Outdoor Cockatoo Cage thoughts?

[BryanH]

Hi all. I have a wonderful 2 ½ year old Umbrella Cockatoo named Maggie. I’ve had Maggie for almost 2 years. Or, should I say, she has had ME for almost 2 years?

I really want to build an outdoor cage for Maggie so she can get some sunshine, and fresh air in the summer. But I can find no plans, or anything useful on this subject.

I can build a simple box, with screen. But I want it nicer than that. The hard part is figuring such things out as:

Where to buy the screen?
Do I build it over grass or put in a seed/food/dropping catch like a normal cage?
If I build it over grass, won’t the grass become contaminated with droppings?
If I build a catch for droppings, how can I make it low maintenance, and what material do I build it out of?
How can I build the food/water dish holders?

Maggie is VERY tame and has clipped wings, so she cannot fly away. I don’t want to leave her out there all the time. Just for a few hours a day while the weather is OK (I work from home 2 or 3 days a week). However, I do want it to be secure with a door to prevent local cats, etc. from putting her in danger. She really loves being outside, but now I have to always be out there with her.

I don’t think I want to completely cover the cage because I want Maggie to get some sun. But, I realize I need to provide some shade.

I will probably build it in wood, and put the screen on the inside to prevent her from ruining the cage. But, I will put lots of wood on the inside so she can enjoy destroying something. Cockatoo’s LOVE to destroy things.

Thoughts anyone?
Has anyone on this forum done this?
Do you know of any resources?

Thanks in advance,

[pbyeerts]

You need heavy gauge stainless steel wire for your aviary, not a screen. I'm sure Maggie would most likely shred a mesh screen in about 30 seconds LOL.

Several members have built outdoor aviaries, so I'll let them advise you more than I can. Pamela

[BryanH]

Yes, I know you can buy steel wiring specifically made for large parrots. I assumed I could find some. I was more concerned about the other thoughs.

Thanks for your quick reply!

:)

[The Outlaw]

Hi. You can use many different mediums for the framework, including PVC if it isn't too large. You can get GAV wire in 1 inch by 3 inch openings from most farm supply stores and feed stores. Make sure its GAV steel. You MUST srub both sides of the wire with white vinegar to remove the zinc coating that comes on it before you add your bird. I do this once each season, but my season is short. I can only have my birds out from May through late September before its too cold. If I kept them out longer, I'd scrub twice a year.

I think my wire is 16 gauge, but I would recommend heavier if you can get it. I have BG macaws and they have broken some welds.

My aviary has a slightly pitched roof and I covered it with corrugated vinyl panels in green. Don't use translucent or clear, for that creates a heat problem for the birds.

A lot of places like Lowes, Home Depot and Sam's Clubs sell portable garages made of steel tubing and vinyl tarp. You could use that as the framework for your aviary. You'll still have to make a door of some kind. I actually think that's a good way to go. Here's a picture of mine that my husband welded for me out of electrical conduit.

[Franciscus]

I would not recommend using wood to build the outdoor enclosure. One thing is that Maggie would easily chew it even if it has the wire over it. The other thing is that wood would rot unles you would use pressure treated lumber which would make it terribly unsafe for parrots as it has a chemical. I suggest you start with one of those metal gazebos with canvas roofs. I'm planning to build an aviary for my fids too and I'm trying to figure out if I could utilize one of those to do that.

[Joel]

