Every breath you taaaake... ( +pix )

[Muchi]

I was just looking at this thread in the main discussion area... I noticed everyone mentioned the issue with macaws and 'toos being housed together. What strikes me as odd, however is that a lot of people were also saying you'd need an air-purifier even if you move the macaw to a separate area... I didn't know that to be the case! Luen's cage is in my room and while the dust can be bothersome if he's not showered for a bit, it doesn't worry us much.
Any other 'too owners here have any tales of respiratory issues..? I mean, asthma and allergies aside. I've never experienced breathing problems having Luen in my room, and neither has my boyfriend.
It may just be a species-specific thing; I think I recall that U2s produce more dust... But I just thought I'd ask and it gives me an excellent excuse to show you some pics ;D


http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...027_060033.jpg





Sorry for size ;D

[Linda64]

Amy, our ten year old Umbrella Cockatoo, has lived with us since she was 4 months old and we have never had a problem with dander. I have always read and heard that it wasn't good to have a Macaw and a Cockatoo in the same household because of the dander the cockatoo produces. Hopefully someone can address this issue.

I was watching Paula Deen on the Food Network several months ago and she had a cockatoo and a macaw in the same cage!

[Scooter]

I wonder how many people who may have contacted Paula Deen about that.

I always heard that you shouldn't have grey's with macaws - for the same reason.

[asulli]

I guess that goes for keeping a Too with any other type parrot correct? Like an Amazon?

[Troubles dad]

We have a GreenWing (Trouble), Blue & Gold (Paulina), Tag (Charlie), CAG (Sydney) and a U2 (Isabella). The two Macaws are in our Formal Living room and the other 3 are in the Family room. Yes we have no furniture. Just our babies. LOL. And a air purifier in the kitchen between the two room. Just to be safe as not to get our macaws sick. Our Aviary vet told us not to house the 5 birds together. So the only time they are in the same area is when they are out playing. Paulina has her play area in the kitchen, Trouble plays on his tree I made him near the family room and the other play on top of their cages unless they are with us on the couch. Yes we did leave one piece of funiture for the birds to play on. LOL

[Greycloud]

I have a U2 and a CAG, both produce dust. I unfortunately do not have an airpurifier. I do keep the cages very clean and wipe them down weelky with a water vinegar solution to clean the dust.

[Muchi]

Hmn... so then, the general consensus is definitely to keep 'toos away from other birds. I was just wondering about people with 'toos and no air purifier and how much of a problem it can be for human lungs though :}

[Emmilyy]

:O

How can no one have mentioned how ABSALUTELY GORGEOUS Luen is? I mean, i know this is an info thread - but, come on! He's like, unfairly beautiful! did no one see those pics!!?? LOL!

[Greycloud]

Of course Luen is beautiful! So sorry not to mention that. I have asthma, have had it all my life. With all the birds I have owned and even when I bred birds I have never had any problems. Some people react differently to allergens.

[Muchi]

Haha Emily oh thank you for sating my thirst for ego-boosts! XD I do agree... I think he's cuter than my friend's galahs I'm not biased a sweeear.

Greycloud - Yeah, no one in my house has ever complained about it but they don't have any known breathing issues... Just from the sound of the thread I was in, it sounded like air-purifiers were necessary 100% of the time and I was worried I'd been doing it wrong!
Well, I think if I ever get a complaint, I'll get an air-purifier, but things seem fine as they are so I see no point.