Repainted Bird Cage?

Question

Hello

I have a big birdcage. My parents repainted it long time ago (im talking about years ago). I want to buy a bird and put it in the cage, but is it ok to do that. Would the paint cause harm even after 7 or years (probably longer). The bird im buying a a budgie

Thxs for help!!!

Answer 1

There is no true bird-safe paint.  Ingestion of any chipped paint can be toxic.

Without knowing exactly what kind of paint was used, it's best to assume that the old paint is NOT SAFE.

Any paint used on bird cages must be free of zinc, lead and chromate.  It should be high-adhesion, hard-wearing, and fast-drying.

If this is a small budgie cage, or if it has any rust, corrosion or bent wires - I wouldn't use it at all.  I'd get a brand new cage.  Much safer, and far less time consuming.

Answer 2

It's hard to say. I have  two budgies and they LOVE to climb and pick at the cage bars. I would make sure that none of the paint is chipping and that it is not lead based paint. Personally I would take it to a pet store and see what they think. It's hard to say without looking at it.

Answer 3

i don't know if zinc is in paint-but that is another toxin birds get into from chewing inappropriate cages.

Answer 4

If the paint is 7 years old I am going to take a good guess that it has lead in it. Birds chew on their cages when they are stressed out/don't have enough toys to play with. It would be much safer for your to buy a new cage.

They way I see it, if you use the cage and the budgie dies, you'll have to replace both the cage and the budgie if you choose to get a new one. If you just get the new cage, you're set from the beginning. :]

Answer 5

No, unless it is lead paint. If the budgie chews on the bars of the cage and ingests lead that is very bad.