Where should I put my Eclectus' cage?

[michael_cb_125]

I have Scarlet's cage in the sun room directly off the kitchen. This is the most occupied area of our home. She shares this area with a dalmation. It is so funny to watch these two interact. Typically Scarlet has run of the entire sunroom, and we will catch her in the dog bed with the 80 pound dalmation. She also eats (or tries to) from the dog bowl. She loves dog food, and will even try to pry into the dogfood container.

Sorry for the rant. I guess my point is that my female Ekkie loves attention and loves to people watch. I could not imagine her being in a remote corner of our home, I do believe she would go crazy.

Good luck with your new baby!
I cant wait to see pictures.

~Michael

 

[aConureLover]

I went to WebMD and found this information on Interstitial Lung Disease.

Interstitial Lung Disease: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

This information might be useful in reguard to family or friends who might be sensitive to exotic bird protein. I was glad to have this info for myself. Thanks to Monica Mc for mentioning "bird lung disease". Not to create a panic, but to educate bird owners like me that people with immune deficiency and others might have a reason to shy away from my bird (especially since my bird is out in the public regularly).

 

[Jollyjess80]

The Eclectus parrots don’t produce feather dust, which is a welcome relief to bird lovers who have allergies. These birds have an oil gland, instead of a dust gland, and you might consider them to be hypoallergenic birds. I think youl be fine with the cage in your room, I would just clean it daily!

 

[MonicaMc]

Many parrots, including cockatoos, have an oil gland... (aka uropygial gland aka preening gland) however, cockatoos are also known to produce dust... I haven't heard of a "dust gland" before and don't know what you mean by that... unless you simply mean that some birds are dustier than others.

BirdsnWays Cockatoo Heaven - Cockatoo Dust
Winged Wisdom Pet Bird Magazine - Common Skin and Feather Disorders in Pet Birds Part II
Diseases of the Uropygial Gland

Avian Illnesses

107. Uropygial Gland (Preen Gland) - infection or neoplasia? Note - Amazons do not possess a preen gland. The psittacine species most commonly affected with uropygial gland problems seem to be cockatiels and cockatoos. - Teresa L. Lightfoot D.V.M., Diplomate ABVP - Avian​

 

[ProbablyHarrison]

Okay everyone, here's the cage! It's taller than me (6 feet)! Haha It's still practically "naked" inside but I'll be getting a bunch more for it this Christmas! Mostly I'm concerned with getting more perches for my bird to climb around on! All of the perches I have other than the big, central one, I made by myself from pine and stainless steel hardware. It was a lot of work but really fun!

I'm also going to try my hand at building some toys, and dyed a bunch of the cleaned pine myself with food coloring.

Let me know what you guys think, and what MUST HAVES you think I might be missing? Thanks again!

 

[MikeyTN]

I have that same cage!!!! It is BIG! It took me awhile to put it together by myself when I first bought it.

 

[mtdoramike]

I have a flat top version of this cage. It is very roomy and a good cage. You will needa playstand for sure. My birds spend as much time on their playstands as they do in their cages. Also, don't be surprised when your Eclectus climbs to the top of the cage and refuses to come down. They LOVE to do this.

 

[mtdoramike]

I forgot to mention that Mac's cage is in a back bedroom away from traffic and noise. But his playstand is in the main part of the house around all the traffic and goings on. But Mac has the run of the house since we have no other animals like cats or dogs. So he will frequently walk from room to room or from playstand to cage and back. It's very good exercise for him.

 

[ProbablyHarrison]

Oh yeah I will definitely have a playstand. I'm getting a T-stand for christmas and I'm going to try my skills at building a bigger, natural-wood playstand myself. If I can't make one then I'll pick one up at the bird show in February. They're just so expensive for something that I really think I can make! Haha

 

[ProbablyHarrison]

I have that same cage!!!! It is BIG! It took me awhile to put it together by myself when I first bought it.

I was somewhat lucky in that regard! I would have rather taken it home in-box to save space at the moment (I'm trying to sell my big desk that I never use), but the only one they had of this model in the color I wanted was already on display. So we lugged it home in my dad's minivan already constructed! Haha it was definitely an experience because this cage is HUGE.

But the upside is not spending forever figuring out how to put it all together. It's going to be fun to lug it up the stairs when I get rid of my desk, though!

 

[MikeyTN]

It would not have fit in my suv. Even in boxes, it wasn't easy cramping my seats all the way up to make room to fit....It was a very long drive home....lol....It was the same day I went to pick up my ekkies which it was an hour away from the place where I got the cage then off to pick up the birds and then 4hr drive back home....

