Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2004 5:30 pmThis article written by PepPony from WSGN
One of the more common problems I have seen in the glider community is the problem with open cages. This is one of the issues that lead to glider tragedy. So here are some of the concerns as well as solutions.
Most of the problems with open cages arise from the glider owner forgetting to shut the cage door properly. This error is responsible for 95% of all escapes. Because of the nocturnal nature of the glider as it pertains to play time with it's human owners, it is usually dark when we put our gliders back in the cage. Many times the owner is tired and does not close the latch completely, forgets to actually close the cage door, or just misses it completely in the dark. Say no more, the glider is bound to escape. Sleepiness on part of the human owner is a contributing factor to this.
The other 5% of the reasons for gliders getting out of open cages are that they can become Houdini type escape artists and actually learn to open cages. Yes, there are documented instances of this actually happening. Barring the glider opening the cage door by itself, improper spacing of the bars or screening makes up the rest of the 5%.
So what can we do to prevent these escapes and subsequent injury or loss of glider? Well, the first thing we can do is to take preventative measures and make sure we are alert when putting our gliders away after play time. Make sure you drink a caffeinated drink such as coffee, tea, or a booster type of drink. This helps stimulate the central nervous system and helps fire synapses. It other words, it helps us think clearer. Sometimes these losses can be prevented by simply turning on a low wattage light near the cage. I have a touch light near the cage for this very reason. Turn it on and check to see that you have indeed shut the cage door and secured it properly. Make sure the door is secure so you can sleep securely. If your glider happens to be an escape artist, videotaping while you sleep can show you exactly what is happening if you are not present. Locks will help to prevent the escape in almost all of those instances. Sometimes gliders can wiggle out of the cage through improperly spaced bars or wiring. Half inch by half inch spacing will prevent this. Check the forum for the many articles on cages and proper spacing to solve any concerns or problems you may have with cage requirements and preventing escapes.
What do you do if your glider has already escaped through an open door? First of all, you want to check the room thoroughly where the the glider's cage is located. Unplug any wiring that may be live as a precaution. Check in boxes in closets and anywhere it may be dimly lit and relatively warm. If you don't find your glider after the initial search, be sure to put out several water sources in and around the cage. Dehydration is a major concern. This is one time you will need the cage open in case the glider seeks the safety of it's cage. Try to entice the glider with it's favorite food or treat. Many times this will help in getting the glider back. Chances are 9 times out of ten that your glider is still in the house and very near the cage. Make sure all doors are closed so the glider can not leave the house. DO NOT empty the trash! Check the trash very carefully or you might mistakenly take your glider out too. Carefully move items and check coat pockets and any pocket on every article of clothing. Many times they will hide there. Walk carefully through the room and use all your senses. First use your sight to look, use your hands to feel and to move items carefully, use your sense of hearing to listen for noise. Try barking and many times your glider will bark back or even investigate the bark and come out of it's hiding place. If this does not work, then be sure to keep searching but put out food and water in every room of the home and limit access to each of those rooms. If you notice food missing, then chances are you know which room to concentrate your search efforts. If you have other pets, you will need to secure them as well until your glider is found. When entering and exiting the house, do so with your glider in mind. Secure all dishwashing disposals--they hide there sometimes. So do not use it until you have checked and secured it. Put all lids to the toilet down and check all opened containers that hold liquid. These are some suggestions in getting your glider back safely.
Preventative measure are the best solution to this problem of open cages. Like the old saying goes: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
If you have any more tips, be sure to post them in this link so that others may benefit.
One of the more common problems I have seen in the glider community is the problem with open cages. This is one of the issues that lead to glider tragedy. So here are some of the concerns as well as solutions.
Most of the problems with open cages arise from the glider owner forgetting to shut the cage door properly. This error is responsible for 95% of all escapes. Because of the nocturnal nature of the glider as it pertains to play time with it's human owners, it is usually dark when we put our gliders back in the cage. Many times the owner is tired and does not close the latch completely, forgets to actually close the cage door, or just misses it completely in the dark. Say no more, the glider is bound to escape. Sleepiness on part of the human owner is a contributing factor to this.
The other 5% of the reasons for gliders getting out of open cages are that they can become Houdini type escape artists and actually learn to open cages. Yes, there are documented instances of this actually happening. Barring the glider opening the cage door by itself, improper spacing of the bars or screening makes up the rest of the 5%.
So what can we do to prevent these escapes and subsequent injury or loss of glider? Well, the first thing we can do is to take preventative measures and make sure we are alert when putting our gliders away after play time. Make sure you drink a caffeinated drink such as coffee, tea, or a booster type of drink. This helps stimulate the central nervous system and helps fire synapses. It other words, it helps us think clearer. Sometimes these losses can be prevented by simply turning on a low wattage light near the cage. I have a touch light near the cage for this very reason. Turn it on and check to see that you have indeed shut the cage door and secured it properly. Make sure the door is secure so you can sleep securely. If your glider happens to be an escape artist, videotaping while you sleep can show you exactly what is happening if you are not present. Locks will help to prevent the escape in almost all of those instances. Sometimes gliders can wiggle out of the cage through improperly spaced bars or wiring. Half inch by half inch spacing will prevent this. Check the forum for the many articles on cages and proper spacing to solve any concerns or problems you may have with cage requirements and preventing escapes.
What do you do if your glider has already escaped through an open door? First of all, you want to check the room thoroughly where the the glider's cage is located. Unplug any wiring that may be live as a precaution. Check in boxes in closets and anywhere it may be dimly lit and relatively warm. If you don't find your glider after the initial search, be sure to put out several water sources in and around the cage. Dehydration is a major concern. This is one time you will need the cage open in case the glider seeks the safety of it's cage. Try to entice the glider with it's favorite food or treat. Many times this will help in getting the glider back. Chances are 9 times out of ten that your glider is still in the house and very near the cage. Make sure all doors are closed so the glider can not leave the house. DO NOT empty the trash! Check the trash very carefully or you might mistakenly take your glider out too. Carefully move items and check coat pockets and any pocket on every article of clothing. Many times they will hide there. Walk carefully through the room and use all your senses. First use your sight to look, use your hands to feel and to move items carefully, use your sense of hearing to listen for noise. Try barking and many times your glider will bark back or even investigate the bark and come out of it's hiding place. If this does not work, then be sure to keep searching but put out food and water in every room of the home and limit access to each of those rooms. If you notice food missing, then chances are you know which room to concentrate your search efforts. If you have other pets, you will need to secure them as well until your glider is found. When entering and exiting the house, do so with your glider in mind. Secure all dishwashing disposals--they hide there sometimes. So do not use it until you have checked and secured it. Put all lids to the toilet down and check all opened containers that hold liquid. These are some suggestions in getting your glider back safely.
Preventative measure are the best solution to this problem of open cages. Like the old saying goes: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
If you have any more tips, be sure to post them in this link so that others may benefit.