We first started testing for lead when we were remodelling the house up north. The origional kits that were available were definitely not as accurate as the ones today. We were also fortunate that the place had been used as a rental for most of it's 'life' so that there weren't coat after coat of lead based paint that needed to be sealed in. We sent samples to the state too, of every room in the house, including the basement that had been unfinished at the time....

Pro Lab was the brand that we got for testing in the new house.

I own King cages and just got an email from them saying that their cages are not made in China so not effected plus they are independently tested here.  I think they are made inEurope

 

I think HQ cages are made in China.

 

Indy

At Ace Hardware, you can buy a kit to collect samples and send off to a lab for testing.  I bought a home testing kit and the the one to send to a lab for analysis..I wanted to double check the home test kit.  I'll let you know what results I get.  di

We tested all three cages today with the Po-Lab home test kit.  All tested negative for treaces of led in the powder coated paint.  I feel a bit relieved.  di

Oops! Pro-Lab.  typo!

I must be tired...I had to look and relook several times to see that typo you caught.  Geeze.  I would like to test these cages..they are pretty old and with the paint peeling off in several places...makes me wonder what is under that paint.  I sure wish the place of manufacture was stamped on the cages like so many other products are. 

Oh My!! All the cages I have are HQ cages!! The oldest one is probabaly 6 years old. I hope your right jen. I am going to make a phone call in the morning!!!

 

Marti

The only way you could be sure, Barbara, is to have a lead (and zinc) blood test. But you are right, they should have shown depression and illness before now. I would certainly test cages that are that old. The lead/zinc problems may not have been known in the 80s.  It was in 1998 when Diana had zinc toxicity and my vet has just attended the lecture by Fern Van Zant DVM, where she told how to test birds for zinc tox.

 

I have the original lecture papers with my vets notes in the margins. I was so surprised that she gave me her originals.

 

Are your cages painted or plated? I have several plated ones from the 80s and they are OK. Diana's black powder coated one was my concern. It tested negative.

Light powder coat colors are more apt to have zinc in the paint  than dark paint. The zinc helps paint to hold its color.

We can test cages for zinc at home but it is a very dangerous procedure. Has to be done outdoors with masks, gloves etc.

Annie

Gee whiz, my vet HAD attended the lecture in 1998.

I had edited that. Need to start editing my edits.

Annie

Our CalCage is cold rolled steel. Don't know what that means. I bought it in 1996 so the product could have changed by now.

Annie