Learn the right amount of time to let your bird explore the world beyond its cage!
Birds, including parrots, have been kept in our homes for a long time but still retain their wild instincts. They crave freedom almost as much as their wild cousins.
As such, it helps to know (as a bird owner) when to let your bird out of its cage to allow it enough space to exercise, stretch, fly, and roam around.
You can also use that time to socialize and bond with your plummed baby.
Your bird (parrot, pigeons, finch, canary, myna, toucan, parakeet, dove) should be let out of its cage as often as you can allow, but for a minimum of 2 to 4 hours a day. Large parrots, like macaws, cockatoos, African grey, Amazon, and Eclectus, often need more time (up to six hours) outside, while small birds (budgies, cockatiels, canaries, finches, lovebirds) will do with a couple of hours, perhaps because they are less energetic and timid.
The time you allow your bird outside may also depend on the species.
Pigeons and doves can stay outside their cage all day with little supervision, while parrots require you to be always alert.
How Many Hours A Day Should A Parrot Be Out of Its Cage
As we’ve seen above, most birds need anywhere from 2 to 6 hours a day outside the cage, although more is better. If you can let them out all day (only bring them back in the cage at night), well and good.
Now…small parrots, like budgies, cockatiels, and lovebirds, together with finches and canaries, will do with 2 to 3 hours outside the cage since they are not too energetic and require less space and exercise. But large parrots, such as Macaws, Cockatoos, African greys, Amazons, and Eclectus, may need up to 64 to 6 hours outside their cage.
Mid-sized parrots, like Conures, Quakers, Mini Macaws, Caiques, Senegals, Poicephalus, Lories, Lorikeets, Indian Ring Necks (and similar-size parakeets), and smaller cockatoos, require 3 to 4 hours outside their cage. Let them out all day if you are in the house, and you are able to supervise them.
Having said that, I’m aware people have varying schedules, and not everyone can spare up to six hours a day to watch their bird. So, it is advisable to provide your birds lots of safe and species-appropriate toys and rotate them, rest your birdies get bored.
Perches, swings, and bells will also help keep your birds busy and entertained and are less likely to chew and damage items in your house.
Enrichments help prevent self-harming behavior in parrots as well.
What to Do When A Bird is Out of Its Cage
Granted, the amount of time your bird needs to be out of its cage, there are a few things you need to do to ensure your plummed baby is safe and does not cause havoc.
The first thing many owners are concerned with is poop and the amount of cleaning they need-to-do when their birds are out of the cage.
Parrots are also pretty destructive, so some owners prefer to keep them locked in for their safety (the bird ) and the parent’s sanity.
You do not want your birds to get zapped because he was chewing on cables or drown and boil in a pot of cooking oil, right🤜?.
So…, what should you do to prevent most of these inconveniences when your bird is out.
The first thing you should consider as soon as you become a parrot parent is bird proofing your house. This includes covering any wires your bird may chew on, ensuring your doors and windows are closed when your bird is out, restricting her from accessing hazardous areas like the kitchen and bathroom, and limiting her movements on the floor unless you can supervise her.
You also need to have play gyms, stands, and perches because most birdies only spend a limited amount of time on the floor or perched on the table next to you. The rest of the time, your plummed baby will prefer to sit on a stand or perch, preening herself and engaging in other birdly mischiefs.
The resting stand or gym area should be on a high spot in your house since most birds prefer to fly up when they are startled or scared.
One other thing you may want to do is place paper towels and covers under and on the sides of the play stand to keep your bird’s poop from falling on your floors and walls. Of course, the gym should be in a spot away from your furniture and with low traffic.
Even so, know that your bird will still poop on surfaces and restricted areas because most go every 15 to 30 minutes (on average), and not possible to watch her movements every second.
This means staying on top of your cleaning schedule. Use paper towels to remove any poop that falls on your carpet, floors, or furniture, then use water and vinegar to remove the residual patches.
Having said that, you will note it is not possible to fully-bird-proof your house. For this reason, I insist on only letting your bird out of her cage when you are staying home all day.
Better still, if you have a bird-proof room for your parrot, let her stay there while you rest, clean, or work to ensure she gets her daily dose of exercise and still remains safe.
A few more things you would need to do…
- Let your bird out anytime you are home, but remember to put her back if you have guests over, unless it’s people she likes, trusts, or has bonded with.
- Only let your bird out while not cooking or cleaning. If she has a room dedicated for her, place her there and ensure the door is closed while you go-about your business. Just be sure to check on her once in a while.
- If you decide to sleep or get some work done, you may also want to put her back in the cage until you are done.
- Make sure doors on patios, porches, bathrooms, and kitchen are closed to keep your birdie from flying away or into something hazardous.
- If you have other pets, such as cats or dogs, you may want to lock them up when your bird is out unless they are trained to live together safely.
- If you need to step out for more than a few moments, like to empty the trash, grab a mail or delivery, or talk to a neighbor, put your parrot in her cage and let her out again once you get back.
Should You Leave Your Bird Cage Open
Well, it depends1
You can leave your bird cage open if your bird is outside to make it accessible in case she needs to rest, sleep, or move away from a treat. However, you should not leave the cage open at night or when you are away from home.
The idea is for your bird to enjoy some time outside but only under your watch or when someone she trusts is around.
If you have other pets like cats and dogs (which can be unpredictable), I also advise leaving your bird cage open anytime she is outside to offer her refuge if the other animals become a bother.
An open cage is also allowed if your bird has a room to herself, that is usually locked unless you are home and able to socialize, play, or supervise your parrot.
If your bird has a hard-time sleeping with her cage locked, you can try moving it to your bedroom where your bird can see you. Only cover the side and back and leave the front open such that she is not in total darkness.
Moreover, only use light blankets that let some light into the cage but keep draft and cold air outside.
Well, that’s all for this post. See you in the next one.
All the best with your bird🦜🦜.