Home made or used cage

[jefferysowner]

I live my boy Jeffery 3 yr old talkative greenwing. But we are expecting now and Jefferys room needs to become a nursery. So we need a permanent house fixture of a cage. Really love megestic cages by design. Does anyone have plans how to make one (dads a carpenter). Or any ideas where to get a used one? Simply can't afford one from them. Thanks.wes.

 

[kevin40]

I am in the same situation and would love to hear any ideas on how to properly make one.

 

[svheartsdesire]

Does anyone have a definitive answer to the question...is aluminum (rods/bars) ok with parrots..would make cage building less expensive..thanks

 

[JerseyWendy]

Yes, I would assume that aluminum is fine to use, especially since you can buy aluminum cages.

Here is a link of testimonials, on what people think of them (from Kings)
King's Cages - Stainless Steel Bird Cages, Powder Coated Bird Cages - Avian Supplies

 

[Dusty]

You should be able to get good safe mesh off avairy supplies websites. Im planning on building one over the next few weeks (also a carpenter) and this is what I'll be using. I just have to research safe timber and untreated timber for sale

 

[Birdman666]

First of all, I love the idea, but these cages always seemed better suited for people rather than the birds.

First of all, I HATE HATE HATE plexi as a cage material. It's hot, it does not allow air flow, they cannot climb on it, and it gets really dirty really fast, and has to be cleaned often... like every time the bird eats or poops...

Second, wood, as a building material for a large macaw... that cage is going to double as a chew toy.

Third, wood, as a building material for a large macaw... is a lot tougher to clean poop and dried food off of than conventional bird cages...

And a macaw is going to want to walk around on top of his cage. Which in this case, doubles as a chew toy...

So, those cages may look nice at first, with no bird in them, but they are also potentially very problematic...

You can get a good pervue hendrix enourmous double macaw cage on ebay for $650.00 and it will hold up for decades... which when you factor it in over the years is pretty cheap.

A DIY wood cage will probably cost you somewhere around $400 or more for the materials, and your bird might just chew it up in six months. DO IT AGAIN!

SO, I WOULDN'T.

Playstands and toys, yes. Home made is just as good, if not better.

Cages?! Not so much with a big mac.

A decent USED cage is usually a good way to go. Years ago a breeder friend of mine was upgrading her double macaw cages to stainless, and I got a $1000 Kings double macaw cage, that has been in continuous use for six or seven years, and I only paid $400.00 for it. So that would probably be a hit and miss classifieds project...

Then it's a matter of finding one in decent condition, and cleaning it really, really good.

One other word of caution, and that is some of the welding materials can be, HEAVY METAL TOXIC!

Heavy metal poisoning causes "macaw wasting" type symptoms... JUST HORRIBLE TO SEE!

You think cages are expensive? Try lifesaving vet bills on for size, and hope to god it works...!!! SO NOT WORTH IT!!!

 

[getwozzy]

With a Mac I wouldn't build a homemade wood-framed cage...for all the reasons Birdman stated, but mainly because they could destroy it NO TIME lol.

I would start searching for used cages- I bet you could find a good deal!

 

[cstambaugh]

I'm selling my 30x40x72 cal cage for $200. Its pretty rough. I'd recommend refinishing it. But for $200 for the cage, $50 to refinish it (yourself), a full cal cage for $250 isnt bad.