Cage Aggression Tip

[Ray P]

We all know that some parrots have cage aggression, This goes back to their life in the wild as they will do all they can to protect their nesting site. It`s their home so you have to stay out !!! That may be OK in the wild, but there are many reasons that this is not in their best interest in the home.

You need to go in their cage for cleaning, to feed them, to change their water and move or replace their toys from time to time. Most cages have food and water doors for feeding and changing their water. You may be able to do some of the other when they go to the other side of the age.

So what if there is an emergency and you need to remove them from their cage and get them to safety in a hurry. A weather emergency (storms) an environmental emergency or a emergency in your own home (Fire, gas or what ever) and you only have seconds. There may not be time to chase them around their cage and get them to safety.

This is something I have done for many years and with a great deal of success.

First; your parrot must know step up and know it well.

Second; train your parrot with treats to come to their perch when you tap the end of the perch from out side of the cage.

Third; Install a door perch and make sure it will clear the door frame when you open the door and the perch is low enough so your parrot does not hit their head on the door header.

When you want to let your parrot out just tap the door perch from the out side of the cage along with a treat they can see. when they step onto the door perch just open the door and swing the door open easily until they are completely out side their cage and they should step up from the perch with out any trouble.

Use this method when ever you take your parrot from their cage so it becomes routine.

After this the cage aggression may just go away in time.

[Greywings]

Smart move and safer for you both.

[neoow]

Sounds like solid advice to me.

 

The perch on the door trick is also useful for getting Alfie back in his cage. I'm very lucky in that Alfie doesn't show any signs of aggression when I'm in his cage. I can change bowls, toys, tidy up etc and he doesn't mind at all. I can also fetch him from any location in his cage and he doesn't mind. Getting him back in is always easier with the door perch though. I get him to step up on that and just close the door. He used to try and quickly climb up to get out of the cage again but he never got there quick enough (Its a big door and the perch is about half way down). Now he just accepts that it's time to go back in his cage when he is on that perch. If I try and reach any other perches inside his cage I have to dodge past various toys and I normally find he starts wandering up my arm.

[LNCAG]

Sorry, old thread revival.

Back when hubby was alive -- he could do very little near or in Snicker's cage -- even offering a peanut was taken as an affront by Snickers and could get hubby a bite if he didn't complete the peanut drop quickly.

 

But I have never had this problem with Snickers -- he doesn't care if I am reaching in his cage to move things, refill things, change papers, etc.. I can even do a wipe down of cage bottom with my head inside cage. He will usually show curiosity and visit whatever area I am in/near -- I sometimes even get my hair preened if my head is in enclosure (you know, bent down cleaning something inside/wiping down back wall) -- I don't just randomly stick my head in his cage! lol

 

Why does my grey consider me a friend visiting and anyone else as an invader to be attacked?

 

Even though his bowl doors swing outwards for food and water refills, it's nearly impossible for me to travel because he is so threatening to anyone else caring for him a few days -- he is nipping the whole time someone else tries to refill his dishes.

Edited June 8, 2017 by LNCAG

[Ray P]

You are the trusted one !!

[judygram]

Josey has never had a problem with me sticking my hand inside her cage, I often reach inside to pick her up, add food to a bowl, move or add a toy but it sounds like good advice for those who do have a cage aggression issue.

[Luvparrots]

My parrots are okay with me being in their cages. Now others in Sterling Gris' cage not so good.

[Timbersmom]

We have the same situation. I can do things in Timber's cage and he leaves me alone. If hubby sticks his hand in there for any reason, all bets are off. It's strange because Timber is fond of the hubby. When he's out of the cage, he'll eat out of his palm, rub his beak on his stomach etc. The cage is off limits to him though! On the other hand, Timber will bite if I try to get a step up inside the cage. That's a little worrisome if there is every an emergency. I keep a towel within reach if it comes to that.