Bird proofing the home.

[Stitchthestitch]

Could you possibly create a sticky for ideas on bird proofing the home? Whilst I know a lot is common sense, having a place to put ideas on bird proofing something would be a good idea. I don't think it's a big enough topic for its own sub but... I dunno.

You see on so many Web sites talk about "make sure you bird proof the house" but nowhere really elaborates on what to bird proof.

What do you guys think?

 

[SailBoat]

Well, I'm not sure whether this will develop into a Sticky, but time will tell.

We have a home that is not 100% Parrot Proof, but it is 100% Julio (our Amazon) friendly... Julio is one of those Amazons that has earned the right to be fully Walk-about / Fully-flighted within our home.

The basics are founded around 'baby proofing' a home. Wiring being one of the most important things to hide, cover or enclose.

The hard part is the process of finding out what your Parrot enjoys making into tiny pieces. The commonly the more expensive, the more treasured the item, the greater the interest your Parrot will have in it..

Doors and windows to the great out doors are major items. Controlling them is all about controlling the Humans to assure that when they go in and out, they know where's the Parrot is.

Not a complete list, but a good starting point.

 

[wfstecko]

I've made all electrical cables and outlets inaccessible. They're even a challenge for me to get to. My windows have screens and are never open unless I'm in the room, in case Rocco feels like chewing. I drape old sleeping bags over my couch.

Baseboards are another story. Rocco likes to chew them but I'm ok with that. It gives me an excuse to play with my power tools.

 

[Jen5200]

As others say - wires! The other things that seemed to attract my birds are keyboards, remote control buttons and picture frames (mine are all flighted). The other things that I pay attention to - house plants (make sure that they are not poisonous or are not accessible), open water areas like toilets or pots of water (curiosity can be dangerous), shiny metal objects like wall hooks (mine will hunt them down and chew them - many metals are dangerous), anything on open on accessible surfaces that is poisonous (chemicals, dryer sheets, facial cleansers, etc). I’ll add more as I remember what my birds have gotten into. Think like a winged toddler that puts everything in their mouth and take a good look around

 

[fiddlejen]

The most heartbreaking option is to read a bunch of the bereavement threads. There are so many dangers! That said, for me my Jefferson Wants To Fly and so I have progressively declared various room "Bird Safe ENOUGH." After the 2nd room was achieved, I stood back and asked myself what exactly was my criteria?

Well I'm a bit of a clutterbug. For me, the big criteria -- are there Places in this room where a bird could get to, or get itself into trouble, that I couldn't safely retrieve him or her? Or, that I couldn't reach her without further endangering a birdie?

And with this thought, it turns out, my kitchen can probably Never be bird-safe. Well, kitchens aren't anyways -- but even if everything put away & etc -- I have an open alcove with storage shelf with pots & pans racks, they rest against each other etc. There are certain things which cannot be moved without causing other things to move also.

So I make sure the kitchen is closed-off when the budgies' cage is open. In the past Jefferson has flown in there, & out again without landing, but thankfully Calliope has Not. Jefferson never goes anywhere - or does anything - that he didn't intend to. But Calliope occasionally lands imperfectly, or chooses to land in odd places or behind things

I've gotten rid of all glassware. From years past I know that broken glass bits hang around a long time even when you thought you'd gotten them all. And Sunny occasionally does unexpected jump-downs. So, NO glassware except the UNbreakable kind. And I like Large mugs, so I've made sure all my mugs have openings wider than their bases. Just In Case somebudgie were to decide to go for a swim.

(I may have to amp-up my definition of "Bird-Safe ENOUGH" once Sunny finally gets all her feathers. She definitely has much more interest in technology than the budgies. )

I also think a bird-proofing sticky would be a good idea.

 

[Scott]

Thanks all for a great suggestion! I will create a discussion topic in the moderator forum and report back.

 

[Stitchthestitch]

I was actually trying to find an idea on hear on how to bird proof hubby's pc monitor and I couldn't really find anything and then thought what if some complete animal novice decided to get a bird and has. No clue they need to proof their home. Luckily I used too breed lersains so proofing wasn't too difficult for us (kittens like to gett every where and anywhere and chew anything) but for some one who has no clue.... It could be a sad out come

 

[Anansi]

Here is a great sticky to check that covers much regarding bird-proofing: http://www.parrotforums.com/new-mem...friendly-warnings-keep-your-parrots-safe.html

 

[Scott]

Thanks all for a great suggestion! I will create a discussion topic in the moderator forum and report back.

Here is a great sticky to check that covers much regarding bird-proofing: http://www.parrotforums.com/new-mem...friendly-warnings-keep-your-parrots-safe.html

We discussed and believe Allee's superb thread as linked by Anansi is the gold standard for bird-proofing the entire home. Several mods include the thread in welcome message to new members.

 

[Tami2]

I was actually trying to find an idea on hear on how to bird proof hubby's pc monitor and I couldn't really find anything and then thought what if some complete animal novice decided to get a bird and has. No clue they need to proof their home. Luckily I used too breed lersains so proofing wasn't too difficult for us (kittens like to gett every where and anywhere and chew anything) but for some one who has no clue.... It could be a sad out come

Since Levi can fly, I've invested in varies size tarps, appliance covers and throw blankets. He hates gloves as well. So, anything that could cause him harm, or I don't want him to ruin, gets covered or gloved. Plus, I (try to) train him not to go there. But, being a stubborn full on attitude Grey, I don't always get my way.

 

[Tami2]

Thanks all for a great suggestion! I will create a discussion topic in the moderator forum and report back.

Here is a great sticky to check that covers much regarding bird-proofing: http://www.parrotforums.com/new-mem...friendly-warnings-keep-your-parrots-safe.html

We discussed and believe Allee's superb thread as linked by Anansi is the gold standard for bird-proofing the entire home. Several mods include the thread in welcome message to new members.

Yes! I am one of them, I believe every bird owner should read that and refer to it often.