Oversize cages encourage territorial birds?

[lalalatv]

Hello.
I've read different stories on cage size.
Typically, considering how they live in nature, it should be best to get the largest cage possible. However, I've heard from some people that some birds get even more territorial when their cages are too large. Is it true?

I currently have a flight cage for my baby parrotlet. He's got enough room to fly around. However, I went crazy and bought too many toys, swings, and ladders, and I can't put all of them in their in order to give him a room to fly around.

Therefore, I've been thinking about getting an HQ cage from WindyCityParrot. Since it's a bit larger and also taller than the current cage, I can put some extra toys and swings while keeping sufficient space for him to fly around.

Should I get this HQ cage?

[raiven]

I think that is the cage that most everyone here has or one like it. Sadie enjoys her cage. I use her smaller cage for a sleep cage so territorial issues are not a big deal. I clean each cage when she is in the other and she steps up willingly to be taken to bed at night and to get breakfast in the morning. She is always happy to come out of her cage to play or whatever and she has freedom to fly back in at any time. Oh yeah, that's the second best thing I have done and that is to let Sadie's clip grow out. She has more independance now and she can now make those crazy little parrotlet flights in a circle for no reason other then it's fun.

Here is a lengthy discussion with lots of pics :) about larger cages

Clicky click (http://www.talkparrotlets.com/showthread.php?t=1692)

[jodeg]

I've also had the HQ cage for a week now and Kiwi and I absolutely love it! Her King's Cage is now her sleeping cage.

I HIGHLY recommend the HQ cage from Windy City Parrot! It arrived VERY quickly and I put it together myself, with a little assistance in holding the sections from my husband. One thing I might recommend: the "instructions" that come with the cage are mainly pictures; however, on their website, they have written instructions you can print out and these help a lot.

Also, it says on their website that if you think you'll have problems, (you probably won't) let them know when you order your cage, and they'll schedule a time to walk you though putting it together, FREE OF CHARGE!! Pretty nice! I'm very happy I got this cage!

Like Raiven, I don't have any problems with her being territorial. I also, clean one cage when she's in the other, and she's not particuarly messy, so it only takes a few minutes. She comes right out in the morning for breakfast, and in the evening for bed. Also, she's very happy and contented in her new cage -- playing with her toys, eating, climbing and hopping all over the place, checking everything out.

I have lots of toys in her cage, many more than her previous cage. I still have a few extras though. You can rotate her toys every once in a while, so she gets to play with the ones that don't fit in her current cage.

In the meantime, I recommend you think about the HQ cage. I've added more stuff since I first posted my pics when I got the cage, so if you'd like to see a pic of how Kiwi's is set up, let me know.

Let us know what you decide!

[Pado]

If anything, a larger cage should lessen territorial behavior :)

[Sally]

It usually helps the bird be far less territorial. When I got my flight cage, Chipper was not territorial anymore. MORE room is best!


What size is the new cage?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v492/Sally11/PICT0894490.jpg

[SweetPeasMom]

I have to agree, Sweet pea did not like anyone touching her small/sleeping cage, but the flight cage I bought not problems. This is the cage, I love the huge door, and the shelf is great too. http://www.valuecrate.com/pcft32n.html# I ordered on Sunday, and Wednesday it was delivered, and took 20 minutes to put together.. Which ever cage you buy, I think large area will not make them terriorial at all.

[jodeg]

Yes, the Value Crate one looks great too -- it was a toss up for me between that one and the Windy City one. I finally bought the Windy City one because I could get it in gray. They're bothgreat cages!

[chapala]

No territorial problems at all with Cello in the HQ cage, but then, he's a pretty sweet bird! I do think it's best in almost all circumstances to give a bird as big a cage as possible.
Reta

[Kumiko]

..... There is only a little territory in a certain area of the cage.... which is food, but other than the rest of his "forest", he is not territorial at all. I am refering to Kiwi. lol :)