macaw nesting box

[ml2feathers]

hi everyone my wife and i have just purchased abreeding pair of blue and gold macaws and want to build a nesting box and was wondering if anyone has any plans or know where we can get the dimensions ? any help would be appreciated thanks

[Kevin]

welcome to the board ...

I have moved your post to the birdtalk area so more people will be able to point you in the right direction....

[The Outlaw]

Hi:

I am not a breeder, but do know a few who breed BG macaws. Some use 50 gallon steel drums, others use boot shaped boxes constructed of metal and still some others use large wooden boxes with screening on the outside. Here is a picture of a boot box offered for sale. It isn't large enough for a BG, but it should give you some idea. A nest box should hang on the outside of the aviary and have a viewing door on the back so that you can observe the contents.Breeding birds is nothing like dogs or cats and many problems can arise. Unfortunately, many people just can't get that into their heads until the problems arise and they panic. I hope that you have other big bird breeding experience. This is zoology. Its not like breeding cockatiels or budgies.

Don't forget to add screening to any wooden box, because they will chew right through the box and escape. I suggest what you really need is a good book or two on the subject before you even think about breeding such big birds. Additionally, I hope you know how to handfeed, tube feed and gavage feed in the event of problems. You will also need a brooder and possibly an incubator should the parents not be experienced enough to know how to sit and turn the eggs properly, a common problem with young captive bred birds.I personally feel that anyone breeding the large macaws should have Joanne Abramson's The Large Macaws. It will set you back about $150, but just what is a baby bird's life worth. It addresses many of the questions you'll have. I sincerely hope you have everything in place and fully understand the complexities before you set up your pairs. The babies lives are in your hands.

http://www.getbirdstuff.com/25/258.htm?676

THE OUTLAW

[The Outlaw]

Sorry about all the underscoring. I only meant for the book title to be highlighted.

THE OUTLAW

[ml2feathers]

Thanks Outlaw for your reply
we are new at breeding Macaws [ for that matter any birds] and are aware of all the problems with raising young ones a little background tho my mother and step father have raised all types of exotic animals from birds snakes sugar gliders monkeys spiders i guess you name it at one time they probably have raised it , also the lady we purchased the BG from is willing to help with any questions that may come up also her sister still raises them and is available for advise also another very close friend that has been raising birds for a very long time we have been in contact with and have purchased a few birds from will help with problems , from the looks of it and fast response looks like the bird board folks and members will be a terific place for advice , but even with all the folks around we will take your advice and purchase some books for add. help . we really enjoy all of our pets we have and the macaws have really been a great addition to our family . A little about the macaws we have they are both around 10 years old and have been hand raised they have been a pair since very young and the folks we got them from have raised several offspring with them successfully . They have also adapted very well to there new home and really bonded with us well although cocoa the female has really become attached with lora and i have only been able to handle her a couple of times where as Alexas has bonded more so with me but lora does handle him alot .

Well thanks again for your help and i will be checking the borad out alot since Iam sure we will be needing alot of good advice . take care[/i]