Adopting/Rescuing a macaw

[MrBackpack]

Through a series of friends and family, all of whom know that I'm researching and considering owning a Macaw, I was emailed concerning a Macaw that needs a new home.

This guy is going through some issues with his wife, I don't know what they are nor do I want to know either, but is trying to re-home his B&G Macaw before he looks for a new place to stay/live.

Now, he told me that he has some time before the bird as to go, I think the first week of December or close to around that time.

I was hoping to just search round the forum and figure all of this out on my own, but now I'm in a bit of a time crunch and need to know a little faster than just basic, solo research.

What size cage do I need (in terms of dimensions)?
Do I need to use untreated/special wood for perches and toys?
Shower perches, any kind of PVC pipe will do?
What kind of items do I need to remove from my home to make it safer for him?
What kind of food do I need to buy (pellet/seed/brand)?
Should I keep the feathers clipped?

I have a place already cleared away for the cage in my upstairs loft and ideas for where two perches can go and I have located the ONLY full-time avian vet in my city.

Since I know that I'm probably missing many things, please feel free to chime in.

 

[MikeyTN]

The bigger the cage the better of course. The least size should be no less then 48" long, 36" wide 40" is better, and 72" tall. You can get dragonwood for perches as they would last a bit longer then most perches available out there. Lots of wood toys for them to destroy. I use the sandy shower perch that is made out of pvc so I guess vet wrap will do. Don't know how well it stands up to water. Remove anything toxic like pesticide spray, teflon cookware, aerosols product, etc. You can do your own research to find out all that. Depending on what they're eating, keep them on it for now and change it once he's acclimated to your place in about a month or two. Then you can see what is best for him, there's differentoopinions on this issue, do your own research. To clip or not to clip is a personal choice, decide that part on your own.

 

[nyspy]

Here's my .02. I rehab / rehome birds (2-3 a year) and I also deal with the Big Guys (Macaws, Cockatoos, etc)..

Cage: The largest you can afford, but if you can't get yourself a cage that will allow birdy to completely spread his wings at 2 different corners of the cage, it's too small. A typical Macaw cage is about 6.5 ft. high and 5 ft. square. So 5 x 5 x 6.5 (AT A MINIMUM)

If you can't fit a cage that size in your house, consider going cageless. It's a lot less hassle, birdy is happier, and it's cheaper if you don't mind a few perches in your house. I will only do cageless (even when rehabbing). The connection / bonding experience with birdy is much faster as well if you actually spend time with him.

Perches: UNTREATED WOOD ONLY! Java, pine, birch. The best thing to do if you're even remotely handy is to make your own. Way cheaper and you get exactly what you want! If you're not remotely handy, you can hire someone from craigslist to build you a stand for a bird stand / tree / perch. If you need plans, I can draw some up for you.

Toys: Foraging toys, Big Boingy thing (whatever they're called), nets, ropes, lots of paper towel rolls (empty ones), cardboard, you'll figure it out pretty quickly. Just look at the toys for sale @ bird shops, then upsize them for macaws! If you MUST color them, then use organic food coloring and not paint! I find pomegranite juice soaked wood to stain, then let dry, then run through a dishwasher once (without soap) on hot water will do just fine! Blueberry juice is also a nice stain / wood color.. you'll figure it out pretty quickly.. Just take a walk through the local produce aisle and you'll find the stains you need. Rope: Cotton or untreated.

Shower perch: pvc pipe, suction cups and you'll get it pretty quickly. Design your own! You can also use wood! I just put a folding 2 step ladder into the tub most of the time. They're $16.00 at Kmart and they have a dual purpose!

regarding bird proofing a home: How to Bird Proof your house

Food: Organic Pellets. Stay away from Zupreem PLEASE! It's loaded with sugars. I don't do seed. I do fresh nuts. (A visit to the grocery store or whole foods and $10-15.00 you're set for 2 weeks. FRESH VEGGIES and FRUIT! I also make bird chop. Breads! Croutons!

I only clip them once when they're new to the home and getting to know me. Once they have become accustomed to the house and the feathers have grown back, flight training begins and they get to keep their feathers!

I think I sent you my number in PM. If you want to call me tonight or tomorrow, please feel free. I am more than happy to give you pointers / answer any questions.

I'm really happy to hear you're not deterred after my responses on your other thread! God Bless you for adopting!

Oh.. if Birdy is older, take him for a full panel / bloodwork so you will know if there are any issues. Just because they look healthy doesn't mean they are.. Birds are notorious for hiding illness until they're ready to keel over.

Cheers!

 

[LiL_Caity413]

 

[Merlee]

Zupreme is a good pellet. Yes it has food coloring and sugars in it, but it tastes good to the bird. I think the sugar helps transition from seed to a pellet diet. Once the bird has switched, you can change to a different pellet of your choice. Half the battle is won if he accepts a pellet at all. Some birds can be quite stubborn about converting. Any pellet is better than seed.

 

[Jumpingtadpoles]

What pellets are recommended?

 

[JerseyWendy]

What pellets are recommended?

Many folks are keen on Harrison's.

Mine get a mix of TOPS and Zupreem Natural, mixed with Goldenfeast mixes for variety. Not to mention they get nuts, homebaked birdy bread, fruits, veggies and a homecooked concoction, too. :54:

 

[nyspy]

I use Harrisons, but mix them in with Birdy Chop. It aids in the transition and when they see the pellets alone, they're ok with eating them usually.

