Looking for suggestions

[blackhawk007]

We currently have our Red Lored Amazon housed in 1 half of our double macaw cage 40x80x80. We will eventually be getting a Macaw, maybe even sooner than planned. I am looking to prevent little toes from being chewed off through the center divider. I have a clear sheet of thick acrylic here for making aquariums. The problem that I have is that the side with the acrylic will leave one whole side of horizontal bars blocked from climbing.

Has anyone run into this issue before? If so what did you do to solve it. If I do end up using this method I would place it on the Amazon side because its likely he wont be able to chew through it. Though I will have it go completely flush to each edge making it hard to get his beak behind it.

As a last ditch effort I can put a sheet of 3/4" oak ply wood in the divider slot for maximum separation if they end up not liking the looks of each other. But I would like to avoid that. BTW I know they can chew through wood. But the slot for the divider covers the edges. So they would have to work a bit to chew on a completely flat surface.

Thanks for reading.

 

[weco]

I would use the plywood, but if this divider is going to be short lived, I would probably opt for regular fir plywood (sanded both sides).....sanded one side will have knot holes that can be compromised by an industrious parrot...any species.....

 

[LoryLover]

Is it possible to get a sheet of acrylic cut to the right size to slide into the divider slot? If they don't like seeing each other, use a piece of colored acrylic to slide into the divider slot.

 

[blackhawk007]

Is it possible to get a sheet of acrylic cut to the right size to slide into the divider slot? If they don't like seeing each other, use a piece of colored acrylic to slide into the divider slot.

Definitely possible but 3/4 inch acrylic that size is not cheap. The sheet I have here is enough to be snug to the face of the bars but is too small to fit in the divider slot.

 

[goalerjones]

There is the issue of quarantine for at least 30 days for your new bird until you see if their health holds up without infecting you current bird. This setup is not appropriate for the waiting period.

 

[blackhawk007]

There is the issue of quarantine for at least 30 days for your new bird until you see if their health holds up without infecting you current bird. This setup is not appropriate for the waiting period.

With all due respect, this has absolutely nothing to do with the topic of the thread. I am not going to wait until quarantine is over before I prepare for the arrival of the new member of my flock. Not to mention I prefer a 60-90 day quarantine period over just 30 days. But thank you for your input.

I want to make the changes soon so that the current residents can get used to them. The last thing I want to do is change Teka's world and then toss in an new member at the same time and overwhelm him unnecessarily.

 

[JerseyWendy]

I think they will "enjoy" seeing each other, I really do. And putting the plexi on the Amazon's side is a GREAT idea.

That is one very nice looking cage, too.

 

[Thingamagigs]

You know your bird best, will it be an issue?
I would say it wouldn't be an issue, as long as there is one side to climb up and you position the perches intelligently. It sounds like a fabulous idea. I would use the acrylic instead of the ply... the ply will become soiled easily where as the acrylic will be easy to clean, even if after a while it is scratched and no longer a beautiful clear plastic
I am going to be putting acrylic on the bottom of my cages under and around the seed tray to prevent seed from falling out. I love acrylic

 

[blackhawk007]

I think they will "enjoy" seeing each other, I really do. And putting the plexi on the Amazon's side is a GREAT idea.

That is one very nice looking cage, too.

Thanks Wendy!

 

[blackhawk007]

You know your bird best, will it be an issue?
I would say it wouldn't be an issue, as long as there is one side to climb up and you position the perches intelligently. It sounds like a fabulous idea. I would use the acrylic instead of the ply... the ply will become soiled easily where as the acrylic will be easy to clean, even if after a while it is scratched and no longer a beautiful clear plastic
I am going to be putting acrylic on the bottom of my cages under and around the seed tray to prevent seed from falling out. I love acrylic

You bring up a good point. Cleaning would be easier with acrylic. Your obvious, yet overlooked suggestion may have just solved the entire issue. I will just pick up few 40" perches to compensate for the lack of bars horizontal to climb on. This is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you!

Teka does do well with Quaker. But I just don't know how he will do with a bird larger than him.

