Advice to future macaw parront?

[Feathery_roots]

What is some of your personal advice from your experience, that you would give someone wanting to own a macaw? Also, is it humanly possible to still care for livestock and a parrot? (I breed chickens) just a few questions, that I have never been really able to ask before...

 

[lunyluna]

I don't have any experience with chickens, but I adopted a Scarlet Macaw a little over a year ago. All birds are different, even those of the same species. For instance, the typical scarlet screams for hours, is generally energetic, requires constant play time, and has some sass. Luna is extremely quiet and only screams when I play macaw sounds for her, she's generally pretty lazy and likes to just sit next to me, and definitely has some sass (she's a diva!)

I'm saying all this to urge you to keep an open mind: you might not get what you think you're getting (I got pretty lucky). Macaws are generally not for the beginner bird owner. I like to think of it as the smaller the bird, the easier to they are to take care of (though many people would argue with me on that). Expect that your macaw will scream, if not for long periods of time, than at least a few times a day. Expect to dedicate A LOT of time to taking care of them and arranging your schedule so you can be with them for as long as you can. You're their partner, after all! They are also quite expensive - babies start at $2500. I adopted Luna for $800! Their cages are also a huge investment, along with toys. Expenses like food are also a factor. They can also develop behavioral issues such as being territorial, which is something I struggle with with my bird.

Macaws are no laughing matter. They are a serious investment of money, time, patience, resources, etc. Many say, myself included, that it is much like taking care of a 4-5 year old for the rest of your life. Definitely do your research before deciding to get one, and if you do, I would strongly advise to adopt, don't shop!

 

[Flboy]

Hi! What part of the world are you in?

 

[tfw]

While I get people hesitating suggesting a macaw as a first bird, I'm a testament that it can be done...with a LOT of work, research, expense, and sacrifice. We got her January 2019. I can't in good conscience suggest a macaw as a first bird either though despite our thus-far-success.

But that said, WE shaped our lives around this little girl. Spent a lot of money, learned to DIY toys and gyms, make time every morning and every night to make freshly chopped food and making sure she was stocked up on high quality pellets all day. And we are fortunate that both my husband and I work from home. That made it all the more easier to fit this girl in our lives.

Research research research!!! Watch videos. We spent a year researching breeds and temperament that would fit my family. I had this idea of getting a cockatoo or an African gray. Until I read up on temperament and found that Blue and Golds tend to do better as a family member. Not guaranteed, but raises your chances.

We researched breeders and rescues. I wanted to be sure whatever bird I got wasn't smuggled in. Don't do impulse buy. We visited quite a few before we picked one, and even then, it took a few months to get her because they wouldn't let her go home until she was fully weaned. The parents were also on site.

If you stand in a bird store amidst the loud squawking ear piercing shrieks and you are gritting your teeth, then I suggest you go for a smaller bird that isn't *as* loud. Because my girl is loud! She's finally so comfortable with us after a year that she went from rarely screeching to daily afternoon screeches as she falls asleep lol. Ear piercing! But we accept it. We signed up for this.

My only hesitation about your having chickens is cross-infecting each other...if any chickens seem healthy but carriers, you could kill your rather expensive bird.

Overall, take your time and really research and meet some birds. Do not skimp and careful of sellers who let you take home an unweaned bird.

 

[Cardinal]

My only hesitation about your having chickens is cross-infecting each other...if any chickens seem healthy but carriers, you could kill your rather expensive bird.

This is a real risk when keeping multiple species especially birds like Chicken.
I also had read the African Lovebirds had a disease (Psittacosis???) that they are relatively resistant to but can be carriers and this is fatal for macaws. A bird keeper who had both lovebirds and macaws learnt this the hard way.

:red:

 

[Feathery_roots]

While I get people hesitating suggesting a macaw as a first bird, I'm a testament that it can be done...with a LOT of work, research, expense, and sacrifice. We got her January 2019. I can't in good conscience suggest a macaw as a first bird either though despite our thus-far-success.

But that said, WE shaped our lives around this little girl. Spent a lot of money, learned to DIY toys and gyms, make time every morning and every night to make freshly chopped food and making sure she was stocked up on high quality pellets all day. And we are fortunate that both my husband and I work from home. That made it all the more easier to fit this girl in our lives.

