What are NIC cubes made of?

[angoralvr]

I’m just wondering if anyone knows what kind of metal the NIC things are made of? I’m wondering if it would be safe to build a parrot playground with them. I would think that since they are bunny safe, they are probably stainless steel but I am not sure. Does anyone know?

[Sarita]

Hmmm…I would think so, but you might ask the bird people since birds are so much different and have different sensitivity issues than rabbits about different things.

I’m thinking though they are coated like bird cages though so they should be fine. Better to check with the bird experts about this one though.

[MarkBun]

I don’t think they’re stainless. They’re probably just regular steel.

[angoralvr]

Hmm, what I am actually wondering is if they have any zinc content. If not they are fine. I’ll probably just end up calling the company.

[Scarlet_Rose]

This discussion may help (it is listed in the FAQ section):

Galvanized Wire/Wire Cages:

https://binkybunny.com/Default.aspx?tabid=54&forumid=2&tpage=1&view=topic&postid=14839#14850

[Beka27]

i can ask an internet friend of mine who is a bird expert. i would think they’d be fine, but who knows…

[osprey]

I have the Target Organize-it cubes, silver colored.  These are definitely not stainless steel, a magnet sticks to them.  They look like they are chrome plated steel.  I think the colored ones are coated with plastic of some kind rather than chrome.

[kimberleyanddarren]

i wouldnt think so i think they are mainly just wire with plastic covering, i wouldnt say they contain zinc.. but i thought zinc was only harmful to birds if they digested it? or someone correct me?

[MarkBun]

Posted By kimberleyanddarren on 05/03/2008 1:09 AM
i wouldnt think so i think they are mainly just wire with plastic covering, i wouldnt say they contain zinc.. but i thought zinc was only harmful to birds if they digested it? or someone correct me?

It is.  However, birds can get very, very small amounts of it if they chew or lick the bars.  If I remember right, zinc will build up in the system over time so even the trace amounts they pick up that way can cause issues.

My personal thought is that it doesn’t contain zinc since I do not believe that the wire is galvanized (it would cost more to do that and then put on the color coating – which would be a waste in a company’s eyes).  But I’m not an expert.

[KatnipCrzy]

Unless it is for a very small bird- I would have to say “no”.  My parrots can bite thru a zip tie in an instant.  One of mine learned how to open his side feeding door- so I zip tied it shut- and he immediately destroyed the zip tie.  And this is one of my smaller birds- a Senegal.  So if a Senegal can destroy a zip tie in .5 seconds- a larger bird like a Amazon could easliy do damage to a NIC/zip tied encloure.  I ended up having to use a clip (dog leash clip) to keep the door closed.

Dog things can work well for parrots.  Alot of parrot owner and raptor wildlife rahabbers use chain link dog runs for birds (obviously top is covered in chain link also).

I have a “dog type” crate- although I think it was made for birds- that I use to take my pet parrot, Kirby, outside when it is nice out.  I clip the door shut (even though it also latches to make sure he absolutely can not escape.  And he goes outside with me for short periods of time on the deck to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine.

I also use this same wire/crate cage to bath my African Greys in- I load them in and then put them in the bathtub and then use the shower hose set on low pressure/ mist to create an area of the cage where they can bathe/shower.  They love it.

[Beka27]

the chain link dog run sounds like a good idea. the brd is going to have his own room in the new house right? would the big run fit in there?

[Sarita]

Hmmm…you aren’t planning on putting him outside are you? I don’t know if you have a problem with West Nile Virus, but we do so my bird could never be allowed outside because I’m afraid he could contract this (through a mosquito) and they sometimes even spray pesticides in the air where there’s a problem of West Nile as well.

[Beka27]

good point sarita. i took that to mean that she wants to make a playground inside… but i might be wrong.

[angoralvr]

Posted By Sarita on 05/04/2008 10:16 AM
Hmmm…you aren’t planning on putting him outside are you? I don’t know if you have a problem with West Nile Virus, but we do so my bird could never be allowed outside because I’m afraid he could contract this (through a mosquito) and they sometimes even spray pesticides in the air where there’s a problem of West Nile as well.

I meant for inside/ I do take him outside. We do have a slight problem with West Nile around here but fortunately, my vet gives a vaccine for it. I am not sure if any other avian vets around the country do this but he uses a dilute form of the virus. He is also the vet for all of the birds at the St. Louis zoo and he has never had one of the birds there come down with West Nile and he has never had a problem with the vaccination.

[angoralvr]

Posted By KatnipCrzy on 05/04/2008 9:25 AM

Unless it is for a very small bird- I would have to say “no”.  My parrots can bite thru a zip tie in an instant.  One of mine learned how to open his side feeding door- so I zip tied it shut- and he immediately destroyed the zip tie.  And this is one of my smaller birds- a Senegal.  So if a Senegal can destroy a zip tie in .5 seconds- a larger bird like a Amazon could easliy do damage to a NIC/zip tied encloure.  I ended up having to use a clip (dog leash clip) to keep the door closed.

 

I would agree with you on the zipties in most cases but I believe that it depends on the individual. Just like some bunnies chew and some don’t really, some birds are fairly cage destructive and some aren’t. Since this would not be something he is allowed on without me present, I could watch him to make sure he isn’t picking on the cable ties. If he does start doing it, then I know it won’t work but I won’t have wasted anything bc I have several cubes laying around.

 

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