need help

Question
QUESTION: My dad is building a cage for his Macaw, and he wanted to know what he needed to do so his parrot could get in and out of bad weather.  The cage that he is building is
W=60 D=60 H=72.  The bottom of the cage will be the ground. We wanted to know if the parrot would use a little house for shelter. My father does not want to cover or uncover the cage in bad weather.  He would like for the parrot to seek shelter.  My father's plans were to insulate the little house.

ANSWER:  What climate are you in and what is the lowest temp your area might reach?

Does this macaw have a companion?

Why does your dad want to put it outside?


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: We live in South Texas sometimes in winter temp.will drop down to the 30's. (at night) And during the day the temp can change to the mid 70's. In the summer it can get to the high 90's, sometimes even hitting 3 digits.
My father's Macaw does not have a companion and it has ALWAYS been outside.

Answer
Yes, a protective house would be necessary.  The enclosure or the house should be heated for those temps.  Macaws are tropical rainforest birds and while Texas is fine for humidity, those winter lows are just not good for the nature of the bird.

Summertime heat should be tempered with a misting system to help cool the immediate area.

Macaws are social birds, always living in pairs, family units or flocks.  

Which species of macaw is this?  Is caring for the bird difficult for your dad and that's why he's been keeping it outside?   

Take a look at our macaws and more about care

 www.4AnimalCare.org  (click the bird tab)