Macaw bath time

[Bradleyzoo]

Our B&G Macaw, Harley, has been with us for 5 years and loves us tremendously. However, he was abused with water when he was young and has always been terrified of water. When it rains he freaks out if he gets even a drop on him, and he's never taken a bath the whole time we've had him. I've put out a large, flat pan many times and tried to encourage him to explore, and he stuck his foot in it, curious, but wouldn't go any further.

Well, the other day he wanted to go in the bathroom really badly so I took him in and he leaped onto the sink. I turned the water on gently and he acted like he wanted to take a bath. After many times doing this and much coaxing he seemed to be warming up to the idea.

Today we tried it again and he seemed much more accepting than usual. I filled the sink with water and stuck my arm in it so he had something to stand on and he had the time of his life!!!! It was so beautiful to see him trying to take a bath that it made me cry with joy. OK, so I'm a softy.

So, my question is..... what do your Macaws bathe in? The bathroom sink is way too small and he couldn't really get much water on him. I've tried the bathtub and he doesn't seem to like that much, although I have a feeling he may warm up to it in time. I've tried the large flat pan, and that doesn't seem to interest him at all. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!!

Happy, happy, happy mom!!

[scabz]

My macaw is a little over a year old. When I brought him home he was scared of everything and I do mean everything. He hated the bath tub, kitchen sink,spray bottles, and showers. So, one day I got brave and put him in the shower with me. He didn't like it to much but since I was in there with him he seemed to tolerate it. From then on he liked it and every other day he is in the shower with me. I put him on the shower rod until I get finished then it's his turn. When he is done I just put him back up on the rod until I get dressed. Be careful he might get a little nippy if he gets scared.

[birdsnreps]

ours always love the shower. they dont like sinks or water bottles, and we dont have large trays to give them. mine have a shower perch that they sit on, or we just take them in on our arm, and they just sit under the showerhead, hogging up all the water, lol. they never wanna leave the water, they will sit there for an hour or more if you let them. they get really drenched, but they still love that water.

[Irish]

Ours take showers. We use a tension spring shower rod wrapped with vet wrap and put it across the bathtub. That way they have a lot of room to move along that rod, and they can get in and out of the direct spray as it suits them. They all LOVE to shower, but hate being misted. Only the little Severe takes a bath in the kitchen sink.

[hyacinthLove]

that is so amazing, congratulations to you both :)

my hy comes in the shower with me. she was nervous about it at first, i don't think the breeder ever bathed her. but she has warmed up to it now and spreads her wings. we both scream like crazy, it must sound like a murder scene ;)

[Copper]

GW= shower or mister on the deck if it's warm enough
B&G1= spray bottle or mister on deck
B&G2= kitchen sink, or bath tub. She tolerates the mister but she's only been here a 2 months.
All the flock love the spray bottle if the vacuum is running.
Don't figure.