Macaw breeding and care

Question
Hi Dr Abbott
I'm an expert also on this site and have some questions regarding Macaws, their care , cages and breeding.,
My brother has two beautiful Macaws. A three year old female Catalina and a six year old male Blue and Gold. They have a HUGE dual cage that has a removable center panel that is rarely put in place. The birds are bonded. They are both hand raised, very friendly and extremely well taken care of. Their diet consists of fresh organic fruits and veggies,eggs (cooked of course) organic nuts etc as prescribed by their vet. The vet they use is the avian specialist for the zoo here and came very highly recommended. They've used him for years, have the birds checked regularly and their wings, nails etc clipped. The birds get regular showers, and a lot of out of the cage time. They also have big playstands for outside time on the deck (never alone of course) when weather permits. They have TONS of toys which are switched out regularly> Both birds have a great vocabulary especially for Macaws and also do tricks etc. It is a wonderful home for these two and it shows when you are around them. My brother would like to breed the birds ONLY in order to keep a chick and we also would like to have one. I helped to hand feed the young female (both have been DNA'd to establish sex)and we are very excited at the prospect of having a clutch in the family. He is prepared to keep ALL of the chicks if several survive and is in process of building a beautiful aviary around their back deck so that there will be plenty of room for the birds. They are financially well able to care for them as they should be cared for. They have no children. We would like to know if it's safe to leave her in with him now for a spring breeding., or is she too young at this point to mate? Since they are so strongly bonded we are afraid that separating them could cause issues for both. Also we have seen many conflicting ideas on nest boxes, diet prior to and during breeding and setting on eggs and proper ways to raise the chicks. Should they be taken from the nest and hand fed? If so at what age? If she is not old enough at almost four to raise a clutch what is the best way to discourage them from breeding? If she IS old enough when should the nest box be added to the dual cage? Is it acceptable to allow them to mate this once and then somehow prevent it in the future provided the chicks survive and there are two of them?
Also, we had been told not to cover them at night , they are in the living room and definitely part of the family. They do not get to sleep until usually after ten or eleven each night. After reading through some of your answers I am wondering if they should be in a sleeping cage after 7 pm in another room for optimal health?
Thanks so much in advance for your time, your generosity in sharing your expertise and your patience with all of my many questions :)
Cindi

Answer
Hi Cindi, thanks for sharing this info about some very well cared for and obviously loved macaws. You have no idea how good that makes me feel.  I also understand about wanting another one (or two) and with a home like you're describing, including your own, I have no qualms about it.
 This female should be old enough for a healthy clutch, especially given her excellent care.  To prepare even more, increase her calcium intake by not only making sure cuttlebone and mineral block is available, but offering a half an egg (cooked as you're doing) but with 1/2 the shell included. Other high calcium veggies are broccoli, kale, spinach and the usual recommendations we hear all the time for our own diets.  
 Don't be shy about some natural yogurt, cottage cheese and bites of other (natural) cheese.

 A nest box appropriate for the size of the largest of the couple should be installed. When it comes to that, be sure it's got a top or back door so you can look inside without really disturbing them (it helps for cleaning and any intervention you may need to make) as well.

Some breeders are using dual feeding, where after the first 3 weeks or so, both the human and the parents feed the chicks.  It requires closing the nest box in the front (parental access) and using that top or back door to make your own time with the little one(s) for feeding and bonding.  Otherwise they are often pulled at about 4 -5 weeks (pulling any sooner won't really make a difference).

 As long as they're already bonded the day/night hours can be left at about 8 to 10 'sleep' hours and go ahead and cover them, it simulates their wild-lives where they would be in deep cover and safe for that amount of time.  

Macaws aren't the type of bird that wakes up and starts right into their day.  They'll lounge around the roosting area for several hours sometimes before heading out foraging.  They break all the rules sometimes.

 If I've missed answering any of your questions, just remind me ok?  I'm more than happy to follow up and would love to know how this goes all the way through to hopefully a couple of fledglings this year!

  You can also see my site www.4Animalcare.org