Everyone always talks about how much out of cage time a bird needs,but what about in cage time?? Do you think a bird needs in cage time? How much? What are the draw backs of no cage time,if any? Besides the household hazards a bird could face by never being caged,do you for see any other problems?

FYI-It's not about my babies.I know someone who never cages and I want more info before I plan my attack!!!!

When I had Baby, she never whent into her cage. All my cages stay open and the birds come and go as they please.

Ruby comes and goes as she pleases also, unless I am gone and then she is in. I read in a book that you really shouldn't let them do that though because you should be in charge, but I figured that birds are like babies and a person sometimes does better just throwing out all the books! ha!

Because I work full time and the birds are caged when we are out of the house, it's important to me that my guys feel safe and secure in their cages. When the budgies came home and they weren't tame, I felt that letting them settle in in their cages helped them to feel secure there and that it was their home.

It's also important to me that they know how to have fun in their cages to entertain themselves while we're away. Changing toys out and rotating things around keeps things fresh and they enjoy the new toys or rearrangements.

Now when it's time for them to go back in cages, no one hesitates and the budgies even put themselves away when they've worn themselves out.

I think it's wonderful if someone is able to keep their birds cage free.......but......obviously not everyone can, for one reason or another. Supervision and safety would be a key concern for me, since I work. Even that weren't the case, there are times when you just can't always be there. Another consideration for me is the old question of longevity. If I were able to keep my birds cage free, and they survived me (highly conceivable), I would feel terrible that they would then have to adapt to being caged after never being used to it previously. They chances of getting them rehomed into another cage-free situation would be slim to none, I would think.

That said, if I could feasibly have them cage free, and could be certain that they would be able to remain cage free for life, I'd probably do it.

Nate, you have mirrored my thoughts beautifully. Additionally, our birds fly to their cages and have no problem going into their secure home where their food and play toys are to eat, play and nap. A couple of them make it there before I do!

Thanks for all your replies.The macaw in question is left out 24/7 365 that includes when the owner is at work and if they go out of town for the weekend.

ok, that is where i have to draw the line. i would never leave my guys out if no one was home. wayyyy too many dangers. i leave ivy out so long as one of us is home, which is most of the time. she gladly goes to her cage when we have to run out for whatever reason; she normally starts playing or eating as soon as she gets in. artemis is pretty much the same. i think birds should be out of their cages much more than they are in them, but some in cage time is needed, i think; if for no other reason than emergency situations, like mentioned above.

No, my birds are not out if I'm not home.