 

[JJones1719]

Just my 2 cents. perhaps I am not understanding, If you plan on using the picture of the cage for an amazon and Macaw, the cage is way to small for either bird. Macaws require lots of room so they can stretch their wings and don't mess up their tail feathers. For my GW, I have a 8 foot high cage, 6 feet wide and 4 feet deep. My Eclectus has a a 5 foot high cage 4 feet wide and 3 foot deep. I would advise you against placing the birds side by side as they may bond with eachother and no longer bond with you. It is okay to keep your birds in the same room but not next to eachother. 2nd, if your Amazon puts off dander or dust, this too can be deadly for the Macaw so please use caution. Best of luck Joe

 

[blackhawk007]

Just my 2 cents. perhaps I am not understanding, If you plan on using the picture of the cage for an amazon and Macaw, the cage is way to small for either bird. Macaws require lots of room so they can stretch their wings and don't mess up their tail feathers. For my GW, I have a 8 foot high cage, 6 feet wide and 4 feet deep. My Eclectus has a a 5 foot high cage 4 feet wide and 3 foot deep. I would advise you against placing the birds side by side as they may bond with eachother and no longer bond with you. It is okay to keep your birds in the same room but not next to eachother. 2nd, if your Amazon puts off dander or dust, this too can be deadly for the Macaw so please use caution. Best of luck Joe

Thank you for pointing out my typo. I have corrected it.

 

[WharfRat]

great idea on the acrylic! BTW our Zons and Macaws do NOT play nice at all and are never loose in the same room. Great looking cage too you got there.

 

[Sherry]

Nice cage. I'm just wondering what your situation is. Are you getting a small macaw? if so than plexiglass is the way i would go. if you are thinking on a larger macaw than it depends. Are your birds out most of the day and put up at night? Do you keep them caged until after work? Etc. if your one and the birds are out most of the day than I think your cage will be fine for the both, however if they are caged during the day I would suggest getting another cage. My cage is the same size as yours for my B&G macaw. I couldn't see her in just half the cage for more than sleeping, but that's your choice. Macaws have rather big poops and I would think that cleaning off wooden boards would be a chore. Good luck in whatever you choose. Oh and do tell, what kind of macaw?

 

[blackhawk007]

Nice cage. I'm just wondering what your situation is. Are you getting a small macaw? if so than plexiglass is the way i would go. if you are thinking on a larger macaw than it depends. Are your birds out most of the day and put up at night? Do you keep them caged until after work? Etc. if your one and the birds are out most of the day than I think your cage will be fine for the both, however if they are caged during the day I would suggest getting another cage. My cage is the same size as yours for my B&G macaw. I couldn't see her in just half the cage for more than sleeping, but that's your choice. Macaws have rather big poops and I would think that cleaning off wooden boards would be a chore. Good luck in whatever you choose. Oh and do tell, what kind of macaw?

We are considering a Ruby Macaw that we recently met through a rescue (pic below, hopefully she doesn't kill me for posting her mug on here). I am a disabled vet the only time I spend outside of the home is for appointments or college classes. So most of every day they are out of the cage on either a table stand at my desk or our huge double java tree (pic of the tree was the day we got it). This is actually why we have the ones we have now. When my other half is at work they keep me company all day. The cage only gets used at night or on the days when I have to leave for a couple of hours.

I do have to say that I appreciate your approach and questions btw. I should have listed this in the original post .

 

[Sherry]

Omg! Both the birds are beautiful! Your cage should be just fine then I'd say. Nice tree stand too!

 

[JMarie]

Guess I should introduce myself. Hello world, I'm the girl with the parrot on her shoulder!

 

[blackhawk007]

Guess I should introduce myself. Hello world, I'm the girl with the parrot on her shoulder!

LOL....oops

 

[JerseyWendy]

GORGEOUS birds!!!! And that Java Tree. AWESOME!!!!!!

Also: THANK YOU for your service. From the bottom of my heart! My husband is retired Army, and my son is currently at Ft. Benning going through OCS.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Guess I should introduce myself. Hello world, I'm the girl with the parrot on her shoulder!

Welcome JMarie. Very nice to see you.