Where is the best place to put a bird cage in the house?
I’m wondering where the best place in the house to put a bird cage is. I know it can’t go in the kitchen because of fumes. But my family room is attache to my kitchen by a wide opening, so i was wondering if it would be ok to put it in there? I also have two cats and didn’t think it would be alright for the cage to be in the open. Would it be alright for it to be in a bed room?
Bird cages should be placed in high traffic areas. It helps with socialization and includes them in day to day activities. Working with your cats and birds can alleviate the need to isolate your birds in a bedroom. I’ve owned cockatiels and parakeets for 12 years with three cats, two of which were introduced into the household after the birds arrived. The cockatiels are allowed to be out of their cage, and we have had no problems with the cats going after them. This has taken a lot of training.
Placing the birds near a window that is not drafty is also a good idea. Birds need sunlight just like any other animal.
i have my birds in my bed room next to the window just make sure they are next to a window with no draft and at night keep a night light on for them so passing car lights wont give them a night fright.
Unless it is a macaw, the cats will get to it sooner or later and kill them.
Birds would love to be able to see you all the time. But your predators will eat them if they are in the family room.
Anywhere you feel comfortable is fine, just heed the window warning above. Also, be careful to not spray near the cage with any sort of perfumed sprays, colognes, household cleaners and scented candles (even Febreeze! it is NOT bird safe, even though commercials may imply it is. countless times people would come in to my mothers bird shop and tell us their bird died suddenly for "no reason". Come to find out many of them had used febreeze around the cages.) Birds have a highly sensitive respiratory system and many people don’t seem to know that. Just thought I would share this info with you
Also, if you do put your bird in a high traffic area, get some clips (the same kind used on the end of dog leashes) and clip the door and seed/water doors to make sure your cats don’t get their paws in. It might be easier at first for your own peace of mind esp while your at work or shopping
Birds like mental stimulation and like to be a part of the "flock" so it is best to put them where they will not be in heavy traffic but can enjoy the comings and goings of your family and not be bothered by predators aka your cats. I know it can be difficult to find the perfect spot but their safety comes first and foremost so if you don’t have a place where you can keep the cats away from the bird then a bedroom will have to suffice. If you can lock your cats up in a room and bring the bird(s) out to play with the family each day then it should be alright just make sure you have plenty of toys to keep them occupied when you can’t be with them.
I prefer a room with lots of light, and windows – and one that’s relatively easy to keep clean. Birds can make a big mess.
Kitchens are always a bad choice – both for the birds, and the people.
Rooms with no activity, or poor lighting are also a bad choice.
Birds, like other pets, need to be a part of the family, so it’s essential that they are not hidden away in a room, or basement.
I keep my birds in our 4-season porch, which is connected to our kitchen, but separated by a door. When I’m cooking, I always close the door.
In most cases a family room is a great choice. I think your situation would be ok, if you avoid (or use caution) with teflon, and avoid using bleach, ammonia or any other harse cleaners. No aerosols, no scented candles, no plug-in air fresheners.
The only other problem I’d be concerned about is smoke due to burning food. If you have no true separation between the rooms, it could be an issue.
Cats and birds can live together peacefully, but they should never have physical contact. Cats have bacteria in their saliva that can be deadly to a bird. Your cats will need to be trained. Any stalking behavior should be discouraged firmly. I recommend a spray bottle or squirt gun.
Cats are predators, birds are prey. You can’t change that, but you can make it safe for the bird. I recommend a heavy duty cage, rather than a tabletop model. Tabletop cages can be easily knocked over, or squished by a fat cat.
Good luck to you!
The bedroom might be ok, but it’s better for the bird to be where the action is, aka the family room. Birds need attention, and like to be where the people are. If the family room has drafts though, it would be very bad there, because birds can get very sick from the moving air from drafts. You would have to be careful. The kitchen is never a good idea, because if the bird got out, they could burn themselves on something, or get stuck in one of the many hiding places of a kitchen. For the cats, I suggest you put the cage out of reach at all costs, because cats can both learn to open cages and frighten a bird very much. Just find a place like this that suits your needs the most.
things to consider about bedroom bird cages, do birds have night fits (cockateils) do they give off dander that may add to allergies? Also do you use candles /smoke/ is bathroom off bedroom? candles and smoke can kill birds, also warm moist air from bath can feel good but if cage has a open windo wnear by or draft it can cause illness.
You rright about kitchen and never use non stick pans around them teflon kills birds quick also watch for air conditioning vents and drafts, seem slike a no win but with a little thought you can over come and find perfect spot. Mine is in extra bedroom and downstairs vestabule
bed room is fine ….it would be great to put it in a coner that way to sides of the cage are against a wall this makes the bird feel safer
MINE BIRDS ARE OUTSIDE AND THEY ARE FINE THERE BUT IF YOU LEAVE THEM OUTSIDE BE SURE TO COVER THM AT NIGHT BECAUSE ONCE I HAD 2 BIRDS ONE WAS BRE AND THE OTHER MILO WELLONE DAY WHE I CAME HOME FROM SCHOOL I WENT TO MY BIRDS CAGE AND MILO HEAD WAS STUCK THROUGH THE BARS JUST IT’S HEAD!
THEN WE GOT ANOTHER ONE AND NAMED IT CLOVER