Play top vs. dome top?

[Maltee]

Which one do you prefer and why?

I'm trying to decide between a play top and dome top cage for the pionus I am getting in December. I like the idea of a play top cage to give the bird more outside time, and since we are in an apartment that would really help with space vs. having a separate play stand. But what are the positives of a dome top over a play top? Thanks!

[Natacha]

I'm not a fan of dome tops essentially because I generally hang things above the birds' cages for them to play on and I don't like the idea of there being no barrier between the toys in the cage and the poop that might fall from above.

[Michael]

I think dome tops are better because they give more room for the bird inside the cage where it will inevitably be spending more of its time. I prefer to provide different out of cage play areas and don't think a playtop is useful/beneficial. The birds inevitably fly to the tops of their cage anyway, no need to entertain them to stay there and I don't need the cage top to competitive with other areas I'm trying to get them to spend time on. Just my four half pennies.

[marie83]

I'm not a fan of the playtops either, whilst they are nice to have its restricts the space inside the cage, and in most cases aren't that great a playground for the birds anyway as theres little in the way of flexability, sure you can add different toys where space permits but they tend to be in fixed points and not all toys will fit where you want them, perches cant usually be moved etc etc.
Like Michael I prefer to have my birds spend time in places other than on top of the cage as its much more flexable for toys, location etc

[Michael]

I forgot to mention but often for the price of a playtop cage you can buy a dometop cage (which is cheaper and bigger) AND a small tree or playgym to keep somewhere else.

[Cage Cleaner]

Gl

[Tro]

I bought a play top cage, but I took the play top off because of the lighting reason, and because with it on i couldnt hang toys from the roof. I threw a couple foot toys on the top of my parrots cage to play with when he's up there. I also attached a few rope perches and toys to the outside of his cage, which ofcourse you can do with a dome top. A play top was a waste of money in my case.

[Maltee]

Thanks for the opinions. My family's Meyer's parrot lives in a play top and I liked it, but I will consider a dome top too now. Either way I'm sure I'll get a separate play stand and a training/t-stand.

[AlbertaAviary]

My birds have had both. Their new cage has a play top roof. They seem to enjoy this more because the can play with their foot toys on top. I usually leave the cage door open when I'm in the room so they can climb onto the top whenever the want. They refused to do that when they had a dome.

[Pralina]

I like playtops because my birds love foot toys and I can install baskets on each cage... I used to install them food up there too... or their "bathtubs"... and I like the fact that when they are up there and they poop there`s the drawer that catches it instead of it falling into the cage on whatever there is underneath.

Even though, yes I agree, it makes them a bit darker as cages.
Ive put light therapy lights and because of the playtops I cant place the light on the top, I gotta rather place them on the side....