Zilla's New Big Cage is Here Finally!!!!

I got to go pick up her new cage today after we got back from the vet!

It's still in 2 big boxes and a friend of mine is coming in the morning to help assemble it. It barley fit in my car (a Kia Soul) I knew I would have to put the back seats down, but boy am I glad I didn't take anyone with me! I had to move the passenger seat up as far as it would go and then lean the back of it up as far as it would go AND move my seat up about 6 inches just to get the second box in!

Also got to see and hold my first Harlequin Macaw baby! He/she is fully feathered, but not fully weaned yet. I had never seen one in real life before! Boy are they beautiful! I think I just added a Harlequin to my wish list.

Fun getting a new cage. I love setting up the perch positions (putting in the furniture), and decorating (putting in toys)

Oooh?! I can't wait to see pics. I'm sure Zilla will love it! Did you get it at the Bird Hut?

Yaayyy! You are going to have so much fun setting up Zilla's brand new room! Can't wait to see photos.

Baby macaws do have a way of going to the top of a wish list.

Kiwibird said:

Oooh?! I can't wait to see pics. I'm sure Zilla will love it! Did you get it at the Bird Hut?

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Yes I did get it at The Bird Hut. I even got her a swing with colorful blocks on it and a new rope perch! (the rope one she has is disgusting and I am throwing it out!)

I will get some pics tomorrow after it's all put together and the furnishings are in so everyone can see.

I hope she likes it since she has been in the cage she is in now her whole life. Kind of nervous if she will take to it right away or if I will have to keep her old cage around for her security.

Not really sure how to transition her, so I guess I will let her tell me? Or should I just put all her things and some treats in it and toss the old one right away?

I bet your excited! The Bird Hut is a nice store. Older building (and the cages in that outbuilding!), but they keep it really clean and they rotate all their birds so all of them have outside the cage time every day (which is awesome!).

She may or may not take to the new cage. My moms 2 zons have had the same cage their whole lives. She bought all 3 of her birds big, new cages some years ago, but only the cockatoo wanted to make a new home out of one. The zons would explore, but not stay for any period of time in them and still (happily) live in their 40 year old cages (which are stainless and still in good shape). Silly birds! They could have had "castles" but prefer to live in "RVs". Kiwi on the other hand, isn't scared of anything! From the day we got him, no issue getting in the travel cage, no issue getting into his first cage, no issue with his current cage, no issue with the backpack, no issue with new t-perches, play stands, toys, branches, apartments...nothing phases him! Some birds are just more fearless and accepting of change than others. Hopefully Zilla is a fearless bird. And of course, if she is fearful, you can always let her make herself at home at her own pace I would imagine leaving the old cage a little "bare" while filling the new cage with interesting toys, treats, the new swing would tempt her over quickly If the old cage is in decent shape, you could always keep it as an outside cage, for on the patio or something (so Zilla can get fresh air).

The old cage is very rusty. That's why I was in such a hurry to get the new one. I'm worried she will get sick from the rust. Her original owners used a spray bottle to teach her not to scream! She is terrified of spray bottles now so I can't even mist her, I have to take her to the shower. I did have a friend of mine build her a shower T-stand out of PVC and so far she loves it!

I was wondering if there is a safe paint I could use to paint it and use it for an outside cage on the covered patio, but if not then I am going to junk it.

Junk it. There is no PROVEN safe paint for parrots, no matter what some companies advertise. Professional powder coats cost more than a new cage most of the time.

Or.... you could always follow Terry's lead and turn the old cage into a lovely cage for housing plants in the garden next year Then you could paint it any color you want! They have a rust sealer, then just use whatever outdoor spray paint you like the color of, and a fancy planter (with similar colors to the original "occupant" perhaps?!

Or even a "zilla" plant (yes, one exists!)-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zilla_(plant)