Dog crate for a bird cage?

[VRSparks]

I'm always coming up with harebrained ideas like this, so please let me know if this is a stupid idea:-) I'm going to be buying a macaw soon, and I already have a reasonably sized cage, but...would an extra large dog crate make an ok bird cage? I'm wondering because it has more horizontal space than a standard bird cage does, which would give a macaw more space to flap around. Just a thought. Any pros or cons on this??

- Victoria

[The Outlaw]

Victoria:

It really depends on the crate. I think you'll regret using a crate, for the birds will wind up with torn and frayed feathers and they are AWFUL to clean. Additionally, they may not be made of non toxic metals. After all, they weren't designed for birds. Most folks will only use those crates for emergency or very short time frames (ie vacation, evacuation, etc) Frankly, I'd sell the cage and apply it to a suitable macaw cage. However, that's only MHO.

THE OUTLAW

[VRSparks]

I already have a macaw cage:-) I'm just insanely curious, so anytime an crazy idea like this pops into my head, I have to find out whether it would work. Looks like a big "no" on this one.

- Victoria

[Stacey32]

I did keep bindy in a dog cage, turned on it's side, for a few days before we got her bird cage. we also use a smaller dog cage (again turned on its side) in the back seat wtih seatbelt for her travelling to the cabin. it's bigger than any travel cage I've seen and she's able to crawl around more. She does use her mouth to climb though, so it does worry me about metals. Is that type of short term use acceptable? She's in it hours max each way...maybe five times per year.

[Vega]

I too thought about using a dog crate instead of buying another cage for our travel times. But then I was filled in that most of the cages are made using zinc or are "plated" to wear the covering can be chipped off and swallowed. I ended up just buying a smaller bird cage instead.

[The Outlaw]

Stacey:

Well, probably its fine however if you've ever experienced metal toxicosis you'd want to get as far away as possible from that possibility. Frankly, I'd use it only for the occasional vacation. You may find that a sleeping cage (standard carrier, fiberglass or plastic) and a break down gym would do the same job and allow lots of out time for Bindy.

THE OUTLAW

[Vankarhi]

As a travel cage I use the plastic puppy/kitten case my staffy came in when she was flown to us from Brisbane. I put a wooden perch in it and Skye loves to travel in it, she talks and whistles just about all the way (it annoys the kids-oh well). While away we use a medium/large dog crate so she can spread her wings and move around freely when we are back at the "base". We usually go away to dog obedience trials and volleyball comps, and Skye spends a lot of time on my shoulder, but does need to have somewhere to eat and flap with a minimum of fuss. The dog crate is deadly easy to assemble and disassemble and folds away to a neat and tidy size.

[oslund]

I use an extra large dog crate for my Amazon (Mango) when I go on vacation and he comes with me. I found a manufacturer that makes crates with 1.25" bar spacing so that Mango can't stick his head throught he bars and get hurt. For a macaw though I don't think that a dog crate is tall enough so that their tail won't drag on the floor. You can however get a cat cage (I found one in the same section as the dog crates in the pet store) which is the same width and depth as a large dog crate and twice the height. It is also twice the price, but not nearly as much as a parrot cage.