Adopting B&G

[willist]

I'm adopting a 21 yo female B&G, she'll be my 3rd Macaw. I'm getting her thru my vet who runs an adoption service also. So I'm waiting for all the results from her blood tests to come back before she can be released (I'm hoping by this coming Friday). The reason I'm posting this is I really need advice on a new cage. I currently have an old cage my Greenwing has worn out so it will be only a tempt. My newest cage is an Avian Adventures that has got chains and padlocks all over it to keep my Harlequin in even the grates at the bottom are chained shut, my Greenwing's cage needs a chain and padlock to keep the main door closed. So I'm kind of hoping my next cage might do a better job of keeping my new B&G in. I'd hate to spend $500 to maybe $800 on a cage only to have her escape within the first 30 minutes, which actually happened with my AA cage, Any advice?

 

[MikeyTN]

It just depends on the bird itself. Willie have pad locks on his cage while Lola doesn't as she never tries to escape. She only comes out when I ask her to. I can leave the cage door wide open and she'll never step out of it.

I know they sell cages with special door locks for escape artist. I think they run for quite a bit....

 

[MikeyTN]

306
European Style Napoleon Top
38"W x 28"D x 6"H

King's Cages - Avian and Pet Bird Cages, Supplies, Food, Toys, Perches, Aviaries, Pluck No More

 

[thekarens]

Yep, my blue throat just removed a door when she wanted out, so I don't think if they are determined that you can keep them in without the locks.

 

[JerseyWendy]

MANY CONGRATS on your new family member, willist!! Exciting times! Please share some pictures of her once you bring her home, ok?

This is the cage we have Ripley in (our GW)
9004836 AE Cage XL Dome Top 48 x 36 Powder Coated - DOME TOP CAGES

and this is the one we have for Niko:
King's Cages - Avian and Pet Bird Cages, Supplies, Food, Toys, Perches, Aviaries, Pluck No More

Both macs figured out a way to open their latches by the food doors, so we had to come up with this concoction:
http://www.parrotforums.com/macaws/35095-houdinis-no-more.html

 

[willist]

I ended up buying the Avian Adventures Grande Dome Top. At least with AA cages no tools are needed to assemble cage, and therefore there are no bolts or nuts that can be removed. I once had Auggie (GW) in a cage with an openable dome top and I came home from work one day to find out he had removed the bolts that held up the top and the 2 pieces that made up the dome top had fallen into the cage along with all the toys that were attached to the top. I was very lucky that Auggie wasn't injured when the top fell in. Anyway I guess I'll be buying a few padlocks for the new cage at some point. I spoke to the vet today and she is still waiting for the results from 1 test to come back. With any luck I might be able to bring my B&G home Friday. BTW, she's a girl and her name is Charlie.

 

[MikeyTN]

Good luck! We want pictures now!!!

 

[4dugnlee]

Can't wait to see pics! Good luck with your new cage...I hope it works for you. I just had to "escape proof" Sassy's new cage and she's only a BFA so I can't imagine what a big mac could do.

 

[Birdman666]

and this is the one we have for Niko:
King's Cages - Avian and Pet Bird Cages, Supplies, Food, Toys, Perches, Aviaries, Pluck No More

Maggie is in the DOUBLE MACAW cage version of this one...

She has unbolted the treat cup door latches multiple times. So often that I just simply got sick and tired of putting them back on, and left them off.

She has snapped the hinge off one of the doors. It is tied in place. The other one still works.

And it's actually one of the best cages on the market.

My exponentially smaller, but just as good an escape artist Red Fronted Mac has taken her treat cup doors off, and unbolted her door.

Bottom line is, THEY CAN IF THEY ARE SO INCLINED... not sure there's anything you can do about that one. unless it's stainless.

My cage doors really just don't close anymore. Four of my five would just open them again. Instead I trained them to stay in their birdroom and not pillage and plunder the house... so they're all out 24/7 now.

 

[willist]

[]20150313_163410.jpg

Her name is Charly, her blood work came back this afternoon and everything is perfect. She is now home and she is the sweetest most gentle bird you could ever ask for. She stepped up right out of the travel cage and spent a few minutes sitting next to my GW Auggie before I put her in her cage and fed her and the rest of the flock dinner. Last night after work I brought home an 8 week old yellow Lab puppy so I've very busy. I'll take a bunch of photos over the weekend and post more later.

 

[thekarens]

She looks like a sweetie!

 

[JerseyWendy]

Charlie looks quite beautiful! And many congrats on your new lab puppy! Let the fun begin!