Skittles & the Anti-Escape!

[forbey]

A week or so ago, I commented that Skittles, our 16 year old Blue-Fronted Amazon, was found standing in his cage doorway trying to cose his cage door. However, due to his presence IN the doorway he was unsuccessful.

Last night, when I got home I let Skittles out "to play". As I went about the evening's activities I would stop and give him a scratch, run my hand down his back as he climbed around the outside of the cage and every now and then I would give him a treat.

Around 9:30 I started a moview we had recorded and I quickly forgot about Skittles. I think, once or twice I got up to get a drink or a snack and would stop by his cage and have a chat.

The movie ended around midnight. I figured Skittles was up past his bedtime and that I needed to get him settled in. As I walked around the corner, I found Skittles IN his cage with the door CLOSED (all but latched.) I'm surprised he didn't tell me "nite-nite" when he settled in. He was quietly sitting on his rope perch.

The following photos were taken to show the position I found him and the cage in.

At this pont, I don't have to worry about his escaping. I think he's been institutionalized! LOL

Forbey

http://s71.photobucket.com/user/forbey/media/IMG279_zps1a1e51cd.jpg.html

 

[MikeyTN]

Hey I have the same exact cage!!!! Does it not have double latch on the door? One on top and the other one on the bottom. But yours could use a good scrubbing!
Best thing is to take it outside and power wash it!

 

[forbey]

No, single latch. Does, indeed, need a scrubbing. Unfortunatelly, the move has delayed a lot of things that need to be done.

Plus, I can't get the bugger off the cage. (Barely comes out. So I can't take it outside to clean. I'm working on getting him to leave the cage, but he's being difficult and defensive.

The bottom isn't as fouled as it looks, we're trying to transition him to a new pellet food and a lot of it ends up on the floor of the cage.

Also looking for something to loosen the crap on the side bars. I'm concerned about vapors hurting Skittles while washing it with him in or on the cage.

 

[MikeyTN]

Your cage must be a size down under mine then....They don't make this type of cage anymore!!! Willie's same exact cage have a double latch and he still manage to open it so I have to put a pad lock on it. That's an option you can do is put a pad lock on the latch. Can you not get him out of his cage with a perch and place him on the stand? And trust me I soooooo do understand with things happening cages gets put behind....Especially when you just moved, things scattered everywhere, going through boxes after boxes, have to go to work at the same time....OMG, it's a nightmare.....lol

 

[MissyMe83]

Sly little guy you got there! As far as loosening up the dry poop I highly recomend Pet Focus. It's totally bird safe and does a great job at loosening messes and disinfecting the cage without harming the birdies. You can order it online.

Ooh, it's on sale too! I should grab some more myself: Pet Focus Ready to Use Spray 32 oz - CLEANING/DISINFECTING by MY SAFE BIRD STORE

 

[forbey]

Sly little guy you got there! As far as loosening up the dry poop I highly recomend Pet Focus. It's totally bird safe and does a great job at loosening messes and disinfecting the cage without harming the birdies. You can order it online.

Ooh, it's on sale too! I should grab some more myself: Pet Focus Ready to Use Spray 32 oz - CLEANING/DISINFECTING by MY SAFE BIRD STORE

Thanks, MissyMe, I've been meaning to order something like this. just been crazy.

So far Skittles hasn't appeared interested in freeing himself and he hasn't been able to re-latch the door. But then again, he just figured out how to get the door closed. He has played with the latch from the outside, but not while inside.

 

[forbey]

Pet Focus, on sale and ordered! Thanks again.

 

[aliray]

Smart bird you have there.

 

[MissyMe83]

Sure thing Forbey!

 

[forbey]

Smart bird you have there.

Smart, but stubborn.

 

[christinereed]

If the lights are off in the room and we are just watching TV, Em will go in and get on her highest perch (where she likes to sleep), but she does not shut her door!

I used hydrogen peroxide mixed with water and an old toothbrush to get some stuff off Emmy's cage.

 

[forbey]

If the lights are off in the room and we are just watching TV, Em will go in and get on her highest perch (where she likes to sleep), but she does not shut her door!

I used hydrogen peroxide mixed with water and an old toothbrush to get some stuff off Emmy's cage.

Any idea of the ratio H2O2 with the H2O?

I have two questions, or concerns.

First, this should be a mixture you have to make now / use now because hydrogen peroxide, if left to its own, will become water.

Second, I have used HP on myself before and noticed if used too strongly can result in "taking your breath away". Even though we are talking about the two components of water in a different molecular structure (forcing an additional oxygen molecule into the structure. Is there a risk using this too closely to the birds and creating an oxygen deficit that could cause a bird to pass out?

Currently, I'm working on plans to remove the play gym off the top of Skittles cage an mounting it to the wall so it still sits over the cage. That way I can run him to the gym and then periodically remove the cage long enough to scrub it down outside , while leaving Skittles where he feels most comfortable.

Thanks again for the cleaning solution idea.

Forbey

 

[christinereed]

I normally just use water to wipe down her cage every morning. The hydrogen peroxide and water was for stuff in crevices that I can't get to normally. To be honest I didn't measure, but put about half and half into a disposable cup and dipped the toothbrush in as I went. It worked really good.

 

[Spinx]

Also looking for something to loosen the crap on the side bars. I'm concerned about vapors hurting Skittles while washing it with him in or on the cage.

It's funny he put himself to bed, my timnah will do that as well.

I use apple cider vinegar mixed with water. I mix it half and half.

~Brenda, David's wife~