1- make sure wood is safe.
2- make sure it isn't from a tree by a busy road where it would have absorbed salt/oil etc.
3. make sure that it is a tree that has never been treated with any type of pesticide.
4. Wash the wood with hot water (some people do this step differently, but there is a lot of controversy over what/ if any additions you should use in the water). Bleach is, as a rule, very unsafe for birds....There are some people who use it, but even then, they are VERY careful about the proper ratio and then they let everything sit in the sun for days (which will be problematic with fresh wood...) You should never use bleach in your bird's airspace (not even a room or so away..ever).
I would advise strongly against bleaching it, as wood is absorbent and your bird WILL chew the branches.
5. On some trees, you must remove the bark due to a fungus
6. Branches should be baked at a fairly high temperature for about an hour (ish).
Thanks for the tips. I wasn't planning on doing this anytime soon, but perhaps in the future. I do not know why I was thinking of bleach. I knew about the boiling, baking, and drying. But I read somewhere that it's ok to use a mixture of 9:1 water to bleach mix when disinfecting a cage as long as you rinse off properly. Is that still safe? But yes...you're right...not good for things that can absorb liquids.
Any thoughts on freshly picked bamboo with leaves though? Just weighing all our options.
Have you ever owned a bird? If so, that WILL help you in your pursuits with your future bird.
I think it is great that you are reaching out and trying to learn as much as you can!
If you have not owned a bird, I feel compelled to say this (lovingly)---I am sure you have researched (you sound like you have) but that is only part of owning a bird...No amount of reading reflects the actual experience (for better and for worse).
I applaud and appreciate your honesty and passion on this. I grew up with a Myna Bird that was my grandpa's (but we lived in a tropical country, and this was in the 80s so stuff he did back then to have this bird is no doubt out of date). I've had smaller budgies and a cockatiel. But all when I was younger. The cockatiel we had for at least 10 years before he died. I also have a 125g saltwater tank that has been successfully up for over 15 years with most of my fish being there for 15 years. Saltwater tanks are obviously nothing like non-water pets but they require patience, nonstop research to improve the setup, time, money, and dedication. At the forum for saltwater tanks I am active on, like you here, we see our fair share of hobbyists not doing the research, spending hundreds of dollars on livestock and corals without doing research, and wonder why their pets are all dying off or getting sick or taking on difficult species like seahorses without any research at all to its needs. And sometimes they get their livestock from places that catch them in the wild rather than pay extra for tank-bred species. So I completely get your passionate post.
That said, the choice to go for a macaw wasn't on impulse. I, myself, have wanted a macaw since I was little. And until now, couldn't afford one. And I get that one can never do enough research before choosing to own their first macaw. I get that it is a lifetime commitment. We even had discussions with the kids about the longevity of these birds and that likely one of them will take over the care, and likely their children as well.
Point for point -- I'm prepared for their destructive behavior. I'm prepared for their noise. Im prepared for attitude problems. I'm prepared for them to be happy perfect birds one second, and a complete mess the next.
As for boarding, it has already crossed my mind. I know 2 macaw owners near me who I could trust to be with the bird should we have to go on a trip. My husband and I work from home, and usually travel separately, so the bird would rarely be left alone. On the rare occasion we travel together, we have already considered our options on this. We found a good avian vet near us that we already "interviewed" and are comfortable with. On a pinch, they would board the bird if we had no other choice. Make no mistake that our kids are involved in every bit of research and they know full well the power of the beak. They are also patient and understand what we are taking on.
Moving forward, how can one learn anything unless one starts somewhere? It's a tricky spot to be in because I get you want to avoid having more birds being given up due to unprepared owners, but at the same token, there are people out there willing to do what it takes to be a successful bird parent. Everyone has to start somewhere.
I joined the forum specifically because as much research I did, there were so many conflicting pieces of advice out there. And being in the saltwater world, I know the best place to get better advice is from multiple people who have been doing this for years. Not everyone will agree but at least there can be discussion to come up with the best solution.
Before we even looked for breeders, we researched different breeds before settling on the B&G Macaw. Then we researched costs, diet, care, training, housing, toys, perches, temperament, noise issues etc. Then we researched breeders.
The first place we thought where they bred their own birds ended up being a no-go for me. We just wanted to meet them and see if we feel comfortable with the big birds. When I questioned the owner about the baby I was holding, he admitted he gets his birds from a breeder in Texas, and that the bird I was holding was one the breeder bought from another breeder. Red flag for me as I don't know how sick his birds were, I don't know this bird's origins or history or anything. Then the fact that he was actually trying to convince me to buy the bird -- it was still being weaned and when we said we work from home, he said we should be able to handle the round the clock feedings! Plus his advice on "disciplining" birds was horrible -- he said "Oh, put him in time out by putting him in the bathtub for a few minutes...he can't get a foothold and won't be happy, but he'll learn" I put the bird back and left, disgusted.
We found quite a few other breeders, but upon further research and conversations with them, we weren't comfortable with them. Finally we found a couple of breeders who seemed well versed with health and care and using proper breeding practices. Before we even commit to a bird they had available, we are meeting with one this week to meet them, the baby, and peek in on the parents to make sure they were happy and healthy. But I won't be pressured if I have any doubts about the bird. They do not do mass breeding, as they run a flower business and just happen to own a pair of scarlets and a pair of B&G's that occasionally lay and hatch eggs. The other place is a really nice facility that actually focuses on research and conservation. Their posts on their site are SUPER blunt and they go as far as calling out stupidity but it is clear they know what they are doing and they care deeply for all the babies that go out. They have 2 B&G's available, but they are still being weaned and they do not do reserves or deposits until they deem the babies fully weaned. So it is unlikely we will be able to get one of theirs since they only have 2, but they would be our first choice.
Nothing I can say or do will convince anyone how we will be as bird owners. But I will continue to ask questions and do research and ask questions again and again until I'm comfortable with an answer. I will ask stupid ignorant questions, but would you rather I not ask and behave stupidly and ignorant?
. But bravo on your passion. It really is much appreciated and I have read it carefully.
Still very young but not too young.
