To be caged or not to be? What is the answer

[Kakapo]

Ok I'm no expert on birds in general i am learning more everyday. This is my question should you keep parrot/macaw in a cage? I've listened to different experts an general public on different sites and YouTube. I always thought everybody kept them in cages that was so called norm. My views have changed now personally i don't think you should i just think the bird would rather not be in there. As i said I'm no expert I'd like to hear what people here think. An what are the pro's an con's of keeping a bird in a cage.

 

[Allee]

I think it's according to the bird or birds, the owners, and the lifestyle. My U2 can't be left unattended, he would get himself into all sorts of trouble. All my birds have large comfortable cages and that's their safe place. They are allowed out every day but sometimes choose to stay inside. They all go back to their cages to sleep and they stay in their cages when no one is home.

 

[Kalidasa]

I've always been of the mindset that the less cage time, the better. My birds definately like to sleep in their cages, but that's all. I've always found it sadly ironic that the very symbols of freedom (birds) are the ones shut up in cages.

 

[Birdman666]

All of my birds have cages. None of my cage doors close however, unless I am scrubbing the floors. And that is for their own protection, and to keep them from "being helpful" when I am cleaning.

Actually, this weekend was so nice, I put them outside in the tree while I cleaned.

They have cages. It's where their food, water and toys are kept. It's "the nest."

 

[Jayyj]

Alice has a cage but I open it up as soon as I'm up, and only closes again if I'm out of the flat. Unfortunately I rarely get to spend all day at home, so it's a huge cage stuffed with play things and foraging opportunities. She quite often goes back inside as her toys are there, and she likes napping in there during the afternoon, so she certainly doesn't see it as a prison. Strangely, if I tried to shut her in there when I was obviously home all hell would break loose, but if anyone else is in and I'm not she's quite happy beetling about inside and chirruping at them. Lastly, if anything scares her, she will often fly back to the cage, so she obviously considers it a safe place to be.

 

[MonicaMc]

I think that if you have the right setup, having cage-free parrots can be great!

However, there are many household dangers, from toilets to trash cans, other pets, hot stoves, areas behind/beside a fridge or oven, potentially the metal hooks on the curtains (metal poisoning!), and who knows what other potential dangers. Since many homes are made of wood and sheet rock, and birds can essentially be termites with can openers as beaks.... if you can imagine, that's not exactly a good combo! LOL


If you don't like the small cages but can't bird proof a room/house for a cage-free bird, then simply look into getting an aviary instead!




Cages are meant for the birds safety (keep them out of danger when they can't be supervised, keep them safe from other animals, possibly even keep the humans safe from the birds!) as well as a place for the bird to call home. However, cages can also be dangerous, no matter how safely we try to choose cages. I've had two cockatiels get their wings caught (thankfully, no damage done!) - one in the cage bars (bar spacing 1/2" - proper spacing for tiels) and the other between the gap of the front of the cage and the cage tray (no cage grate!).

If I had used a cage grate, she might not have gotten her wing caught as she did, however I have also heard of stories about birds getting their feet caught in the cage grate and getting stuck there.



No matter how safe we try to make their environment, birds are occasionally going to find something that's supposed to be safe and make it dangerous!

 

[Kakapo]

Sorry for late reply my thread was moved to the right category. I'm a bit of newbie so didnt know they had to be in right place. I've been in touch with with a breeder in the uk called barret Watson today. He seems very knowledgeable an is letting me go down to his aviaries an get experience handling his birds an is going to give me information on looking after these birds. I'm going to get a green winged macaw he has eggs hatching in 3 weeks. They have to be weaned first he told that will take 4 months after hatching. So I can go down a few months before there ready an get experience . I also will be purchasing a cage will only use it for the safety of the bird. I've got a long wait but will be worth it an feel happier that il get knowledge face to face with a breeder that can point me in right direction. Il have someone who I can call upon if i have any problems as well this great forum were everyone has been so helpful so thank you to you all

 

[Birdman666]

With greenwings I would go dometop. Bigger is better. My GW is in a Kings Double macaw cage with the divider removed. I think it's the silverado.

 

[Kakapo]

The idea I'm getting from people is a cage can be a useful tool. As long as its used for the birds well being. I'd like my bird to be free an happy as much as possible. If it chooses to be in there then fine at least it has made it's own choice. I've emailed at least 4 rescue centres an offered doing some voluntary work on weekends when I'm not doing my own job so hopefully il be able to get some other birds an not just macaws.

 

[Kakapo]

Thanks birdman il go have a look!!

 

[Featheredsamurai]

I feel a cage is important part of a parrots life when living with humans. If you want "cage free" invest or build a aviary they can be in during the day to give a cage free like amount of space. Being outside is amazing for parrots.

 

[Kakapo]

That's looks perfect and a reasonable price. Wow it's huge there's a woman standing an she could get inside it I'm sure...