Bryan............I would suggest buying Stainless Steel Wire if ya can afford the difference between that and GAW (Galvanized AFTER welding) wire....Ya don't really need framework, just clip the wire panels together with stainless steel J-clips or Hog rings (usually can buy all that at your local animal feed store) or order from a company like Morton Jones out of Calif. I believe (they may have their website up and running by now?)......I would make a double-bottom to protect the bird's feet from critters or a solid type tray bottom to do the same thing but in addition catch the droppings and food if ya like. If ya let it fall on the ground, like I do, it will attract rats and other critters so then ya need to then trap them (hopefully in a "have-a-heart" live trap IMO) & release elsewhere or get some cats/dog to keep them away etc.....I feed the neighborhood cats which do the job for me. :icon_smil .......I suggest you fasten the assembled long flight against the outside wall of one of your windows if ya can and remove screen from that window, add a service door there so you can bring in bird & put out again without worry of it escaping, that way ya wouldn't have to clip if ya didn't want to (I don't). Also of course ya can change the food & water bowls thru that door.....I personally don't like anymore those corrugated plastic poly or pvc panels because mice, rats, lizards etc. crawl under them IME and can go potty into your bird's food/water. Also rats around here chew them up, I can see from the evidence....... I prefer therefore to use flat galvanized sheet metal. I make my flights about 7 &1/2 ft. long x 4 ft. wide x 4 or more feet high, not including the second bottom (usually). The sheet metal usually comes in 8-10ft. lengths x 4ft. or ya can maybe order longer. Have an over-hang on all sides except against the house/window side where the sheet metal there can be bent up at a 90 degree angle and also fastened to the frame of your home with screws and fender washers (H.D.)......I also have the front of the sheet metal bent downwards or angled out to give a lil more protection from sun and driving rain. The sheet metal does not create a heat problem for me as I have lots of shade trees and ya can lower the perches too. I would make sure ya cover the whole top with that sheet metal & over-hang to keep out wild bird & other animal-droppings etc.....The birds can get enough sun from the sides. Ya could also hook on an additional smaller cage without a roof where the bird can go into for a full shower in the rain in summer if it likes. I would only allow it in there however while I was home and watching thru the window. I think it may be best to face the front of the cage to the east so your buddy can get morning sun, if possible......Ya don't have to have screen in addition but safer for the bird against insects etc. if ya did do that too....Look at that website (Morton Jones.com for ideas on food and water holders etc.....Good luck, I'm sure your pal will enjoy its time outside.....Btw, ya can also add sheet metal or polycarbonate panels to the sides to give it even more of a sense of security.....Lots of additional possibilities.... :icon_smil

Originally Posted by BryanH

Hi all. I have a wonderful 2 ½ year old Umbrella Cockatoo named Maggie. I’ve had Maggie for almost 2 years. Or, should I say, she has had ME for almost 2 years?

I really want to build an outdoor cage for Maggie so she can get some sunshine, and fresh air in the summer. But I can find no plans, or anything useful on this subject.

I can build a simple box, with screen. But I want it nicer than that. The hard part is figuring such things out as:

Where to buy the screen?
Do I build it over grass or put in a seed/food/dropping catch like a normal cage?
If I build it over grass, won’t the grass become contaminated with droppings?
If I build a catch for droppings, how can I make it low maintenance, and what material do I build it out of?
How can I build the food/water dish holders?

Maggie is VERY tame and has clipped wings, so she cannot fly away. I don’t want to leave her out there all the time. Just for a few hours a day while the weather is OK (I work from home 2 or 3 days a week). However, I do want it to be secure with a door to prevent local cats, etc. from putting her in danger. She really loves being outside, but now I have to always be out there with her.

I don’t think I want to completely cover the cage because I want Maggie to get some sun. But, I realize I need to provide some shade.

I will probably build it in wood, and put the screen on the inside to prevent her from ruining the cage. But, I will put lots of wood on the inside so she can enjoy destroying something. Cockatoo’s LOVE to destroy things.

Thoughts anyone?
Has anyone on this forum done this?
Do you know of any resources?

Thanks in advance,

[BryanH]

Awesome idea's everyone! I'm so glad I posted on this forum. I've been stewing over this for months and already have some new idea's, and warnings.

Joel, do you have any pictures? I LOVE the idea of making it accessible through a window!

[Joel]

No, I don't have any pics already taken, sorry Bryan.....I'll have to take one for ya, asap, pretty self-explanatory though........ Hopefully will get it to you by tomorrow, if I don't forget, remind me if I do... :icon_smil

Originally Posted by BryanH

Awesome idea's everyone! I'm so glad I posted on this forum. I've been stewing over this for months and already have some new idea's, and warnings.

Joel, do you have any pictures? I LOVE the idea of making it accessible through a window!

[BryanH]

I hate for you to have to take pictures Joel.
The main thing I'm wondering about is how to make the foot of the cage. If I don't use supports, and use two bottoms like you suggest, what is actually sitting on the ground?
Or do you basically have a box, with the wire sitting on the ground, then have another tray up higher to catch seeds and droppings, then have another one above that to keep the birds out of that droppings tray?

Am I confusing you? :)

[TooLover]

Joel - I remember you talking about the window cage, and it is in our plans when we draw out plans for the Florida room. The birds are going to have one half of the room, divided by glass, and free access to it from the bird room through the window opening! Would love to see pictures of your setup as we are still in the planning process!