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CAGE COCKATOO SETUP OR MACAW SETUP

MR. Mango

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I've been considering getting a major mitchell's cockatoo, and would love to see some cockatoo or macaw cage setups, and hear what u recommend in terms of toys, perches, cages, etc. PLUS i woulld love any important info or feedback aboout Major Mitchell's 2s, THX!
 

Aves

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Feathered Estates has a lot of macaw and cockatoo setups. Toos are very dusty and would pose a serious health risk to your conure.
 
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Kiwi & Co.

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I've been considering getting a major mitchell's cockatoo, and would love to see some cockatoo or macaw cage setups, and hear what u recommend in terms of toys, perches, cages, etc. PLUS i woulld love any important info or feedback aboout Major Mitchell's 2s, THX!
I wouldn’t get a ‘too, you have a Conure and High Dust species should not be mixed with Low Dust species.

@Hankmacaw
 

Hankmacaw

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RESPIRATORY DISEASE IN SOUTH AMERICAN SPECIES

ESPECIALLY MACAWS AND CONURES

Pulmonary Hypersensitivity Syndrome


Although good ventilation is necessary for any type of bird, it is especially critical
for South American species. Blue and Gold Macaws, as well as Sun Conures
seem especially sensitive to airborne irritants. They may develop a progressive
respiratory disease known as "pulmonary hypersensitivity syndrome” if housed in
a poorly ventilated room, especially if kept with birds that produce a great deal of
powder: Cockatoos, Cockatiels, Lovebirds or African Grey Parrots.

This powder is produced by specialized "powder down feathers" and is a white
waxy substance composed of keratin. Powder down forms a water proof barrier
for contour feathers. It is spread through the feathers when the bird grooms. The
down is composed of very fine particulate matter which becomes airborne easily
and spreads via air currents and air ducts throughout the environment.

The powder down can also cause irritation to people with respiratory problems and
allergies. People with allergies may be able to tolerate these birds, but they should
be aware of this before acquiring one of these dusty species.


In the early stages of pulmonary hypersensitivity syndrome, the bird may appear
normal, but wheeze when excited. As the condition progresses, dyspnea (difficulty
in breathing), a cough, and a bluish tinge to the facial skin (cyanosis) develops.
Hypoxia or under oxygenation of tissues often leads to an increase in the number of
circulating red blood cells (RBC) termed Polycythemia. This increases the viscosity
of the blood so that it does not flow normally. Subsequent immuno- suppression
may lead to Aspergillosis, a deadly respiratory fungal disease.



Clinical symptoms, blood work, and high resolution digital radiographs may
support the diagnosis, but a lung biopsy is necessary for confirmation.


In order to prevent this, South American Species should be housed in well
ventilated rooms without Cockatoos, Cockatiels, Lovebirds, or African Grey Parrots.


In addition, an air cleaner with a HEPA filter is highly recommended.


Unfortunately, this pulmonary disease is often advanced when the owner first notice
the problem get it diagnosed by a trained avian veterinarian familiar with this
syndrome. Certain drugs may provide temporary relief, but there is no cure for this
syndrome.
 

JLcribber

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If a cage is not measured in feet/meters, it's too small. Besides this very large cage the bird is going to need a secure "area" to live and play in outside that cage that does not need to be supervised every minute as well as about 4 hours a day of your undivided attention. Every day.

This is a lifetime commitment and over time you will realize these are the very minimum requirements.
 

MR. Mango

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Oh wow I didn’t even realize that the cockatoo dust may affect mango and not just me, if I get a HEPA filter and have their cages placed away from each other in a well ventilated room would it be fine?
 

Zara

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Miss Annamarie

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Oh wow I didn’t even realize that the cockatoo dust may affect mango and not just me, if I get a HEPA filter and have their cages placed away from each other in a well ventilated room would it be fine?
Birdies have experienced death from PH with the birds even on separate floors of the house with good air filters. It's not worth the risk.
 

