Backpack Carrier for Macaw

[BirdmanGlass]

I want to make a backpack carrier for my B/G Macaw so I can ride a bike, and carrier her with me. The ones her size cost a fortune.. I'm thinking of starting with a used hiking backpack and building off of that. They already have an aluminum frame with straps. I suppose I could just strap another carrier vertically onto that frame, trying to find one that looks like it was made for it. Any ideas? I'm going to go to home depot sometime in the next week and get ideas for possibly framing out the rest, so to make a box. My stepmom is a master of fabric, and could definitely cover it for me, sew on some stainless mesh and zippers, etc. If I go the route of copying the common models being sold.

Any ideas or comments would be appreciated

Thanks,
Scott & Nika

 

[Pinkbirdy]

They are expensive !! Interested to see pictures of yours

 

[Birdman666]

I'd use Plexy. Just cut a bunch of wide ventilation holes in it. Then just drill a hole and bolt it on to attach it to your frame. Or even attach it to a cheap stroller frame.

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNPNiIeAi5g"]How to build a Box with Plastic - YouTube[/ame]

I think it's the third one over in this, is a sample acrylic cage. The one with the holes. Wouldn't be that hard to make.

http://www.perchfactory.com/bird_cages/acrylic_bird_cages.htm

 

[BirdmanGlass]

Thanks for the links, Birdman! I really like the idea of acrylic; I'm a big fan of the material and have wanted to do acrylic projects in the past (aquarium related though). I have the tools, just need to swap the blade on my table saw for one with more teeth.. I'm having a lot of ideas on the subject.

 

[Birdman666]

The other backpack things you might want to build off of?

When Sarah was a baby, I had a lightweight kid carrier back pack, which might be less expensive, but the right size to build off of.

 

[ShaunaR]

My only concern with using a backpack would be the ability to chew and get out of it quickly. The reason Pac o Bird carriers are so expensive is that they are made of stainless steel mesh that is secure. The ones they make for |Macaws are also large enough to accommodate the length of the tail. The mesh also keeps mosquitoes out which is a huge risk where we are. Also what was the backpack used for prior to you using it for your bird? Any spills left inside could be harmful.

 

[Mimsy01]

There is a guy in our neighborhood that uses one of those kid/baby strollers that attach to bikes with his bird.

 

[Solo]

You can get SS mesh for lowes/Home Depot. If you have someone handy with a sewing machine then you're golden. I'd get some heavier duty fabric as well and base the design on the pack o bird. Aluminum is nice and light weight,but would only recommend for exterior support where the bird doesn't have access, for the interior id got with SS rod or pvc.

 

[plumsmum2005]

Hi scott, just a thought have you searched the second hand market just to see if anything pops up? Good luck with your inventing