"free range" zon??

[getwozzy]

Anyone have a cage-free/free range zon?

Jackie's cage is rather huge...the enclosure part is 32"wide, 23" deep, and 29" tall...but with the legs and top play area it stands 60" tall overall.

I have thought about eliminating his big cage and getting him a sleep cage, but letting him be free range during the day. Suggestions? Tips? Pros/cons???

 

[Molcan2]

I dont have a zon but my birds are kept loose all day and only caged at night in sleep cages. For most of the day they are loose unsupervised. There are pros and cons. Make sure he cant get into anything toxic, doesnt have acess to electrical chords, be cautious of windows, doors, ceiling fans etc. Ours are on our back proch, I would NEVER be able to keep either of the Toos loose in the house unsupervised, my leather couch and wood trim would be shredded in a heart beat. Expect that things will get, well modified by him. I am always for a cage free environment for them when ever possible. Maybe try the cagefree thing out for a few weeks before actually getting rid of his cage. Although it might be a good idea to hang onto it for emergency situations, or have a full sized fold up cage on hand (you never know when you might need it). I know a lot of macaw owners who dont have any cages at all and just keep them on various stands, I dont see why you wouldnt be able to do the same with a zon.

 

[JerseyWendy]

My fids spend most of the time outside of their cages as well (on Java trees), but,I have to supervise them. Hunter, my female YN has never gotten into mischief, but Sam, the DYH is all over the place, so I have to keep an eye out.

I won't even mention what my house would look like if I left the big macs unattended. :32:

 

[getwozzy]

Jackie spends all day outside of cage already, either on top of it or on his perch stand...I've almost finished his PVC jungle gym so that'll be another place he can hang out on. I don't think I would actually get rid of/sell his big cage in case of an emergency or whatever...

We have a 14 month old little boy, so everything is already baby proofed, but I'd have to bird proof things a little better.

I'm home all day, every day for the most part so he's supervised...occasionally I leave him out if we leave on a quick errand. He's clearly happier if he has the choice to be out and wander freely...he just doesn't wander around the house though.

 

[BACON]

I love the idea. I have no experience of this but it's what I'll be looking into once I move out. Hate the idea of cages!!!

 

[getwozzy]

I don't really care if stuff gets "modified"... I've already accepted that with a toddler things are bound to get destroyed lol plus Jackie isn't much of a chewer despite his various toys

 

[JerseyWendy]

I don't really care if stuff gets "modified"... I've already accepted that with a toddler things are bound to get destroyed lol plus Jackie isn't much of a chewer despite his various toys

HAHAHAH!!! No doubt about that. And he's quite a handsome fellow, too.

 

[getwozzy]

I don't really care if stuff gets "modified"... I've already accepted that with a toddler things are bound to get destroyed lol plus Jackie isn't much of a chewer despite his various toys

HAHAHAH!!! No doubt about that. And he's quite a handsome fellow, too.

Haha thanks he gets it from his daddy!

Besides, our fids are just toddlers with feathers!!

 

[getwozzy]

I love the idea. I have no experience of this but it's what I'll be looking into once I move out. Hate the idea of cages!!!

We'll be getting a new/bigger house at the end of the year and I'm hoping to turn one of the bedrooms into a bird room I understand the concept of cages- keeping them safe/contained...and Jackie loves his cage lol but I feel he deserves freedom and he's clearly happier when he's out vs cooped up all day.

 

[getwozzy]

Jackie does behave himself quite well, other than the occasional vocal outbursts, but we've only had him for 3 months so I'm sure as he adapts and settles in further he might become more curious and adventurous.

 

[getwozzy]

Gimme my scratches mommy!!

 

[forbey]

Unfortunately, I can't see going totally cage-free. We have only one BFA, but it would be almost impossible to create a comfortable living situation for humans (us) if we made the house TOTALLY bird safe. (No ceiling fans, no stove, no open windows with flimsy screens, no electrical cords, etc.)

