Re: Caged birds

I'm not so sure about that one, we've had rabbits mice hamsters gerbils Guinea pigs.

All lived long lives and seemed happy and they taught kids to be gentle and care for them. If we ever had another rabbit I think it would be a house bunny I think we could keep one even happier in doors.

I don't like a hutch outside no one visits ours have always been part of the family and out as much as possible. Bunnies we used to cool down in the summer by sitting them in the bath with cool water they loved it and got quite cross when we pulled out the plug.

I think animals let you know if they aren't happy. It's really important we keep them close to us to see those signals.

It's interesting to me in the wild many would have died quite young but we sought medical interventions for them and they lived on happily for many years. Is it crueller to be in the wild or be a pet in a home cared for and loved ? I don't know.

Re: Caged birds

Sorry Julie....I can't get to grips with that.

Is the animal happy?
How can we tell?
Living a long time isn't proof of happiness or quality of life...imho.

Re: Caged birds

Some humans seem to think because they wouldn't like to live in a cage, the birds must feel the same. Bird brains think alike?

Re: Caged birds

And why wouldn't a bird enjoy the confines of a cage....the relative safety of a cage in a lounge, the luxury of being fed daily.....bliss.

Re: Caged birds

We can tell by behaviour IMO most animals show us when they aren't happy in various ways. We weren't good dog owners with our first he showed that in many ways Barbara wood house was popular and we made the mistake of thinking all those people can't be wrong but they were !

Re: Caged birds

Barbara wood house was a great animal lover and trainer.
Although she admitted she found humans slightly more difficult .
No bird in a cage is happy .
Let them out and see if they come back .

Re: Caged birds

She was a cruel woman used choke chains ! We know better now we don't have to dominate to get good results with training.

Re: Caged birds

No she wasn't cruel .
Barbars wood house had an extraordinary gift with animals .


You don't have to dominate dogs if you train them correctly from the start .
Unfortunately there are so many idiots out there that couldn't train a gold fish to swim but have dogs that trainers have to deal and retrain difficult strong dogs .

Anyhow the subject is caged birds I think it's cruel .
Dogs are domesticated animals birds are not .
Let your birds free and see if they come back .

Re: Caged birds

Well I think she was cruel she made a lot of people believe she was right at the time, in dog circles now very few have a good word to say about her.

But you are right it's about birds. We did lose one got out an open window, sat in the oak tree outside for about an hour was attacked by a magpie and shot back in quicker than he left. I don't think that proves anything other than domestically bred birds can't survive in the wild.

Re: Caged birds

Well I disagree.