Lead in Dolly's cage??

[Wanda and Flock]

I was reading up on the posts and found where Larry posted a pic of a corner cage. Guess what? That's Benny's old cage, Dolly's new one! :mad:
I specifically inquired about the lead and was assured that it was lead free. So, stupidly, I did not have it tested. Then I see the pic posted here today. I am furious that I believed them and bought it. I am trying to find a safe cage but it has to be big enough for Dolly.... The largest cage on King's is what I have for my U2. Too small for Dolly....

I can't afford to just keep buying replacement cages...I need anyone that knows for sure where to get a large- large- cage that is lead FREE.

[Larry, Baby and Me]

Wanda, Here is a recent thread where we talked about cages and such.

http://www.happybirdy.com/mainforum_happybirdy_com/showthread.php?t=722&highlight=kings

Please let me know what further info you need.

[Wanda and Flock]

Larry, do you know anything about 304 grade stainless??

[bonnie]

Did you check out the Kings 506? That is the one I have for Chicken and it's a great size for him. Maybe Dolly is more active than he is?

[Wanda and Flock]

Here is one possibility.

[Wanda and Flock]

Did you check out the Kings 506? That is the one I have for Chicken and it's a great size for him. Maybe Dolly is more active than he is?


Oh, I must have missed something then. Let me go check for it. It's the European line, right? Because I didn't see that in the European line.

[Larry, Baby and Me]

Larry, do you know anything about 304 grade stainless??

You betcha I do....

First let me say this --- there are liars out there that advertise and say anything to get your bucks. They advertise that their powder coated (painted) cages are lead and zinc FREE... I have absolute proof that most are in fact toxic.

They also advertise that their SS cages are made from 304 medical grade... and most are not.

Kings SS cages do pass the magnet test. A magnet will not stick to high grade SS whereas it will stick to lower grade.

I take a magnet with me to the hardware store when I shop for SS parts. You would be surprised in the difference in SS quality of parts in the SAME drawer.

This is interesting --- even the cage mfgrs that say their SS cages are made right here in the US - that might be true - I have spoken to a couple... and they are in fact made right here in the US - but they buy their raw SS bars from CHINA - which is not a problem - but the SS that they buy is low grade.

You get what you pay for. If a cage is a lot less than the other guy's --- then how can that be??? Costs have to be cut somewhere - and it is in the materials used.

I am not going to get into the metalurgy of SS - just to say there are many grades from the lowest level to the highest surgical SS - with everything in between. If you get a low quality SS cage - it will rust!!!

[Wanda and Flock]

Okay, I found it. It does say Lead free, but not European? Is that the one you have? Did you test yours or you know it's okay? Sorry for pestering, I am just sick I fell for this as much as I have been warned and I can only go by what you guys say now...

[Wanda and Flock]

Larry,

Here is another site I found. Still pricey. Have you heard of them?
http://www.birdtoyoutlet.com/detail.aspx?ID=980

[Larry, Baby and Me]

The 506 Kings is the European line - We have private test results they are lead and zinc free.... trace amonts - next to nothing.

I have the 506 in almond - love it. Baby's first cage is a 306 (I think) but too small for her.

What brand is your cage???

[Larry, Baby and Me]

That's Sharon Baker's site - She is out of Texas - an online retailer - no brick and mortar store... she is my buddy - I know her quite well.

Are you shopping for price???

[Wanda and Flock]

Well, I have two Kings cages already. I am not sure what brand the corner cage is but it's EXACTLY like the one you have pictured! I thought it was Kings too because I specifically asked for the brand when I went to purchase it. That is what they showed me. I specifically told them I did not want a cage that was made in China and they assured me it wasn't. It was already assembled and they actually brought it to me.

[Larry, Baby and Me]

Where did you buy it???

And I need pics please.

[Wanda and Flock]

Well, I am shopping for peace of mind first, price second. The reason this one appeals to me so much:
Lead free
Good quality SS (I am hoping)
And, it collapses. I can easily move it outside the garage door so Dolly can get some rays... I would forego the outdoor aviary idea to pay for this instead b/c I can move it so easily from what I am reading

[Wanda and Flock]

OKay, I will post pics tomorrow of it and I bought it at a local pet store, right here in houston.

