How about cageless birds?

[Skyebirdsmom]

What is the concensus there? I know quite a few people who hold that birds should remain cageless in the home. Personally I can't see it or do it. I have Skye and 4 cats!!!! Guess that says it all eh? But even if I had no cats, I still couldn't leave the house and him not be caged. He's too small a bird to just leave out (Parrotlet). He is out of his cage with us about 2 hrs in the morning, 2-3 hrs in the afternoon and another hour or so at dinnertime and later. So I believe he's happy enough being with us, on his playgyms, being outside on the sunporch when it's nice and playing on his 'treehouse' which is a neat branched limb suspended from our dining room archway. It's hanging by leather so when he's on the branches, I can swing it and it's like he's in a tree and it's windy out. He loves it. So I don't feel he is deprived, and he's always happy to go to his house. What do you guys think about birds either cageless or in cages?
Linda & HRC~

[willowbirdy218]

I would never be able to have birds without cages. If I weren't home, I would constantly be worrying about what the birds could have gotten into. Mango, like Skye is too small! He gets into EVERYTHING and that's with me keeping him out of things that he could break or get hurt from...imagine what he'd be in when I came home from being out for a few hours!! I would also always have to worry wether they could have gotten hurt. What if mango was flying, landed on something that wasn't sturdy enough and it fell when he landed on it and he fell behind something like a tv?!?! This could cause serious injuries not to mention I wouldn't know where he was. Also, without a cage, they would not have a place to go to feel safe when someone new is around.

[Skyebirdsmom]

Originally Posted by willowbirdy218

I would never be able to have birds without cages. If I weren't home, I would constantly be worrying about what the birds could have gotten into. Mango, like Skye is too small! He gets into EVERYTHING and that's with me keeping him out of things that he could break or get hurt from...imagine what he'd be in when I came home from being out for a few hours!! I would also always have to worry wether they could have gotten hurt. What if mango was flying, landed on something that wasn't sturdy enough and it fell when he landed on it and he fell behind something like a tv?!?! This could cause serious injuries not to mention I wouldn't know where he was. Also, without a cage, they would not have a place to go to feel safe when someone new is around.

I agree on all points, especially for small birds, it's just too scary! Plus, I'd never find him if he decided to play 'hide n seek' on mama, LOL.
Linda & HRC~

[Beaks]

Originally Posted by Skyebirdsmom

What is the concensus there? I know quite a few people who hold that birds should remain cageless in the home. Personally I can't see it or do it. I have Skye and 4 cats!!!! Guess that says it all eh? But even if I had no cats, I still couldn't leave the house and him not be caged. He's too small a bird to just leave out (Parrotlet). He is out of his cage with us about 2 hrs in the morning, 2-3 hrs in the afternoon and another hour or so at dinnertime and later. So I believe he's happy enough being with us, on his playgyms, being outside on the sunporch when it's nice and playing on his 'treehouse' which is a neat branched limb suspended from our dining room archway. It's hanging by leather so when he's on the branches, I can swing it and it's like he's in a tree and it's windy out. He loves it. So I don't feel he is deprived, and he's always happy to go to his house. What do you guys think about birds either cageless or in cages?
Linda & HRC~

I have birds that nevergo in a cage unless they want to and never have any problems with them but some birds have to be put in a cage at night or when i have to go outside or to the store.

It all depends on the bird, the breed, its training and maturity, most 25 to 60 year old birds don't get into stuff like a younger bird because they learn what is cool and what is not while they are young.(of course birds like most Toos will destroy everything in sight as soon as you leave the room no matter how old or well trained they are because they are way too smart to be trusted not to get into trouble)

John

[Greymom721]

I would not leave either of my fids out of their cages without having us around to watch over them....for their own safety! Flying into a wall or window could really hurt! Ouch! Just yesterday I went into the kitchen (which is within view of my TAGs cage)...he wanted to come with me...he flew towards me & landed on the dishes in the strainer...he got his head stuck in the handle of my measuring cup! (LOL...Not the most graceful landing!) But if I hadn't been right there he could have been seriously hurt trying to free himself! I would worry like crazy that something could happen to them when I wasn't around!

[Monica]

I have my cherry head conure, and female cockatiel living together. They live on a large gym, to put simple, and the base of the stand is about 9' x 2'. None of it is enclosed, so it's all open space. I've done this because my conure cannot fly and she doesn't have a larger interest in chewing on most things. She chews on less than half of her toys, as well (which bothers me) though she atleast enjoys chewing on the branches of trees when I either take her outside, or cut some for her.

My tiel on the other hand, she is at the moment clipped, though whether clipped or flighted, as full roam of my room, which she takes advantage of (unlike Noel). She enjoys going to look out the windows and visit the other birds. This area is where they feel safest.

My smaller birds, 2 budgies and 2 bourkes, are flighted in live in a flight cage, for their own safety. I'm still trying to get an outside aviary built for all of the birds to use at various times, though...

[SweetPea]

This is a good thread. It brings up some good issues.

I was thinking about this the other day...

All this week, I had to raise my voice a bit and give firmer demands to get my two lovebirds to go back into their cage. Usually they get into their cages on their own when they see the sun setting.

And I was debating... if they really needed to?

I have no other pets, no children, no open windows, and the room theyre kept in, well, lets just say they really have no way to get out.

Also, the two dont really get in trouble and stay w/ in their comfort zone, which is the sitting room of my master bedroom.

So I'm not sure if my birds really need to be confined in their cage?

The only really "positive" thing about their cage are

1. They can quickly and easily get a drink in the middle of the night which I know they like to do a couple of times.
2. They associate cage time w/ being quiet for the most part.
3. Theyre night/morning poop is contained in there.

So as you see, part 2 and 3 makes it more convenient for ME.

Hence... do they really need to be kept in a cage?

[Monica]

For lovebirds, it's best if they are in the cage during the night atleast, and to be carefull while they are out. Lovebirds are usually notorious for chewing on various objects and getting into things.

[Lungfish]

I have a Severe Macaw an an Eclectus that live outside a cage. Though they both have cages they are in the cages rarely. The Severe is almost 5 years old and the ekkie is 14 years old.

[wildirish]

I don't usually put any of these guys on "lock-down" EXCEPT our Toos. I would come home to a demolished house. Even Calypso got into mischief the other day and chewed the inseide 1/2x1 trim that stops the door from swings. BRAT!!! The Too's on the other hand would have "killed" everything in sight....LOL!!!!