Research research research!!! Watch videos. We spent a year researching breeds and temperament that would fit my family. I had this idea of getting a cockatoo or an African gray. Until I read up on temperament and found that Blue and Golds tend to do better as a family member. Not guaranteed, but raises your chances.

We researched breeders and rescues. I wanted to be sure whatever bird I got wasn't smuggled in. Don't do impulse buy. We visited quite a few before we picked one, and even then, it took a few months to get her because they wouldn't let her go home until she was fully weaned. The parents were also on site.

If you stand in a bird store amidst the loud squawking ear piercing shrieks and you are gritting your teeth, then I suggest you go for a smaller bird that isn't *as* loud. Because my girl is loud! She's finally so comfortable with us after a year that she went from rarely screeching to daily afternoon screeches as she falls asleep lol. Ear piercing! But we accept it. We signed up for this.

My only hesitation about your having chickens is cross-infecting each other...if any chickens seem healthy but carriers, you could kill your rather expensive bird.

Overall, take your time and really research and meet some birds. Do not skimp and careful of sellers who let you take home an unweaned bird.

I have taken a while researching, I really hope to adopt a semi older bird, a blue-gold, I have my idea for a cage, and what the expense are, as well as the care it takes. I'm pretty confident. Also yeah on the note of chickens being carriers, chickens often have underlying illnesses that takes often months to identify. Just like with other birds, I breed chickens and I probably would never stop owning them. I to take extra productions with it as I own some elderly rats and ferrets, things from chickens can be passed to them or even us so I'm careful. Would it still be humanely possible to own poultry skill and care of a parrot? I have a diet plan, cage toys, medical issues, etc. I'm good with loud, I go to our local family-owned pet store they have a ton of rescues in there for adoption, and breeders, they are noisy, but I just enjoy it as their voices are so pretty. I think someone I know owns both chickens and a scarlet, but I forget. I would hate giving up owning a macaw to breed chickens, unless I chose a different bird, I'd hate giving up on keeping chickens, as I breed for the quality of egg layers and breeding stock. etc... I'm up to the whole challenge of a large bird, but if I had to chose a different bird for its safety of possibly having contact with them..

 

[noodles123]

1st--- read this (as the owner of ANY parrot) --welcome BTW


Here's what I wrote to someone asking for the basics (welcome BTW):
There is a lot to caring for a parrot--- Scarlet Macaws can live have 80 years.

I am going to write a ton here because it sounds like you are very new to this and there is a lot to learn. I don't mean to overwhelm you!

You shouldn't buy an un-weaned baby. If your bird is not fully-weaned, I would bring him back to the breeder and insist that they finish weaning him BEFORE you bring him back home. There is SO much that can go wrong if you try to wean a baby yourself without proper experience. Here is some more information on weaning issues: So you bought an unweaned baby...

One really important thing when keeping a pet bird in the house is that you cannot use scented products or chemicals/fumes in your home (even things that smell nice to us(---things like smoke, perfumes, air freshener, standard cleaners, vaping, burning food, incense, cigarettes, glue, paint, window sealing kits, polishes, aerosol sprays etc can harm your bird's sensitive respiratory system (which is not the same as mammals'). Using products that heat or are heated which contain Teflon/PTFE/PFCs = very very dangerous. These products off-gas and can kill a bird in under 5 minutes. Teflon/PTFE/PFOA/PFCs are most commonly found in the kitchen (pots, pans, cookie sheets, drip trays, air fryers, popcorn poppers, baking mats, crock pots, toasters, toaster ovens, popcorn poppers, waffle irons, electric skillets etc. They can also be found in space-heaters, curling irons, blow-dryers, straighteners, heat lamps, heat guns, irons, ironing board covers etc. These fumes have killed birds through closed doors and on separate floors of a home, so you should replace your cookware with stainless steel, cast iron or ceramic.

You will need an avian-safe cleaner to use within your home (both on the bird cage, but also, around the house). Again, chemical cleaners cannot be used in the home unless avian safe. F10 SC (the yellow/clear concentrate) is a great, avian-safe disinfectant. Other (less effective) options include products such as "poop-off", white vinegar + water, grapefruit seed extract + water, baking soda etc. Peroxide is also fairly safe for disinfecting places like your bathroom, but you do not want your bird to come into contact with it.

Some foods are toxic to them--avocado, coffee (even decaf), caffeine, rhubarb, alcohol, onions/garlic/leeks/chives, mushrooms etc. Salt is also very bad for them, as is most human food. They love it, but it's not healthy.