[bonnie]

Okay, I found it. It does say Lead free, but not European? Is that the one you have? Did you test yours or you know it's okay? Sorry for pestering, I am just sick I fell for this as much as I have been warned and I can only go by what you guys say now...
Sorry... Chicken and I were folding laundry :haha:
Yes, Chicken has the 506. Larry recommended it and we are VERY pleased with it.

[Larry, Baby and Me]

OKay, I will post pics tomorrow of it and I bought it at a local pet store, right here in houston.

I would like to have the name of that pet store right there in Houston - if you don't mind... please don't call them just yet.... we have to sneak up on them - shhhhh....

[Wanda and Flock]

:beathead::beathead::beathead:UGH! This is just disgusting! I just get sicker about this more and more. And now it hits home... on one of my babies. Good grief, does it ever end? I am frustrated! I just can't believe that people just don't care and that I just didn't test it...


Okay, well, if I get a go ahead on the SS, I will choose between the Kings and the SS from the other site. Thanks again, Bonnie.

[Wanda and Flock]

Yep, I will give you the name...sending you a PM.

[bonnie]

Larry, Is there something Wanda can do about the fact that the salesperson lied to her?

[Larry, Baby and Me]

Okay, well, if I get a go ahead on the SS, I will choose between the Kings and the SS from the other site. Thanks again, Bonnie.

If it's its SS you want - then you should go with what is KNOWN - Kings SS is 304 medical grade - PROVEN by a HB member!

The other site --- who knows???????????

[Larry, Baby and Me]

Well, I am shopping for peace of mind first, price second. The reason this one appeals to me so much:
Lead free
Good quality SS (I am hoping)
And, it collapses. I can easily move it outside the garage door so Dolly can get some rays... I would forego the outdoor aviary idea to pay for this instead b/c I can move it so easily from what I am reading

Wanda - I hate to burst your balloon --- what tests have you done or know that have been done by private consumers that those cages are in fact lead free and the SS is high grade. Or are you taking the word of the ones selling the cages?

Please - oh please read the other posts of mine in this thread.

[Wanda and Flock]

Wanda - I hate to burst your balloon --- what tests have you done or know that have been done by private consumers that those cages are in fact lead free and the SS is high grade. Or are you taking the word of the ones selling the cages?

Please - oh please read the other posts of mine in this thread.

I wrote that in response to you saying you knew the site, it was in Texas.. I will go back and double check but I was under the impression you endorsed it...

[Wanda and Flock]

Wanda - I hate to burst your balloon --- what tests have you done or know that have been done by private consumers that those cages are in fact lead free and the SS is high grade. Or are you taking the word of the ones selling the cages?

Please - oh please read the other posts of mine in this thread.

Okay, Sharon Baker...is that the site that had the SS I put the link up for?

[Larry, Baby and Me]

I wrote that in response to you saying you knew the site, it was in Texas.. I will go back and double check but I was under the impression you endorsed it...

No - oh no... I do know Sharon quite well - I DO NOT endorse any of her products... especially her cages - she also sells HQ cages which have tested off the charts for ZINC.

She is a friend that I met in this lead in cage paint mess - a very good person - she is an on-line retailer - no store or inventory at all --- everything she carrys on her two websites is dropped shipped from the importer, mfr, or suppliers. She has NOTHING in stock.

A nice lady - but I would not buy any of her cages and I would not buy most of her toys.

[Wanda and Flock]

GEEEZ! Okay, gotcha. So, basically I will just stick to the Kings Cage then. Larry, thanks for hangin' out with me tonight during my panic attack. I will order the cage ASAP. I will PM you with info on the pet store and send pics of it tomorrow. It's the exact same type you posted earlier, same color and same everything so I assume -same manufacturer.

[Larry, Baby and Me]

Haha - you are funny girl - panic attack and all...

I am sorry I gave the impression that what Sharon sells is safe... I said she is a friend - nothing more - nothing less.

We will get through this -- we have gotten through worse things together - haven't we???

I do need pics of the cage - it's okay by me that you post them right here out in the open. We can all learn from this.

Your cage might be okay and then it might not --- we will see.

[bonnie]

LOL I stayed outta that one for awhile til I knew it was safe! LOL
Yes Wanda, the Kings is the best way to go in my opinion. Very sturdy and easy to put together.

[Larry, Baby and Me]

Bonnie - you're Chicken --- ooops - that is your BIRD's name - sorry...

Hey Wanda - this here old bull dog is still sniffing around...

