Cage Security

[annalese]

In the cage I have bought for my Indian Ringneck who is coming home soon, there are six of those little tiny doors on the cage that you lift up to put the food and water bowls.

I wasn't really planning on getting 6 food and water bowls, but should I to block these entrances? I have heard that IRNs are good at escaping, and I don't want my bird being able to lift up one of the doors and get out when I am not around.

I was thinking about maybe zip tying the ones I am not using for food and water bowls shut, but that also doesn't seem like a good idea because I don't want him to chew and possibly ingest the plastic.

Advice?

 

[GaleriaGila]

Ooooooh, yipes... so the doors are the kind that have no lock, but just raise up?
Those are arguably the easiest from which to escape. Also, there's the danger of getting the neck trapped while attempting.
I guess i'd do just about anything to tie them down while you (maybe?) save up for a new cage with locking doors?
Members? What think ye?
Stainless steel wire to tie the doors shut? What about the food doors that must remain openable? Maybe non-spring-loaded stainless c-clips? Or...?

 

[Owlet]

Out of curiosity, how big is the cage? Most cages I see that have the doors that just slide up are rather small and not the best for an IRN, there could be bigger ones that I just haven't seen but yeah.

 

[annalese]

The cage is 4 feet tall, 2 feet wide, and 3 feet long. It was given to me by a friend, and looking at it now I do agree with all of you, I need a larger cage!

I'm going to start saving for one right away, what are some good sized ones for IRNs? Anyone have suggestions?

I also want to mention that my bird will be out of his cage 7+ hours a day, spending time with me. I do know that even though this is true, he still needs a larger space to live in when he can't be out. Thanks for all your guy's help, and if I'm not able to get a larger cage before he comes, I'm definitely going to buy some metal clips (not spring loaded) to keep those doors shut. I'm trying to find the cage online to show a photo of it, but I'm having some troubles.

 

[itchyfeet]

I have a large flight cage for my IRN pair with these doors.
They are resident escape artists.
The ones I don't use, they get out quickly and independently, and are ziplocked and cut short. That works fine.
The ones I do use they use teamwork to get out of. I've busted them when they thought I wasn't looking. They are clipped. That works fine too.

 

[MonicaMc]

My ARN is currently in a 30" x 21" x 35" cage (not counting stand) so it sounds like it's a bit smaller than the cage you have. Previously though, she was in a 5' x 5' x 6' aviary. The aviary is currently not assembled, but I'd like to get it set back up someday. Just not enough room for it right now.


As far as the doors go... one possible solution is to use a bolt, two washers and a wingnut to shut them closed. Be sure they are stainless steel!

 

[bigfellasdad]

As far as the doors go... one possible solution is to use a bolt, two washers and a wingnut to shut them closed. Be sure they are stainless steel!

Great idea and very robust.

 

[Crayfish066]

What do you guys mean exactly by lift up doors?

The doors on my cage have little locks that you open by pushing up and
then pulling, are those what you're talking about or is it something
completely different?

 

[EllenD]

It may be a flight cage or another type of cage that actually has "breeder's doors", they are added so you can attach multiple nest-boxes for "community breeding", or to give a single pair multiple nest-box choices. My mom used to have several of these cages...Either way, the best thing to do is to either use plastic zip-ties to shut them, or even buy small pad locks and put on the doors you don't use, if your bird is able to chew through the larger plastic zip-ties...though I doubt it, my mom used to put them on each breeder's door and then cut off the excess in the tie, and you couldn't even tell they were there because they were the same color as the cage itself. Worked well...

 

[annalese]

These are the type of doors I'm talking about. Mine are square shaped, though.

 

[annalese]

Also, thank you so much everyone for the replies !

 

[noodles123]

I bought some stainless steel loops with screw hinges that I didn't end up needing for cage security, but I instead use them for hanging toys etc. My original intent was to secure cage doors. My bird is larger (u2) but you can buy these loops in different lengths and I imagine that they would work like a bike-lock on a cage with lift up doors. Try checking amazon for different lengths (If you bird could get its head caught, then obviously you should not use these or at least use with caution).


Here are the ones I bought but they come shorter than this.

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