They should not just eat seed--you will want to feed lots of washed fresh vegetables. Fruit is fine in moderation, but too much can lead to obesity and behavioral issues due to sugar. I feed my bird a mix of high-quality seed (no sunflowers, no peanuts) and pellets (in addition to fruit/veg). Fruit pits are toxic, as are apple seeds. Corn cob and certain nut shells (if swallowed in big pieces) can cause blockages, so you should be very cautious if you give your bird nuts in the shell. Peanuts can harbor aspergillosis, and should be avoided altogether (even they you often see them marketed towards parrots).

It is important to make sure that your bird's toys and cage are made of safe metals. Stainless steel is safest. They can get metal poisoning from playing with or mouthing objects made of unsafe metals.

They need a set amount of sleep each night (at least 10 hours) and the largest cage you can manage with lots of different perches. You want to avoid the totally smooth/round ones as they can lead to a condition called bumblefoot. Never place a cage near drafts and never allow cool air to blow on a bird. They are sensitive to drafts and any temperature shift greater than 10 degrees can cause a shock to their system.

They need lots of safe toys and safe wood to chew. Not all wood is safe, so don't just assume you can give them any kind you want.

They hide illness and so you have to watch them to make sure they are eating normally and pooping normally etc. You should try to find an avian vet (certified avian) if at all possible and take your bird AT LEAST 1 x yearly for an exam. An avian vet is NOT the same as an exotics vet who sees birds--- so if a certified avian vet is available within a few hours of where you live, you will want to set up care.

Macaws and all parrots can easily confuse the relationship with their human for a sexual one. You don't want this to happen, even though it seems sweet at first. Stick to petting on the head and neck only (the rest is sexual) and do not allow your bird to play in shadowy places, like boxes or under furniture, as these spaces are similar nesting sites and are hormonal triggers.

Food and water should be replaced daily--- wash the containers daily. Never leave wet food out for more than a few hours (as it can lead to bacterial growth). Never try to medicate a bird via drinking water and never add vitamins to water. Vitamins can be over-dosed easily and harm a bird. Plus, when you add things to water, it makes it impossible to know how much they have gotten and it also encourages bacterial growth. Sometimes it can prevent them from drinking adequately if they don't like the flavor of whatever it is you added.

These birds have the intelligence of a 4-year-old human, but they are wild animals (not domesticated like dogs). This means that they see the world (and humans) in a very unique way and so you must learn about their behavior in order to prevent problems (screaming, plucking etc). They need lots of time out of their cage daily and a lot of interaction (at least a few hours). At the same time, you don't want to spend TOO much time with a bird of they will become overly dependent and not know what to do with themselves when you go to work etc.

Finally, baby birds are ALWAYS sweet compared to adult birds. When your bird hits puberty, expect that it will exhibit some annoying and problematic behaviors (much like a teen). A through knowledge of behavior and setting expectations at an early age will make your life easier when that time comes, but do prepare yourself and expect that things will not always be so smooth-sailing. Think about a baby human compared to a teen...

I am sure there is more...but that is a basic overview of caring for birds.

 

[Feathery_roots]

1st--- read this (as the owner of ANY parrot) --welcome BTW


Here's what I wrote to someone asking for the basics (welcome BTW):
There is a lot to caring for a parrot--- Scarlet Macaws can live have 80 years.

I am going to write a ton here because it sounds like you are very new to this and there is a lot to learn. I don't mean to overwhelm you!

You shouldn't buy an un-weaned baby. If your bird is not fully-weaned, I would bring him back to the breeder and insist that they finish weaning him BEFORE you bring him back home. There is SO much that can go wrong if you try to wean a baby yourself without proper experience. Here is some more information on weaning issues: So you bought an unweaned baby...

One really important thing when keeping a pet bird in the house is that you cannot use scented products or chemicals/fumes in your home (even things that smell nice to us(---things like smoke, perfumes, air freshener, standard cleaners, vaping, burning food, incense, cigarettes, glue, paint, window sealing kits, polishes, aerosol sprays etc can harm your bird's sensitive respiratory system (which is not the same as mammals'). Using products that heat or are heated which contain Teflon/PTFE/PFCs = very very dangerous. These products off-gas and can kill a bird in under 5 minutes. Teflon/PTFE/PFOA/PFCs are most commonly found in the kitchen (pots, pans, cookie sheets, drip trays, air fryers, popcorn poppers, baking mats, crock pots, toasters, toaster ovens, popcorn poppers, waffle irons, electric skillets etc. They can also be found in space-heaters, curling irons, blow-dryers, straighteners, heat lamps, heat guns, irons, ironing board covers etc. These fumes have killed birds through closed doors and on separate floors of a home, so you should replace your cookware with stainless steel, cast iron or ceramic.

