Why Won't Your Bird Go Back into Its Cage?

Why doesn’t your bird like going back into its cage?

This is not only a behavioral problem that can lead to increased aggression, but it’s a husbandry behavior more. A bird should enjoy their cage and be willing to go back every single time.

When I hear clients talk about this, and I hear it a lot, the first thing I think is there is something that is tipping the balance from our and in cage time that needs to be addressed.

It’s a verity of factors. Is the cage big enough? Is there enough enrichment and mental stimulation THAT THE BIRD ACTUALLY USES!!! This is so important. The bird actively engages, chews, destroys, and forages. If they are not interacting, it’s simply a cage decoration and not functional. I have an enrichment and foraging webinar on my website found here that goes into detail about how to train your bird to interact with enrichment and how to forage. We also sell enrichment here.

Other thoughts are are they out enough? Are they out TOO much (yes, there is a too much in some cases). Do you unintentionally reward them not going back?

Once the behavior becomes a pattern, you’ll need structured training to start new behaviors and patterns that are more desirable. Feel free to comment or message me if you’re having troubles with getting your bird back into its cage.

Cages aren’t bad. When they’re set up appropriately and used effectively, they are a necessity to keeping your bird safe when you aren’t around in an unnatural environment full of dangers and toxins.