Macaw Cage Set Up

[Merlee]

I own a Napoleon Kings cage and it's approximately 46" wide by 29" deep and 59" tall at it's highest point. The cage came with a wooden perch that runs the length of the cage and it's a PITA to clean because of the bark, natural bumps and crevices. I am thinking about removing it and setting it up the cage differently but not sure what to put in it. I have two other perches in there. One closer to the top for night roosting and another on the door. I currently have a rope swing in the cage as well and Merlin loves it. I have a rope boing not in use because of the lack of space due to the original wooden perch. I have considered purchasing a larger cage but I know my husband would have a fit if I got a bigger one because the house just doesn't have the room for it.

I would really like some ideas to redo his cage and make the most of what I have. The swing stays. lol. Pictures of yours would be great because I am not very creative.

 

[JerseyWendy]

I have my Niko in King's Model #506, and I JUST took these pics for you so that you can see how I have him set up.

 

[Merlee]

Nice set up. Thank you for posting pictures. Your cage is the next size larger than mine. Wish I knew then what I know now otherwise I would have purchased the same. lol. Where your boing is, Merlin has his rope swing. I have a sandy perch on the door as well. The idea of another branch up higher at an angle is interesting, but knowing Merlin, he'll get poop on the branch below. lol. I'll have to go through my stock of natural perches and see if any of them will fit across the cage.

One more question. What are the diameters of the wooden perches in your cage? The perch that came with the cage is 3" and have just been told by a friend that it's too big.

 

[weco]

If you were to get/make replacement perches, including ropes & boings, you could change out the dirty ones for the clean ones & make a trip to the car wash.....many car bumpers have holes on the underside so that you can devise a suitable holding device & just spray away.....no more poop-off or other commercial cleaners.

In the past 12 years I have never had a bird get sick or worse, from cleaning perches, swings, ladders and/or toys this way.....saves a lot of scrubbing, scraping & cussing, though you need to be prepared for a little splash-back every once in a while.....

Just be sure to thoroughly rinse everything

 

[Merlee]

That's a good idea going to the car wash. What's wrong with leaving the perches on the ground?

 

[weco]

The pressure of the spray is such that you'll be chasing them around the wash bay.....if you're lucky & can find a car wash with short wands, you may be able to hold a perch with one hand while spraying it, but wands are usually 24"-30" long.

 

[Sambamama]

You have some nice things in there. I really like those wood perches myself..... As for cleaning, not knowing how you do it, what if you mist with water and then wipe down after they soak a bit ....would that help? I do that with the java wood perch that I have, and it's a breeze to clean. Just needs some soak time. I use an old towel to wipe down and dry it. For more cleaning power you can do baking soda and lemon juice..... That is really all that "poop off" seems to be anyhow.... Mix it up, paint it on and let it dry. You can scrape anything off with a brush and then use water to wipe down, or just rinse with water. Should be a breeze to clean that way too. I use this mix on my patio that gets goose poop on it!



I see that you have lots of toys in there that I would like to try for my guy. Does he like that spiral rope? I don't know what mine would do though. I have only had him 2 months. So far we are doing rehab, so i don't want to overwhelm him with too much stuff at once. I have found that he does like to splinter wood, comb rope and shred bird kabobs. So I keep him supplied with that sort of toy so far. I bought him one of those treat/puzzle acrylic box things too. I haven't out it in the cage yet. Has yours figured out how to open the lids yet?





Looks like your guy has a great set up.

 

[JerseyWendy]

I see that you have lots of toys in there that I would like to try for my guy. Does he like that spiral rope? I don't know what mine would do though. I have only had him 2 months. So far we are doing rehab, so i don't want to overwhelm him with too much stuff at once. I have found that he does like to splinter wood, comb rope and shred bird kabobs. So I keep him supplied with that sort of toy so far. I bought him one of those treat/puzzle acrylic box things too. I haven't out it in the cage yet. Has yours figured out how to open the lids yet?
.

Thanks a bunch. Niko seems to be really happy with his setup.

Yes, he LOVES his boing/spiral rope. I replace it regularly, as he really goes to town on it.

The perches are all a breeze to clean.

You could try and start with some simple toys, like a stainless bell and a foraging chest, perhaps.

Niko goes through wood like there's no tomorrow, and I'm not kidding about that. :54: