No cage and just a playgym? Or both?

[Angiie]

Hello! Im very excited to be saying Im going to be a parrot parent soon, and Ive been setting things up at the house for her arrival.

I have a question and Im looking for some answers and opinions. Do you think a parrot playgym can replace a cage? And Im not talking about a small playstand, I mean a very large, enriching play gym, full of toys and perches. Is a cage really necessary then? Im not sure if I should just let my parrot stay in a cage for 8 hours of the day, when she can have full flight of the play gym in my room.

Any advice on this? Or articles? Thank you

 

[Flboy]

There are too many reasons, and circumstances when you will really need a cage! And unless you have an extremely bird proofed room, your bird should not be loose if you are not there! They are such smart little buggers, and you have to always make sure that you are protecting them!

 

[SilverSage]

I'm ALL FOR a bird having a huge play gym where they spend most or even all of their time.

But let me share my experience with you; I've had several birds who have lived "cage free" and it's fun.

However in EVERY CASE there has come a time where I have needed to cage them temporarily for their own safety or mine! My eclectus started finding his way into cupboards etc when I was gone and eating cleaning supplies. My Pionus started literally trying to nest in any dark space she could find and ripping our toes off. My GCC started trying to follow my sister through closing doors. My cockatiel started trying to nest inside my couch and got stuck, almost dying when we were gone.

There are many benefits to a bird living outside the cage, however I'm a strong believer that the bird should HAVE a cage ready to be used if needed.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[wrench13]

Another vote for a cage and a playstand, Parrots need 12 hrs or so of sleep, and unless the room the stand is in is darkened, and quiet, where will you bird sleep? Salty has both, and they are in the open kitchen/dinning/living room. He gets uncovered at 10 am by my wife, spends 2 hrs in his cage, and round noon he can come out and do what ever he wants. Basically he is out from noon to 10 PM or so. He is right in the middle of everything, which most parrots like to be, but come 8:30 or so things quiet down, we have done our training for the evening, and Salty roots at the highest point on the play area. I take him off at 10PM. But he goes back into his cage if no one is home and able to be in the living space ( like showering or shopping when we both go out). And birds like to feel secure when they are roosted down and trying to sleep. A cage with a nice dark cover lets them drift off easily.

 

[Scott]

Ideally, have both a cage and large well-stocked playpen. Several of my birds live "cage free" though they always have an open door for respite if desired. However, this was a privileged earned by virtue of their mellow dispositions and living in a dedicated bird-proofed room.

In this case, your new bird may or may not be suited to cage-free living, but time will tell!

 

[plumsmum2005]

I vote for both also. As been mentioned too many things that can happen even just with your back turned and you cannot be with them all the time. It offers enrichment to be able to give them the choice - stay there or come out? Food and water are contained better in a cage IMO. If a bird never goes in a cage then I assume trying to get a parrot in one when you need to ie vet visit could be even harder.

 

[khaiqha]

Safest thing would be to start with a cage. My alexandrine stopped living in a cage after 6 months, and has been cage free for 5.5 years now, but it's cause his personality lends to it.

Also to this day he is still comfortable with cages, so when i travel with him to overnights at friends he is fine staying in a cage.

 

[coopedup]

And another vote for both. My boy is out of his cage whenever someone is home (which means he's out 90% of the time) but he often chooses to sleep/nap in his cage--it's his home and he willingly goes inside. Its not jail or punishment. Even though he has toys in his cage he generally doesnt play with them...but he does like to play with things on his tabletop stand. Im trying to get him acclimated to the outdoor cage (he doesnt mind it but doesnt get why he cant be on top of it rather than in it) without yelling the moment im out of sight. I want to give him more direct sunshine now that the weather is nice but the "tall pigeons" I saw in the tree yesterday turned out to be falcons---just reinforcing what I already knew...outdoor time=cage.

 

[Taw5106]

I support a cage, play top and travel cage. The cage is their house, food, water, sleep area that is secure. Play top for stretching, climbing, and activities. Travel cage for transport like the vet. That's how we do it here and it works.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[chris-md]

I've got all the above - 2 cages (one larger for his regular everyday cage when we're out, one in the living room with a play top hat serves dual playstand/cage), a play stand, a portable perching stand, and a straight playstand. We use ALL of them.

 

[SailBoat]

We are a fully flighted household as well a free walk-about.

Each of the Amazons that have owned us over the years have been different with about an equal number being fully free and the other half fully supervised with limited walk-about.

The first six plus months all had been fully supervised and from there additional freedoms come as each proved their abilities, their strengths and their weaknesses.

In all cases, regardless of their abilities, a full cage with everything needed is mandatory. As so well stated above! There will be times when a full featured cage is a must have. This is based around their safety and occasionally the safety of others.

In addition to 'their' home cage, that has a fully equipped play area on top of the cage. We have a remote play stand and two perches. We also provide a 'soft perch' that can be used as a daytime roost for napping during the day.

Our Amazons are different from most. They come to us sick and/or with injuries and commonly with no want to trust another Human. The first six months involve extensive hands on care for their illness(s) and/or injury(s). None are older babies /young Parrots.

I would never allow an older baby /young Parrot to not have a cage - their place! They need the sleep and rest-time that only a cage can provide, and without a cage would likely not choose to self-regulate.

Regardless of age! I do not recommend that a Parrot is allowed to run their own life! Its not that different then allowing a young Teenager to run their own life. Both are faces with daily choices that until they show a consistent ability to choose; What is Right and Not, What is Easy - Supervision is required!

 

[Psittaciformes]

Kiwiberry was cagefree, she had access to her cage but she rarely went in there, she would just play around on her playstands and be with me.
But as mentioned before, if you go cage free you have to make sure you birdie proof your room, there are threads with some good tips and ideas on here
Also, at the very least keep a travel cage for vet visits etc.

When I get a bird again I'm going to keep a cage and depending on the new apartment layout, just give it free access in and out even when I'm in school. But it depends on the bird and if I can birdie proof it properly.

Basically, BOTH lol

 

[Angiie]

Such a friendly forum!

Thank you all so much for the responses. I'm gonna have a cage just for sleeping and for comfort for the first few days, and a large pvc play gym for outside play.

I really appreciate all the parronts here who are so knowledgeable about birds! It's really helping me out. <3