Parrot can open cage

[Mikxx]

Hello
We have a big cage for our loved ones but Joy managed now two times to open the mechanism for the food bowl despite it was locked very tight.
She wiggles on it from the inside until it gets lose and escapes. Luckily we had windows closed and she was just hanging out outside of the cage.

Who has an idea how to secure this better?

I have no idea and was thinking of welding it together with the cage and change food and water through the main gate of the cage.
I also attached a picture of the culprit.

Thanks guys

 

[ravvlet]

A C Clamp or cabinetry clamp that can hook above and below the door on the bars & have the pressure plate lowered against the food door would probably work - something like this guy:

BESSEY 4 in Capacity Cabinetry Clamp for Aligning Face Framed Box Cabinets with 1-1/4 in. Throat Depth BES8511 - The Home Depot

The BESSEY cabinetry clamp is designed to combine the multiple steps of face frame cabinet installation into one easy process. It works on stiles 1-1/2 in. to 2 in. and up to 1-1/2 in. thick (each). Face

www.homedepot.com

Probably not the easiest to remove but not something that would permanently modify the door.

 

[Mikxx]

That s a good idea. Just need to find one that has a opening with more than 5.5 inch.
Great !

 

[ravvlet]

I’m pretty sure they make bigger ones! It was just the first I found when I googled “c clamp” that looked like it would do the trick.

 

[Cottonoid]

The sanctuary where I volunteer uses clamps like these to keep doors shut.

I once didn't put one back properly on a water bowl door and my Corella buddy was out and on my shoulder in about 10 seconds Lesson learned!

 

[SailBoat]

Our Double-Yellow Head Amazon would have made it in even quicker time. After a bit, he just disassembled the cage even when the bolt and nuts were Nylock series nuts.

Simpler approach. Look for a pad lock with its stem large enough to go around the cage corner and back on the inside of the cage and to the plate that holds the seed bowls in place. Clearly, you will need to drill a hole in that plate for the stem to pass though.

Understand that your Parrot will simply move on to the next bowl holder or the primary doorway and from there to the bolts that hold the cage together.

Equation: Very intelligent Parrot x Lots of time x big beak = Parrot sitting outside the cage.

Look at even longer time outside the cage!

.

 

[Mulligan]

I’m pretty sure they make bigger ones! It was just the first I found when I googled “c clamp” that looked like it would do the trick.

Parrots are quite intelligent! Like children, they watch what you do and repeat the process. OUCH! I latched the cage door for a former Cockatoo, but forgot the main lock on the outside. While we were out, she slid the latch open, got out and chewed up about a foot of sheetrock on the laundry room door. My fault for not locking the cage door. I had to laugh at the chopped up wall. Never did that again.

 

[SailBoat]

Parrots are quite intelligent! Like children, they watch what you do and repeat the process. OUCH! I latched the cage door for a former Cockatoo, but forgot the main lock on the outside. While we were out, she slid the latch open, got out and chewed up about a foot of sheetrock on the laundry room door. My fault for not locking the cage door. I had to laugh at the chopped up wall. Never did that again.

Happy you could laugh, as it is clearly a Too being a Too!!

FYI: How old is/was your home as back in the early 80's and long before sheetrock from some sourced contained Lead that was in the layers that were mined. Should get a lead test kit and test it if you still can. The lead has a sweet taste to it and draws Parrots and children back.

 

[MayMaroa]

I have tried using a paper clip and it works very well.

 

[Birdmom2a2]

I had a cockatoo that opened his cage on a routine basis. I used a fairly large quick link (like the links bird toys hang from) and made sure he couldn't reach it!

 

[Mikxx]

Thank you all very much for the good advise. We went with the three dollar solution and bought 4 clamps.

Thank God we had the windows closed. Still shocked about the incident.

 

[Mikxx]

Looks like they found the new toy
I better find some metal clamps as they will break open the plastic most likely.

 

[Mulligan]

Happy you could laugh, as it is clearly a Too being a Too!!

FYI: How old is/was your home as back in the early 80's and long before sheetrock from some sourced contained Lead that was in the layers that were mined. Should get a lead test kit and test it if you still can. The lead has a sweet taste to it and draws Parrots and children back.

It was the late eighties and couldn't keep her. Gave her to a reputable breeder. However, I appreciate the warning. In fact, I thought of that as I was posting. Always beware of what the bird eats. Never leave them out of your sight if they are out of cage.