Bird Carriers - Opinions Needed

[kendrafitz]

My husband was getting out the Christmas decorations this weekend and knocked Rosie's carrier off the shelf. It was a huge Crystal Shuttle and is now a broken mess (I guess clear acrylic dropping 6 feet onto the garage floor doesn't hold up that well. HA)

After getting over the shock of having to replace this since it was a splurge to begin with, I am looking for another carrier. I don't really want to get another shuttle, even though Rosie loved it. It was very heavy in the xl macaw size and even then her tail would get bent if she was in it for a longer car ride. Plus, I am afraid that in our house of klutz's it will end up broken again.

I have been going back and forth on the backpack bird carrier things. I think they are called Pak-O-Bird Carriers. I was wondering if anyone has any experience with them and if anyone knows where to get them at a discount? I love the idea of it, but the price has me balking a bit. It would be more expensive than her cage and I am wondering if it is worth it or not.

Any opinions are appreciated, as I am on the fence.

Thanks!!

[Debra]

I don't know about macaw sized carriers as I only have smaller birds. We are able to get by with a small dog crate for my guys. Sorry I can't be of more help.

[Mayden]

I use the smaller version of this:

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for my sennies. I had the larger one (wont go into detail of that story, but the fire brigade got involved, haha!), the difference is mainly the bar spacing I believe.

I like that cage, plenty open, enough ventilaion, no plastic 'under the microscope' type thing with heat/sun. You can also put locks (we used a dial/code one) around the opening. etc. it if that makes you feel more secure.

These cages also flatpack fold away, which is handy if you're struggling for space (we don't, so they're always up). They also have a grate and removable base, making cleaning easy and no standing in poop. :)

Dish attachments...

I like it :)

We'd love the kings one (also advertised on that website) but they're just SO expensive and HEAVY.

[Honesty]

I know there are lots of people who use Dog crates for their Macaws. I often think this is a great idea. They are more spacious and much cheaper to buy :)

[Mayden]

I would second the dog crate idea actually. The biggest reason we don't use them is, again, bar spacing, but I guess that's less of an issue with the bigger heads and bodies of macaws :)

[Honesty]

I would second the dog crate idea actually. The biggest reason we don't use them is, again, bar spacing, but I guess that's less of an issue with the bigger heads and bodies of macaws :)Yes, this is why I was unable to get one for Codie, as I was worried about the bar spacing, but they are ideal for Macaws.

[spiritbird]

If you want quality that will last I suggest [Users must be registered and logged in to view attached photos or hyperlinks]

[kendrafitz]

Thanks everyone! I will have to consider the dog crate thing. I actually brought Rosie home in one of ours, but I think I was just worried she could chew through it if she wanted.

Thanks for the links! Dianne, the only thing that I am not sure about with the King's Carrier is the size. I am not sure that it will be long enough for her. But I have been eyeing them up. :)

[Pat 621]

I use a dog crate for my Macaw . Works great and plenty of room inside for her tail. I just put a bath towel on the bottom and that's it. Bar spacing no problem . She peeks her head threw the side bar windows.


Julius 07/09

[kendrafitz]

Pat, do you know what size crate you use? I am thinking a crate may be the best way to go if she doesn't destroy it. :)

[ShellyBorg]

I have a dog crate also. My girl loves it. Its in the med dog size range.

[Blancaej]

I know I am late to the party on this one, but I use a med dog crate as well for Savannah. Here is a pic:

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When using it in the future, I will be using a towel on the bottom. I built Savannah a car perch so she uses that here in town. But when I take her to the vet, I will still use the crate.

[Minamommy]

I had a pack o bird carrier DON'T do it!! Mina chewed through the screen in 6 months. When she pooped it would run out the bottom so if u used it as a back pack you had a soaking wet poop back. I just don't think they can be used for large birds. So I gave it to a friend in need and got a wingabego. I love it the only thing is it's heavy. So I'm going to get a stroller to push it in hahaha weird parrot lady pushing her bird for a walk.

[Pat 621]

Dog crate is the best way to go. If you order online they give you the inside dimensions. Just that it is a hard plastic. That's why I use the towel also to catch any poop.