We provide a safe, supervised and loving home for our two dogs and Skittles. When I am home and "present" he is out and his cage is open if he choses to go in. If I'm working with construction tools or working in the yard, he is safest in his cage. Once I get him to actually step up (instead of just saying "step up") then I hope to have him move around the house more with me. Even then, there are too many things us pesky humans do that would not be good for a parrot. (Chocolate, small objects, ceiling fans, etc.)

When it is time to sleep, he does better in his bed and me in mine!

 

[getwozzy]

Unfortunately, I can't see going totally cage-free. We have only one BFA, but it would be almost impossible to create a comfortable living situation for humans (us) if we made the house TOTALLY bird safe. (No ceiling fans, no stove, no open windows with flimsy screens, no electrical cords, etc.)

We provide a safe, supervised and loving home for our two dogs and Skittles. When I am home and "present" he is out and his cage is open if he choses to go in. If I'm working with construction tools or working in the yard, he is safest in his cage. Once I get him to actually step up (instead of just saying "step up") then I hope to have him move around the house more with me. Even then, there are too many things us pesky humans do that would not be good for a parrot. (Chocolate, small objects, ceiling fans, etc.)

When it is time to sleep, he does better in his bed and me in mine!

So true! I honestly can't see that our home would be completely and truly bird safe for an unsupervised bird, and I do like the idea of being able to put him somewhere safe if necessary. He doesn't explore areas right now and doesn't seem to want to either...but that could change as he gets used to us and his surroundings more.

 

[SandyBee]

Yes that might change, I've had Bosley 8 months now and in the last month he has taken to climbing off his cage and walking into the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. Also he is flying, but if he tends to fly back to his cage if ignored or scared. Last night he was hanging by my patio door and a squirrel jumped onto our deck, Bosley took off and flew to his cage.
He is allowed out the whole time I am home, but wouldn't leave him out if not supervised. He truly is like a 2 year old LOL

 

[getwozzy]

Yes that might change, I've had Bosley 8 months now and in the last month he has taken to climbing off his cage and walking into the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. Also he is flying, but if he tends to fly back to his cage if ignored or scared. Last night he was hanging by my patio door and a squirrel jumped onto our deck, Bosley took off and flew to his cage.
He is allowed out the whole time I am home, but wouldn't leave him out if not supervised. He truly is like a 2 year old LOL

There are times when he tries to climb down to the floor, but stops at the bottom pan because the rest of the way is just cage leg and he's too chicken to jump/fly down (whopping 12 inches) lol. I am letting his flight feathers grow out, so that'll play a part in everything. He got spooked this morning and flew successfully across the room (20 ft), landed on the floor and immediately started trekking towards me as fast as he could -so I know he can fly lol.

Poor Bosley!! He probably thought it was an alien invader hahaha!! EEEK!!

 

[forbey]

Skittles has yet to leave the cage; however, last night he climbed lower on the outside of the cage than he ever had before. My wife was concerned that the dogs might try and "play" with him. Not sure what would be worse. an Amazon being attacked by a Chorkie, or a Chorkie being attacked by an Amazon!

 

[SandyBee]

Yes that might change, I've had Bosley 8 months now and in the last month he has taken to climbing off his cage and walking into the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. Also he is flying, but if he tends to fly back to his cage if ignored or scared. Last night he was hanging by my patio door and a squirrel jumped onto our deck, Bosley took off and flew to his cage.
He is allowed out the whole time I am home, but wouldn't leave him out if not supervised. He truly is like a 2 year old LOL

There are times when he tries to climb down to the floor, but stops at the bottom pan because the rest of the way is just cage leg and he's too chicken to jump/fly down (whopping 12 inches) lol. I am letting his flight feathers grow out, so that'll play a part in everything. He got spooked this morning and flew successfully across the room (20 ft), landed on the floor and immediately started trekking towards me as fast as he could -so I know he can fly lol.

Poor Bosley!! He probably thought it was an alien invader hahaha!! EEEK!!

