Routine cage care is as essential to the cage bird's well-being as a
regular supply of fresh food and water. The cups and perches should be
cleaned daily, therefore an extra set of each is desirable. Clean cups
are filled with fresh seed and water in advance and along with clean
perches are set in the cage when the soiled cups and perches are
removed, scrubbed, and dried for use the following day. Uneaten seed can
be poured from hand to hand and the husks and chaff blown off, then
added to fresh seed and reused. Damp or wet perches are thought to be
harmful.
Take out the drawer tray and dump the soiled gravel. Wash the tray with
hot suds; rinse, dry, cover it with fresh gravel, and replace it in the
cage. One advantage of the removable cage bottom is that if it is soiled
it can be withdrawn and cleaned just before the clean drawer tray is
replaced.
Once a week the cage should be completely scrubbed with a stiff brush,
good suds, and hot water. Be sure all cracks and crevices are cleaned
out for they are breeding places for red mites. While this is going on
the bird may be allowed free flight if the room is safe; otherwise it
should be transferred to a temporary cage.