Cage for hahn's macaw

[jonahsmom]

Hi all! Newbie here. LOL

I'm going to be getting a Hahn's Macaw in the (hopefully near) future and I just want to double check if the cage I'm considering will be big enough. I'm pretty sure it will be, but thought I'd check with y'all first.

The cage that I already have that I think would work has 1/2" bar spacing and is 36 wide x 24 deep x 25 high. I had read somewhere that 24x24x24 was the bare minimum, but I don't want to just do the bare minimum. If what I have seems like it won't be big enough I can get something bigger. If it will work though, that means more money for toys and fun stuff!

Thanks!

 

[wenz2712]

Welcome to the Forum

That Cage sounds just the right size Do you have a pic of it?

When are you planning on getting your new addition?

 

[jaimmorr]

You found a cage that's 36X24 with 1/2 inch bar spacing?! I'm impressed! I couldn't find one that big with smaller bar spacing for the life of me!!!

I think that cage sounds perfect for a Hahn's. Are you adopting or buying a baby?

Welcome to the forum!!

 

[jonahsmom]

It's actually a critter nation cage. I use them for my pet rats and I LOVE them. The doors open fully - I'm just in love with the cage. Easy to clean...love love love!

I won't be getting my hahns until September. And that's if it hatches. And if I'm at the top of the waiting list. :/ There's a breeder about 4 hrs away from me that has eggs right now. She said there are "a couple of people" who have asked to be notified when they hatch. Hopefully those couple of people back off. LOL She said there are a couple of other reputable breeders of hahns in Iowa (or at least near by) as well that she will hook me up with if it doesn't happen for me this time. But I want to be 100% prepared, so I'm going to start gathering all my stuff now. I actually already have the cage - it's housing a couple of female rats right now that aren't big enough to be in with my boys (who are all neutered). They should all be moving in with the others soon and the cage will just be sitting there waiting patiently for my hahns. I'll have to raise it up because I don't like how low it sits, but I can figure that out.

I wanted to adopt a 1 yr old, but couldn't come to an agreement on price and then the person kind of got snippy with me - probably after I said I would just save longer and get a baby if it couldn't be worked out. I wanted more pics, and pics of the cage (because I wanted to make sure it was appropriately sized for him if I was spending the money) but never got more info on behavior or anything other than tame and friendly. The next morning it was suddenly sold. Hmmm....

I contacted a local parrot rescue and they said they've only had 1 hahns ever and that the only mini macs that he gets are severes. The closest hahns in a rescue is 5 or 6 hours away, which I would travel for, but they don't even look at out of state adoptions. I love rescue and would gladly do so if I could find one though!

And thanks for the welcome!

 

[jonahsmom]

If you happen to hear of any hahns needing homes in IA - feel free to let me know!

 

[cdog]

If that cage is meant for rats I wouldn't use it for a bird because you don't know if the cage is coated with bird safe material. Do you know what it is coated with? Do you have a link to the cage or a pic? Also I would be curious as to what the bar thickness is because hahns macaws have a much stronger bite then a rat, the bars need to be at least 3mm thick.

 

[cdog]

Also you would need to sanitize the cage because it is housing rats now.

 

[jonahsmom]

I understand it would have to be sanitized. That's pretty much common sense. And I've seen other parrot people (I think even on this forum?) use the critter nation as a cage for their parrots with good success. I wouldn't have even thought of it otherwise...

This link is to the double version (which is what I house my rats in - the little girls are only in the single for a short time - two months tops - while they wait through introductions to the bigger rats for safety).

ETA:
Also, I’m very much aware of the difference in rat vs. hahns bite. I’m not a complete idiot. While I admit to not knowing all the answers, I do know some! LOL

And the link (duh!): [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Midwest-Critter-Nation-Animal-Habitat/dp/B001NJ0DAY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1340136637&sr=8-1&keywords=critter+nation"]Amazon.com: Midwest Critter Nation Animal Habitat with Stand, Double Unit, 36 Inches by 24 Inches by 63 Inches: Pet Supplies[/ame]

 

[jonahsmom]

But, in order to be absolutely sure, I will contact the company. I have plenty of time…

Also, the rats that are in there currently have been in there only about a month, so it’s not a skanky, nasty cage but will still be thoroughly sanitized.

 

[cdog]

I cant tell by the pics, does the cage have a slide out tray with a grate separating the bird from the poop?

 

[jonahsmom]

The tray comes out, yes. I will likely put the tray UNDER the cage (on the bottom shelf) as there is a grate under the black tray. If that makes sense...probably clear as mud...

For rats and other small pets, the tray sits on top of the bottom grate (inside the cage) and the bottom shelf is used for storage. For birds (and this is how I’ve seen others do it) the tray will sit on the storage shelf underneath (under the cage essentially) to catch all the fun stuff.

 

[jonahsmom]

Oops - double post

 

[mrgoogls]

You found a cage that's 36X24 with 1/2 inch bar spacing?! I'm impressed! I couldn't find one that big with smaller bar spacing for the life of me!!!