You will need an avian-safe cleaner to use within your home (both on the bird cage, but also, around the house). Again, chemical cleaners cannot be used in the home unless avian safe. F10 SC (the yellow/clear concentrate) is a great, avian-safe disinfectant. Other (less effective) options include products such as "poop-off", white vinegar + water, grapefruit seed extract + water, baking soda etc. Peroxide is also fairly safe for disinfecting places like your bathroom, but you do not want your bird to come into contact with it.

Some foods are toxic to them--avocado, coffee (even decaf), caffeine, rhubarb, alcohol, onions/garlic/leeks/chives, mushrooms etc. Salt is also very bad for them, as is most human food. They love it, but it's not healthy.

They should not just eat seed--you will want to feed lots of washed fresh vegetables. Fruit is fine in moderation, but too much can lead to obesity and behavioral issues due to sugar. I feed my bird a mix of high-quality seed (no sunflowers, no peanuts) and pellets (in addition to fruit/veg). Fruit pits are toxic, as are apple seeds. Corn cob and certain nut shells (if swallowed in big pieces) can cause blockages, so you should be very cautious if you give your bird nuts in the shell. Peanuts can harbor aspergillosis, and should be avoided altogether (even they you often see them marketed towards parrots).

It is important to make sure that your bird's toys and cage are made of safe metals. Stainless steel is safest. They can get metal poisoning from playing with or mouthing objects made of unsafe metals.

They need a set amount of sleep each night (at least 10 hours) and the largest cage you can manage with lots of different perches. You want to avoid the totally smooth/round ones as they can lead to a condition called bumblefoot. Never place a cage near drafts and never allow cool air to blow on a bird. They are sensitive to drafts and any temperature shift greater than 10 degrees can cause a shock to their system.

They need lots of safe toys and safe wood to chew. Not all wood is safe, so don't just assume you can give them any kind you want.

They hide illness and so you have to watch them to make sure they are eating normally and pooping normally etc. You should try to find an avian vet (certified avian) if at all possible and take your bird AT LEAST 1 x yearly for an exam. An avian vet is NOT the same as an exotics vet who sees birds--- so if a certified avian vet is available within a few hours of where you live, you will want to set up care.

Macaws and all parrots can easily confuse the relationship with their human for a sexual one. You don't want this to happen, even though it seems sweet at first. Stick to petting on the head and neck only (the rest is sexual) and do not allow your bird to play in shadowy places, like boxes or under furniture, as these spaces are similar nesting sites and are hormonal triggers.

Food and water should be replaced daily--- wash the containers daily. Never leave wet food out for more than a few hours (as it can lead to bacterial growth). Never try to medicate a bird via drinking water and never add vitamins to water. Vitamins can be over-dosed easily and harm a bird. Plus, when you add things to water, it makes it impossible to know how much they have gotten and it also encourages bacterial growth. Sometimes it can prevent them from drinking adequately if they don't like the flavor of whatever it is you added.

These birds have the intelligence of a 4-year-old human, but they are wild animals (not domesticated like dogs). This means that they see the world (and humans) in a very unique way and so you must learn about their behavior in order to prevent problems (screaming, plucking etc). They need lots of time out of their cage daily and a lot of interaction (at least a few hours). At the same time, you don't want to spend TOO much time with a bird of they will become overly dependent and not know what to do with themselves when you go to work etc.

Finally, baby birds are ALWAYS sweet compared to adult birds. When your bird hits puberty, expect that it will exhibit some annoying and problematic behaviors (much like a teen). A through knowledge of behavior and setting expectations at an early age will make your life easier when that time comes, but do prepare yourself and expect that things will not always be so smooth-sailing. Think about a baby human compared to a teen...

I am sure there is more...but that is a basic overview of caring for birds.

