Never in the cage

[Boniface]

So Patrick my senegal is allowed out of the cage and enjoys it for the most part. However he won't ever go in his cage anymore and gets distressed when he gets shut in.

Should I be forcing him to be in his cage some of the time?

He's not badly behaved outside or anything. He mostly does what he's encouraged to do (not fully obedient yet).

 

[flyingron]

My Quaker isn't real fond of being shut up in the cage and will most times protest if she's left in there (especially if she senses there are people around). I will often just sit her on top of the cage as long as I'm going to be around. If nobody is home, in she goes. She will talk up a storm to get out, but she'll eventually settle down.

 

[Kiwibird]

I think being "cage free" all the time is a privilege and only certain individuals are well behaved enough to earn it. It also takes time to determine if your bird is a good candidate because there are A LOT of household dangers they could get into if they are a mischevious or defiant bird. I wouldn't rule it out, but I would also give it some time before just letting him have free run

It took 6 years before we started letting Kiwi be a "free range" parrot. By that point we KNEW he was trustworthy enough (yes, of course, there's ALWAYS a risk), he was well trained and well settled into our home. He is so happy too!

 

[Flboy]

For my JoJo to go into his cage, means treat time for him!
Remember, your buddy is a 2 year old who can fly, the last thing you want is for him to chew a lamp cord or such!

 

[JamJar]

Marleys cage is never closed even when I'm out the house i let him roam freely. never had any problems since I've had him I've caught him in the kitchen once sitting in the sink lol thats about it

 

[Christinenc2000]

I think being "cage free" all the time is a privilege and only certain individuals are well behaved enough to earn it. It also takes time to determine if your bird is a good candidate because there are A LOT of household dangers they could get into if they are a mischevious or defiant bird. I wouldn't rule it out, but I would also give it some time before just letting him have free run

It took 6 years before we started letting Kiwi be a "free range" parrot. By that point we KNEW he was trustworthy enough (yes, of course, there's ALWAYS a risk), he was well trained and well settled into our home. He is so happy too!

I am so glad you said that. Sometimes people don't understand how long some of you experienced owners have had your Fids. I know when I first started here I though dang I am doing something very wrong. There birds are eating like they should don't bite . Trained in 4 days. What the heck am I doing so wrong. Time patience and finding your way and the birds way is the best thing I have found. What will work for one person does not mean it will work for me and mine. The tips you experienced posters give is priceless . I find I just have to take a part of this persons advice and a part of another persons to make it work for me. I am a lot happier and I know dang well my Fid is. It shows in the attention he gives me.

 

[Birdman666]

Chris -

I had rehabbed around 350-ish birds, before I got to the point where I could train one up in four days... (My biggest problem child was a ruby macaw, and it took me 8 months to get her behaviors under control! So, it very much depends on the bird, and what they've been through, and finding what they respond to, and also having them respond to it... ) My Sally took four months to fully train. By the time I got Maggie it was just second nature. And, yeah, I also taught bird handling classes... so I wasn't exactly a novice at that point. I knew what to do, how to do it, and she just responded... part of it is that she had a naturally sweet temperment, she just hadn't been handled in 8 years, and craved love and attention. She didn't forget how... she was just nervous of it at first.

And I had a birdroom with all the stuff in it...

And an entire flock from which that bird could watch the interaction and decide she really wanted that...

With mine, my first conure was raised out on a playstand, so from the get go, I had a free range parrot.

It was probably along the lines of 2-ish years before the rest of them became free range parrots. And that stuff started because I figured out Sally had not only been letting herself out after I left for work in the morning, but she would lock herself back in before I came home...

So, yeah, if she's doing that?! Uuummm... why do I bother to lock the cage doors anyway?!

It was kind of a no brainer for me.

But you've seen my playstands... THEY WANDER OUT OF THEIR CAGE, AND ONTO THOSE. THEY HAVE WAYS TO ENTERTAIN THEMSELVES ALL DAY LONG IN THEIR OWN ROOM. And they don't wander around the house getting in trouble. And NEVER HAVE. They go to "their spots."

So that's why I do it, and why I can.

Boniface:

Mine don't care for being caged up either. The only one who really fusses about it are the macaws. I don't think any living thing likes to feel trapped... though some neurotic birds associate the closed doors with "they can't get me in here. At least I'm safe."

Maggle did 8 years in solitary, and doesn't like to voluntarily go into her cage. She starts "the pathetic act" the minute you close the door.

I only put them in for cleaning purposes anymore, unless I am going out of town, and someone is coming in to feed and water them.

 

[Christinenc2000]

Thanks Mark. I understand how it goes NOW LOL Trust me if you lived closer you would be back teaching LOL> Much respect to all of you .
My biggest training issue now is teaching him NOT to throw the corn cob to the dog. At least he whistles for them fist so I know he is done eating and I run for it with the dogs. He really enjoys watching all that.

 

[Birdman666]

So your bird enjoys dog training...

How fun is that?! I bet if you do tricks with the dog in front of the bird, the bird will pick it up.

Maggie tells my sister's dogs to come here, sit, and down. Roll Over can't be all that far off...

 

[Christinenc2000]

He acts scared of the Jack Russel he tolerates the corgi. Actually I have been trying the turn around because both dogs will do it for a treat. BB watches and I get a lot of hahaha . Both dogs will lift a paw when I ask BB to wave. They get treats also. Dogs LOVE green beans . If I say Speak both dogs bark and BB yells SHUT (&(& UP . SO yeah training is entertaining when you have more than a fid involved.