 

[Kakapo]

Unfortunately I'm restricted for outside space. I will be transforming a huge room to a safe place for a macaw. I'm not sure exactly all the measures i will have to do. Il research over the next 5 months an make sure it's safe.

 

[Birdman666]

The idea I'm getting from people is a cage can be a useful tool. As long as its used for the birds well being. I'd like my bird to be free an happy as much as possible. If it chooses to be in there then fine at least it has made it's own choice. I've emailed at least 4 rescue centres an offered doing some voluntary work on weekends when I'm not doing my own job so hopefully il be able to get some other birds an not just macaws.

That's how I started.

But frankly, there is nothing goofier than a macaw... that's why I love them so much. But, it takes a firm hand to work with them, and it's all about boundary setting. You raise them the same way you would raise a human toddler.

 

[Kakapo]

I know I've been watching loads of videos of them. There so silly they make me laugh soooo much!! I've never seen anything like them in my life. The way they bob up a down bounce around it just makes you smile. I don't think anybody could not love them!!

 

[Birdman666]

I know I've been watching loads of videos of them. There so silly they make me laugh soooo much!! I've never seen anything like them in my life. The way they bob up a down bounce around it just makes you smile. I don't think anybody could not love them!!

Well, what happens is that people become intimidated by them. The bird suddenly realizes that the person cannot control them, and that, in the opposite, he can control the person by screaming, or bluffing, or biting...

And then they don't love them so much!

I have told this story more than once, but I actually did an "intervention" on a greenwing, where a dominant bird was "in charge" of the house, and actually chased people around the room, with intent to take off toes...

I believe I was asked to get "THIS THING" out of the house.

Well, if you're dumb enough to run, the bird is going to chase you.

He came at me, beak open, wings out, full on charge... I grabbed the couch cushion, and charged right back at him. Backed his little butt into the corner, made him sit there and think about it a minute. Then made him step up nice...

He did.

And immediately lunged at his owner's nose.

Didn't even try to bite me after that.

Guess what happened when I taught the owner how not to put up with that nonsense?! They found out he was actually a pretty cool bird, once he learned his manners! In fact, the goofy came out in him...

So, Note to self... don't run.

 

[Kakapo]

Hahaha omg that made me laugh!!! I know it mustn't have been funny at the time. Taking toes off an backing his little butt into the corner was too much for me!! Awesome advice il remember that for future reference....

 

[Birdman666]

Hahaha omg that made me laugh!!! I know it mustn't have been funny at the time. Taking toes off an backing his little butt into the corner was too much for me!! Awesome advice il remember that for future reference....

Well, if you let it get to that point, you've already screwed up.

There will be a testing phase. You have to pass the test. If you don't the bird thinks he can take over. Sometimes he is RIGHT!

"Problem birds" are created. They are goofy mushballs at heart.

 

[GW.Joe]

I've always been of the mindset that the less cage time, the better. My birds definately like to sleep in their cages, but that's all. I've always found it sadly ironic that the very symbols of freedom (birds) are the ones shut up in cages.

Putting my Zon in his cage at night was the last thing I did before bed
Opening his cage door in the morning was the first thing I did when I woke up
During the day by himself he would go back to his cage for naps, food, water, AND playing

Actually, this weekend was so nice, I put them outside in the tree while I cleaned.

Would LOVE a picture of that !!!

Joe

 

[Birdman666]

Hahaha omg that made me laugh!!! I know it mustn't have been funny at the time. Taking toes off an backing his little butt into the corner was too much for me!! Awesome advice il remember that for future reference....

It's not so funny when it's happening. An out of control macaw that is biting has the power to amputate toes, or fingers. That is why we bite pressure train them, strait away, when they are docile babies...

Because once they are no longer docile babies, it gets significantly harder, and much more painful. In fact, there is usually a small amount of blood shed involved. (And it ain't the bird's blood we're talking about here!)

So, basically beak play, on your lap at a young age. Touching exercises. Get the bird used to being touched all over. Step up practice.

Socialization around strangers. Then more socialization...

Then gradual exposure to things that would startle him, reassuring him that it's okay, and then progressively greater exposure, (with no flying off and no biting allowed.) Until, at some point, a cannon could be set off next to the bird, and he'll just give you a quizzical look like, "that was even louder than I am!"

And boundary setting...

That is how you train a baby parrot to behave. Do that and you end up with a bird like Fargo, or my Maggie, or any one of a dozen or more birds on this forum. What we affectionately refer to as a "Mush Mac."

Act fearful around the bird. Let him get his way when ever he screams or bites. Don't bite pressure train him. Lock him up too much, and don't handle him much. Let him overbond, or just be handled by one person. He doesn't like his tail touched, so don't touch it - cuz he'll bite. And for god sakes, beware the bird's temper tantrum. Give him what ever he wants to make that stop! That is the exact opposite of a "mush mac." And that is how you create one... (It is fixable, but it isn't easy!)