Burglar-proofing your birds

[Tiki]

We all know that our birds are priceless to us. However birds DO have a price tag to others, especially burglars. I was just thinking that would be another issue I have to consider if I were to buy an expensive bird and in Australia BG Macaws start at $8000. Right now, I don't own any expensive species and I feel good about that because my birds would not attract the attention of thieves. Has this ever been an issue when you consider what kind of bird to buy? How do you keep your birds safe from burglars? I have security bars on every window and door and fully fenced house. Plus I don't own expensive things that would make a professional burglar want to make the effort to break in-there are much easier houses on my street for the casual burglar.

[Macawlvr]

Great topic!!! I'm sure I can add many more things but the first thing that comes to mind is some really good padlocks on a heavy cage so that the burglar would have to take the heavy cage to get the birds. Faced with all that heavy work, they would probably go onto easier pickings because all theives are lazy, that's why they steal things instead of working for them.

Seeya............................................. ........... James

[Lynjupiter]

I have had house alarms, videos cameras, ect to protect my birds. But the best thing is just a really large dog. Our dog scares people silly when they come to the door. They don't even have to see him. His bark tells all.

Also getting a sign that says you have an alarm system is almost as good as having one. Thieves tend to avoid the houses that advertise security systems
and go with the easier houses.
Lynda

Originally Posted by Tiki

We all know that our birds are priceless to us. However birds DO have a price tag to others, especially burglars. I was just thinking that would be another issue I have to consider if I were to buy an expensive bird and in Australia BG Macaws start at $8000. Right now, I don't own any expensive species and I feel good about that because my birds would not attract the attention of thieves. Has this ever been an issue when you consider what kind of bird to buy? How do you keep your birds safe from burglars? I have security bars on every window and door and fully fenced house. Plus I don't own expensive things that would make a professional burglar want to make the effort to break in-there are much easier houses on my street for the casual burglar.

[The Outlaw]

I have a big dog, but know that thieves wil simply kill the dog if they get access to it. I used to work in a trim shop that only worked on Mercedes, BMWs and luxury Italian vehicles. Needless to say, every car that came in for an interior was very expensive.

The owners had 3 German shepherds that patroled at night and were removed every morning by the guard dog company. I cannot tell you how many times they retrieved dead dogs. Everything from poisoning their food with anti freeze to shooting with high powered pellet guns.

I don't have an alarm system that is BETTER than my 9 birds screaming. I'm home most of the time and am surrounded by relatives and neighbors who have lived here for many decades.

I suppose I'm very lax. I'm too afraid of my hot temper to keep a gun. My father wanted to give me a shotgun but after careful consideration, I figured I really wasn't a good candidate. We do have motion sensor lights on the garages and the driveway. Luckily, we don't live too far out in the boonies so I feel relatively safe. However, there really is no fail proof system.

[FeathersNFur8]

Also getting a sign that says you have an alarm system is almost as good as having one. Thieves tend to avoid the houses that advertise security systems and go with the easier houses.

I had to laugh when I read this. I can't begin to tell you how many of my Client's use this system!

[Irish]

I worry all the time. That big screen LCD tv is visible through the big picture window from the street, after all..... We have 11 dogs, locks, signs, and tall fences. It would have to be a pretty determined burglar to get past it all AND try to take one of the birdies from their cages. A burglar would be in for a bit of bloodletting if he tried to take anyone. They don't like strangers!

Still 'n' all, I'm guessing there isn't much that would deter a REALLY determined burglar. I guess I'm hoping they'd think it would be easier to steal the computers and tv than to mess with a bunch of big-beaked birds.

[Miro The Macaw]

Originally Posted by Irish

A burglar would be in for a bit of bloodletting if he tried to take anyone. They don't like strangers!

I pitty da foo that tries to break into THAT house...


I have considered this as an issue with my birds- I won't say that it really has influenced any choices, though. It has come up when considering a more rare bird, like a Hy, though. I can see where that might be a tempting target for a thief.

I don't like the idea of locking cages with padlocks, as it would slow ME down if I, or anyone else for that matter, had to get them out in a hurry!

Besides that, Anyone that even ATTEMPTED to get into Miro's cage would probably get a beatdown that they would never forget- That guy isn't exactly what you would call warm towards strangers...

-Andrew

[birdyland]

I pitty the fool that would ever try to take Tiki.... she would bloodlet for sure. Red, the big ol' puppy would probably ask for skritches. Tiki is a great alarm as she will scream "hawk" if anyone enters the birdroom unannounced. Niki screams bloody murder if an unescorted stranger enters her room, our cousin found that one out the hard way when Niki still lived with us.

One thing I always encourage people to do is to LIMIT outside vendors and repair people that access your home. They may mention to someone, who mentions to someone, who mentions to someone that there were some pretty cool birds at your house! Not worth it. Do the little projects yourself, you can do it!

[Alyce Johnson]

I agree about repair people! I unfortunately live in an apt, but we still DIY everything we can, at our own expense. I don't want the creeps our slum lord sends over anywhere near my home. One set of guys were admiring Berta & even asked me how much she cost! I was livid, but explained she's "worthless" because she's blind. I'd like to think he was just wondering how much it would cost to own one himself. But it still made me *extremely* uncomfortable!

I would for sure hide that big screen TV! That's like a neon sign "Rob Here" even w/out having birds.

I have chipped most of my birds, if they were large enough for it. I am thinking now more seriously about blocking off the lower part of my windows so that the birds are less visible from the street. I'm not sure what else you can really do. We have locks on multiple doors, but if they want in, any policeman will tell you (or any former theif, for that matter ) that they're gonna come in. We *are* protected by Smith & Wesson co. here at this household. And in light of that totally brazen bird theft in Sacramento (which is less than 2 hrs from here) I'm thinking maybe I'll put one of those rude stickers on my door that loudly advertises that fact.
(Of course then you have to worry about people breaking in to steal your guns. )

Concerns about theft have definitely influenced my thinking about ever getting a really expensive bird like a Hy. Not that I will ever be likely able to afford one of course. I will be really relieved to be up where my parents live, where crime is almost non-existent! A solid community around you that watches what goes on is probably your very best protection. That & not looking "rich". I doubt too many folks go looking for households with birds. But if there were birds in addition to other "tasty" looking prizes to be had, I think that would up your risk considerably.

[felisdomesticus]

I was just thinking about this today. It was 72 here during the day and 60 when I left the house for work at 6:30am. I opened up the windows in the bird room so they could get some fresh air and hear the sounds out there. Then I started wondering on the way to work if they would ever attract someone who wanted to steal them--they say hello and whistle at those who walk down the street.

We regularly sleep with the windows open and just screens in the windows during the summer. Our back door is unlocked 100% of the time and the front door is unlocked whenever we're here. A friend of ours works for the county prosecutor's office and says that we're crazy. Maybe we are.

The only thing I can say is that we are in a very populated area where the people across the street can see what I'm watching on TV and the people behind us can smell what I'm cooking for dinner. There are ALWAYS 20-somethings across the street during the day and they are like their own neighborhood watch system. They're always sitting out on the porch smoking.

I would be hesitant to put padlocks on the cages because I wouldn't want to deal with them in an emergency.