Powder Coated dog kennel for Macaw

[Spyro]

Hello fellow Macaw lovers! I posted a few days ago regarding cages/brands and am leaning toward a A&E walk in, however... I came across a web-sight selling powder coated dog kennels stating some people use them for large parrot aviaries??? I could get a much larger enclosure for the $.
I would buy a 5ft wide x 10ft long x 6ft high.

"A professional-grade, 8-gauge, 2" x 4" Welded wire mesh, welded-wire, modular kennel with no sharp edges and predator top that protects your pet from dangers outside the kennel. Also prevents your dog from climbing out of the kennel. Black-powder-coated materials resist the elements and look great year-after-year."

Any thoughts? Comments? Again this would be set up in the house, not outdoors.
Thanks again

Our baby is doing well and growing so fast!

 

[LiL_Caity413]

 

[MacawLoverOf3]

Find out from the manufacture what type of wire is used. I had considered using a dog crated from Midwest but they told me it was brass wire that was then powder coated. You don't want brass because Macaws will chew off the paint and then they can start chewing on the brass and that is toxic.

 

[Spyro]

Web-sight states...
"Galvanized and Powder Coated AFTER welding to close and smooth all joints. No sharp edges EVER"
It is galvanized steel under the powder coating. I know chain link is a no-go for large birds due to the possibility of zinc toxicity. I think most steel fabric used to make aviaries is galvanized though. I would imagine the risk of the bird chewing off the powder coating and becoming poisoned by zinc would be relatively low. But if anyone thinks I'm wrong here please chime in I also intend to fill the cage with plenty of wood, perches and toys so the time spent chewing the bars would (hopefully) be limited. Thanks again for everyone's time, this is the first time I've been on a forum and it's rather enjoyable
Hope the pix comes through, this is Spyro

 

[Dinosrawr]

I stay away from anything galvanized, simply because birds climb with their beaks and there's no guarantee they won't chew it and risk metal toxicity.

But that's my personal choice. I prefer to go with things I never have to worry about with a few exceptions (my conure can't sleep without a snuggle hut, for example). If you're diligent in monitoring the wear of the powder coating and notice your macaw doesn't chew bars, then it's up to you if you'd like to purchase it. I prefer stainless steel in all cases, though.

 

[Tosca]

I currently have a macaw in a Kings 406 and he has been in it for over 10 years. The paint has been worn off from hanging in certain spots on the roof of the cage. Now imagine what he could have done to a kennel in the same timeframe. I thought about getting a powder coated kennel for outside use, but after learning about the galvanized wire, no way. I would rather get a new cage for inside and use the old one for outside. My advice is to buy the best one you can afford because you will have to replace it later if you go cheap. If you know you are going to keep the bird forever, then do it right the first time because bird cage manufacturers are from China and cut more corners as years go by.

 

[Spyro]

So I got a quote from a well known maker of custom cages/aviaries, Corners Limited. They sell GAW (galvanized after welded) wire mesh enclousure to hundreds of private indiviauals, zoos, breeders, exhibitionists, etc. Never have they had an issue with their product. Granted they use the best material in the industry, however galvanized is galvanized! So maybe this hoopla over toxicity is a bit exaggerated? I have a call into Suncatcher aviaries (Cages by Design) to find out if their steel products are galvanized before powder coating, but I'm guessing (because they sell outdoor aviaries) they must be galvanized to prevent rust.
I guess bottom line, if you can't afford SS, your left with buying a small powder coated cage for a bird that needs a substantial amount of space, or choosing to go a different route. I could put together a 5x10x6ft "cage" with swivel feeders for less than $700, or someone could spend about $400 for a 5x5x6 which is WAY less $ (and way more space) than any advertised "macaw" cage. Obviously, you don't have a grate or pan but neither would you with most large aviary style enclosures. Anyway, I'm going to do this to give our bird a large home, and be able to buy a ton of fun toys, perches etc. I believe the benefit of having more space far outweighs any risk of negligible zinc toxicity.

 

[Dinosrawr]

I think the reason most zoos have no issue is because the birds generally don't cling to the cage bars. They have so many trees and so much space that they tend to stick to what's natural. That's not to say they don't. I just wonder if it comes down to the quality of the finish, too.