Caged Birds

[bainbrig]

Do people still keep birds in cages? If so, why?

BB

[ToraToraTora]

there are fish that play golf?

[bainbrig]

I asked as it just seems a very old-fashioned thing to do - given the current (quite right) antipathy towards zoos and caged animals in general. I like the 'presence' of all sorts of animals, but wouldn't dream of keeping one in a tiny cage in my living room.

[emmie]

if they do its inhumane, they have no business being in cages.

[Mamyalynne]

Bird cages certainly don't need to be tiny,we had a large roomy one though she spent most of the day with us going from room to room and having fun - to not ask her to retire at night could have been disastrous as she did like to have a gnaw on electric flexes.

[JJ109]

I have 33 birds in cages in one of our bedrooms. There is more than one bird to each cage. There is nothing else in the bedroom except old throw away furniture and curtain rails for them to perch on when they are released from the cages.

They (apart from 3 lovebirds) are all rescued - many escapes from cats and hawks that have been injured or nestlings / fledglings that have fallen out/ pushed out of their nests by larger siblings. Many were featherless when rescued and have been fed using syringes etc

These baby birds could no longer survive in the wild as they are now tame and would be preyed upon the first day of release. Many of the adult birds are released as soon as possible, but for some there is no way that they can be released.

[jambutty]

I always feel dreadfully sorry for caged birds, especially if the cage is small. They have wings to fly and be free, although the above post is a good one.

[naomi24]

Hope not. I hate to see any animal in a cage.

[Mamyalynne]

If rather depends what the alternative to that creature would be without a safe enclosure.

[pixie374]

I used to have buddies. The cage was always open, so they just used to fly around the flat. They moved to an aviary outside when we moved. They were caged, because other birds kill them otherwise. I wouldn't keep them now though.

[pixie374]

Budgies ^^ :-)

[Mamyalynne]

I won't get another pet of any type now - maybe a free roaming Boa Constictor but otherwise, no.

[dunnitall]

I dislike the idea of anything caged...even when people have cages for dogs!! However I had a darling little loving budgie from 2002 for six years. He had a very large cage and when we were home his cage door was always open. He only got put in the cage at night and when we went out. The latter because we read if there was ever a fire in the house, he was more likely to be rescued if caged.

He was in and out of his cage, he had a large branch on top of said cage he had his freedom. He always came to us....loved sitting on me when in my chair. I gave him as much freedom as I could and he seemed very happy. I loved him dearly and he brought us great joy and companionship. We still miss him terribly but we know he had a good life with us. I still don't like caged birds and would never have another one.

[pixie374]

I did rescue the first budgie I had. She was kept in a cage at a riding school stables and couldn't be sold because she was disabled. I took her home and then decided she needed friends...

[jambutty]

That's lovely dunnitall. My Grandma always had budgies in a cage and she really loved them and we always talked to them, but I wouldn't like it now.

[dunnitall]

Thanks jambutty .... He was a prolific talker and I managed to record some of it thank goodness. For comfort I can replay his recordings.... 'He loves his mummy...yes he do...' 'Where's Budgie ...give his mummy a kiss' lol...it's just wonderful but I miss him so much even after all these years. So I understand your grandma with hers.... When they are loved so much they have a good life. Still prefer to see birds free....but at least they are protected from predators .... Only consolation for me x

[jambutty]

'He loves his mummy ... yes he do' How absolutely lovely x

[bainbrig]

Your moral sense is odd, spathi. Articulate, but odd.