to fly or not to fly

[imzadi]

well thanks everyone for your thoughts. We have a very large, open floor plan in our long home and in addition to the safety reasons, Pickles would love to fly in this house. He can go into most rooms. He is never alone with the cats, but sometimes he jumps down from my shoulders. He tries to fly and gets right back in my hand when I come for him. I think he needs to be flighted so he does not land on the ground where the cats can get to him. he has plenty of places to fly out of their reach, but now he always lands on the floor and it scares me.

I think for his safety and my heart, I need to let his wings grow out and keep him flighted. I think he will be much safer that way. I don't have enough control over him now when he is not flighted. He jumps off my shoulder or out of my hand now. At least he will be able to lift himself out of harms way if the cats get the notion to pounce. the cats can't really be locked out, but they can be isolated somewhat. They don't like birds too much since we got the chickens.

Rest assured I will remain always vigilant, but I think flight will give us the edge.

Thanks all.

Lezlye

[birdlady49]

Don't ever let your guard down and believe your cats aren't interested just because they're not interested in your chickens!

A true story I heard years ago and I don't want you to ever forget it: An african grey and a cat lived successfully avoiding each other in a household for TEN YEARS. Then one day the grey flew onto the cat's back and the cat reacted and scratched the grey. Two days later, the grey was dead.

'nuf said.

[Nazir's]

I agree... You just never know. My dogs showed no interest in my birds for about 6 months now and all of a sudden my male could want nothing more but to get the bird. Never get too comfortable! The birds and dogs are not EVER let out together.