ANOTHER question about my rescues...

OK. So the vet said our male BG Macaw (Draco) is over weight, and female (Saphira) is way under. Because Draco constantly takes her food and keeps her away from her bowls unless he's in the mood to let her eat, Dr Lee recommended separating them for a while. At least while they eat. Only problem is that NIETHER of them eat when they are separate... whether they can see each other or not. This is really a problem because Saphira has several health problems and really needs to eat to keep her strength up!
Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I can do to help this situation? Keeping them together is quite literally killing her and separating them could kill them both!

Hi Leschorn - I do have a suggestion. I had my parrotlets for a about a month in separate cages, but right next to each other, but before I put them together, what I did is I twist-tied two cages together with the entrances matching up, so that they both had access to both cages but had separate cages when they wanted to be alone. If you do something like this, it's not quite separating them, but if you have enough food in both cages, then it should allow Saphira to get enough nutrition. The only down side I can think of is that Draco is already overweight (according to your vet) and Saphira is underweight - so in a perfect world they'd be on different diets, like him on a low-fat harrisons and her on the high-energy harrisions (or whatever brands you use). That's my two cents.

I don't know if it would work but you could possibly get a large cage with a divider, and somehow modify a feeding dish so they could both eat out of the same one so she could get to it but he won't be able to keep her away even if it is the same dish. I don't know who it was on here but someone had dishes with the plastic coverings that I believe they made don't quote me on that though I'm not positive. But if you did something like that they may handle eating better

Could you set up 2 cages so they are sitting *right* next to each other? So they can touch & see each other?

OR, could you set up several (like, 5) food dishes, far away from each other, so that he could only really guard 2-3 tops at once?

They currently have 4 dishes in their cage... Because they are Macaws, going out an buying another cage that would be suitable for them isn't really an option, both due to cost and room. However I do have multiple PVC perches and have tried placing them close together... but that results in Draco squawking his sweet little head off!... and lets not even TALK about trying to house them in different rooms.

As for them and their feed, I am working to switch them both from seed and nuts to a pellet feed (please don't judge, I'm going per my avian vet's recommendations) and fresh fruits and vegetables. Draco's feed (when fully switched) will be lower in fat and we will finalize Saphira's once she is a normal weight.

You can purchase a used cage for a pretty good deal most of the time. This would be for their own good IF you want them to get better! When rescuing birds, this is part of the consideration before you rescue, can you or can you not afford to do so. Or another thing you can try to do is feed her while she's in the cage while you have Draco out of the cage and shut the door while she's eating so he can't bother her for trying to eat. It would be a lot easier if you have separate cages. Cause then you can start changing Draco's food while keeping Saphira on the seed diet for now until she puts on some weight then start working on changing her diet. But do offer the fresh stuffs now!

I ,looked at your old posts and looks like you're planning on going cageless... Are you still? If so, then buying a cage would be contradictory.l

SpotsandSally said:

I ,looked at your old posts and looks like you're planning on going cageless... Are you still? If so, then buying a cage would be contradictory.l

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That is exactly on of my points. This is not a matter of whether I CAN AFFORD such a cost, but rather, the practicality of purchasing a second cage when I do not plan on using it long term. Making wise financial choices is what allows me to be able to help animals when I see that there is a need. Thank you for your thoughtfulness and willingness to see the whole picture.

@MikeyTN, The lecture is really unnecessary, especially since your comments didn't even address my question.

The question was...How can I help them with the separation and the fact that they won't eat when they are separated? There was never any question as to whether I would do what is best for my birds. they will not eat unless they are on the same perch so purchasing an additional cage would be pointless at this stage.

I really feel like too many people on here are so quick to judge and accuse. That's the OPPOSITE of why I think these forums were created. I am new to all of this, and perhaps you should spend a little more time supporting and a little less time tearing down. This situation was NOT planned but I stepped in because I could give them a better home.

leschornmom said:

They currently have 4 dishes in their cage... Because they are Macaws, going out an buying another cage that would be suitable for them isn't really an option, both due to cost and room.

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I'm not quick to judge, I'm going by what you posted!

The thing is you haven't even try to even know IF they would eat from separate cages. It was suggested above you could put cage side by side, which that's what I would do. And I'm just being honest here giving you honest answer and I don't sugar coat things since I'm trying to give you the best option on how to cure the issue without you drawing the conclusion. Like you've said, your new to this. How would you know without even try?

Could you do supervised feedings? Both on the same perch, but from different bowls? Or do they only want to eat from the same bowl?