Whats toxic to birds...

[Cecilia]

My husband is building me a huge cage and I need to know what wood is toxic to bird and what building material to stay away from... any ideas? I keep researching online but have yet to find what I'm looking for.

 

[MikeyTN]

Wood / Trees / Bushes Considered Safe for Birds

 

[Pedro]

My husband is building me a huge cage and I need to know what wood is toxic to bird and what building material to stay away from... any ideas? I keep researching online but have yet to find what I'm looking for.

Cecilla, when ever i build a wooden aviary i use untreated timbers & the mesh ( if using galvanised wire mesh) is alway's sprayed with vinegar left on for 20 minutes then give a scrub with a scrubbing brush & rinsed with water. The vinegar will neutralize the gal & make it safe for the birds & they won't get heavy metal poisoning. If you are using stainless steel wire mesh you don't have to use vinegar.

Toxic and Safe Plants/Trees for Birds - Household Poisons

Hope this link is of help.

 

[Cecilia]

Attached is an idea of what he is going to build... better than spending 4-7k on it.... LOL although I'm seriously considering spending the money if it comes with all the toys and etc with it!

 

[Cecilia]

I'm going to do the solid sides though so the kids cannot put their fingers inside, That way I have no worries of when I'm not looking... LOL! Also, We will be building a play stand for his/her out of cage play time. I like the do it yourself toys and such it's fun to do and the kids can participate.

 

[Cecilia]

@ Mikey Thanks I skimmed through. I was planning on getting my wood from home depot or Lowes... So NO pressure treated... got it! Clean with hydrogen peroxide, give a good scrub rinse and dry well.

@ Pedro I plan on using stainless steel. Thanks for the site Pedro skimmed through and I'm definitely printing and adding to my book of important research. (things to have on hand)

 

[Cecilia]

Okay so basically for a macaw what is the IDEAL size cage for it (i know the minimal requirements) ? This will be it's starter cage till the built one is complete (which wont be for a while). So basically this one will be the mobile one and the other will not... Also where do you recommend buying it? Does anyone have a special site they would like to share where they get their accessories and etc...

 

[Rio Mom]

Wow Cecelia! That cage looks beautiful! And being homemade will make it even more special! When I was buying my cage for my green cheek, Petco.com seemed to have the best price for the best size. Plus it offered free shipping which is alway a plus!

 

[MikeyTN]

What kind of macaw are you wanting to have? For Willie his cage is 5ft tall, 4ftx3ft

 

[Cecilia]

@ Rio Thanks Rio I'll have to look.
@mike a B&G

 

[Cecilia]

So someone said to stay away from corner cages... BUT I've read that corner cages are good so birds dont have to worry about all angles of them and so they dont get stressed out... what do you all recommend?

 

[Cecilia]

Okay so we are doing a corner cage the same size as yours but able to be taken apart for movement in and out of doors. It's going to be acrylic clear with cage top and I'm still working on how we will find someone to customize the top and bottom for the cage and then have to somehow figure how to customize a slide out bottom. So basically it will be your 5ft tall and 4ft x 3ft as you have. See attached photo. Please offer some ideas on how i could do the bottome of the cage to make it easy to keep clean and keep bird away from poops.

 

[MikeyTN]

Is this one for the lovebirds?

 

[MikeyTN]

I had to re-read it and that measurement was my macaw's cage. So I take its for a macaw. I really dunno what to suggest for you for the bottom as they are very destructive! Unless you buy the stainless steel mesh for top and bottom and make sure its heavy gauge!

 

[Cecilia]

Yeah I was thinking stainless steal but i mean to the shape of the cage.. I dont know how I'm going to get someone to custom fit it...

 

[Cecilia]

Mike, I have another question... LOL I saw a cage on ebay and the guy had it made of Acrylic 1/4 thick and said his cages minimize sound by 30-50% does Acrylic do that? I didn't notice anything that would assist in reduction of sound... So is it safe to say that the Acrylic will minimize some sound?

 

[Cecilia]

Build your own cage ideas

So what did you think of the corner cage photo and dimensions? (yes it's for a Macaw) I'd rather get a solid cage that the kids cannot poke their fingers into than one that they can... LOL I'm playing it safe!

 

[MikeyTN]

Did you get my other post? Sound needs a place to escape, cage is not air tight. It does help to keep the food and dust from going everywhere, but when they scream, its just as loud.....

That blue print looks good! Just make sure all wood parts are covered! The bottom shape can be cut out so you don't have to customize it if your husband is good with wood work. The top can be framed with wood but use the wire mesh within where the wood can't be reached. On the bottom slide out tray you can use those pre-laminated wood or make one on your own. Easy clean up!

 

[Cecilia]

No cage will not be air tight there will be no solid top to it, it will be stainless steal grate. I also plan on installing 4 air vents on the bottom so there is consistent flow in the cage =D. I was asking about the sound because someone advertised that their cage was acrylic and 30-50% sound reduction. I think we were going to go with all acrylic and stainless steal so no wood inside cage. just outside or none at all. =D