Rocky's getting brave

[Siobhan]

Last night, Rocky climbed down his cage and REACHED for me on the couch, and Hubby suggested I extend my leg for him to use as a bridge, so I did and he climbed onto my foot and walked up my leg and sat on the couch with me. He even got off my arm and sat on my knee. That's the first time he's willingly gotten out of reach of his cage and he didn't tremble a bit. This morning, the Morning Squawk Concert only lasted about a minute, and instead he was very busy trying to dismantle his cage, moving one of his toys to a more attractive location, and trying to reach the front door to destroy it (we're going to have to figure out something there, LOL). I think he's feeling at home and relaxed.

 

[Allee]

Yayyy Rocky! Brave Boy, making himself part of the family already.

 

[thekarens]

Good job Rocky!

As someone who has a cage dismantler I recommend prevention is the better part of discretion. It's better to do something now instead of coming home to Mr. Destructo on the loose.

 

[Siobhan]

Oh, he can't dismantle his cage for real. It's seriously stout. It's a California Cage. Even a determined 'too couldn't do any real damage. He just likes to bang the tray up and down and undo the doors over his food and water dishes and stuff like that. And we have clips for the doors to keep him in if necessary, and he's pretty cooperative about staying in it if he has to. The front door I was referring to is the house's front door, which was open and within reach when he was on the outside of his cage. We might have to scoot his cage over a bit so he can't reach it.

 

[Scott]

Cockatoos are excellent cage tormentors. All of the big stuff is safe, but many of my cages have destroyed latches/locks. Of all the stopgap measures used, such as nuts/bolts and aftermarket mechanisms, the most reliable is the most simple: sections of stainless steel wire looped to shut bowl compartments.

 

[Siobhan]

He's had this cage a long time, apparently. It traveled with him from home to home before he moved in with us. Other than the dent in the front from where some miscreant in a former home must have thrown something at him, it's in almost perfect condition. We bought clips to put on the food and entry doors (on the outside where he can't get at them) to keep him secured as necessary. One of my Quakers is nicknamed "Houdini," so I know how to keep an escape artist locked up. But when someone's home, he doesn't have to be locked in, only overnight or when we're both gone.

 

[Siobhan]

This morning he climbed into my lap and hid his face under my hoodie and clung like a frightened child. I know for a fact that he was fine all night, no sudden noises or activity, and nothing happened when we got up to upset him. He was trembling and mumbling something and very reluctant to step off onto his cage when I had to get ready for work.

 

[thekarens]

I agree if it's a California Cage he won't be able to dismantle it. I wish they still made them. They come in one piece so birds can't take them apart. I've never found another cage company that I think is as good (aside from custom cages.)

 

[Siobhan]

It's a good cage but moving it is a BEAR. The wheels no longer fit so you have to carry it and it's heavy and exceedingly awkward and when we brought it home, we had to muscle it into the bed of my truck. If it came apart, like the other birds' cages, it would be tons easier to move. It would probably also be easier for Rocky to destroy. The others haven't damaged their cages, but they're not cockatoos.