MR. Mango

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I have seen other people with the two species so I would be interested in what they do to keep them healthy
 

Miss Annamarie

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I have seen other people with the two species so I would be interested in what they do to keep them healthy
As I said, it's not worth the risk. Just because you've seen it happen without death/ill effects doesn't mean it's not incoming. We've even had birds on this forum die from PHS. It's a sensitivity and you won't know until it's too late, again NOT WORTH THE RISK
 

Kiwi & Co.

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I have seen other people with the two species so I would be interested in what they do to keep them healthy
Often times when you see people with birds of both species it’s because they didn’t know any better and they can’t just give up one of the birds just like that.

As said before, it is not worth the risk.

Maybe look into Macaws, Amazons, and Pionus if you’re looking for a larger bird.
 

MR. Mango

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Yup thank you!!!
 

Karen

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Oh wow I didn’t even realize that the cockatoo dust may affect mango and not just me, if I get a HEPA filter and have their cages placed away from each other in a well ventilated room would it be fine?
I have seen other people with the two species so I would be interested in what they do to keep them healthy
It is a sensitivity, an allergy per se, you won't know if your bird is susceptible to this until the damage is done. The damage is irreversible. If they have this sensitivity the only thing you can do to keep them healthy is to not house them with a dusty species. The dander easily travels on air currents and through your HVAC.
 

MR. Mango

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Would an Irn be fine cause I know they’re old world but they don’t produce dust
 

Hankmacaw

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An IRN would be fine.
 

MR. Mango

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So just toos, girls, & greys are off limits
 

Hankmacaw

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I don't know if you are just trying to get around what you have been told about PHS, but this article (if you read it) gives you all of the information you need. PLEASE READ you are asking for informatio already given more than once.

RESPIRATORY DISEASE IN SOUTH AMERICAN SPECIES

ESPECIALLY MACAWS AND CONURES

Pulmonary Hypersensitivity Syndrome


Although good ventilation is necessary for any type of bird, it is especially critical
for South American species. Blue and Gold Macaws, as well as Sun Conures
seem especially sensitive to airborne irritants. They may develop a progressive
respiratory disease known as "pulmonary hypersensitivity syndrome” if housed in
a poorly ventilated room, especially if kept with birds that produce a great deal of
powder: Cockatoos, Cockatiels, Lovebirds or African Grey Parrots.

This powder is produced by specialized "powder down feathers" and is a white
waxy substance composed of keratin. Powder down forms a water proof barrier
for contour feathers. It is spread through the feathers when the bird grooms. The
down is composed of very fine particulate matter which becomes airborne easily
and spreads via air currents and air ducts throughout the environment.

The powder down can also cause irritation to people with respiratory problems and
allergies. People with allergies may be able to tolerate these birds, but they should
be aware of this before acquiring one of these dusty species.


In the early stages of pulmonary hypersensitivity syndrome, the bird may appear
normal, but wheeze when excited. As the condition progresses, dyspnea (difficulty
in breathing), a cough, and a bluish tinge to the facial skin (cyanosis) develops.
Hypoxia or under oxygenation of tissues often leads to an increase in the number of
circulating red blood cells (RBC) termed Polycythemia. This increases the viscosity
of the blood so that it does not flow normally. Subsequent immuno- suppression
may lead to Aspergillosis, a deadly respiratory fungal disease.



Clinical symptoms, blood work, and high resolution digital radiographs may
support the diagnosis, but a lung biopsy is necessary for confirmation.


In order to prevent this, South American Species should be housed in well
ventilated rooms without Cockatoos, Cockatiels, Lovebirds, or African Grey Parrots.


In addition, an air cleaner with a HEPA filter is highly recommended.


Unfortunately, this pulmonary disease is often advanced when the owner first notice
the problem get it diagnosed by a trained avian veterinarian familiar with this
syndrome. Certain drugs may provide temporary relief, but there is no cure for this
syndrome.
 

jmfleish

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Major Mitchells are fairly expensive just to purchase (at least in the US) and then to keep them is a huge expense as well because they are huge chew hounds. I wouldn't put them into anything less than a stainless steel cage either which is going to run you a good $3000. Add that to the fact that it's a really bad idea to mix them with Conures and it's probably not the best idea to add one to your flock.
 
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