lovemyGreys Posted September 1, 2007 Share Posted September 1, 2007 This is a copy of a story that was posted on a UK forum. I do not want to alarm anyone but thought that you should be aware of the potential risks that are out there for our greys.When i first read this story i had two open top cages & immediately secured mine with cable ties.I check every few days to make sure my birds haven't chewed them. This may be a very rare incident but none the less it could happen & therefore i feel you should know the danger exists. Quote...Dawn Doobie's mom @ AnAfricanGrey.ca wrote: Well, everyone, I really haven't been posting lately and there's a reason. Sebastian died 2 weeks ago. On August 22. That's the same day my brother was killed 14 years ago, by a drunk driver. Here's what happened, and I can only hope that his death could possibly save a life of another bird. Everything had been going great, Doobie and Sebastian were bonding like they should and rarely if ever, were separated. They loved each other. If they were apart, they would call to each other non-stop till they could preen each other. Therefore, when I went to work for my 3 hours, I'd put Sebastian in Doobie's cage. Then, when I got home, I'd let everyone out and we'd all play. Well, on that horrible Tues. when I came into my apt., I only got halfway between their cages and my door before I collapsed to my knees and cried. Doobie's cage top, opens up so you can put a perch in between the bars. I also has a locking mechanism. I never open the top and check the lock at least 20 times a day to make sure it's still locked. I know I checked it that morning when I left. I guess what I didn't consider is the fact that Sebastain is/was an acrobat. Apparently, he must have become obsessed with the latch and got it to open somehow, then my baby, got his head wedged in between the 2 flaps that open. I came into my house to see Sebastian's head outside the cage and his body hanging, Doobie running back and forth on the bottom of the cage like a mad man. I've since wired the top shut and I'm trying to come up with some cash for a new cage, I really don't want it in my house anymore, it's the very first thing I see when I come in my door and I can't get the image of my baby out of my head. I will become more active here soon, I just need to get my life fully functioning first. I really feel like I've lost a child, and the fact that it happened on the anniversary of my brother's death, is just toooooooo much right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talon Posted September 1, 2007 Share Posted September 1, 2007 OMG! What a horrible tragedy! I have the very same cage, but I have a weight that I put on the top so it can't be lifted from the inside or the outside unless a human does it. (It's because I have a very strong cat that lives on birds for breakfast) The cage top always looked like it would open too easily to please me. Thank you for sharing this story in hopes that it saves even one birds life if not many. My thoughst & prayers go out to this poor owner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danmcq Posted September 2, 2007 Share Posted September 2, 2007 Interesting story and I remember reading one almost identical to it around 4 months ago on either anfricangrey or theafricangrey Forums, of which I belong to both. I am not certain if this story is true and was suspicious of the first one I read, but it's possible. My cage opens up like that also, but it is so big that those henged scallops on Top weigh too much for a Grey to open and the latching mechanism is one that could not possibly be opened from the inside as it is a pull out and turn type of lock. If true, that would be a shocking sight! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovemyGreys Posted September 2, 2007 Author Share Posted September 2, 2007 danmcq wrote: Interesting story and I remember reading one almost identical to it around 4 months ago on either anfricangrey or theafricangrey Forums, of which I belong to both. I am not certain if this story is true and was suspicious of the first one I read, but it's possible. If true, that would be a shocking sight! Dan it may well be the same story, i read it a few months back, if it's a hoax then that's a pretty sick hoax, but if true its serves as a warning.I know i took it as the truth & acted on the information.My open top cages are staying locked shut. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falconeer Posted September 2, 2007 Share Posted September 2, 2007 This is horrible and now I can't sleep Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovemyGreys Posted September 2, 2007 Author Share Posted September 2, 2007 Falconeer it was posted as a warning, please do not worry,as Dan said he had seen the story & doubted the authenticity of it,I only posted as a precaution not to worry people.If people have open top cages & have any doubts that their birds would be able to force the lock open, then personally i would tie it securely.That what i have done with mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danmcq Posted September 2, 2007 Share Posted September 2, 2007 LMG - Your are absolutely correct in advising all to lock them if the have any doubts. In fact, just for peace of mind, I am locking mine also. :-) In fact, we are starting to lock our front Cage door also, as a precaution so neither Dayo nor the dogs could somehow get it open. Better safe, than sorry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nevjoe Posted September 2, 2007 Share Posted September 2, 2007 This is sad. If the story is not true we should HANG the Author or should I say the bast__d. Make sure we use CHICKEN wire. What country is that still legal in? I'm fired up now. Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovemyGreys Posted September 2, 2007 Author Share Posted September 2, 2007 Dan i have little plastic rings that i attach to my cage doors, they stay open so the birds can access their cages but it prevents the doors from shutting,avoiding the possibility of trapped toes etc.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spookyhurst Posted September 2, 2007 Share Posted September 2, 2007 This was posted at another grey forum about a year ago, so this perhaps isn't an uncommon tragedy. I know someone whose macaw hung itself by wedging his head through the door of his cage, so make sure your doors are secure too. Hello, I just wanted to warn others just in case this might happen to them. My African Grey, Eagle, Died yesterday. His neck was broken and he laid motionless on the bottom of the cage. I knew something was wrong when I couldn't see him standing on his perch. From what I can tell this is what happened: I cleaned his cage and the top of the bird cage has a latch. I unhooked the latch so I could put one of his favorite plastic hanging toys from the top of the cage. It wouldn't fit between the bars of the cage since the width was smaller than the toy. So I put the toy up, shut the top without latching the top not thinking anything of it because how could a bird push the top of the cage open? Anyways, from what I can tell he must have pushed his head through the opening partially then became trapped with his neck between the cage top and the other part of the cage. His neck was all twisted and he didn't move. His claws were clenching the bottom of the cage motionless and his eyes were closed. I called his name "Eagle" and he opened his eyes for me one last time to say goodbye then he closed them again and never opened them. I was sobbing along with my wife. I took him next to a tree and buried him, so there was no more pain if any in his body and sobbed like a little baby. It was so traumatic to me and my wife. I still walk by his grave and call his name and whistle to him to let him know I am there. I don't think he caught his neck between the hanging toys because he has always played with them with no problems. I don't know if anyone else has experienced this but I just thought I would warn others to not leave the latch undone at the top of the cage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovemyGreys Posted September 2, 2007 Author Share Posted September 2, 2007 spookyhurst Thank you for posting that story.After reading this i am more convinced that open top cages should be securely locked. As i said previously if you think your grey can access the lock & attempt to undo it then to air on the side of safety i would advise you to secure it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talon Posted September 2, 2007 Share Posted September 2, 2007 Tracy, I would love to see what the plastic rings look like, if you have a photo to post. I think it's a must after reading these very tragic stories. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovemyGreys Posted September 2, 2007 Author Share Posted September 2, 2007 I will get you a photo today, once i've been to bed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talon Posted September 2, 2007 Share Posted September 2, 2007 {Communicate-0002011B} Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovemyGreys Posted September 2, 2007 Author Share Posted September 2, 2007 Hi Talon here's a picture of the plastic rings i use to keep the cage door open,i use them for toys etc..I purchased them from a childrens toy shop they are called learning links.I hope you can find something similar You can see i attach toys with them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talon Posted September 2, 2007 Share Posted September 2, 2007 Thank you Tracy. I have seen them, and so use them to attach toys as well. I never thought to use then to secure the doors. I will now. Thank you for this, I'm sure it helped prevent any more accidents. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judygram Posted September 3, 2007 Share Posted September 3, 2007 Golly, Tracy, how did we ever do without you here, you are so knowledgeable about a lot of things, I am in awe. I have some of those also and never thought to use them like that, thanks for the idea, karma for you girl, you go girl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest briansmum Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 oh goodness what tragic stories, they made me cry. brians old cage opened on the top and the latches had become loose, so that is exactly one of the reasons i bought a new cage and i am soooo glad i did now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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