What Size Should a Cockatiel Cage Be?

Cockatiels are one of the best companion birds you can consider keeping. These birds are very affectionate and are relatively easy to care for. A significant part of their care process involves providing the right cage size.

The right cockatiel cage size can ensure your birds stay happy and healthy. Below, we’ll provide an overview of the best cage sizes and expert opinions from the pet experts at Pets and Animals Tips.

What Size Should a Cockatiel Cage Be?

An adult cockatiel grows to be about 12 inches in length. This size implies that cockatiels need a large cage where they can fit comfortably. Furthermore, the bird experts at Pets and Animals Tips establish that cockatiels need enough room to roam, fly or hop from perch to perch. 

However, the cockatiel cage dimensions depend on the number of cockatiels you intend to keep. The bird experts at Pets and Animals Tips recommend that you should have a cage that is at least 24 inches long, 24 inches tall and 18 inches deep for a single cockatiel.

These cockatiel cage dimensions will ensure that your single cockatiel is happy. Note that you should increase the cage size if you intend to keep several cockatiels. Be aware that a small cage can negatively impact your cockatiel. It can cause them to be sluggish, depressed and lose their appetite.

In addition, ensure you pay attention to the spaces between bars. These spaces should be at least 1/2 to 5/8 inches, where anything larger may cause an accidental injury.

How To Set Up a Cockatiel Cage

Apart from size, the way you set up the cage for a cockatiel can impact their happiness. Note that cockatiels need accessories in their cage to be happy. Therefore, consider adding the following to your cockatiel cage:

• Concrete or wooden perches. These perches will keep your bird’s feet well-functioning. When purchasing these perches, avoid plastic and metal perches, as they can make your bird slip.
• Chew toys and playing accessories that make noise. These chew toys and playing accessories will ensure your birds have a good time in the cockatiel cage.
• Feeding and water bowls. Cockatiels need proper nutrition to be healthy and happy. Thus, make sure that the cage has feeding and water bowls. You should also make sure to put these bowls in an easily accessible place. The experts at Pets and Animals Tips recommend attaching the bowls to the cage bars rather than placing them at the bottom.
• Foraging bags. Be sure to attach foraging bags to the cage. These bags will help to stimulate your birds, making them happier.

What Is the Best Sleeping Cage for a Cockatiel?

Cockatiels require about 10 to 12 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night. They are light sleepers and need a quiet sleeping area. If your birds live in an active room, you should get them a sleep cage.

The sleep cage does not need to be as large as their regular cage. However, it should be large enough for them to sleep in and easy enough to transport. When it’s sleeping time, you can transfer your cockatiels to their sleep cage, carry the cage to the quietest space in your home and then cover it.

Final Thoughts 

Cockatiels deserve a spacious and comfortable space to call their home. That means a cage that can keep them away from dangers and confined enough so that they can’t fly from their home. That’s why it is so important to choose the right-sized cage for your cockatiels.