Dumb cage cleaning thoughts...opinions?

[Cedardave]

Hey all.First off, please dont misunderstand...my birds cages are kept clean.No harsh cleaners...mostly hot water,steam and hard work.Im wondering your thoughts on being to clean.In the animal world,the human world and yes the avian world...that wont kill ya makes you stronger.Dont get me wrong, there are some bad things that can impact our birds badly.Do you think that by keeping their world as sterile as we do that we are infact weekening their bodys ability to fight off many of the things that harm them.If they no longer have a natural immunity to common things are they essentially at higher risk?Your thoughts.....

[Robyn]

Its the same with people if you live in too clean of an environment your not building up the immunity to bacteria and things that make you sick so when you do get sick you get sick much worst than if you had those antibodies. I'm in no way saying you should let your bird live in poop covered cages or have moldy foods but I think its OK for the cages to not be sanitized every week. Don't get me wrong I give Riley's cage a good scrubbing once a month but I use HOT water and a LITTLE vinegar. I'm sure many people disagree and that's OK. Just giving you my perspective.

[Joshua]

I dont clean my cage too often so its all full of seed in the tray at the bottom. I also live in a house with no garden so it makes cleaning it a bit tricky. When I do clean it I certainly dont use and harsh chemicals. I use a product I got from my pet store to make it a bit easier but just some elbow grease and a good spray with the hose every few months.

[Cedardave]

Thanks for your perspectives.I have read alot lately of birds getting sick and in my case dying from a simple nail trim(yes Im sure there was an underlying condition).It strikes me that in the wild, while they have vast amounts of fresh air...they also have polution.While they have natural fresh grown foods, they also have poluted water and garbage.Im not foolish enough to think there are no deaths from these wild birds...after all they also can fly forever and work out many of the toxins.Are our captive pets becoming so fragile in a near sterile environment that their bodys cant fight off the simple stuff.Just venting I suppose.Sorry if I have offended anyone

[plax]

Not such a dumb thought, Dave. There's something to be said for resistance development stemming from exposure. But where's the safety line? How do we know when certain pathogens become too strong or too plentiful in a less than scrupulously clean environment? And because we can't know, I'm sure various folks may draw said safety line at different points. Consequently, since the philosophy seemingly can't render an exact guideline, it will likely come down to a judgment call for those of us who aren't super clean freaks. Even still, I think that the concept is quite worthy of consideration.

[spiritbird]

Many bacteria that would harm our birds cannot live on surfaces for very long. A good wipe down with vinegar water solution should be effective for keeping the cage clean. The droppings should be removed on a regular basis like 2 times a day. They can harbor who knows what that is also harmful to us humans if left untouched. Of course you do not want to draw insects to the cage so a clean up of food shells is also necessary. As for weakening a birds immune system by creating a "sterile" world the answer I see is yes it is possible but who goes to that length?

[2birds]

There certainly is a difference between clean and sterile and it would be pretty hard to keep it sterile. I don't really see the need to change the cage papers twice a day but once a day is fine for me. I clean the entire cage once a week and I never use anti-bacterial anything. I do clean their dishes with dish soap every day.

[94lt1]

My vet has a big industrial steamer for restaurant dishes.. Once a week he puts his "patient cages" in it and sterilizes them.. I can see the need for that.. But to be safe, I get my birds cages, except for montes(it's too big to fit) done..

[Lady]

I don't think it is dumb either. I know nothing I have is sterile but in the case of the vet or restaurant, I can see the need. I do think that if we did sterilize all their things then it could present a problem. We do need our bodies to produce anti bodies to keep up the good fight against germs.

[2birds]

There are some people who freak out about germs, but in reality, we need them around to survive.

[PlaxMacaws]

There are some people who freak out about germs, but in reality, we need them around to survive.That's true... we need certain ones. But some microbes can kill us.