Oh they get braver:11:
When I first got Bosley he wouldn't climb down at all, then he climbed down ever so slowly and stayed on the leg. Then he started getting on the floor a little, but only once and a while and he would run back to his cage.
Now he climbs down multiple times a day, does it in 2 seconds and runs anywhere he wants to go "IT really is cute"
He also can fly up to the table or the counter from the floor, he is quite mobile.
I think he became braver as his wings grew out, he knows he can fly away from things so he is more willing to explore.

Yep, that Alien squirrel startled him LOL:09:

 

[getwozzy]

Skittles has yet to leave the cage; however, last night he climbed lower on the outside of the cage than he ever had before. My wife was concerned that the dogs might try and "play" with him. Not sure what would be worse. an Amazon being attacked by a Chorkie, or a Chorkie being attacked by an Amazon!

Omg -I'd be so scared of that!!!! We have 3 large dogs- 2 Siberian huskies, 1 German Shepard...all 3 of them kill rodents on a regular basis -mainly squirrels, moles, mice, and occasionally birds the gsd even severely mamed a racoon :/ they are strictly outdoor dogs though. Even our 15 lb cat got promoted to outdoor kitty when Jackie came home with us.

 

[getwozzy]

Yes that might change, I've had Bosley 8 months now and in the last month he has taken to climbing off his cage and walking into the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. Also he is flying, but if he tends to fly back to his cage if ignored or scared. Last night he was hanging by my patio door and a squirrel jumped onto our deck, Bosley took off and flew to his cage.
He is allowed out the whole time I am home, but wouldn't leave him out if not supervised. He truly is like a 2 year old LOL

There are times when he tries to climb down to the floor, but stops at the bottom pan because the rest of the way is just cage leg and he's too chicken to jump/fly down (whopping 12 inches) lol. I am letting his flight feathers grow out, so that'll play a part in everything. He got spooked this morning and flew successfully across the room (20 ft), landed on the floor and immediately started trekking towards me as fast as he could -so I know he can fly lol.

Poor Bosley!! He probably thought it was an alien invader hahaha!! EEEK!!

Oh they get braver:11:
When I first got Bosley he wouldn't climb down at all, then he climbed down ever so slowly and stayed on the leg. Then he started getting on the floor a little, but only once and a while and he would run back to his cage.
Now he climbs down multiple times a day, does it in 2 seconds and runs anywhere he wants to go "IT really is cute"
He also can fly up to the table or the counter from the floor, he is quite mobile.
I think he became braver as his wings grew out, he knows he can fly away from things so he is more willing to explore.

Yep, that Alien squirrel startled him LOL:09:

LOL it's so cute when he's waddling across the floor for a while his cage was next to my desk which had piles of papers- he'd climb down and strrrrrreeetch as far as he could to taste the papers, grab them and whoosh!!! The pile goes to the floor and he looks at me like what? LOL between Jackie making paper messes and the kid spilling my coffee all over I've got my work cut out for me ;P

 

[forbey]

Skittles has yet to leave the cage; however, last night he climbed lower on the outside of the cage than he ever had before. My wife was concerned that the dogs might try and "play" with him. Not sure what would be worse. an Amazon being attacked by a Chorkie, or a Chorkie being attacked by an Amazon!

Omg -I'd be so scared of that!!!! We have 3 large dogs- 2 Siberian huskies, 1 German Shepard...all 3 of them kill rodents on a regular basis -mainly squirrels, moles, mice, and occasionally birds the gsd even severely mamed a racoon :/ they are strictly outdoor dogs though. Even our 15 lb cat got promoted to outdoor kitty when Jackie came home with us.

Our dogs think they are Rotweillers, they even attack the vaccum, but a parrot bit on the snout might be something they hadn't bargained on. Either way, all three are supervised when Skittles is out.

Plus Skittles is the source of many of their treats. He will even drop whole nuts and Cheetos and watch the dogs eat them. (I still wouldn't want Skittle to BE one of their treats!)