Quick water bottle question

[Minimaker]

For those of you who use a water bottle, which do you use that works well for a large macaw beak? Can you point me in the direction of a good strong one? My macaw's water lately has been a pellet mess when I get up in the morning. I know bacteria can harm her from this so I need to change from a bowl to a bottle. Thanks!

 

[Minimaker]

Anyone got time to answer this or do you all use bowls? Just wondering.

 

[Doublete]

I have a bottle for my conure. He didn't use it.


I'm no help I think most people here use bowls.

 

[Aquila]

I have water bottles for all of my birds, only my amazons seem to use them regularly. I put them next to the food bowls or next to the water bowl and they transitioned really easily. I just bought glass ones with stainless steel spouts from Petsmart. I like them because of the material, but also because the stopper and metal ring are separate, think like a mason jar. This lets me point the spout where I need to, and then tighten the ring over it, most are attached and it can be a real pain if they don't point straight where you need them.

I got them from the small animal section, the largest size they had for my amazons, which would be perfectly fine for a macaw.

 

[MikeyTN]

I used water bottles long ago and don't really like them. They do need to be regularly removed, scrubbed and sanitized. We try to buy cages with same size dishes as we have many backup dishes that we switch to sanitize them. We switch out bowls on a daily basis. We have quite a few dunkers but I just yank their bowl, dump it and replace.

 

[Aquila]

I used water bottles long ago and don't really like them. They do need to be regularly removed, scrubbed and sanitized. We try to buy cages with same size dishes as we have many backup dishes that we switch to sanitize them. We switch out bowls on a daily basis. We have quite a few dunkers but I just yank their bowl, dump it and replace.

Reasons I'm thankful for my dishwasher!

 

[JerseyWendy]

I only use bowls. I have enough to change whenever needed.

Ripley's my soup-maker. :32:

 

[EdgesofTwilight]

I use bowls as well. Usually have to change the water 2 to 3 times a day. There's usually pellet soup or food coloring from his toys.

 

[Christinenc2000]

Same here I only use bowls. I have enough to change out twice a day .

 

[ToMang07]

I tried a water bottle. Willow used it once, then decided it was her mission to knock it off her cage. I gave up after a couple weeks. I clean her water bowls every morning, and the cage she sleeps in gets cleaned before bed, as well.

And yes... she Too is a Parrot Soup Expert!

 

[Bandespresso]

Pellet soup isn't any much more bacteria-y than any other water left for 24 hours. Heck, Sailor is probably getting more nutrients from it! Hahaha. I wouldn't personally fret about switching to a water bottle...bowls are messier but water bottles are a PITA to sanitize and birds loooooove sticking things in the tube (probably pellets).

 

[Minimaker]

Alrighty, thanks everyone. I guess I will just have to watch her bowl more carefully and keep it clean.

 

[caiquehead]

I had my caique on water bowls for many years. He bathed in them, make revolting looking soup and also would drop in chunks of his wooden toys, colouring the water.
I would switch them out, when dirty, but he got a bacterial infection in his gut and the first thing the vet asked me to do was switch him to a Lixit water bottle. I showed him how it worked, and he got the hang of it right away.
I would see him drink from it (not often, tho, but I couldn't watch him all day long, anyhow).
Nevertheless, when out of his cage he really appreciated drinking out of a bowl.
Bowls: Pros - birds seem to like them better
Cons - can harbor bacteria especially in hot summer months.
Bottles: Pros - very hygienic, but get two so that 1 is always in the dishwasher
Cons - PITA to clean if you only have one
- birds do not seem to use them as naturally
My advice: stick with bowls and just get lots of them and keep changing them.

 

[TokiesMom]

I sure do know what you mean by soupmaker!!!!!! I change out Tokies bowl 2 to 3x a day!!!!!!