Re: How do I prepare a cage for my baby parrot
Posted by Wanda on 7/08/07

On 7/05/07, karen wrote:
> Hi
> Below was written by the chicago area person who made the vidio
> you purchased from windy city parrot. Hope it helps
> http://www.windycityparrot.com/page/Windycityparrot/CTGY/library
> web page for more
>
> One of the first things I evaluate with a problem bird is their
> cage. Where it is located, size, shape, and how it is set up.
> Many behavior problems can be attributed to having your parrot
> in improper surroundings. Their cage should be a safe haven for
> them with plenty of things to keep them busy.
>
> Type of Cage
>
> A good cage should be easy to keep clean, and it should not be
> round. The bar spacing should be appropriate for the type of
> bird that is housed in it. Whether or not you have a play top
> or a dome top is up to you. One of the best gifts you can give
> yourself and your parrot is a top of the line cage. When you
> skimp on a cage you just end up replacing it again and again.
> Do your research and get a cage that will last the lifetime of
> your parrot.
>
> Placement
>
> The cage should be placed in an area where you are sure your
> parrot will be able to view his surroundings safely without
> feeling threatened. You do not want to place a parrot directly
> in front of a window or in the center of a room. Our first
> response is to assume that they would enjoy the outside view or
> being right in the middle of a room so they can see everything.
> The truth is that this type of placement may be fine while your
> parrot is young. But once your parrot becomes sexually mature
> and aware that it is a prey animal, this type of placement will
> cause extreme stress upon him. Knowing this, a parrot should be
> placed against a solid wall, if this is not possible then the
> back half of the cage should be covered at all times. This will
> give him the sense of security that is needed. Parrots do not
> live out in the open in the wild. They build nests inside of
> trees or in dense forest areas. So they may live and raise
> young safely. Therefore we should try to mock this type of
> environment by placing the cage in a more indiscreet area or our
> homes. One where they can take pleasure in their surroundings
> and not feel threatened. You will need also to consider your
> parrots sleep requirements. Does the placement of the cage
> allow for the proper amounts of undisturbed quite darkness? If
> not do you have a sleeping cage in another room? Sleep
> deprivation is a problem with many parrots I see. So if your
> parrot is not receiving at least ten to twelve hours of rest
> each night you will need to re evaluate his cage placement.
>
> Do’s and don’ts for cage placement
>
> Don’t place directly in front of a window
> Don’t place in center of a room
> Don’t place right on the edge of a doorway
> Don’t place next to the TV that is watched late into the niter.
> Don’t place in the kitchen because of toxic fumes
> Don’t place in an unfinished basement
> Don’t place in a utility room
> Don’t place in the garage
> Don’t place them in your bedroom
>
> Do place them in a corner of the family room with a sleeping
> cage in another room
> Do place them in a frequently used office or sitting room
> Do have a bird room if you have multiple birds
> Do place in an alcove or visible dining room
> Do place them against a wall
> Do place them so they have a view of the entire room without
> putting them as a focal point.
> You want your parrot to be able to observe his environment so he
> learns to trust his surroundings.
>
> Perches
>
> There should be three different size perches in the cage. These
> perches should also different textures with at least one of the
> perches being a rope or Booda perch. The rope perch should be
> the one that is placed at the highest point for sleeping. Place
> this perch in a U shape in an upper back corner of the cage.
> This is especially important if you have a feather picker. It
> gives a sense of safety to the parrot, plus if they turn to
> pick, the rope is right there and they will opt to shred that.
>
> The other two perches should be wood or one wood one of a
> different texture of choice. I would also like to add that
> there does not have to be perches in front of every food dish.
> We tend to make life just a little too easy for these busy
> birds. Make them work a little.
>
> Cage Set up
>
> Three different perches with the main wood one going
> horizontally across the middle. The rope perch should be in a U
> shape in an upper back corner. The third should be place just
> inside of the door so that when the door is opened the perch is
> brought out of the cage. By doing this you do not have to reach
> into the cage for step up commands that may be refused. When
> you want your parrot to come out you have him come down to this
> perch first, open the door once he is on it and request the step
> up. This is a must if your bird has aggression issues.
>
> Now it is time to add the toys. You should have at least three
> working toys in the cage at all times. Working toys are toys
> that make them work for their treats or favored foods. The
> other toys should be things that are easily shredded such as
> soft wood, paper, and leather, preferably all of the above.
> Good toys have many different shapes and textures for the bird
> to explore and destroy. Your parrot should have a minimum of
> ten toys in his cage at all time. You should not be able to see
> the parrot easily when he is in his cage. This is his home and
> he should feel camouflaged as he would if he was in the wild.
>
> Place one of the working toys in front of the U shape perch,
> with the other working toy towards the front of the opposite
> corner. Place one of the other toys directly on the side of the
> U perch so that perch is surrounded by hanging toys. This
> allows your parrot a hiding place to feel secure. Now take
> paper towels, shredders, newspaper, leather, or brown paper bags
> and fold them up and weave into the cage bars making a little
> square section on the side and to the back of the U perch.
> Again this gives a sense of security to the parrot. Plus if you
> have a feather picker it gives them another option to chew
> instead of their feathers.
>
> We have to remember that we took these birds from the wild and
> it is up to us to learn to understand their needs. Set their
> cage up in a way that is fun for them and keep it interesting.
> Busy beaks are happy beaks!
>
> Thank You,
> Michelle Karras

Michelle,

Thank you soooo much. You are a jewel. I did receive my video just
a few days after I ordered it. However, having this information in
writing is great. I will bring my baby home on the 15th of this
month. I'm excited! I will let you guys know how everything is
going. I know I will be writing frequently for advice from you
guys.

Wanda

Posts on this thread, including this one

• How do I prepare a cage for my baby parrot, 6/29/07, by Wanda.
• Re: How do I prepare a cage for my baby parrot, 6/30/07, by karen.
• Re: How do I prepare a cage for my baby parrot, 7/04/07, by Wanda.
• Re: How do I prepare a cage for my baby parrot, 7/05/07, by karen.
• Re: How do I prepare a cage for my baby parrot, 7/08/07, by Wanda.