Birds need to spend time outside their cage, interacting & bonding with their family. Parrots are extremely social creatures and in the wild, they live in large flocks. But now, you’re all they have. They need to spend time with you outside of their bird enclosure.
Your bird will love playing games, learning tricks or just pattering around the carpet or table. This is a great time to take pictures of your parrot. You can enter these photos into a contest, or slip them in your wallet to show off your beautiful, feathered treasure to all your friends.
You should get in the habit of letting your parrot out of his bird cage for a couple hours every day. If you plan to allow your bird outside his cage on a regular basis, it’s a good idea to invest in a playstand. A playstand gives your bird his own designated spot in the house. He can play with toys and watch what’s going on from the comfort of his perch.
Custom Cages offers several playstands that are ideal for any type of bird. The Bridge Playstand is designed to fit birds of any size. It is approximately 43” long x 19” wide x 38”-48” tall. It comes with castors so you can easily move it around the house. The playstand also comes with 3 stainless steel hooks, where you can mount hanging toys to keep your bird entertained. The Sandblasted Playstand has a simple, yet elegant gray appearance, making it the perfect addition to a more “modern” looking home.
Before you open the bird cage door and let your feathered friend loose, make sure your house is safe for your bird.
Here are some things to look out for:
Fumes & Toxins
Birds have delicate respiratory tracts and are sensitive to a variety of fumes, including hair spray, house cleaners, scented chemicals, and smoke. Never spray any of these substances when your bird is around. If you need to clean the rug, place your bird in another part of the house until the fumes dissipate. Be sure the room is completely aired out before returning your pet to its bird cage.
Never use any flea or tick products in your home without first consulting an avian veterinarian. Some of these products may prove fatal to your bird.
It might be a good idea to invest in some additional cheap bird cages to have on hand, in case you need to temporarily remove your bird from the premises. If you want to have your carpet professionally cleaned, your bird will need to be out of the house for a few days. Additional cages will eliminate the need to disassemble your bird’s present cage when transporting it to and from the house.
If you would rather not purchase a second cage, consider a bird cage that is easily collapsible. The Hybrid bird cages offered by Custom Cages are a snap to assemble and disassemble. Regardless of the size, each bird cage will break down to fit in boxes small enough to go up a set of stairs. They can easily be taken apart and put together numerous times. So if you need to remove your bird from the house in order to spray some toxic fumes or deep-cleanse the premises, a Hybrid cage can save you the expense of purchasing additional parrot cages.
Plants
Most birds enjoy pecking at house plants. However, many house plants are toxic and should be avoided. Certain Christmas plants such as holly, mistletoe, and poinsettia can make your bird ill. Other plants to avoid are:
- Azalea
- Black Locust
- Cherry tree
- Clematis
- Buttercup
- cowslip
- Daffodil
- Foxglove
- Hemlock
- Hyacinth
- Iris
- Holly
- Juniper
- Lobelia
- Morning glory
- Rhododendron
- Narcissus
Ficus, ferns, succulents and palms tend to be more bird-friendly and are generally considered safe.
If your bird ingests a poisonous or toxic plant, get medical help immediately. Symptoms of poisoning include sudden vomiting, coughing, diarrhea, excessive thirst, bloody urine or feces, tremors, paralysis, and seizures.
Mirrors & Windows
Before letting your parrot out of his bird cage, cover all mirrors and widows with a sheet or towel. Birds cannot tell the difference between a mirror or glass and open space. As a result, they will easily fly into these objects, which could cause injury.
The Kitchen
The kitchen can be a dangerous place for birds, so it is best to keep them out of this area if possible. If you do allow your bird into the kitchen, make sure no one is boiling water or frying something on the stove. Certain non-stick frying pans let off an odorless fume that is deadly to birds. These pans are sold under a variety of brand names including Teflon, Supra and Silverstone. If you are an avid bird lover, it is best not to allow these types of pans in you house. Instead, cook with stainless steal, cast iron, glass or ceramic pots and pans.
Before you allow your bird into the kitchen, be sure to empty any soapy dishwater that may be in the sink. Soap fumes can also be toxic to your pet.
Laundry Room Danger
You approach your washer machine, grab the full laundry basket and start tossing clothes into the machine. Suddenly, you see the clothes moving and hear a weird, choking sound. You flip over the towels to discover your pet parakeet has accidentally wedged himself inside your laundry. Your heart nearly stops as you think of what might have happened, if you had not seen or heard your bird struggling underneath a pile of dirty clothes.
Laundry rooms can be a dangerous place for birds. If they crawl into the laundry, they can suffocate or accidentally get thrown into the wash. So keep this room off limits.
Water
Birds are curious creatures. This is part of their charm, but it can also prove to be hazardous to their physical well being. An inquisitive bird can easily fall into a body of water and drown. So before letting your parrot out of its bird cage, cover toilets, fish bowls and any other water containers. Dump out tall drinking glasses or dishpans that may be full of liquid. Birds have been known to stick their face in a tall drinking glass, fall in head first and drown. That’s a tragedy you don’t want to happen to your parrot.
Additional Safety Tips
- Conceal all exposed electrical wires, as your bird may attempt to chew on these.
- Be sure your ceiling fan is off when your bird is out of its parrot cage. Your pet could get caught and killed in this contraption.
- Before closing a door, make sure your bird is not perched on top.
Have Fun!
Take some time to play with your bird while he is out of his parrot cage. Ladder toys are a great way to interact with your pet. Custom Cages offers a ribbon wood split log ladder, which is ideal for “ladder games.” Encourage your bird to climb on the ladder. Then gently rock the ladder back and forth. Your bird will be delighted with this game and will flap his wings for some much needed exercise. These play sessions are a great way for you and your parrot to bond with one another. Please choose from our various bird accessories and entertain your feathered friends!