I was looking at cages..

[hannahbird]

for macaws and the recommended cage was stainless steal and the price was like 2,000 and up!! ! Anyone know of any cheaper cage that are good quality? Or where to get secondhand cages? Cus my dad isn't too keen on helping me pay for it haha.

[kaylayuh]

http://www.americas-pet-store.com/a-&-e ... -cage.html I like this one, but I would use it without the divider.

http://www.bird-cage.com/bird-cages/mon ... bird-cage/ This may also work, but again without the divider.

http://www.birdcagemart.com/Cages_by_SI ... Birds.html
http://www.birdiebedroom.com/large-maca ... katoo.html

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... atid=14410 This is also reasonably priced.



That said, and I don't want to sound preachy, but bird ownership is expensive. If you can't afford an appropriate cage and toys for the bird you currently want, you may want to wait a little longer before getting it. A Macaw is going to be expensive. You're going to need new cages throughout it's lifetime due to normal wear and tear. I would definitely take that into consideration before you purchase your bird.

[zazanomore]

When buying a macaw cage, I'd say get the expensive one. It will last longer, and even though you are paying big bucks for it, you won't need to be replacing it.

I'm with kaylayuh. It is extremely expensive.

Over the past year I have spent over 1000$ on my two budgies and cockatiel. Prepare to have that multiplied with a macaw.

Also, your profile says you are 17. Is the macaw going to be with you when you go to school?

[kaylayuh]

When buying a macaw cage, I'd say get the expensive one. It will last longer, and even though you are paying big bucks for it, you won't need to be replacing it.

I absolutely agree with this. The expensive stainless steel cage will last you much longer than one of the economical wire cages will. Macaws beaks are incredibly strong and many people will tell you that they can chew right through all kinds of things, cage bars included.

Bird ownership is expensive. And the bigger the bird you decide to have, the more expensive it gets. A lot of people will tell you that your initial cost for the bird and supplies should be the price of the bird plus two times the price of the bird. So if you're getting a Macaw that costs $1700, expect to pay the $1700 plus $3400 for an appropriate cage, toys, perches, carrier, food, and the inital vet visit.

For example, I paid a $100 adoption fee for Cheney Bird when I adopted him from the rescue. The "formula" I gave you says that I should have expected to pay another $200 for all his supplies. That would actually be fairly accurate, though actually less than what I really spent. I paid $100 for a Champion brand flight cage on E-Bay, $62 for the initial vet visit, $40 on foods and treats, and $60 on toys. The total I paid was $362, $262 of that was strictly for supplies for the bird.

I'm assuming you're going to be moving to North Carolina for some kind of school. If you're living in a dorm, how are you planning on keeping a Macaw with you? Most dorms have a no pets policy. If you're living in an apartment, a lot of places require a pet deposit. And there are a great many other things that need to be taken into consideration when you're going to be acquiring a companion that lives for an average of 65 years, and sometimes much much longer.

[GlassOnion]

A double macaw cage is what you should get evause the regular macaw cage barely gives room for movement, toys etc.

Just to add in a realistic point of macaw ownership..

The big ones WILL go through a 2 x 4 piece of wood a day and still look for something to do. The upkeep of supplying wood daily is going to be immensely expensive. I know owners who will talk to lumber companies to supply wood because really, the bird just needs some thick wood to chew on that would cost hundreds and hundreds of dollars a month if you were looking for fancy toys from a petstores.

Another thing, have you been around birds to read body language? A macaw beak is no joke, a lady I met last month had her hand impaled by a macaw's beak.

They also have earth shattering, mind boggling screams that will not do in an apartment setting or with anyone who is sensitive to noise.

^ these things aren't just what I read online, it's from talking to various macaw owners and what they go through.

[zazanomore]

Have you considered a smaller species of Macaw? There's the Hans, the Illgers, and I'm sure there are more. They have a smaller size, but are still macaws.

[kaylayuh]

The big ones WILL go through a 2 x 4 piece of wood a day and still look for something to do.

That's a great point! And when they run out of things you give them to chew, they WILL chew furniture, walls, and any other thing they can get to. I've seen the aftermath of a bored Macaw, and the result of it was a reduced-to-toothpicks stair banister.

[LyzGrace]

That said, and I don't want to sound preachy, but bird ownership is expensive. If you can't afford an appropriate cage and toys for the bird you currently want, you may want to wait a little longer before getting it. A Macaw is going to be expensive. You're going to need new cages throughout it's lifetime due to normal wear and tear. I would definitely take that into consideration before you purchase your bird.

All good information above me, and I know it sucks to hear, but don't be discouraged!!

It's easy to be intimidated by numbers, and you SHOULD take all expenses (potential vet visits=BIGGEST variable) into consideration, but if this is something you really really really want, you just need to prioritize for it. I'm done with school and married, but I'm the only one working because the hubz is in school and it's not a great-paying job at that. I just made sure I knew what I was getting into - you CAN own a parrot on a budget. If I were you I would worry more about school and housing arrangements if you're going away.

Again - I know how much it sucks to have people throw all that "reality" crap at you Just make sure you really want what you're getting and that you can keep up with the cash. Sometimes you've just gotta dive in and feel good about it!!

[hannahbird]

Hey! Thanks for your responses!! I am still in high school so I will be with my family, so housing isn't an issue. My dad is a college professor so I will be going to the school he will be teaching at in NC (thats why we are moving, he got a job in NC), so for the next 4 years I will be in our new house, not living in a dorm/apartment. My dad will be buying the bird and the cage(Im going to try to help). I just need to buy the toys and food. So, looks like this just might work . Thanks again for the reality check!

[LyzGrace]

Hey! Thanks for your responses!! I am still in high school so I will be with my family, so housing isn't an issue. My dad is a college professor so I will be going to the school he will be teaching at in NC (thats why we are moving, he got a job in NC), so for the next 4 years I will be in our new house, not living in a dorm/apartment. My dad will be buying the bird and the cage(Im going to try to help). I just need to buy the toys and food. So, looks like this just might work . Thanks again for the reality check!

Hooray!! It hasn't been too long since I was in the same boat as you, so take advantage of an awesome opportunity of being able to live at home and have 'rents that love you and have money Now your biggest challenge is to find your baby - it's more of a process than you would think!! Good luck, though, and keep us updated!!