People are starting to move away from traditional caging. Yes it is a slow process but more and more parrot owners are looking into caging alternatives to the traditional rectangle "box." Way back In years past parrots were kept in very small cages (unfortunately some still are) but gradually people are buying new designs with more space and adding play stands made of tree branches and ropes to give their birds more freedom. Some enthusiests are now making or buying large gazebo type enclosures to add even more room and allowing their birds access to the outdoors by way of flights and greenhouses. I have noticed that the less I cage my birds the less problems with feather picking or chewing. None of my own birds have ever plucked and some that I have gotten as pluckers, as long as it had not become extreme, have bennefited from access to the outdoors with other like birds and no cages (only at night). Of my seven macaws two pluckers at previous homes have improved except where feather follicles have been damaged. I hope some day cages will become a place used only to keep our birds at night or during short errands.... kinda like the way we treat our dogs with crates.
