Hi,

 

I have just given Casper's cage a good, final clean-out (he died recently and it has taken me a little while to get myself to di it) in preparation for one or two new occupants. I washed it down with a mild domestos solution in really really hot water, hosed it down and dried it in the sun (along with all the toys). As I was cleaning it though, I noticed a couple of small rust spots, in the corners of the cage where the wire wall panels join, and on the door bit, where the latch hooks over the horizontal bar. The rest of the cage is still as good as the day I bought it.

 

I have attached a few photos to give an idea of the size and location of these spots and was wondering a)if these are likely to be problematic given their size and location, and b)if there is a way of treating the rust spots which is budgie-friendly?

 

The cage itself is 40x50x60 cm and it is a lovely cage (Casper loved flitting from one side to the other, and running around on the top where his play gym was) so I'd hate to have to replace it for the sake of some tiny rust spots. Any advice would be much appreciated.

 

The corner, where the side panels join - this is the worst of them. There are three or four of these points showing signs of rust

 

The loop which the door latch hooks over - here the paint has just worn through, I think, form the latch being used so much

 

The cage - a bit hard to see cos it's black, but you get the idea!

Iron oxide is not considered poisonous to birds, it is the white rust of zinc oxide that you need to watch out for. You can coat the rust with a little olive oil to prevent it rusting further. The budgies do like the taste of it tho. I think if you paint it on and then wip off the excess you'll be fine. That is what i have done.

I know this has been a back and forth topic before.

 

Here is an article about rust & how you can fix the cage to make it safe. According to this avian site rust is harmful (toxic) for birds. Click to read - http://www.avianweb.com/refinishingcages.html

Edited October 29, 200717 yr by Elly

I know this has been a back and forth topic before.

 

Here is an article about rust & how you can fix the cage to make it safe. According to this avian site rust is harmful (toxic) for birds. Click to read - http://www.avianweb.com/refinishingcages.html

Excellent article Elly

Hi,

 

rust, especially that which can be picked off cage parts by curious birdies, is very toxic to birds. Follow one of the methods described to use the rust and re-finish the cage and it should be great for another couple of years.

 

 

Feathers.

I agree with Sailorwolf, I had only heard that new galvanised wire is toxic to birds, it’s the Zinc. Lots of my breeding cabinets have rusted wire, as I have had them in work for more than 12 years & often I use water from my creek that contains minerals. Some are pretty rusty, but I have never had any trouble as yet. It’s up to you to be as careful as you wish, but the amount of rust on your cage wouldn’t in my opinion be a worry.

I have discussed it with my avian vet and he says that the red rust is not the rust to look out for, it is the white rust that you should worry about. Cause he was commenting on my cage.

I also researched ironoxide last time over the internet and couldn't find anything on it that suggested it was toxic

Edited October 30, 200717 yr by Sailorwolf

Thank you all for your tips and advice.

 

I have ended up just spraying a little WD40 on it for now (as it will still be another several weeks before I get any new budgies), in the hope that that will halt the rusting process, and I might touch it up with some black paint just so it looks nicer. Once I have some new birdies I will give it another clean then simply keep it oiled up with olive oil or the like to prevent any more rust.

 

It is reassuring to know, though, that the rust which I am seeing is not harmful!

I don't think WD40 or the fumes of this are safe you are better with using the olive oil or the other suggestions in the article to halt the rust

It was just dabbed onto the four or five little areas with a cotton bud, so only the tiniest amount was used. I did consider this, but as it will be several weeks before I have any birds in it, I figured any fumes will have gone by then. And because I will be re-painting it as per the article, any residue of it will have to be removed prior to painting anyway, in order to prepare the surface for painting.

okay, cool.

I didn't know how it was applied and that the birds where not residing in it yet

It is a nice cage and worth fixing for sure