New Cage Dilema

Anita1250

New member
Oct 19, 2017
338
9
NYC
Parrots
Blue Fronted Amazon 35 years old
We purchased a new stainless steel cage for our 34 year old Blue Front this week. This will be his 4th cage ( he is pretty hard on them!) However, he really hates the transition to a new one. Initially, he is terrified ( this from a bird who is afraid of nothing else ). I have the old cage next to the new one with some of his toys on the new cage. How long would you wait to just plunk him in the new one? Because he is getting older, I want to give him a little time to adjust, but he will NEVER move to the new cage on his own. Thanks. :green1::green:
 

T00tsyd

Well-known member
May 8, 2017
1,256
862
UK
Parrots
Green cheek conure - Sydney (Syd) Hatched 2/2017
What would happen if you put some to die for treats in the new cage in full view? Or made the new cage generally more interesting than his old one?
 

SailBoat

Supporting Member
Jul 10, 2015
17,666
10,056
Western, Michigan
Parrots
DYH Amazon
We rarely have a problem, because the new cage never just shows-up! The boxes arrive and enter the room over a few days, Then the boxes are opened with our Amazon involved in the opening of the boxes. Our's love to tear at the cardboard. The Framing and parts sit for a day or so or until he starts climbing on them, which ever comes first. With his help we assemble the cage. I always assembly them upside-down as it makes it easier for him to climb on to it and it eases assembly. He is also an active part of decoration of the cage with perch locations and toy section.

Yes, it takes longer, but each and everyone have always moved right in after that process!

Try changing your vantage point: It is Never the Fault of the Amazon! It is Always the Fault of the Human! You will be surprised at just how powerful this tool is in finding and resolving issues from behavior to other interactions, play and food choices, etc...

You changed your Amazon's World without involving your Amazon!
 
Last edited:
OP
Anita1250

Anita1250

New member
Oct 19, 2017
338
9
NYC
Parrots
Blue Fronted Amazon 35 years old
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #4
He was there for all of the construction. He just sat as far away as he could get! He will actually ignore food and treats when a new cage is around. I had to move the new one out of the way so he would eat before going to bed last night. Who ever heard of an Amazon with a new cage phobia!
 

SailBoat

Supporting Member
Jul 10, 2015
17,666
10,056
Western, Michigan
Parrots
DYH Amazon
He was there for all of the construction. He just sat as far away as he could get! He will actually ignore food and treats when a new cage is around. I had to move the new one out of the way so he would eat before going to bed last night. Who ever heard of an Amazon with a new cage phobia!

Fairly often! Being around and being involved are too very different things. Its kind of like have a 2 year old helping, takes time.

If he is not interested in being part of the process, 'As Per The Tool,' he was not ready to be involved. Need to define Why! The more involved they are the more likely they will want to be involved.

Check your interaction levels with your Amazon! Short of a couple of more dangerous activities, involve them in near everything.

Worth a try!
 

LordTriggs

New member
May 11, 2017
3,427
24
Surrey, UK
Parrots
Rio (Yellow sided conure) sadly no longer with us
just a thought but maybe each day move on more item from the old cage to the new one?

If possible try clambering in yourself and start making loads of "fun" noises to him. It may illicit some intrigue towards the cage
 
OP
Anita1250

Anita1250

New member
Oct 19, 2017
338
9
NYC
Parrots
Blue Fronted Amazon 35 years old
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #7
I will try all of these things. However, I think the actual cage is the problem. He has always had a black cage, but this one is stainless steel. Kind of shiny. I got him to sit on it for a minute, but he wanted off quick. Once I move all of his bells over, he may warm up. Just have to give it some time I guess. Another Amazon that runs the house!
 

Kiwibird

Well-known member
Jul 12, 2012
9,539
111
Parrots
1 BFA- Kiwi. Hatch circa 98', forever home with us Dec. 08'
I'd give him maybe a week, maybe each day move something from the old cage to the new cage (perches, toys etc...) so that by the end of the week the new cage is much more appealing than his stripped bare old one.

I guess we lucked out because our BFA is so nosy I can't keep him away from new things! Since we got him he's been in a stainless cage, a black and his current white cage. All vastly different sizes and styles in addition to different colors. It's like the old cage is forgotten and discarded the moment the new one arrives and he's ready to explore it ASAP.
 
Last edited:
OP
Anita1250

Anita1250

New member
Oct 19, 2017
338
9
NYC
Parrots
Blue Fronted Amazon 35 years old
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #9
Here is a picture of Sammy not enjoying time on his new cage.
 

Kiwibird

Well-known member
Jul 12, 2012
9,539
111
Parrots
1 BFA- Kiwi. Hatch circa 98', forever home with us Dec. 08'
I can't see it either.
 
OP
Anita1250

Anita1250

New member
Oct 19, 2017
338
9
NYC
Parrots
Blue Fronted Amazon 35 years old
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #12
Sorry. Must have done it wrong.
 

LordTriggs

New member
May 11, 2017
3,427
24
Surrey, UK
Parrots
Rio (Yellow sided conure) sadly no longer with us
I had the same happen with another user, although strangely when someone quoted the message with the picture in I could see it

Maybe the site's having a hiccup?
 

jm0

New member
Aug 6, 2017
47
2
Denmark
Parrots
Tux (Blue Throated Parakeet) - 2 year.
i can't see it either, tried disabling my ad-blocker, but that wasn't the problem.

@Anita1250
Try to upload again.
 
OP
Anita1250

Anita1250

New member
Oct 19, 2017
338
9
NYC
Parrots
Blue Fronted Amazon 35 years old
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #16
I can't see any of the pictures on my pc either. Perhaps there is something blocked on mine that does not allow seeing or posting pictures.
 
OP
Anita1250

Anita1250

New member
Oct 19, 2017
338
9
NYC
Parrots
Blue Fronted Amazon 35 years old
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #17
Ok, Sammy does not like the stainless steel perches. As soon as his feet touch them, he runs off. Last night he had to sleep in his old cage because he was hanging on the side so as not to sit on that perch. He will, however sit on any other part of the cage, which is all SS steel. Go figure. We are off to the bird store for Manzanita perches.
 

Most Reactions

Top