Thread: Heart stopping moment today

Shortly after I got to work today my son called me. He was home from school for winter break a day early since he didn't have any mid terms today. He told me he had just gotten up and come upstairs and both caiques were out of the cage playing on the playtop! They had managed to swing around the disc on their food door and open the door! Its scary all by itself but I have 3 cats so I was terrified. He said the birds were fine but he can't handle them and was having trouble corralling them back into the cage. He would get one in and the other would run off. I had to leave work and rush home to get the birds back in the cage. Of course about the time I was putting them back in the cage I realized I couldn't leave them there, they would just get out again. They got to spend the day in their travel cage closed in a bedroom. They were not pleased! Well, after I settled down I got to thinking about the what ifs. It was pure luck that Austin was home today and had gotten up before noon (teenagers, ugh). If he had to make up a test, he would have been at school all day and I don't get home till 3 or so. Chances are the cats would have figured out they were loose and... I can't even say it.

I remembered Emily (I think it was Emily) mentioned clips that she uses to hold the doors shut on her cage. I tried to find them but the store I went to didn't have them. I tried another kind but they are too thick. I have to go back tomorrow and see what I can find. Looks like another day in the travel cage for them! I still get heart flutters thinking about what could have happened.

Hun, stop thinking of what could have been and be thrilled in what was....safe birds....
I use zip ties on Leroy's cage....he has never snapped them...go figure....I know you will find something

Up here in Maine, we would reach for the duct tape...<g>...glad the fids are ok!!

Mine have done something similar before, I just tightened down the food doors and I put their food dishes in through the main door now. Fortunately, my two cats are very senior ladies and well adjusted to birds - I'm more worried about what Zetta and Joule will eat as opposed to what will eat them.

I'm so glad your babies are ok! What a frightening thing, but the important part is they are safe and sound.

so glad everything turned out ok. I use zip ties for mine, since they too after 2 years I might add, discovered how to open the doors.

Thanks Y'all. Rick, my husband actually suggested tape but he meant for the birds. My doors don't seem to have anywhere to zip tie. I can't secure these in a permanant way because the only way to get the bowls out is through these doors. They have a bar inside once you close them that keeps the birds from throwing their bowls but also keeps it where I have to use the little doors. I secured the top doors where you would put a nest box a long time ago cuz I caught them playing with the disks. I didn't think they could reach these, the bowl holder is kinda in the way. My cats are getting used to the birds but they still get a hunter look about them occasionally that makes me cringe. I hadn't gotten past what might eat them to even consider what they could have eaten. Geez, a whole new world of stomach flip flops now. I had been doing my holiday baking and all the ingredients were still on the counter. Mostly ok stuff but a 5# bag of chocolate chips, a christmas catcus, and a cutting board complete with 3 knives all just a good hop away from them! Ugh. I'm stuck at work late today so the buggers are still in the travel cage. A funny note, in my rush to get them in there yesterday, I didn't hang a tent with them. A little after bedtime they started screaming like crazy. It took me a minute to realize what was up. I had only gotten one hook attached and they were both in the tent making their bedtime coos. Gosh, these guys keep me on my toes and I love them for it!

Glad your birds are ok!. I started with Zip ties, but I noticed the birds live to bite at them ( and will eventually break them), so I actually lock every door and opening with small combination locks ( only a few bucks each in the local hardware store). It is more expensive, but I never worry that they have escaped.

So glad your babies are safe. It is usually more scary to think about what could have happened rather than what did happen. Luckily Peanut hasn't figured out how to open his cage doors but he also doesn't have a friend to help lol.

Yep - My 2 Houdini's figured out how to get out before as well . Zip ties are very strong and mostly chew proof .

Glad your fids are OK . I would have been thinking the same thoughts about the cats as well .