perch vs free roam?

[alleyj]

i was advised by my breeder not to let cha cha have free roam on the floor of my house as she will turn into a spoiled brat that chews up everything. she should be either on a perch, my shoulder, or in her cage her entire life.

i've seen bird owners such as dan and max the cockatoo and katie and gotcha the cockatoo (youtube) give their birds free roam with supervision. cha cha is always supervised, is very responsive when i tell her what she cannot chew on, and mostly runs around with her toys before coming to settle with me. she is clipped and i have heard that caiques prefer running and hopping over flying anyways? she is only out of her cage when i am there to watch at all times and is caged when i am out of the house.

any advice on the best thing to do?

 

[chris-md]

Supervised floor time is perfectly fine. They chew thing sup because nobody is around to catch them and keep them from doing it.

 

[SailBoat]

I have never seen anything to back-up that concept. I think that what was missing in the statement was 'without supervision!' That I would believe. Enjoy, but supervise!

Yes, they do LOVE to run and hop!

 

[wrench13]

My opinion. Unless you have a dedicated bird room, which has been bird proofed, I think in the cage. Caiques are very cute, high energy birds, with short attention spans. They get into every thing. . Read up on the caique forum below, for the good the bad , an the ugly on the caique forum below.

 

[Jowelbg]

We have designated bird zones that have been semi-bird proofed. I've accepted that the only thing that is truly Caique proof is Irishj9's house.

Ours are good enough that they don't need constant supervision, but they're never out of ear shot. I know they're causing trouble if things get quiet.

 

[wrench13]

LOL @ Jowelbg. A silent parrot is a busy parrot. Thanks for the reminder.
I know when Salty is outcage, and not on his boing THERE WILL BE TRUBBLE !
He decided to take a jaunt a few days ago, into our bedroom - NOT a bird safe environment. Geri caught him chewing up the soles of my sneakers.

 

[alleyj]

We have designated bird zones that have been semi-bird proofed. I've accepted that the only thing that is truly Caique proof is Irishj9's house.

Ours are good enough that they don't need constant supervision, but they're never out of ear shot. I know they're causing trouble if things get quiet.

I am always at peace when Cha Cha is screaming - for I know she's not getting into trouble! Very true!

 

[alleyj]

I have never seen anything to back-up that concept. I think that what was missing in the statement was 'without supervision!' That I would believe. Enjoy, but supervise!

Yes, they do LOVE to run and hop!

She is a little firecracker and always investigating! Thank you!