I am trying to trace back this cage that I posted and you said is like yours...

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=5059+10346+16503&pcatid=16503

The STRONG company in China is the one that manufactures most of the cages coming out of China. They export all over the world. In the UK and Europe thier cages are under the brand name of Montana cages (giving the impression to those buyers that they are made in the US). BULL.

I can't find that corner cage I linked to on any of the A&E sites... but they do change things around from time to time.

But what I can tell you --- A&E is not the only importer to the US of STRONG cages. Royal Pet Supplies which is the largest distributer of bird cages and products is a major importer - also Ron Blades of Centurian Avaries. Also I will say --- the STRONG company in China is not the only one making toxic cages. It appears that ALL cages made in China are toxic.... including the HQ cages.

What I will say--- the cage I linked to above... is a STRONG cage. Tale-Tell signs... look at the latch, the scalloped feed doors, the single bar above and below the main door, the little swing down safety latch on top of the door, and the color is Sandstone... all distinct markings of the toxic cage I have that is now in my shed.

I could be wrong about the cage you have - I will be able to tell from the pics you post. We will see... The proof would be to have the paint tested by LSU.

[bonnie]

I am NOT a chicken... I just know when to not step into the fire! LOL

When I contacted the people that made Chicken's old cage they were very rude and didn't want me to question them about the lead content. It's a Midwest cage. I'm going to have a sample sent off when I get some cash together. I just wanna know if it's safe to put another, smaller bird into or if I need to toss it and start asking some serious questions.

[too&me]

Is there a possibility that you could get her present cage sandblasted clean & then have it powder coated with a safe coating? If that would work it might save you some money. You can do a proper scraping & have the current cage tested here in the area then you would know for certain & share the results with us all as it is a good thing to be aware of the continuing danger.

[Larry, Baby and Me]

I have talked with several labs around the country - and the only one that I can safely recommend is LSU --- LADDL.

I was amazed at the amount of different testing methods... each lab selecting their own methods - for what ever reason - I could never figure out.

All I know - LADDL at LSU is the tops in the country.... they specialize in avian toxicology.... and their test results are consistent.

If you follow the instructions on the www.happybirdy.com (http://www.happybirdy.com) page, you will have no problem.

[bonnie]

Thank you Larry. I'll be doing that ASAP.

[Wanda and Flock]

Pics you requested

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z124/wandataugner/Swarovski007.jpg

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z124/wandataugner/Swarovski005.jpg

[Larry, Baby and Me]

Wanda - perfect pics. Could you please take a pic of that corner cage so I can see the front door at the bottom and the pull out trays in front.

I also see a round top cage in the background. Do you know the brand of that one? Could you please take pics of that one as well?

[Larry, Baby and Me]

Wanda - another test if you don't mind.

Take a magnet - a refrigerator magnet will do. Place it on one of the food dishes - does the magnet stick to the dish at all?

[Wanda and Flock]

http://www.ukparrotcages.co.uk/big_ben_bird_cage.html

I found this pic. It is exactly like mine. The same latches, the same everything.

Here is the link to my photobucket...there are several more pics there as well

http://s191.photobucket.com/albums/z124/wandataugner/

There are several blurry ones...I have essential tremors. I can't hold a camera (or anything) against gravity without shaking...don't go cross-eyed! *L*

[Wanda and Flock]

Yes, magent stuck right to the bowls....

[Larry, Baby and Me]

First - I will say a word about essential tremors... I had them real bad. They started when I was a teenager and continued throughout most of my adult life. I haven't had them for about 20 years. My kids have them. It seems like they are heriditary. Bummer - they are... no fun at all.

Now about your cages... I hate to brake the news to you - Both of them come from China.

Most likely....
Place of Origin: China Brand Name: STRONG
Rui Qiang Hardware Products Factory Co., Ltd.
http://ruiqiang.en.alibaba.com/

Rui Qiang Hardware in China is the largest maker of pet cages and pet enclosures in China. The export around the world.

85% of all cages sold in the US are imported from China.

One final check -- do any of the slide out bottom trays have an HQ sticker on underneath side???

[Wanda and Flock]

I will check that tomorrow. I will have to get hubby to help me do that and he's already in bed... I will post it as soon as he gets home from work...

Okay, how about having them sandblasted and re-painted then? Any ideas about that?

[Wanda and Flock]

Larry, sent you a PM