new cage transition? and perches

[Owlet]

So hopefully by the end of this or next week I will be ordering Lincoln his new cage, is there anything I need to do to transition him to a new cage?

Also know any good sources for perches? Specifically natural wood ones and decent ladders?

 

[MonicaMc]

If you set the cage up within full view of him, maybe even allow him to 'help' out, it may help to make it easier for him. Allow him to watch you move things over, if he's okay with that, and see how he does.

If he freaks out, you might need a slower transition where you have both cages set up next to each other until he moves into the new one.

 

[Tami2]

That’s awesome Good Luck. Looking forward to your pictures. I second Monica’s advice.

I will tell you, as you know my Levi is a Grey. As you also may know, they are one of the most sensitive and biggest scaredy-cats of the parrot world.

Well, I have 4 different (makes & sizes) cages and 2 types of travel cages.
I started right from beginning putting him on/in all the different cages and he has no issue at all. Thank goodness for that.
We have a cabin in the woods and we visit my parents who live in PA, so that accounts for two cages. I had to get a second cage for my bedroom in my primary home, b/c Levi rejected every alternative.
So, I guess what I’m saying is if I as a new parront can have the versatility to put him in several different cage set ups, it can be done.
Okay, I’m droning.

So, after doing what Monica suggested, act like it’s no big deal. He’ll sense your concern or worry (whichever word you prefer) and feed off of that.
I tell Levi what I’m doing, he steps up and goes right into his cage willingly.
So, don’t be nervous be cheerful and positive as you’re setting it up in his view. That will peak his interest to explore. Once he shows an interest, ask him if he wants to check it out. If so, place him on top and allow him the time to explore.

Best of luck to you both.

 

[Owlet]

I order the cage yesterday and I'm hoping it'll be here on or before next Friday. I'm a little wary of having Lincoln there while I build the cage as I've never set up a cage from the box and was told it can get pretty noisy and Lincoln doesn't like loud noises.

 

[Tami2]

Well, you know your bird best.

Good Luck

 

[ChristaNL]

LOL, just let him choose his cage.


I've done both: let them watch while I build a cage of just present them with one that is already there-- both were equaly succesfull (greys really have an exagerated reputation afaik - mine were all as inquisitive as they could be, and apart from the "japie really wants a roof over his head before he can go to sleep", if they have a choice it just goes flawlessly and a lot less traumatic than I expected it to be)


Sunny had to be plunked in a new (larger) cage because the old one was just too gross and broken down to even enter my home (I am no snob!)- but the holes far were larger than my greys can use, so for their safety if nothing else...it had to go that minute!
It took her months to get used to it!
I think if she had a choice she would have swapped them within a week (month maximum), but it just was not meant to be...

 

[bigfellasdad]

I've recently bought Enzo a new cage, its at least twice the size of her original. The new cage is kept at my GF's and her original at my house. When I visit the GFs i take her favourite perches from her cage to her new cage, i take some toys/swings as well. She took to the new cage really well apart from she is struggling to move around so easy due to larger bar spacing and simple unfamiliarity.



Ive layed her new cage out to be more of an assault course too, and she is loving it. She actually seems less happy in her old cage whilst at mine now.



I also use the same rug to cover the new and old cage so at night she sees the rug, says 'nite nite' and is happy to return to her new cage...with a little help from me she can get to her swing for bedtime.



HTH.

 

[bigfellasdad]

I order the cage yesterday and I'm hoping it'll be here on or before next Friday. I'm a little wary of having Lincoln there while I build the cage as I've never set up a cage from the box and was told it can get pretty noisy and Lincoln doesn't like loud noises.

I had my son help me build the new cage in the conservatory, we didnt 'drop' anything so not a noisy job at all. Enzo was with us whilst we built it up and although she was watching, she wasnt concerned or even interested i think.

 

[noodles123]

I would try a variety of perches---you want some with texture...some smooth etc. Make sure they aren't too big or too small for your bird's feet.


Rope perches are a bit of a hazard for some birds as they can get tangled in loose threads or ingest them. I tend to avoid them inside the cage,as I cannot always supervise the bird with there.
If you are feeling really thrifty, you can make your own using wing-nuts, screws, washers (STAINLESS STEEL ONLY!) and bird-safe wood from your area.

Bird; Birds: Safe, Toxic Trees, Woods. Safe Tree Wood. Parrots. Parrot cages. <--- that links to safe and not safe woods for birds.


If you use natural wood, make sure you clean the wood first (some people bake it, others wash it..) I have never made mine, but it would be easy with the proper resources.

 

[Owlet]

Can't use my own wood as my area is sprayed with pesticide bc of pine beetles and I don't have the tools to make me own. Dowel, rope, and cement perches are easy to find but I have a harder time finding natural wood perches

 

[noodles123]

hmmm good call on avoiding the wood then...
My bird transitioned to her new cage very easily (even though she is a giant baby about change). Good luck!

 

[bigfellasdad]

I use a combination of a largish java wood perch that has several branches or various angles and thincknesse's, near her main food and water bowels. The other perches are all man made of cement with various colours but they have varying thicknesses and twists. The single 'dowel' perch I have in there is very low in the cage that she can use when she falls to the bottom of the cage (clumsy CAG!), whe will only stay on it for a second whilst she climbs back up to the middle/top part of the cage. Illl change that often as it does get splashed sometimes when she poops so im cleaning when i change her water twice a day.