Julius 07/09

[Feathers First Aviary]

For birds that size I like the all metal dog crates, the ones you would use in your house, not the plastic ones meant for shipping. They are all metal so they last, the bar spacing is usually only about an inch, even on the biggest crates, you can easily attach perches and they aren't as heavy as acrylic. Most of them even collapse so you can store them easily when not in use :D

[Casper's 2nd best friend]

Hi Kendra
Thread resurrection time.
I've just come across this thread after a search about bird carriers, what solution did you find for your problem? My first thought was that a supermarket trolley with a lid on it would save a lot of carrying. Getting it to steer where you want it to go would be a challenge though.
We have just bought Casper a backpack carrier and when it arrived I realised why they are so expensive, they are a complicated piece of kit which must be very labour intensive to make. I noticed on the american website that they do a baby buggy conversion for macaw sized birds which might suit your needs but probably not your pocket.
We already have one of the flat-pack aluminium travel cages which we use when we go away but it is large, cumbersome and heavy. I should imagine a Macaw sized one would need a removals firm to shift it about. We plan to keep the travel cage on the yacht in the summer and take Casper to and from home (its about a quarter mile walk from the car to the boat) in the backpack. He has been in it already and thinks it is great fun. We just have to stop him from biting the zips when they are undone because if he damages one I should imagine it would be very hard to replace.
Whilst researching the backpacks there were several youtubes about putting a parrot in one but nothing about the human/backpack interface. Has anyone on here used one and if so do you have it on your back or in front? And any tips about making the straps comfortable would be appreciated.

[kendrafitz]

Would you believe I just put it off and have used Teddy's wire sleeping crate? Although a supermarket cart might just go the trick. Lol

I really wanted the backpack, but am still having trouble justifying spending so much for it. Now that you have mentioned the zipper, it may be a problem for us anyway. Rosie ferociously attacks zippers anytime she can get near one.

I hope someone can give you advice about the comfort issue...

[Casper's 2nd best friend]

Well if Teddy doesn't mind Rosie hotbunking* in his bed it sounds like a win win situation.
In case you are not aware of the nautical term, hotbunking is where two sailors on different watches use the same bed, great in cold climates like the southern ocean cos the bed is kept warm. Erm... if you need an explanation of the watches on a ship (being on duty) look at "traditional watch system" in Wikipedia - its complicated.

[kendrafitz]

Ahhh...well, unfortunately Teddy does mind. He gets very put out when she "borrows" it. But for now, he just has to grin and bear it. ;)

[Macaw Lover]

I have a couple of these now. They were made in Italy and don't know if you can't find them around much anymore because airlines won't accept them because of those clips that hold the top to the bottom or what. If you did need to fly all you would have to do is remove those clips, drill a few holes around the crate, get yourself some nuts and bolts and you would be good to go. This is the model I got because I had bought one with the metal grates on the side/window but it was plastic holes on the rear and Kalea customized them to her liking :th_faint:

Prices have gone up sky high but I saw Amazon has a few at reasonable prices. Marchiroro made several different sizes and styles. For a Macaw, their size 4 is a good size. Not too big where they can open up their wings and then get thrown around if something should happen. Don't worry about the tail length, it will bend but after a couple of showers it will straighten itself out again

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[Casper's 2nd best friend]

Do they have carrying handles or do you just pick them up from underneath?

[Macaw Lover]

They don't have a handle, you have to do that yourself. I found a store that repaired luggage but you could also try a shoe repair shop too, and got my handle from there.

You want to place the handle closer to the front door to counter weigh the bird's weight along with the perch you will have in there which makes it so much easier to carry. Once I had the handle I bought nuts and screws for the handle holes and when I screwed it in I put the nuts on top/outside and no one seemed to be interested in messing with the screw heads so I don't think you even need to use stainless steel ones. Do get washers to place on the inside also which will reduce the strain on the plastic crate and not crack.

[Casper's 2nd best friend]

Whatever you do, don't pick it up by putting your fingers through the wire. :th_smile:

[PlaxMacaws]

Whatever you do, don't pick it up by putting your fingers through the wire. :th_smile:Why not? It gives our feathered friends something to chew on during the ride ;)