Cleaned cage and ordered a new....

[bill-e]

Hi all,

Warm Saturday here in New Hampshire so I took the opportunity to take Nike's cage out to the street and give it a good cleaning. If you remember I got Nike right before Christmas, along with her cage so not good weather to bring it out for a total cleaning until now.

I used a bunch of Poop-Off and F10 on it plus a lot of scrubbing and a little paint. it looks great for an old cage and perfect for Nike to christen it with some more poop! ;)


Also, we're bringing her with us for a week camping over Memorial Day. She has a new cage for that but I wanted something to bring her along with me on walks etc. When we go camping I'm perfectly content to hang around the campsite and park while my wife go out to visit the outlets. I try not to leave my dog alone for extended periods of time even though is is quiet....it's just usually against the rules and I'm a rule following kind of guy.

So what to do about Nike. Cant carry or wheel that heavy travel cage around while I'm walking the dog. So after some hemming and hawing I just ordered a medium sized Pak-o-Bird backpack.

Expensive but if things work out with her she will be coming on every campout. Hopefully it gets here before the trip ;)

I didn't order the water bottle, planing on putting a beer there ;)

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[spiritbird]

First class all the way for you and Nike! That is a purchase you will get so much use out of over the years. Congrats on having a parrot Cadillac.

[The Pinkertons]

Hi all,

Warm Saturday here in New Hampshire so I took the opportunity to take Nike's cage out to the street and give it a good cleaning. If you remember I got Nike right before Christmas, along with her cage so not good weather to bring it out for a total cleaning until now.

I used a bunch of Poop-Off and F10 on it plus a lot of scrubbing and a little paint. it looks great for an old cage and perfect for Nike to christen it with some more poop! ;)


Also, we're bringing her with us for a week camping over Memorial Day. She has a new cage for that but I wanted something to bring her along with me on walks etc. When we go camping I'm perfectly content to hang around the campsite and park while my wife go out to visit the outlets. I try not to leave my dog alone for extended periods of time even though is is quiet....it's just usually against the rules and I'm a rule following kind of guy.

So what to do about Nike. Cant carry or wheel that heavy travel cage around while I'm walking the dog. So after some hemming and hawing I just ordered a medium sized Pak-o-Bird backpack.

Expensive but if things work out with her she will be coming on every campout. Hopefully it gets here before the trip ;)

I didn't order the water bottle, planing on putting a beer there ;)

[Users must be registered and logged in to view attached photos or hyperlinks] Those look really nice. Do you think it's worth the price . I been thinking about getting one, when you get back from vacation I 'd like to know if it worked out . Please keep us posted.

[bill-e]

Dianne, please don't tell my wife how much it cost ;)

Suzanne, I will keep you posted. Nike doesn't really chew or destroy things so I am not at all worried about her messing with this. For your birds you would likely need a few of the accessories they sell which hide the zippers from prying eyes(beaks). The also sell patches and replacement panels...depending on how destructive your birds are.

As for cost, I can afford it so it's worth it to me but if I were pinching penny's I doubt it would pass a cost benefit analysis for the amount of use it will see. They have just released a cheaper backpack, $159. That isn't cheap enough for me considering the difference in construction between the Pak-O-Bird and it, the Birdie-Gogo ([Users must be registered and logged in to view attached photos or hyperlinks])

[Pinkbirdy]

How fun for Nike :) I bet she really learns to love going on vacation :)

[lolsavannahh]

4103
Nash also has one! They're great and are very durable! They make the sides with very thick, yet breathable, mesh so your bird can't destroy it or climb on it! It comes with two food bowls that are steel so they're also very good, and it's easy to clean! You can put down the sides to make it "dark" in there if it's sleepy time or a time when you need them to be concealed. You can also have it completely open for walks!
Nash loves his but took him a while to get used to being in it, he was very scared at first.. Very much worth the price (P.S. you can buy those water bottles at petsmart for cheaper )

[Mare]

Very nice looking packs! Bill and Savannah, how do the birds like being in them? Does it stress them at all?

[bill-e]

(P.S. you can buy those water bottles at petsmart for cheaper )

Will a bird naturally drink from them? Looks like a hamster bottle;)

[bill-e]

Very nice looking packs! Bill and Savannah, how do the birds like being in them? Does it stress them at all?I don't have mine yet. Hopefully it gets delivered in time for me to get Nike used to it. I would imagine that they freak a little in the beginning but perhaps wearing in on your chest so that the bird can see you when it looks up would be more calming??....perhaps.

[spiritbird]

My lips are sealed.

[lolsavannahh]

Very nice looking packs! Bill and Savannah, how do the birds like being in them? Does it stress them at all?


Nash took a bit to get used to the darker confined space, but now 3 months later will happily go into it once targeted there. I put millet in the bowls so he is happy (:

[lolsavannahh]

Will a nird naturally drink from them? Looks like a hamster bottle;)

Nash won't drink his, but they can! Those specific bottles have a touch little "peg" to drink from and not a soft, easily moved ball like most watter bottles have.. So I doubt they will ever use it, but just for future reference, you can buy them retail in the small animals section of petsmart for about half the price.

