Macaw Cages...Make Your Pet Happy

There are no small macaw cages, just as there are no small macaws. Beautiful, boisterous, sassy, flamboyant - and very smart - he'll need lots of stimulation to keep him interested as well as plenty of time with you as he is a social bird. The largest of the macaws is the stunning Hyacinth Macaw which can reach forty inches long, including his tail! So, his cage is going to have to be spacious - search online for information about macaw cages as there are many sites devoted to macaws. All of them agree that the biggest of the macaw cages should be the one you choose; it should be a minimum of five feet in height, three feet deep and four feet wide. For easy movement, consider getting one with wheels - portable and really convenient for cleaning as macaws can be pretty untidy. How much should you pay? A good quality macaw cage is around $2,000 - get the best you possibly can because this is not something you want to replace frequently.

Your choice of macaw cages is super-important - some of the cheaper ones are made of galvanized steel which is extremely toxic to macaws, so ensure that when you research your macaw cages, it's made of solid stainless steel. Check the hinges and locks too - and make certain that the cage has double welds. That powerful beak with up to 1,000 psi bite pressure can break single welds in a heartbeat. There should be a removable tray at the bottom, making it easier to clean up after him. The bars should be an inch and a half apart so that when climbing, he can grab the bars with his beak without the risk of getting his head stuck. Check the thickness of the perches which come in all macaw cages - these should be thick enough for his big feet to curl around. Four to six inches around is not too much for a big macaw and you might consider replacing them with bark-covered ones to keep his talons well groomed.

 

There's so much to consider when viewing the variety of macaw cages online. If there's a breeder in your area, you can get all the information and tips you need first hand. He or she will tell you that your macaw will also need toys. Untreated wooden blocks to chew on - chewing is his favorite occupation and you can get these at your local lumber yard. And if you wish, you can color them by soaking them in Kool-Aid (the sugar-free kind) and letting them drip-dry. He'll need some strong, braided ropes to climb up and down and some "parrot puzzles." These come apart and you can hide a treat inside for him to discover and figure out how to get at it. When shopping for toys, choose the extra-large size for your macaw - they can play pretty rough.

Some macaw cages come with a "play-top." A ladder, a hook to hang toys on, perches and food bowls. Good-quality ones have a removable tray under the play-top for easy cleaning and your macaw will perch up there for hours enjoying the family interaction as well as taking part in it.

Where's the best place for the cage? With the family - for meals, watching TV, playing games or music. It's stimulating for him, keeping him amused and occupied. A bored macaw will shriek - very loudly - to get your attention and believe me, there's no ignoring that sound.