Cockatoo dander

[Partsman41953]

Hi,

I just found out that I have a big problem. I just found out that the dander from my 3 year old cockatoo will eventually harm or kill my 2 year old BG macaw. They are housed in different pens but they are side to side in our bedroom.

Since I do not want anything to happen to either of them I am open to suggestions on what I need to do to help this problem. I know they need to be separated but I also read that the dander can be carried throughout the house through the air conditioner or heater vents. I also have birds in my spare bedroom.... 2 cockatiels, 2 parokeets, 1 blue quaker, and a love bird.

I am open to any suggestions.

Thanks.

[Greycloud]

Yes, it is true that macaws are susceptable to respiratory problems caused by Too dander. I would definitely separate the two. Also being in a closed bedroom is not healthy for you. If you decide to keep the Too in your bedroom, get an air purifier. There are many on the market that do a great job of keeping things clean. It should not be a problem to have them out together for company for a couple hours. But keeping them separate for a majority of the time would be better.

[jaded1313]

Definitely get an air purifier. Not the ionic kind. Get a good one with like a hepa- it will help tons. I have 3 toos and don't know what I would do without mine. (I have an Austin Air). I right now I have a Jr. (smaller version)- but when I can afford it I'm getting a larger one, so I can have the big one in the bird room and the little one in the living room. A really good investment.

[chinniechantel]

Can you put the cockatoo in the room the little birds are in, and move them to where he is by the macaw? Then get an air filter in each room, that works great for us.

[Vogel]

Will a Tiel do that same damage? I have a Tiel in the same room as my Macaw. They aren't side by side, but they are still together. What's a good purifier if your low on cash? :)

[Greycloud]

Tiels do put of a pwder dander, but nearly the amount of larger birds, esp Toos. I would keep some space between their cages. Maybe even a divider between would be ok.

[Partsman41953]

I would be afraid if the little ones got out, as they do from time to time, that they would go into the macaw pen and that would be it for them. I did think about that but I do not think that would work.

Thanks for the suggestion.

[chinniechantel]

Originally Posted by Vogel

Will a Tiel do that same damage? I have a Tiel in the same room as my Macaw. They aren't side by side, but they are still together. What's a good purifier if your low on cash? :)

I would check Craigslist as well as thrift stores, I see them there sometimes and I don't see why that would not work just fine.

[Monica]

Not all macaws are sensitive to dander from other birds. Cockatoos, cockatiels including, and possibly african greys (although they are not known for causing these issues), may bother their respiratory system.

There are people who can house the two species (macaw & dandger bird) within the same room without issues. Some may even add in one or two air purifiers (*NOT* ionizers as these can also agravate the respiratory system, including the respiratory system of humans). Others, on the other hand, are either better off housing the species in separate rooms, preferrably with separate air systems, or worse case scenario, rehoming one of the species.