Playtop cages - Pros and cons?

[jenseits]

I'm looking at cages for a soon-to-be rescued bird (although I'm not certain what bird that will be yet).

What are people's opinions on playtop cages? It seems pretty convenient to have a playstand attached to the cage, but would it block too much light? Basically it would mean that the whole top of the cage is covered at all times.

I've also heard that some birds tend to get much more territorial if their cage is in effect also their play area. Not sure how much I believe that*, but I'd like to solicit opinions from those people who have experience with these types of cages.

* A lot of people also say that having a bird higher than you makes them think they are dominant, which I think is baloney. The height think, therefore, is not a consideration.

[Izzy]

I personally like playtops. Both of my birds have play areas on top of their cages, and it's convenient to let them out. However, I also think it's VERY important to have additional play areas as well, so that they get to go other places. My guys have another play area in another room.

Height dominance, according to recent research, doesn't exist in parrots.

For a play area, I'd replace the tray with a piece of acrylic that you can wipe off. That way it doesn't block light, but they aren't pooping all over their perches and toys.

Good luck!

[huntress]

I have never had an issue with dominance or playtops. I have seen it with birds where the owners use it as a babysitter and never have "other" areas for the birds. I take the upper tray OUT when the bird is spending time inside to let the light in. Matter of fact I ended up taking it out altogether on some cages. People say well "what do you do about the poop" and its really no different then birds who are allowed to climb on non playtop cages. i end up putting playtops on cages that dont have them, lol. I think they are great esp for those days when you dont feel you have allot of time to play and you can just open the door as you walk in from work.

[Icednova625]

I love playtop cages. I personally think the only con's would possibly the poop down on the food/toys/perches/in the water. This can easily be eliminated by using the tray that comes with it when the bird is out of the cage. I just remove mine when they go in the cage and put them under the cage until they are out then put them back up. Only takes maybe 15 seconds and imo its worth it to do to avoid the poop all over the stuff in the cage.

[jenseits]

Ok, great. I didn't realize the trays were removable. That solves that problem.

Stewie has a separate playstand across the room: one of Wayne's full-size bottle brush gyms - which he LOVES. Since he's flighted, he makes a beeline for it as soon as I open the cage door. (He doesn't STAY put on it, but that's a different story.) I'll have to figure out whether to get a second one or just let them work out who gets to sit where (once we've worked up to joint out-of-cage time, that is).

Maybe I'll just get a cage with a flat top and buy one of Wayne's smaller table top stands to put on top of it. Hmmm, that might be a good option as well.

[thejoie]

I used to be a HUGE play top fan. But not anymore.

I like flat top cages because I still attach a rope perch in the shape of a half loop on there and some toys and they love it just as much as a play top. And this way I can make it look like what I want it to. I want to be able to attach different toys and change it around. And with my "self made" playtops I have that option!
I also just got my first play stand for my birds and it's just much more convenient than the playtop. I can move the stand to where I want and need it. Take it to a different room... whatever. I LOVE it.
Playtops also seem to make the cage darker on the inside.
I like many different play areas....
I used to have a playtop for my Quaker and I liked it... but now that I don't have a playtop I seem to like my set ups even more!!!

[Tom Lawless]

I preface this by saying I am hardly an authority on the topic but I have a playtop for Davey and because of space constraints it is the best choice for me. Although it makes the cage a little darker he is on that and his playstand most of the day. He has access to the interior of his cage but really only goes in there to eat. My cage has a tray that catches anything from falling on his perches in the cage. It is a big help and keeps the interior of his cage much cleaner. I remember years ago when I had a perch on the top of my cockatiels' cage, that didn't have a pan, I had to be very careful to strategically place all perches, food/water bowls, and toys within the cage to keep them from messing them up. I suppose if I had a lot of space and had more play areas for the bird a cage without a playtop wouldn't be as necessary but in my current circumstances it is and it seems to be working out well.

[hollyhawkz]

Definatley playtop, one with the extra "poop" tray in the top.

[Lucky Feathers]

Play tops are nice cages - my pets have playtops and my breeders have flat tops. As for the play top it doesn't get used a while lot as I have a huge play gym that they like a whole lot better with a boing hanging above it. Right now my play tops are very boring as I haven't made it "fun" yet for the birds - I play to add some toys and hang a swing above it and whatnot so they will actually use it.

As for it being darker, yes that is true, but I don't really consider it dark - they still get a good amount of light from the sides and if you feel it is still to dark the trays come out if you choose to take them out. My cages has a clip on lite to them anyway for when the sun goes down.

I like all the types of tops and they each have there pros and cons - I guess it's really a personal preference. But, play tops are very nice.

[DianeJ]

Im not keen on play top cages myself, I find that it makes the cage really hard and awkward to cover at nighttime. BUT I buy playtop cages so that I can use the parts from the playtops to make playstands for my guys, it works out really well.