Do you beleive in making a large parrot such as a macaw should spend its life in a cage? I currently share my room (Which is a very large basement) with 2 macaws, a militairy and a blue and gold, and I never have any trouble what do you think?
2007-01-20 23:39:29 · 10 answers · asked by jeremy_moore_50 1 in Pets ➔ Birds
Spark S: Yes I do have a place for them to get some sunshine and fresh air time, thank you for your answer.
2007-01-21 00:05:29 · update #1
I have two macaws right now. They sleep in their cages, and that's about it. My Military actually prefers to be in his cage at night. He gets irritated when we leave him out, and he'll yell at me "Night-Night", louder and louder until I take him back to his cage.
My Greenwing, she doesn't really care either way.
With Rio, our Military, he had been literally locked in a cage with no "out time" for 4 years before I met him. So, at first, when he came home, I was of the opinion that he shouldn't ever be forced in there again. But, it's healthy for him to have a place all of his own that he doesn't have to share with anyone else. I use that place to give him calm time outs, I use it to feed him, and I use it as a sanctuary for him to retreat to when he's had it with the rest of the house.
I felt bad at first. But, now I know that he prefers it that way. But, they are out from morning until night, doing what they want to do with very little restrictions. I also make sure they have constructive training time every day so that they can continue to learn jobs, tricks and stuff to keep them occupied.
Good luck...don't let the PETA freaks of the world scare you out of providing a safe sanctuary for your birds. They weren't born in the wild, I'm assuming, and therefore don't really know any differently.
2007-01-21 08:45:28 · answer #1 · answered by sdkramer76 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should definetly not make a macaw parrot spend it's whole life in it's cage. But that doesn't mean you have to let him run the house either.
Foraging trees are becoming more and more common, and are helping people recreate a parrots real life living experience in their homes.
There's a great new dvd on the market about parrot foraging... here's a listing I just found for one on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Captive-Foraging-Parrot-DVD-Parrots-Avian-Behavior-NIP_W0QQitemZ250048534541QQcmdZViewItem
But even if you don't want to spend any money on a dvd, here's the basic concept. Make the parrot explore for his food and play. Stick brocoli, carrots, and treats all throughout a play gym, or tree. Hang treets in toys that make a parrot have to figure out how to get the treat out. This will help meet your macaws needs to forage.
Also... if you're in a basement, I'd highly recommend picking up a cheap full spectrum light or lamp. And my guess is the birds aren't getting enough in the basement. Full spectrum lighting imitates natural sunlight and helps macaws produce vitamin K. Which helps a TON in making sure your macaws don't start feather plucking.
Hope this helps,
Chet Womach
http://www.birdtricks.com
2007-01-21 15:39:16 · answer #2 · answered by Bird-Tricks 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think your parrots seem very happy with you.
As long as you feed them and love them, believe me they'll be happier than the outside world.
When they are used to you and tamed, they are happier than human beings. But if you leave them alone, or don't feed them, the only way to know, if they plug their hair.
They do need the sunshine time to time though. Do you have any outdoor area you could take them out and put safe chain so they can stand there? There are lots of games in parrots shops, they can keep themselves busy, but you have to change their toys once a week, and always give them good attention and love.
Parrots are like babies that never grow up though and you have to keep wearing sound proofs if you have sensitive ears as they scream louder the older they get.
2007-01-20 23:46:16 · answer #3 · answered by Spark S 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it sounds like your birds are doing just fine. Being let out of their cages everyday is a good idea if you are there to supervise them or if you know you can trust them out of their cages without you being there. If they seem happy I wouldnt do anything different but if you think they need in or out thats your choice at the time depending on your knowledge of your own birds. Dont worry about them getting sunshine this time of year, as long as the birds are happy, right now during winter time it's hard for you and the birds to even want to go outside much less go spend time out there in the cold for a simple excuse of fresh air. Good Luck with them I need another bird to breed with mine although mine is hormanal right now I don't know if it's a male or female. I'm not looking to breed it. Some man just delivered him to me for free and I have only had mine for 2 months so far. But I love him so much and he is the sweetest bird. I don't know what life was like before he came into my world.
2007-01-21 03:56:01 · answer #4 · answered by reasonable-sale-lots 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a friend who has a blue Macaw and she lets it walk on the floor all over the place. Hers will chase you and bite. Not kidding in any way, shape or form.
2007-01-20 23:49:29 · answer #5 · answered by greylady 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No.. Mine is out of her cage 75% of the time... only in there for her own protection when we go out, and to sleep and eat. Note! She only squaks a few times when it's time for bed and thats to tell everyone she knows... Goodnight...
2007-01-21 00:31:41 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Keep them there, I couldn't agree with you more. I have a parrot and a macaw and they live with me in my attic bedroom. They love it up there!! Definitley keep them there!
2007-01-21 00:07:27 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A good idea but they might mess up your room
2007-01-20 23:45:43 · answer #8 · answered by faro the architect 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hehehe The mistress of mirth strikes again Have a star xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
2016-03-29 07:20:04 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi there. With all your experience, I think you know what to do. Have a tweet year.
2007-01-21 13:25:59 · answer #10 · answered by firestarter 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