HQ Cage vs. Generic Petshop Cage

[karnrene]

Here's a photo showing the size difference in the HQ cage and a regular petshop cage ....

Nipper is in the smaller cage and Boy (I gotta get him a name) is in the HQ. Please don't feel sorry for Nipper. She's never shown any interest in the toys I've bought her - and she really isn't all that active. However, Boy is - Thanks to the recommendations on this forum, I was able to provide from the get-go the best cage and toys for an active parrotlet.

I'm heading home next month - my employment contract has ended - so will be spending lots of quality time with my birdies. I'll assess the cage situation and determine if Nipper needs a bigger cage. I'm hoping that I can work from home again, and that my office will serve as a big day cage for the both of them!

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[P'letMom]

all I can think re Nipper and toys is maybe you just havent found out what she likes yet? I cant imagine a parrotlet not being active/not liking toys..how long have you had her? Does she get outside the cage time?

[StephGee]

She's probably not active b/c she's in too small of a cage. Herbie had a much smaller cage when he first came home and the second he moved into his HQ he got A LOT more active. Poor Nipper.

[karnrene]

Oh, gee. Thanks for your concerns about Nipper. I think I should clarify some things. Nipper IS active - .

Nipper is over 10 years old. I've had her since 6 months. Her first 4 years of her life I worked from home and had her cage and playpen in my office - and she stayed out of her cage most of the day - she had and has unclipped wings but chose to spend all day on my shoulder/chair/monitor.

She's had all kinds of toys - and now, she has access to a large tinker toy play pen with numerous toys. She prefers hanging out with me and playing with brown paper bags. Even when I get her and Boy out - I made a big tinker toy gym with lots of toys - she looks around at it - them jumps on my shoulder and hangs out with me.

I've heard similiar about female parrotlets - that they aren't as active as males. That cage is not that small, folks. It probably looks small next to that HQ. And, she does have toys - including swings in her cage.

When I was speaking with a breeder about Nipper because I wanted to get her a friend, the breeder was concerned about introducing something new to such an old bird. When I told the breeder how spunky Nipper is - she offered some suggestions for a friend.

In summary, Nipper IS active - just not "playful", not interested in toys. Her cage is not as small as many of the other non-HQ ones I've seen pictured on this forum ... And, she gets plenty of time out.

Like I mentioned in my original posting- I'm going to re-address her housing after I determine my employment possibilities. It's a good possibility that I will be working from home - which means my office becomes an open bird cage and both birds will be out most of the day hanging out in my office.

Thanks for your concern, though.

[chapala]

It really depends on the bird, they all are individuals. Cello had no toys before I got him, and was wildcaught (99.5% chance) before his previous owner bought him off the street from a bird seller. His first owner put a toy in his cage that Cello didn't play with, so she thought he didn't like toys. He still doesn't play as much as a young bird would have, but does chew some, forages, and flies around (out of his cage a lot). He's a happy bird but missed that early time to learn about toys. Our Macaw is the same - she chews, but doesn't swing or anything like that, and never had any toys before we got her. My Grey who came here as a young bird loves all manner of toys, foraging, etc.

We provide what we can remembering they are all different in their likes and dislikes and previous experiences.

[unpoquito]

Emmie doesn't care to play with toys, unless they're foraging toys. She loves the horizontal Creative Foraging System box - it's her favorite toy. She loves swings and her orbit, and like your little girl, loves paper bags (I hide popcorn in them). I have the cage that you have for Nipper. I purchased it as a "sunshine" cage for my plets. I take them out in it when it's nice. It is quite small. Do Nipper and Boy get along well? Perhaps they could share the big cage, and you could use the small one as a travel carrier/sunshine/sleep cage.

[karnrene]

Boy and Nipper, unfortunately, do not get along. They used to tolerate each other while out together – as long as Boy kept a respectful distance. Now, (they are not with me in FL – my mom is keeping them) a couple of days ago, my mom tells me Nipper actually went after Boy, so now my mom will not allow them to be out at the same time. She is afraid Nipper is going to hurt him.

Before I got that report, I was holding out hope that there was a slight possibility of one day getting them in the same cage. With that report, I decided to get Nipper a new cage, but will not put her in it until I get home with her – hopefully at the end of March.

When she was about 4 years old, she attacked my dogs, and in the melee, her leg broke. It didn’t heal right, but the vet didn’t want to break it again to set it again. Then an infection got in one of her toes, and the toe had to be snipped off. I tried to keep her quiet and still those weeks/months so that her leg and toes would heal – and she wouldn’t pick her casts off. That may have something to do with her not being playful/active.

Also, I want to be with her when she is placed in a new cage. About a year ago, she started picking her feathers around her neck. I had brought her to FL with me, and had replaced her old stinky white snuggle ring that she had had for 8 years or more with a colored one. Several years prior, I took her to AZ with me – and she never picked – even after leaving her at home for 9-10 hours alone while I worked. It took awhile before I realized it was her snuggle ring causing or contributing to her stress. (I bought a new white snuggle ring - which she jumped on immediately when she saw it!) Anyway, I want to be with her so I can observe her behaviour when she is placed in a big cage. Even though she may not play with toys like Boy, she’ll probably appreciate the space once she gets adjusted to having it.

I think the price of that cage went up! Windy City has it at 169.00 now. I think it was cheaper when I got Boy’s. Well, better get it now before there’s another price increase!

[musicjan]

I had to smile after your last post, Karnrene. It sounds like Nipper lives up to her name- attacking your dogs, nipping at Boy. Feisty little girl, huh?

[karnrene]

Yes, Nipper is appropriately named! I'm back in VA now and have her in her new HQ cage. She's adjusting better than I thought. She really enjoys a large swing circle that she used to play with while outside her small cage. Since her big cage can accommodate it, I put it in there and she seems to be loving life!

[karnrene]

Ta-da! Nipper's new HQ cage! I'm not sure if she appreciates it or not - but I appreciate what StephGee stated She's probably not active b/c she's in too small of a cage That really "hit home" - and I got Nipper the cage ... Now Nipper can be active if she wants - or just stay on her snuggle rings if she wants....

Unfortunately, I'm still working contract in FL and having to leave my parrotlets with Grandma in VA so I'm not really sure how she's doing. Grandma reports she is doing okay.
I stayed with her a week after putting in her new cage, and she did start picking at her feathers again. I'm not sure if she did this because of the cage or because she knew I would be leaving - she's really bonded to me.

I'm glad I got the cage! I put some more things in her cage after the photo was taken, and I just ordered her a SS bucket.
Nipper is on the left, Boy on the right...

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[jodeg]

Very nice set up -- I mean that for sure, because I have the same setup -- 2 HQ flight cages side by side! Works very well for me AND them! Parrotlets are definitely happier in larger cages.

So sorry you had to leave them again -- that's hard on both of you!