Do you think keeping a bird in captivity is cruel?

Question

Self-mutilating birds...is captivity the problem? What do you think?

Answer 1

No.

My ducks could not survive in the wild.

The breed of duck that they are cannot fly.

So they couldn't fly south for the winter, they couldn't get away from predatores, etc.

If they weren't in captivity they would be lunch for some predatore.

Answer 2

yes, it is! birds have wings to fly. if they cant do that, you are depriving them their greatest purpose in life.

Answer 3

The animals that I keep own ME, I don't own them.

Answer 4

no i don't think so, i am a newish bird owner (cockatiel) and I'll tell you what my little guy ("Obi") has the best life ever! I work roughly 35ish hours a week but between my partner and i he has 3 full days with us at home where he is free to roam as he pleases, on days when we are at work i come home for lunch for anywhere between 30minutes - 2+hours (i have a varying work schedule) he has loads of toys, treats, yummy fresh foods and companionship at his beck and call.

I totally agree with you when you ask people to explain their reasons for saying it is cruel, all pets, to a certain degree are kept captive and for people to say "birds have wings they should be able to fly free" is like saying its cruel to have goldfish as pets in a tank because their swimming space is limited, or its cruel to keep a dog in a small backyard (regardless of the fact that it may get 2 to 3 walks a day!) what about all you people out there who keep cats as "indoor only" pets (in new zealand that would be unheard of, cats are as free as they want to be, all owners have cat doors to which cats are free to roam in and out of) - i understand that in the US many cat owners keep their cats inside only due to a high risk of rabies and attacks from animals such as wolves, well given that cats in countries such as new zealand are free to roam how can you not consider keeping an "outdoor roaming" animal such as a cat stuck inside 24 hours a day cruel?

so back to the question, no under the right circumstances i do not think it is cruel to keep a bird in captivity - as long as owners are responsible, make it their mission to give the bird as much attention as possible throughout the day and time out of the cage (even when i'm at work my bird has 4-5 hours a day minimum out of the cage. if i get invited out to dinner or what not then my bird comes with me (if to a friends house) otherwise i try to make arrangements to go out on nights when "obi" has had either myself or my partner home for the day

- whilst I'm not experienced at owning birds prone to self mutilating i.e. larger birds like cockatoos, i consider my experience with my own bird, and witnessing friends relationships with their birds to be fantastic

Answer 5

birds will self mutilate themselves if they dont get the attention that they need.

birds are very social animals, as are dogs, and horses and having them as pets and caring for them properly isnt cruel at all.

only when an stupid owner treats their animals with abuse and neglect is it cruel.  but not everyone is that way (thank God!!).

Answer 6

I don't think that it's bad.  By keeping the bird in control you're promising it that it will live it's whole life without the chance of death everyday.  It's really a personal opinion.

I hope I helped!

Answer 7

Keeping anything in captivity is cruel. I never had chains on my dogs, and I even had a pet raccoon that used to come home all the time because she liked it with us better.