bird cage? yes, no, maybe?

[kokom05lb]

This is just a question. Came to me a little while ago while talking with my mom. I believe it was 10 years ago a friend of my moms gave us a huge bird cage for my cockteil. The bird cage was for a parrot. So my mom asked me if the cage could be used for the chameleons. I dont her I didnt know i would have to ask.

So, would a bird cage be ok for a chameleon? I would put screen on the outside of it. It's 2'x2'x4' if I remember correctly it looks like http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11505947&clickid=prod_cs

I know it might be a crazy question but I need to know so I can tell my mom yes or tell her no so she can sale it or keep it.

Thanks

 

[MagicEngineer]

Good luck keeping crickets from escaping.

 

[Dean Pulcini]

Yes you can use a bird cage as long as his head doesn't get caught in the bars. You can cup feed and due away with the screen. Also viewing the chameleon would be excellent. But then again I dont know what kind of chameleon we are talking about. I just thought of another plus no toenail damage.

 

[kokom05lb]

I dont even have the cage with me.... I just wanted to ask so I can either tell my mom to hold it or sell it. I would cup feed anyways...

 

[kokom05lb]

I have 2 veile. Of course they arent going to be together =)

 

[EvilLost]

This is just a question. Came to me a little while ago while talking with my mom. I believe it was 10 years ago a friend of my moms gave us a huge bird cage for my cockteil. The bird cage was for a parrot. So my mom asked me if the cage could be used for the chameleons. I dont her I didnt know i would have to ask.

So, would a bird cage be ok for a chameleon? I would put screen on the outside of it. It's 2'x2'x4' if I remember correctly it looks like http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11505947&clickid=prod_cs

I know it might be a crazy question but I need to know so I can tell my mom yes or tell her no so she can sale it or keep it.

Thanks

Concerns I'd have....

-the metal bars near the HEAT bulb would get very hot and if the chameleon touched it, burn issues. (maybe if you remove the top and make sure your heat is located away from the sides somehow?)

-rusting of the birdcage

-weight of plants+soil on the thin bars; you'd need to support it somehow

-bar separation; not to prevent escapees (as you said you'd put screen) but for head issues as mentioned

-if it previously housed a bird (whether or not that bird got sick) i'd be concerned about cross-pathogens/etc and would want to give it a very thorough disinfecting



I didn't read others replies, but those off the top of my head...

 

[kokom05lb]

Yea... think I'll just go ahead and make my cage as planned lol

 

[PantherEnvy]

Putting screen on the outside would be a pain in the neck...

 

[maxttu]

I have considered using a bird cage. I say go for it if everything else pans out (spacing, heat, heat retention, rust, etc...).

 

[sandrachameleon]

I used to use bird cages - they can make excellent cages for chameleons.

 

[UrbanChameleon]

You could use it as an out door cage. I've been trying to think up cheap ideas for outdoor basking and that was one of them. You could always use it for something!

 

[alexonti]

My cham got sick after put him in bird cage. It doesnt keep humidity. Crickets love it lol

 

[ataraxia]

I have used bird cages as temp cages. The fact you cant free range crickets is a big con to me....Id try container feeding the chameleons now to see if they are going to accept this way of feeding. I have had some refuse to be container fed no matter my efforts.

 

[chameleonfan101]

i use bird cages to expose my chams to the sun! they love it! you should keep it u never know when u will need it!