Cage free Kiwi

[Kiwibird]

Well, I think we might as well call Kiwi a "free range parrot" now, as he has figured out how to rip off his "bird door" on his cage and release himself. Put him up the other night before going out, secured the bird door and when I got home he was asleep on his big swing, and the door was on the floor lol. He will still be covered at night in his cage and padlock it if we have to be gone for overnight, but after several months of "trial" being free all day most days, I think we'll be following Birdman's lead and allowing Kiwi to just come and go as he pleases. He's a smart boy and knows where he is and isn't allowed. He's in a better mood when he's allied to come and go freely. No point in locking him up to run to the store, and given the no cooking anymore and a little bird proofing with cords, we should be golden I've always favored the thought of a bird who was not caged. I'm so glad Kiwi is smart and well behaved enough to have that opportunity!

 

[Birdman666]

That's how it started in my household. Sally would let herself out and fly to her boing in the window. After a very short time, it became, who am I kidding, and why do I bother to close cage doors?!

Four of my five know how to open doors, and disassemble cages... So, there isn't much point to it. IF they are trustworthy.

 

[Dopey]

Awww - lucky Kiwi.

 

[labell]

That is so great I am sure Kiwi is going to love it.

At my house it's the smart gals I have to watch. Jillie first learned to free herself now her Highness breaks everyone else out as well.

Brady just TODAY learned how to open her food dish door from the outside so that she can sit on the java stand and still eat without having to go back in the cage. Now I am wondering how long it will be before she can free herself from the inside!:54:

 

[Amanda_Bennett]

Lucky Kiwi! Unfortunately I have cats so Zilla can never be allowed this kind of freedom.

 

[Kiwibird]

That's how it started in my household. Sally would let herself out and fly to her boing in the window. After a very short time, it became, who am I kidding, and why do I bother to close cage doors?!

Four of my five know how to open doors, and disassemble cages... So, there isn't much point to it. IF they are trustworthy.

Kiwi has proven himself trustworthy. He doesn't come down off his cage/swing and stays in his "area". He seems to be a intelligent bird and to understand where he's allowed and what he's allowed to do and what/where he isn't allowed. Mostly, he just wants on his big stainless swing that's on a hanging birdcage stand next to his cage (he just LOVES that swing).

That is so great I am sure Kiwi is going to love it.

At my house it's the smart gals I have to watch. Jillie first learned to free herself now her Highness breaks everyone else out as well.

Brady just TODAY learned how to open her food dish door from the outside so that she can sit on the java stand and still eat without having to go back in the cage. Now I am wondering how long it will be before she can free herself from the inside!:54:

Brady is such a typical zon figuring out how to bring lunch to her:54: Jillie just sounds mischievous

 

[RavensGryf]

It's nice for people who have a home situation where that is possible .

MANY years ago, I had my first parrot... A male lutino Cockatiel named Terry. He was such a trustworthy bird that his cage door would always be open, even when no one was home. He'd fly to hos favorite spots during the day, and NEVER damaged anything, and never started trouble. This was the days before I was even a "bird person", just someone who had a pet bird lol, so no bird proofing, and Terry had free reign. Fortunately, he was not a very adventurous bird, and didn't go exploring everywhere. He just stuck to his routine. We'd find him "home" by choice much of the day, and he'd put himself to bed too.

Can't do that now. Different home circumstances than back then. Plus, hypothetically even IF it were possible, I'd NEVER trust Griffin any more than I'd trust a typical cockatoo. He's definitely not your "average" Poi!

 

[Taw5106]

LOL!!! Kiwi is such a smarty, looks like he's going to have a bed perch next to your bed soon so he can sleep with you and Hubby.

 

[getwozzy]

Lol!!! Glad to hear kiwi is officially "free range"! That's awesome that he just stays in his area!

 

[henpecked]

We've got 3 who are cage free and several others who are most of the time. Some have to remain under lock and key unless there's close supervision."Rod and Reel " a breeding pair of OWAs could be cage free but you never know when they might go "walk about" looking for a nest site. Yea Kiwi, i know he loves making his own choices.

 

[Dinosrawr]

That's so awesome! It would be so enriching to do that. I would love to, but I can't trust that Shiko and Avery won't duke it out... while they do love each other now, they have a new found obsession with each other's feet.

Plus if I let Shiko have free reign, I'd come back with my house burned down.

 

[Ann333]

Lol yay I bet Kiwi is going to be so happy. I so wish I could do that! Lucky bird.

 

[Mango121913]

That must be cool, to have a bird that doesn't always try to get into some type of trouble. If Mango ever figures out how to get his cage open, I'm not sure he could survive. He always has to find something to get into. Now that he has learned to fly down 2 flights of stairs opens up a whole bunch of new dangers! He generally stays with us, but it only takes afew seconds for him to hide from us if he wants to play hide and seek!

 

[labell]

That stainless swing of Kiwi's did you have a link to where you got that and did it come from overseas or can you order someplace in the US?

 

[veimar]

If he is not ripping up your house why not cage free? My Parry is 100% cage free - he doesn't even have a cage. Well there is his old one, and cockatiel stays there at night unless he has a sleep over at his new friend Tesla (during the day he is completely cage free too even if we leave). Parry has his own curtained corner with perches where he sleeps or just chills, and he just goes there after I cover the other birds for night.
Is Kiwi flighted? I would be worried if the bird would just "walk" around the house in my absence. My fids are not even allowed on the floor.

 

[4dugnlee]

That's great! I bet Kiwi really appreciates all that freedom. I wish I could do that but I have dogs and cats. My dogs and cats are very good when I'm here but I wouldn't trust them at all unsupervised.

 

[Kiwibird]

Wow! Never realized how many of you have/have had "free roaming" birds I know not every bird is well behaved enough to be a suitable candidate though:54: Kiwi is just a really good boy and as an individual, I trust him.

He isn't flighted but he doesn't like being on the floor in general. He's pretty happy being "up in the canopy" over in parrot land.

That stainless swing of Kiwi's did you have a link to where you got that and did it come from overseas or can you order someplace in the US?
Yesterday 02:43 PM

Overseas- Aliexpress.com : Buy Gaiolas Decorativas Hot Sale free Shipping Stainless Steel Parrot Stand Holder / Bird Cage Shelf Rack Contains Bangle portable from Reliable bangle bands suppliers on Angel Ann and his little friends

WELL WORTH the few week wait to get though. Seriously, he LOVES it, especially since I hung it on a small birdcage stand next to his cage I think perhaps contrary to 'popular' theory, he kinda likes the thinner perch diameter and feel of the cool metal on his feet

 

[Birdman666]

Those are REALLY cool!

Cuz I don't already have enough stuff for my FIDS!