Leaving Conure cage open during day

Hi,
I'm wondering what everyone's opinion is on leaving your birds cage open during the day while gone. We recently adopted a Nanday conure. She pretty much doesn't get off the cage when it's open unless one of us gets her. I think the previous owners left her out for most of the day. Since she has come to live with us we put her in her cage while at work. I've noticed that she has started pulling the feathers out under her wings (She's gotten a lot of new feathers lately too). I have a tone of toys in her cage but she ignores them. She seems like a high strung bird. I'm not sure of her background either. Does anyone else have Nanday's? Do they tend to play with toys? I try to spend as much time with her as possible when I'm home. I'm just worried that we are headed down the wrong path.

Our amazon is out free all day and it works fine for us. I think he more likes the option of being out of his cage more than actually "exploring" when no one is around. The thing about that is, no matter how well behaved the bird, there is ALWAYS a chance of them getting into trouble. I have all our outlets set up to be easy to unplug before leaving (that or the cords so hidden/bird proofed he couldn't access them). You also have to remember other hazards, like closing all toilets, hiding anything potentially toxic and I would never have a free roaming bird if you have other predatory pets (i.e. dog or cat). No matter how well behaved the pet, predator and prey do not mix period.

We started out leaving him for short trips to the store and stuff, but now I can trust if we're both gone all day he'll be fine. Not that it much matters, he can simply remove the smaller cage door and let himself out should we forget to let him out

I can see a lot of dangers with leaving the cage open. Kind of removes the point of the cage IMO but it may be right for your nanday. If it's a new cage then it could just be stress making her pluck. I would get a check-up at a vets though just to be safe. Also if they had a strong bond with their previous owners then that would cause stress. I'd probably take some toys out just in case they're causing a bit of sensory overload or frightening her.

How long have you had her exactly?

If you can make sure that she won't hurt herself or escape when you open the door I can see no issue. Maybe if possible turn one room in your home into the bird's room. Means you can have the safety of a cage but they're not confined. I plan on doing the same when I can afford a house of my own

LordTriggs said:

I can see a lot of dangers with leaving the cage open. Kind of removes the point of the cage IMO but it may be right for your nanday. If it's a new cage then it could just be stress making her pluck. I would get a check-up at a vets though just to be safe. Also if they had a strong bond with their previous owners then that would cause stress. I'd probably take some toys out just in case they're causing a bit of sensory overload or frightening her.

How long have you had her exactly?

If you can make sure that she won't hurt herself or escape when you open the door I can see no issue. Maybe if possible turn one room in your home into the bird's room. Means you can have the safety of a cage but they're not confined. I plan on doing the same when I can afford a house of my own

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She's been with us for about 2 months now. She is about 2 years old and we are her third home. I took her to the vet when we first got her. She is well. I mentioned to the vet about the plucking and she looked and said to try some pure aloe/water in a sprayer. She came with the cage but there was only one toy in it. I've slowly introduced more toys. Just trying to think of ways to keep her from plucking. :06:

I echo the sentiments posted by Kiwibird. Giving unrestricted freedom is the ideal, but not always safe nor practical.

I have a few birds who have well earned the privilege, and the room is totally bird-proofed.

sounds like you're doing what you can with her. If keeping the door to the cage open keeps her happy then it may be the thing for her, whatever keeps them happy right. Just have to be careful and make sure she'll be safe

To help set your mind at ease if you do start leaving her out, could you get a webcam pointed at the cage to see what she is up to during the time you are away?

My first Senegal was out of her cage all day when I was not home. Kelly would never move from the T-bar that I had on top except to go get some food and water. She was a very sedentary bird, though. My blue crown Tootsie used to be out of her cage all day long as well. She was free all day long with my brother's family, her previous owners. I started putting her inside when I adopted her buddy Rosco. He can be a little rough sometimes and I didn't want her going to his cage and getting her toes bitten. She made the adjustment easy.

Could you try getting a preening toy for your bird? My Rosco is feather destructive by chewing on the ends. He is a little frizzy and some of the downy feathers can be seen because the contour feathers are so short. I got him a fluffy pink ball and he has taken to it a lot. It has helped his habit of chewing on his feathers though it didn't eliminate it.

I leave the door open with no problems. My GCC generally is a home body. She will not come out unless I am in the area. If I leave the room or the house she goes back in her cage. Of course she is non flighted. That seems to work for both of us.

Well, as usual, I am so amazed and jealous at how well-behaved some birds are. I can't leave the Rb alone in a room without finding damage to ledges, drapes, carpet. No, I never leave him unattended.

GaleriaGila said:

Well, as usual, I am so amazed and jealous at how well-behaved some birds are. I can't leave the Rb alone in a room without finding damage to ledges, drapes, carpet. No, I never leave him unattended.

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My dad's cockatoo and the Rickeybird would get along well! He took his cage apart from the inside one day and when my dad got home, he thought the house had been burglarized. That bird absolutely ransacked it!

GaleriaGila said:

Well, as usual, I am so amazed and jealous at how well-behaved some birds are. I can't leave the Rb alone in a room without finding damage to ledges, drapes, carpet. No, I never leave him unattended.

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I would never leave my Senegal Sidney out. I've turned around and came home more than once because I could not remember closing his door. He has a fascination with the kitchen so I forgot I'm sure that he would go in there and destroyed everything that he could then he would have went exploring, looking for new things to destroy.

Only times I've left my Pazu alone unattended is when I need to answer the door. I don't leave food or drink out anyway as I know is Pazu will go for it whether I'm there or not. Simply speaking I can't get Pazu to go in her cage quick enough to answer the door.
She tends to latch onto the living​room door and then fly back to her cage anyway, that door has frosted glass so she can we us but knows it's not something she can get through. Plus I've mostly bird proofed all the places she goes to like TV wires and such so for short spells shes very good.