Bar spacing for a senegal

**Wuv_Bird** · 12-27-2011, 09:06 AM

I know the usual, recommended spacing is 3/4". However, I've found mixed information about whether or not 1/2" bar spacing is okay.

The reason I'm curious is that I have a cage with 1/2" bar spacing, which is 5 feet tall, and 2 feet wide and deep. It's a nice, big cage. I realize I may have to padlock the doors since they'd probably be easy for a Senegal to open, but I'd like to be able to use the cage if I can. The other issue I can foresee is that the bars are the thinner kind- the sort you see used on cages for hamsters, etc. Could a Senegal bite through them?

**Kerry C** · 12-27-2011, 09:30 AM

The idea behind bar spacing is so the bird can NOT stick it's head though the bars. Smaller spacing is better than too large of spacing.

Next is the guage of wire. The larger the hookbill the more power behind the beak. If YOU can pinch the wires on your hamster cage and bend them, then so can a Senegal which will have more power than a lovebird.

**Wuv_Bird** · 12-27-2011, 11:41 AM

The bars are fairly flexible. I can bend them reasonably easily, but only to a certain point (they're welded to other bars afterall). I'm not sure what you mean by pinching them? You mean could I snap one? I know they're a low gauge wire. Not sure what gauge specifically. Would a picture help?

I have no problem buying a new cage, but not if I don't have to.

EDIT: Just found my cage online, the bar thickness is 1.5mm. So, yeah. It's pretty thin.

**Kerry C** · 12-27-2011, 12:28 PM

Pinch the bars - as in bending 2 bars to meet each other with your fingers.
This would not be a good cage for a beak larger than finch or budgie.

**Wuv_Bird** · 12-27-2011, 03:45 PM

Oh heh, that makes sense. Yeah, I can pinch the bars.

Well, guess its time to go cage shopping. Thanks for the advice.

**pixibubbles** · 01-01-2012, 05:12 PM

Can I add that there are reasons for min bar spacing size as well- Too small spacing can catch wings and apparently damage feet and hurt to grip. apparently.

**Wuv_Bird** · 01-06-2012, 08:24 PM

Originally Posted by pixibubbles

Can I add that there are reasons for min bar spacing size as well- Too small spacing can catch wings and apparently damage feet and hurt to grip. apparently.

Yes, I did know this, and actually it was my primary concern. But I found many sources saying 1/2" was too narrow for sennie, others said it was fine... that's one thing I hate about the internet. It's a wonderfully vast source of information, but can also be quite conflicting.

I'll admit, the wire gauge itself actually slipped my mind... dumb of me.

Thanks to both of you for the advice.

**Nocturnal** · 01-23-2012, 12:44 PM

My sennie is in a cage with 1/2 bar spacing. The guage isn't fantastic, but it isn't near as whimpy as my lovebird's. It works for her--- it would never work for my sun conure though, who has the inclination AND beak strength to chip the powdercoating off of his super heavy guage cage (he has a much wider bar spacing, being 3/4 inch... but it works for him).

My sennie is probably okay in her cage as she is older (22) and less energetic--- a younger, more playful bird might be more inclined to mess with the cage bars (like my conure who is 4).