|
Indoor caging is age and species-specific.
Birds
Hatchling and nestling birds are housed in incubators or, depending
upon species, in enclosures that offer supplemental heat (e.g. brooder
lamps). When perching birds are beginning to fledge, they are moved
to housing that offers more room so that they can strengthen their
flight muscles and learn to perch, roost and self-feed. Metal cages
or cages with metal bars are contraindicated, as feather damage
is possible. Wooden bars or grills are sometimes used, as is hardware
cloth or soft screening. However, these materials can be problematic.
If the bird's head becomes wedged between bars or grills, injury
or death can result. If a wing or leg is caught, injuries to connective
tissue or fractures are possible. Soft screening is a better choice
in that the risks of wing, leg, or feather injuries are reduced,
but the birds should be checked frequently, as their talons or nails
can snag on screening, trapping them and often resulting in injury.
Adult birds that are recovering from injuries or illness are housed
in enclosures that are large enough to accommodate their needs given
their physical condition. Birds with impaired flight or very low
body weight should be housed in such as way as to discourage movement
until the injury or underweight is resolved.
Metal caging may be suitable for larger species, especially if lined
inside with soft screening or other material. Stressed birds may
'fly up' and cling to the side of the enclosure. Again, this can
result in damage to the feathers, can entrap the bird's head, leg
or wing, or the bird may be 'hung up' if its talons or nails are
snagged in material.
Birds that are capable of near-normal movement should be housed
in enclosures that offer them room to forage, perch or roost, bathe
and exercise (see enrichment).
Mammals
Neonate mammals are housed in incubators or enclosures with heat
sources. When their eyes open and they begin to move about, they
are graduated to housing that offers more room so that the animals
can strengthen muscles, learn to forage, etc. Metal cages are often
used, although bars must be closely spaced so that the animal cannot
wedge its head or body between the bars.
Sick, injured, unconscious or semi-conscious adult animals are
also housed in incubators or enclosures that are temperature-controlled.
They may be graduated to pet carriers or smooth-walled enclosures
until they regain strength and/or use of their limbs. When adult
mammals are self-feeding, thermoregulating and capable of near normal
movement, they are usually moved (season permitting) to outbuildings
(e.g. barns) or enclosures to reduce stress. Some species (e.g.
bats) have very specific housing requirements; their membranes are
easily injured, and metal or barred cages are not suitable.
Reptiles and Amphibians
Reptiles and amphibians are housed in temperature-controlled enclosures,
and often in a terrarium or aquarium. Their requirements are species-specific
and involve special lighting and equipment. Excellent online information
on housing reptiles and amphibians can be found at http://www.anapsid.org/
Indoor
Caging Supplies (from Supplies Database.)
Building
Materials used in indoor caging (from Supplies Database.)
|