Nash has one in his cage that my guinea pigs couldn't figure out to work, and I have tried to show him how to use it but he just doesn't get it.

[Shyra]

I've never heard of anyone not loving that backpack once their bird got used to it. I'm sure it will open up a whole new world for Nike.

[bill-e]

So having a little buyers remorse regarding the pak, not because I don't want it but because I was buying it sight unseen and guessing on the size I need.

Well, I decided to get out my knife and cardboard and create a mockup of the medium size pak to see how big it was.

It seemed to be huge, probably great if it was going to be a vacation cage but too big, or at least excessive for use on walks for a bird the size of Nike.

I got on email and shot a message to the manufacturer, Celltei and they confirmed that while the medium size would be great with extra room for more toys etc, that Nike could comfortably fit in the small and offered to change the size and refund the difference since Fedex hadn't arrived as yet to pick up my pak.

So I feel better because I'm really only going to use this for walks and maybe sitting outside when it's buggy to take advantage of the screening and the bigger one was just going to be awkward. And in Amazon fashon, my refund has already hit my card.

Here's a photo of the small vs the medium. What you cant really tell from this shot is that the medium sticks out 12"+ from your back.

I'm still not sure if I made the right decision...but heck, it's only money and it's for Nike ;)

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[lolsavannahh]

Nash has the small one.. so IDK if your hawk head will fit in there to be honest.. The bag itself is big enough for him, but the door space will be a squeeze, and or just will freak him out. With the bowls and perch, I honestly doubt a hawk head can fit into a small.... Unless he is a small hawk head. I think the medium might have been just perfect, but wait til it comes in and see yourself(:

[Lady]

Your right, it's only money and it is for your sweet little guy. I hope all works out as you wish.

[bill-e]

Savannah, all of that went through my mind today but I felt that Nike wasn't really going to be spending a lot of time in there since I also have the travel cage. But who know's, it may have to go back for the larger one but that is really bigger than I wanted.

It get's delivered tomorrow so if it's too small I get right on the phone with Celltei and order a medium one...should still have that by weeks end if it comes to that.

Nike is also kinda small at 200 grams.

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[Shyra]

Nike is so pretty. I love Hawkheads. When I finally got to see one in person I was surprised how small they actually are. If you are using the pak just for walks, it's doubtful you will need to put the bowls and water bottle on which should make it roomier on the inside. Will be interesting to see how the small pak works out and what Nike thinks of it.

[Casper's 2nd best friend]

Casper has the medium one. He prefers to stay on the floor when on Margaret's back because it is a bouncy ride and she has a tendency not to warn him before bending over to pick things up. He thinks the zips are excellent chew toys. :)

[bill-e]

What do you think. I think it will work great for walks and sunning...if she ever get's used to it. The bigger one would be great for everything except walks which is primarily why I bought it.

Comments/opinions?

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[The Pinkertons]

I think its the perfect size for what you intend to use it for...It looks well made.

[bill-e]

Thanks, it is very well made and the bag material is very thick. I emailed the designer with the pics (sorry for the blurriness on those by the way) to get her expert opinion on the size. I don't mind going larger if I have to but think the smaller and less obtrusive size of the pack will make me use it more.

[bill-e]

Settling in. She could use a little more depth but the medium one is only an inch deeper. So far I think I'm keeping this but still interested in comments from folks who already own one.

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[bill-e]

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[lolsavannahh]

Actually after seeing him in it I think it will be fine for what you need... Definitely won't be able to use to bowls, but I think it is good. and he is very small! The Hawk-heads I have seen in person are much larger than Nike, so I think the small is perfect(: It's all about how you see it and how he likes it(:

The Hawk heads I have seen are usually this size [Users must be registered and logged in to view attached photos or hyperlinks]

[bill-e]

So what do you think? Will Nike fit well? You keeping it or going for the larger one?I'm leaning towards keeping it. it's not a hotel and she has the bigger Poquito Travel cage that I bought for when we're camping. The most confining dimension is front to back and the larger one is only an inch deeper so while that may help I don't think it will cut out all the interference (tail rubs when she does a 180)....plus it doesn't seem to bother her any.

What I wish for is one the same height and an inch deeper but I think this will work unless someone points something out that I haven't noticed. I had her in it for a half hour tonight with the flap open, she ate and explored.

[bill-e]

[Users must be registered and logged in to view attached photos or hyperlinks] like it's about to go after his ear. I get her off me quick when she gets excited while on my shoulder ;)

And as for the bowl, I have one in there and it doesn't seem to take up much space. I may try a bottle but I really doubt Nike would use it.

I like the construction and ease of assembly/disassembly.

[lolsavannahh]

Me too! It is very easy to clean too, you just slide out that bottom piece!

And yes, I believe that is a wild Hawk head on his shoulder so I would not doubt that it was about to go for him :th_biggrin: I love that man actually, his name is Sri Swamiji and he i basically a parrot whisperer!

[kendrafitz]

I think it looks great and Nike looks happy. :)

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[bill-e]

OK, I'm happy with it. Nike and I just took our first1 mile walk, she cooed all the way.

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[Shyra]

I love it! So glad it's working out for you and Nike.