 

[Kiwibird]

Hi. It sounds like you've done your due research on parrots (so many don't), but since you'll be jumping right into the "big boys", you may benefit from some hands on experience with large parrots before bringing one home. It would really help you get used to some of the things you only learn and understand by being around these wonderful animals. I would suggest you you look into local avian shelters you could volunteer at, and/or a local bird club with some experienced members who can show the ropes. It would also be beneficial to be confident in picking up a bird, as well as get familiar with just how loud and messy they can really be (which is very lol). Parrots are pretty adaptable, so long as their care needs are being met (nutrition, mental stimulation and interaction with their flock). It's us humans that aren't quite so open to the change they bring Personally, I wouldn't keep Kiwi in my room. He kind of snorts/grunts in his sleep, ruffles his feathers and sometimes clacks his beak. I couldn't sleep with a noisy little beast in the room I don't think Kiwi, however, would have any problem living in our room, or any other room, so long as he was still getting showered with love. We briefly lived in a very small studio apartment with him while waiting for our current (much larger) apartment to open up. It was stressful for us living in that small of a place, but he didn't seem to notice or care. As I said, their pretty adaptable. It was during that time that I realized just how many noises a bird can still make while dead asleep. My hubby slept right through it, but I'm a light sleeper and was waking up 5x a night because he snorted or ruffled up his feathers.

One thing I would highly recommend (given he/she will likely be staying in your room) is a cage on wheels with a play-top. That way, you can roll him wherever the action is, but you could control the situation when he was not in your room (like locking up the dogs, and removing messy foods from his cage so he doesn't mess up other places in the house). Plus, unless you live in a mansion, most average bedrooms are not large enough for a decent size cage and a play stand. You kind of get a 2 for one deal with the play top cages, and you can get a larger cage if your not worried about also having to fit a stand too. If you choose carefully, you can also find cages that sit high enough to have storage underneath (for a travel cage in case of emergency, as well as a basket with toys, food, cage cover ect...), so you take up even less room! I also highly suggest buying a large, cheap, rubber backed rug to keep the cage on. That way, when some fruit gets flung and stains, or someone decided to poop off their cage onto the floor, it's not ruining the carpet. Even better, cheaper rugs tend to be made of synthetic fibers, so when they get gross, you can hose em off outside and scrub them down without ruining them. Anyways, best of luck to you!

 

[ProbablyHarrison]

I've actually been frequenting a pet store with many large birds for months now, at least three or four times a month, although I don't want to buy a bird from them for price and health reasons. I am confident handling birds, and I've weathered a decent bite or two from a shy/nervous bird. The bird in my picture is the first Eclectus I ever fell in love with at that same pet store (but he got bought up quickly because he was so good-natured).

Thanks for your suggestions though! I've already got most of those points covered but it's good to know I'm not over-planning. xD

 

[Conuregirl]

hi, there! you seem like you are off to an excellent start! have you picked up any bird books or species specific books? i think those books really helped me, especially the ones with barbara hendreich. i even bought some online back issues of bird talk mag that featured stuff I was interested in.

The shopping really adds up but certain things come in handy and last long. i really love my pak-o-bird carrier and kings metal playgym. i noticed your bird cage doesnt have a rope perch, fleece snuggle, or any acrylic toys. my guys love those, too. i also asked my breeder what bird toys my babies played with and got those for home.

good luck to you!

 

[ProbablyHarrison]

I'm actually planning on getting a boing, and I actually do have some acrylic in there, it's just hard to see! Haha. I'm not sure about a snuggle yet, but I'll see! And I do have a carrier on the way from MSBS.

I also have a guide all about eclectus from my breeder and some of Irene Pepperberg's books. I'll definitely look into Barbara Hendreich's stuff, though. Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[Chikoo]

Careful on the snuggle hut, it will stimulate your parrot's hormones, male or female.

 

[julya]

I have just finished The Parrot Problem Solver by Barbara Heidenreich, and it was good for me to read as a person new to parrots. I think it was about $12 on Amazon, so not too expensive, and it had a lot of nice photographs in it too.

 

[ProbablyHarrison]

Careful on the snuggle hut, it will stimulate your parrot's hormones, male or female.

That's what I've read, which is why I wasn't really planning on getting one. xD

 

[Conuregirl]

it doesnt have to be a hut. i bought a fleece octopus looking toy and another with strips of fleece on a chain. its for the bird to lean on and preen but it is not a hut. none of my birds like those huts at all; those scare them!

 

[Jollyjess80]

It's fine in your room, take everything you read on here with a grain of salt.....put your bird cage near a window so he has something to look at while you are gone. when you are home make sure he is out, you don't have to hold him 24/7 but just let him b out and around you, if you are gone a lot I would not suggest a parrot for you, or if your family does not want the parrot out of your room than I would also not recommend you get a parrot. The simple fact is if you cant be around your parrot for the majority of your time at home, then wait till you can. I'm lucky enough to work from home so my ekkie is ALWAYS out, you want to give them that same freedom when your home!