Porter's Setup!

[jugoya]

I adopted Porter from a pet store a few months ago, and he came in this black cage; the size recommended for a cockatiel.. but it really seemed a bit small to me; so I tried putting him in this huuuuge flight cage that I had kept my Hans Macaw in, the dimensions were 60x50x40 and he hated it.. hunched over in a corner all day long.

So I tried something new Got this Finch flight cage because it was the only cage I could find at the store that was still LARGE enough but only had half inch spacings. I adapted it a bit, replaced a few parts but in the end this is the finished product. Finally got the ACTUAL dimensions and it measures 20 x 20 x 32L- I would have prefered him in the larger cage.. but after a Month of him simply flying back to his smaller black one I thought maybe this would do better.


And Low and behold? He LOOOOVES it. Extra climbing space but still small enough that he feels secure.

Pictures below. I'm sorry they are little blurry, had to take them with my webcam.

Any suggestions on further set up?

And just for fun.. his homemade play perch!

I ended up putting Daffy and Blue in his old cage, but as they fly to and from two or three cages at any given time... well lets just say they have the run of the back room; and two cages are wall mounted.

 

[aliray]

looks like he likes his new home. I also like the flat top because it gives him a place to stand, walk and play on top

 

[jugoya]

I prefer the flat tops for that very reason. AS well When I had Charlie (Hans Macaw Family Bird lives with my sister now) we had a play top cage, and it made him rather cage aggressive, as he was on a height taller than most of us.

I could handle him so could my sister but my mother.. well he didn't like my mom xP.

I just didn't want to deal with a cage aggressive bird again; so the longer cages being just as good for climbing around in and such are what I wanted. The original flight cage I had for Charlie is what I had Porter in at first, instead I sent it back to my mother about a month ago, after it was obvious that Porter would have nothing to do with it; for her Peach Top Conure; Apparently Pip LOVES that cage.. poor guy. He's got an immune condition that attacks his feathers he's all bald, doesn't pluck, but his condition is not treatable at all.

Still a happy bird for a plucked chicken .

 

[DallyTsuka]

my only suggestion would be to improve the perches, maybe add in some natural branches and rope perches? and maybe a few more toys. dowel perches can be hard on the feet if that's all they stand on for a long time


i like the toy in the front there, the rope one


sometimes birds are so picky on what they like, he isn't the first bird i've heard of that didn't like a bigger cage lol

 

[jugoya]

I don't think the other perches are very visible lols. I have a hanging rope ladder , and a natural twisted vine type perch, and a cement style swing. So far his favorite is the vine perch though he's chewed it up something fierce! Problem is Porter HATES anything new, and I've had to sllloooowwwly get him used to new perches and toys so far all he'll let me put in is what you see. He HATES colorful ropes.. tried for ages to get him to accept them. His balls and his hanging pieces thus far are all I can get him to accept in his cage.

Picky Picky crazy bird.

As long as it makes noise though he LOVES it... I think he's still getting used to things he's only been with me for two or three months now. When I got him he didn't know HOW to play; I've been slowly teaching him lols.

As the resolution on the pictures is blurry well...

As for that hanging rope toy.. I use it for foraging, Peanuts ad other nuts go in it as do a few treats!

 

[DallyTsuka]

ah yeah it's a bit hard to see, but i understand some birds! lol they don't realize how spoiled they are, eh?

 

[Featheredsamurai]

I also agree with improve some perches even if it does take a bit of time. A small sasil perch would be a great dowel replacement.

I don't like seeing any dowels in cages

 

[jugoya]

Alrighty! I'll get those dowels replaced then, I was pondering sanding down some natural branches myself instead. We have some bird safe woods on the property. What would you suggest doing if I were to try and get him to accept a rope perch? He is alright with his ladder and I COULD make my own rope perch Weaving a bird safe hemp but I suppose it would be better buying it. As for wood.. is Pine alright? I've used such before its just hard to find around here.

 

[MarciaLove]

Yep I agree more toys and natural perches and no dowels, one is ok if he really likes them but best to have all natural smooth and rough. I make lots of my own perches as well cause I have bird safe wood just make sure you clean them a lot before you put them in the cage. He looks pretty happy

 

[jugoya]

Sadly the Dowels came with the cage and the other perches I had in his Black one are too small, But I did order [ame=http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004HSULBE/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i02?ie=UTF8&psc=1]Amazon.com: Polly's Jungle Vine Bird Perch, 3/3-Inch by 24-Inch: Pet Supplies[/ame]

This and a few other toys as well. Removed all the dowels but one, and tried for toys like the ones he likes. So I'm hoping this will suit for now.

 

[DallyTsuka]

the perch is great!

i wonder, can you get fleece that is the same colour as the dowels and wrap the dowels? do you think maybe he would accept them easier?

 

[jugoya]

It really doesn't hurt to try! He accepted the Fabric wrapped play perch after a month, so I suppose If I work him gradually on it He'll accept it readily enough. But I don't mind replacing the dowels. He has a bad habit of when he finds an up high in the corner of the cage perch.. he'll sit there and do nothing, even avoiding his food dishes until I come and get him. He's not really a cage bird, he's never happier than when he's with me.. or outside in his travel carrier or on his harness.


The cage is a place where he eats and waits for me to play with him.
So I have to remove most of the higher Dowel like perches to encourage him to move about, and it works. The dowel he was on has been removed from the cage and the second one will be removed when the rope perch arrives. I'm hoping the Bungee perch I got him will fit in his cage though most likely it won't.

I pulled out some of his old toys and put them in there as well, So he has more now.