I think that cage sounds perfect for a Hahn's. Are you adopting or buying a baby?

Welcome to the forum!!

i acually found a cage just a few inches smaller with 1/2 in spacing....lolXD my local store says they have like 25 in stock that is what im am getting for my future quaker!

and, that sounds good for a hahns. if you can, in the future, get an even bigger one! lol, not needed but bigger is better!

 

[jonahsmom]

if you can, in the future, get an even bigger one! lol, not needed but bigger is better!

Depending on where my money situation is sitting I'm planning on spending another $100 to get the add on unit. Then it will be twice as tall! I totally want to spoil him/her. I sure hope those other people bug off if the eggs hatch. LOL I want what I want....yesterday!

 

[jaimmorr]

Ohh, a CN! I have one I used to have a female hairless rat. She was my everything. PM me if you'd like to know more (If you're a rat person, I'm POSITIVE you're wondering why the heck she was a lone rat! LOL)!

I know exactly what you're talking about. I think if you used a DCN with the tray in the middle removed, it could work! The only thing I would be concerned with are the thickness of the bars. If the bars are too thin, the Hahn's can (and will!) snap right through them and get his head stuck or escape. Might have to do a bit of research on that. The other thing is that if the bars are too thin/flimsy you're going to have a bit of trouble with them holding perches. By the way, I tried to put natural wood perches on my CN when I had my rat because of the natural wood and chewing, you know? It didn't work. At all. Since the bars were so thin, they just bent. :/ So I would look further into that. But that's the only thing I'd be concerned about.

cdog - The CN cages are powder coated, so they're fine for parrots. Rats chew on bars too!

 

[jonahsmom]

Hmm....I'll have to look into the wire thing. The comfort wheels do bend the wires out of shape a bit. I' in love with the CN so I'd be bummed if it wouldn't work. Not to mention have to spend more money! LOL

Yeah, rats should *generally* not be alone, but since you know that I'm pretty sure there were probably extenuating circumstances!

Off to do some research.....

 

[jonahsmom]

Well, crappity poop.

The wire gauge on the CN is 13 gauge (which=1.83mm) and the parrot cage buyers guide said a hahns needs 4mm to 5mm. That completely sucks. I guess I have to add a cage back to my list. BOOOO!!!!! So I guess I'm look for 3-6 gauge wire. Sucks.

 

[evesta]

I see you are in Iowa, I'm in Nebraska. Rescues around here are limited too. I did see a rescue Hawns in KC but you have to be within 200 miles. I might make that if they aren't picky about what part of KC. Closest breeder I found was in Missouri, babies $700. If you come across any other breeders I'd be interested in hearing about those too. But I will probably end up getting a GCC or Quaker because they are half the price. Also check out the A &E flight cage, great cage and economic.

 

[jonahsmom]

I saw the hahn’s at Beaks N’ Wings. I was bummed that they don’t even consider non-local adoptions, but I guess I can understand why!!! The breeder that I’ve spoken with is in IA – her name is Dawn and she is in Waukon. She said she also may know other breeders of hahn’s macaws, so maybe I will see if she knows someone close to you.

I want a hahn’s macaw badly, but I’m trying to decide if I want one badly enough to pay quite a chunk for a baby or if I want to wait and see if a rescue situation pops up. I believe so firmly in rescuing over breeders. All my other pets are rescues, so it just makes sense to me that a bird would be, too. I’m considering other breeds at this point, simply because I know I would be doing a good thing by rescuing as well and I know most of the breeds I’ve been interested in would charm me just as much as a hahn’s! It’s such a difficult decision because I know that there are good and not as good qualities (note I did not say “bad”!) about all of the parrots and I could see our family with any number of them! LOL ARGH!!!!

I touched base with a rescue in WI that is only about 4 hrs away from me. I was told that they don’t think I’m too far away they would refuse adoption! Yay! They have a special needs female, adult severe macaw. She had a displaced hip that was never fixed so her balance sucks and she’ll never be a shoulder bird, but she is apparently a super sweet bird. I would love to rescue her, so I’m looking into that option as well. Who cares if she can’t sit on my shoulder. She can still snuggle if she wants to! LOL I’ve asked for more information, as I’d like to be fairly certain of my choice if we were to head that direction, rather than go there with no idea whatsoever and come home totally empty handed after 8 hrs round trip. That could still happen if I’m fairly certain of my choice, but I’d rather be a little more prepared!

If you want her information (the hahn’s breeder), I’d be happy to pass it along to you.

 

[jonahsmom]

So....

It looks like I will be adopting a 10 yr old yellow capped amazon over the weekend! He is friendly with the whole family and is used to being around kids and dogs....he talks up a storm....we get him with cage and all!!!

So, after this weekend, I'll try getting some pics posted! This feels sooooo much better than buying from a breeder. I feel much better about this!!!!