 

[MrBackpack]

Here's a link to a cage I got for my mini mac Amazon.com: Prevue Pet Products Silverado Macaw Dometop Cage 3155S Silverado 46-Inch by 36-Inch by 78-1/4-Inch: Pet Supplies

Its pretty dang big for Stevie but the minimum for a b&g. There are pictures sent in by people who bought it....the one with the person standing inside is me lol. I'm almost 6' tall so I was surprised by how much space I had in there. But Amazon is the place to get something like that, 1/2 price of a retail store at the least.

they just dropped the price on that cage another $100, I'm so glad I waited a day to order.

right now, I'm trying to finish eliminating most of the harzardous materials that can be gotten rid of and moving the others, like my airbrush and spray paints into the workshop/garage.

Does anyone know where I can get some of that vinewood or a winewood perch? Those seem like they can last a while.

I got another email for the guy today, I'm hoping to drive out and pick up my new companion next week. Any advice for driving with a new bird?

 

[nyspy]

I drove back with Duke on the headrest of the passenger seat. Did that with Pretty Birdy as well. That was based on the fact that they weren't lunging at me though.

If you have a LARGE car (like an SUV), I would recommend a cage or a large dog carrier if you can borrow one. If not, I would use a large cardboard box with a towel at the bottom and lots of holes for sight and air to pass through.

If you decide to go the "headrest" route, just a couple of pointers:

1. Cover the seat with a large towel. I just threw a jacket over the headrest and it was sufficient to protect the car and to give birdy grip without ripping into the upholstery.

2. Keep bottled water in the car with a small shallow cup for feeding him/her water (every 30 min).

3. A couple of treats.

4. Drive slow and passive. I kept at 65 mph the whole way back in the right lane.

5. Don't blast the music. I find that calming classical music works wonders.

Both my birdies loved watching the traffic go by as we drove home. Oh.. and NEVER open the windows!

If you're moving chemicals out of the room where birdy will be housed, air it out for a few days (open windows.. lots of ventilation).

Good Luck! Do you have any pictures of birdy?

Also hoping there are windows in the room for birdy to look out from his cage.

 

[nyspy]

oops.. almost forgot.. Indoor temp for the car is usually regulated around 80 degrees Farenheit.

 

[MrBackpack]

I haven't heard anything from the guy in a few days and am starting to get worries that this was nothing or that something has happened to my new friend.

I do have one question about the non-stick things though: I put all the pans and things that are used on the stove-top into the bottom-back of the pantry. What I noticed while doing the dishes was that my rice cooker, an appliance that I use almost every other day, is non-stick. Are there alternatives or can I use this ONE thing without potentially killing my bird.

 

[nyspy]

It's not recommended. To see someone take so much care in preparation is amazing. Cheap pans that can do the job can be found everywhere. Just a thought.

As for acquiring a bird that is in "rescue" mode, I suggest not waiting if you don't have to. I usually go ASAP to pick up birdy. People who are getting rid of birds do not have the birds as their highest priority. They'll "shop" for the best buyer if you get my drift. That's why I jumped in a car right away and drove the 7 hours even though I was completely and utterly exhausted. It took me a week of pandering the guy until he responded again.

My recommendation? Try to get his phone number as soon as possible, get him on the phone and try to get birdy home ASAP if you can.

As for rice-cooker, I use mine daily and it is non-stick as well. My birds haven't shown any health problems. It's up to you.

 

[MrBackpack]

It's not recommended. To see someone take so much care in preparation is amazing. Cheap pans that can do the job can be found everywhere. Just a thought.

As for acquiring a bird that is in "rescue" mode, I suggest not waiting if you don't have to. I usually go ASAP to pick up birdy. People who are getting rid of birds do not have the birds as their highest priority. They'll "shop" for the best buyer if you get my drift. That's why I jumped in a car right away and drove the 7 hours even though I was completely and utterly exhausted. It took me a week of pandering the guy until he responded again.

My recommendation? Try to get his phone number as soon as possible, get him on the phone and try to get birdy home ASAP if you can.

As for rice-cooker, I use mine daily and it is non-stick as well. My birds haven't shown any health problems. It's up to you.

awesome, thanks for the info about the rice cooker.

I've been trying to get his info and the cage will be here tomorrow (thanks Amazon Prime 2-day free shipping) and would be more than willing to drive to pick him up.

 

[GaryBV]

I agree about the rice cooker - the problem with Teflon is that it gets overheated and burned, and that's not likely with a rice cooker.

Someone asked about what pellets are best and that's a loaded question lol - I feed my birds a mixture of Roudybush Maintenance and Harrison's high-potency, 2 to 1, but I also feed them fresh foods every day, and soaked and sprouted seeds as well (this is my new fave food), and they get a little bit of seed in there too. For the first today I've tried Indian Apple, but so far the lovebirds and parrotlets have steered clear of it - hopefully they will at least check it out, that darn thing was over $3! lol

 

[MrBackpack]

Well, nyspy was right, my guy did finally get back to me.

Only this time, instead of my wife and I rescuing his bird from his wife/home problems, he wants $800 + a rehoming fee of another $100.

I know that this isn't all that much compared to buying a brid from a breeder, but its more than we can afford right now. If I had the time to save this would not have been a problem and would have done it just to get the brid away from him, but we just can't do it right now, we aren't that financially solid.

I'm going to keep my eyes and ears open for a bird ion the shelters and on craigslist for the time being, I have all the supplies now and I'm not about to let them go to waste.

 

[getwozzy]

I know this might sound silly, but it's a thought- maybe you can give him what you can and then make payments..? Write out a payment plan/contract so he knows you mean business. Whatever you can do to get the b&g home with you.

 

[MrBackpack]

I know this might sound silly, but it's a thought- maybe you can give him what you can and then make payments..? Write out a payment plan/contract so he knows you mean business. Whatever you can do to get the b&g home with you.

I hadn't considered this, but I'll give it a shot. Really anything to get this bird home.

 

[getwozzy]

Let us know what he says! Good luck!!

 

[nyspy]

How short are you?