Read the entire thing! I am aware about cookware and cleaning products, as well as large cage. toys, metals, etc. I am in this other community called birds amino for birds, so much have I learned there! I'm fully aware of the care for these bigs birds, I'm ready for the noise, and possible biting,as well as having to be confident training them. I will be looking to an avian vet later on, as the place I'm currently in will not be the same one when I get a bird. I personally don't want to go for a young bird, unless something happens and I go for a breeder. I have a full-on diet plan, I know seeds are terrible, I've seen the effects of seed diets in other birds. its sad and unfortunate. Safe food/veggies, I would love to feed Hagens, and have Zupreem on hand, in case of an incident where I may not be able to order Hagens. I plan to have no fabric toys, hides, etc, unless they are EXTREMELY carefully watched, don't need them becoming impacted... Impactedcrops ain't fun.. Same goes with the perches, I've had to do a bumblefoot surgery on one of my chickens because she was heavy and was flying down onto a really hard surface, then my lighter Welsummer hen kept sitting on one perch as she was stubborn, she somehow got better from the infection and I never had to cut her foot open. Bumblefoot again is not fun, unfortunately, can't stop it sometimes with chickens or poultry. I know a lot about bird care ( aspiring avian vet tech actually). I only ask could you recommend bird-safe electric heaters? As well as Ceramic heat bulbs ok? I breed chickens and will be for a long time, I plan to switch to safe heat bulbs besides red her lamps to ceramic, but are those safe or do they put out fumes that may be hazardous to parrots? I have ZERO plans for a Scarlet, one of the people I know in Birds amino has a Scarlet and she is a vet, I get a lot of advice from her, she said Scarlets are by far the biggest a**es of macaws. I'm going for hopefully a Blue Gold because I've heard they can tend to be more family-friendly. But I'm not expecting it to be ok with everyone. As how if I got a bird it may end up bonding to a future kid, or a husband. Or it may be bonded to me and not like anyone else. I have been watching bird tricks, and marline, for about a year, as well as have been doing research and asking around birds amino for care advice. I have the idea of a cage, a really large one at that, here is the link to the specific one. I've been recommended these walk-in aviaries, so I decided to order the biggest one I could find on this place. I plan to order toys and stuff between mybirdstore https://www.mybirdstore.com/WALK-IN_AVIARIES-110_x_62_Black_Walk_In_Aviary_-_A_E_Cage_Co.html where thiscage will come from, and from this placehttps://store.thebirdstore.com/SecureCart/ViewCart.aspx?mid=C569F698-E2B6-4AFB-BEAE-0B4ACD13B481&sctoken=976b22510ef24e0abe3b4700ef653899&bhjs=1&bhqs=1.


I do know a lot, and thank you for telling me though, as even though I know it, it's nice to see people are making sure I'm aware of their care. Just asking for all the advice possible ^^ To ensure I can be the best parrot parent, even if I do still make mistakes.

 

[Feathery_roots]

What is some of your personal advice from your experience, that you would give someone wanting to own a macaw? Also, is it humanly possible to still care for livestock and a parrot? (I breed chickens) just a few questions, that I have never been really able to ask before...

REPLY UPDATE
Thank you all so much for some of the helpful info provided, I asked one of the yellow Youtubers I follow, bird tricks, if it would generally be safe, and I was asking around with other people who own parrots and livestock. while it can be bit of a risk, if you keep good hygiene between the animals it would be safer.

 

[noodles123]

What kind of heater are you after? A space heater or a cage heater?

 

[Birdman666]

You raise a macaw the same way you raise a human toddler. With nurturing guidance, love, and boundary setting.

Bite pressure training is a critical thing. They need to learn to control their bite pressure and not use too much. Pinching is annoying, but doesn't leave scars. BITING is dangerous with these guys. They are powerful birds. Those beaks can do a lot of damage.

Socialization is also critical. These are pair bond birds. Overbonding is a thing with all pair bond birds. If they overbond, they tend to become bitey with anyone who isn't their person... If they are taught to accept others, they generally will as long as the person interacting with them doesn't do anything abrupt and stupid.

Make it a game, and make it fun, they will play along. A lot of what I've taught my birds involved just playing with that, incorporating behaviors into games... and then games into behaviors. They learn this way, and they want to play. Macaws are playahaulics. They have two speeds. Cuddle and play.
With occasional breaks to eat and sleep.

 

[Feathery_roots]

What kind of heater are you after? A space heater or a cage heater?

General safe house heaters to use around birds, I don't wanna buy a heater that will kill my bird from smell.