consideration for other birds, but it has great significance for pigeons. Pigeons are prone to attacks by predators, and that’s why you have to ensure utmost safety. If the cage is not solid enough, or the lock is cheap, it’s only a matter of time before your pigeons turn into prey for the raccoons, hawks, or even other pets like cats and dogs at home.
Ensure the spacing is narrow enough so that nothing can put their paws/ claws through them. You have to be extra careful about the latches since the raccoons can easily get past those. That’s why make sure the latches are completely raccoon-proof.
Weight
For most people, the weight shouldn’t be a big deal. But in reality, it carries greater significance. Because of the grill construction, the cages sometimes become too light for pigeons which can cause balancing issues for them. If the cage is not heavy enough, it can often tip, which neither you nor your pigeons will want.
So, the best thing is to get a cage with a balanced weight. Just heavy enough not to tip, but at the same time light enough so that you can move it around doesn’t become a challenge for you.
Access to Air and Light
The last thing I want you to consider is access to sufficient light and air. Uninterrupted light and air supply are necessary to maintain optimal health for pigeons. Due to the poor vision of pigeons, even a well-lit house can fall short in terms of light supply. So, make sure enough light can easily come across the bars of the cage. The same goes for the air supply too. If you place it in a corner with insufficient air, the pigeons might get suffocated badly.
Final Thought
How to choose a pigeon cage? That’s a wrap for today. I hope the guide above will be a great help for you to find a suitable home for your lovely pigeons. As they will spend most of their time inside the cage, a good cage is a must for the best petting experience. Now that you have the list of factors you have to consider, the decision-making should be easier for you. All there is left to do is connect the dots and get a new cage for your pigeons.