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WORLD FENCE NEWS • JULY 2019 • 35 Wire mesh provides spacious, quality environment for containing birds and other animals continued from page 28 Limited's business philosophy. An- other key area: partnership. "Dedication to the customer is paramount," said Smith. "So, we rely on suppliers like Riverdale Mills to meet our strict production schedules and delivery deadlines." "Collaborating closely with our customers and vendors has given us the ability to listen, learn, solve chal- lenges, and develop customer-driv- en solutions," added Pestoor. "With vendors like Riverdale Mills working with us for the benefit of animal care- takers, we are in a unique position to provide quality products for a critical- ly important outcome – the propaga- tion and safe enjoyment of wildlife." "As a company that honors and embraces sustainability and has worked to reestablish native animals and their habitat at our manufacturing facility on the Blackstone River, Riv- Bird enclosures: It's all in the details COURTESY RIVERDALE MILLS CORPORATION Birds and cages Aviculturists unanimously proclaim the beauty of the bird. From cockatiels to canaries, birds are a source of endless joy and entertainment but not all species are alike, nor is the housing, feeding or care of the different bird species. Kept as pets since the 1400s, male singing canaries prefer the confines of their cages. For canar- ies to fully thrive, an adequately sized rectangular cage should have perches on each end to maximize flying space. Finches require zero handling and out-of-cage playtime, as long as they are housed in a proper flight cage with two or three flock-mates. One of the most popular pet birds in America, the highly intelligent cockatiel can be trained to follow commands. Cockatiels need a large cage and a bird-proof area outside the cage to accommodate their daily need for two to three hours out- of-cage. The right enclosure The primary function of a bird's cage is to protect it. The right size, shape (avoid round), and construction are important. The best cages are made of stainless steel, which is non-toxic, easy-to-clean, and does not chip. The standard minimum cage size for a single bird is 12" x 18" x 18". However, bird professionals recommend as large a cage as possible, so consider a 24" long cage. At a minimum, a bird cage should be 18" x 18" x 24". Pay heed to cage bar spacing for small birds, such as canaries, parakeets and lovebirds. Bars for these known "escape artists" should be only 1/4" - 1/2" apart. Medium bird cages should have a bar spacing of a 1/2" - 5/8". Large birds need cages with horizontal bars for climbing and exercise. The gauge of the wire mesh used to construct the enclosures for finches or other softbill birds should be a light, 16-gauge wire. The mesh for hookbill or parrot-type bird cages require a heavier, 12.5-gauge wire. Why size matters While it is okay to keep a finch or canary in a smaller space, larger birds need larger cages. Keeping a bird in a cage that is too small can lead to undesirable be- haviors, such as screeching, biting, psychological disorders, and feather plucking. The ideal cage should be large enough for the bird to comfortably walk around and to fully extend and flap its wings. Factor in lost space when perches, food bowls, and toys are added to the cage. Shape matters too According to many veterinarians, round cages can cause distress in some birds. Angled cages are preferable; rectangular ones ideal. For small flighted birds, the length of the cage is more important than the height. erdale Mills is proud to support Cor- ners' mission and commitment to its customers," stated Knott. About Corners Limited Founded in 1981 and located in Kalamazoo, Mich., Corners Limited builds customer aviaries and enclo- sures worldwide for nature centers, wildlife rehab centers, zoos and uni- versities. For more information, visit www.cornerslimited.com About Riverdale Mills Corporation Riverdale Mills Corporation man- ufactures 3,500 distinctive welded wire mesh products for the marine, high security, agriculture, horticul- ture and construction industries in its nearly 400,000-sq.-ft. plant in North- bridge, Mass. Riverdale draws its own strand wire from premium low-carbon steel rod that meets or exceeds ASTM specification A510, Standard Specifi- cation for General Requirements for Wire Rods and Coarse Round Wire, Carbon Steel, and Alloy Steel. For more information, visit https://river- dale.com. 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