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Does anyone here have a photo of Corn Cribs being used to house large parrots?

I saw a corn crib the other day and I was thinking that would be wonderful! But now I am having a hard time finding anyone that has tried this before. I know someone must have.

Thanks everyone!

Having lived my life near mega-cities, I went to Wikipedia to learn what a corn crib might be: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corn_crib You must have another meaning in mind

Whatever you're considering, be cautious about aspergillus. Corn is considered second only to peanuts as a cause of aspergillosis in our parrots. The high liquid content in corn combines with the heat and limited ventilation of storage bins to grow the aspergillus fungus. It's invisible and deadly. In this country, human-grade food products are tested for acceptable levels of aspergillus before sale, but if you're letting your birds play in a "crib" in which corn has been stored, you could be inviting tragedy.

If OTOH, you're thinking of building a slatted corn crib lookalike for your birds to play in and gnaw to splinters, be careful to use only bird-safe materials -- untreated wood from safe trees, fasteners of a metal that is safe -- and build in ways that don't trap birdie body parts. Not a task I would undertake for many reasons. Also, be mindful that any playhouse could look like a nest cavity to sexually mature birds. If you're breeding and want eggs, not so bad. If not, you might want to reconsider.

Just my first-blush thoughts

http://www.butternutridgefarm.com/image ... andbin.jpg

I was really thinking more along the line of the wire style.

I would think a good cleaning, then bleach wash, then an other cleaning would be needed before putting any birds in it.

What type metal is it made of? Is the wire a gauge that's strong enough to keep your birds in it and predators out? The roof looks rusted. You wouldn't want your birds to be in contact with any rust.

Boy I am not clear at all am I? I will try harder to be clear.

I haven't found a corn crib to buy yet. I am not sure if it will work at all, so I am not going to spend money on something until I know it will work. I think I can buy a new one so there will be no rust.

I am not sure what all the sizes they come in. I have found some that seem to have smaller openings. What would be the largest opening for a U-TOO? She is my smallest bird.

I am planning on outside during nice days, inside at nights.

You have been so helpful - thanks!

Adell wrote:... I think I can buy a new one so there will be no rust. I am not sure what all the sizes they come in. I have found some that seem to have smaller openings. What would be the largest opening for a U-TOO? She is my smallest bird. I am planning on outside during nice days, inside at nights...

I knew you weren't intending to buy that one, but since that one rusted, another made of the same metal would also rust. Only a few metals are safe for birds. I'll be surprised is corn cribs are made of one of them. You want to be CERTAIN before putting your birds into one, both about the metal for the big parts and the attachment screws, hinges, et al.

Gauge is the strength of the wire, not the size of the openings. A U2 has a very powerful beak and can bite through wire that isn't strong. Bite through and escape through the hole. Likewise, raccoons and hawks can rip their way through wire that isn't strong and kill your birds.

You're welcome. I want your birds to be safe. I'm fearful this idea could endanger them in several ways. Have you considered the outdoor cages made for birds? MUCH safer!

I would think if they keep raccoons out when there is corn in there, then it would keep them out when there is a bird. I also think it would have to be strong to hold in that much corn.

I am not sure I am going to get one, but I do think it would work. I will keep looking into them and letting you know what I find out.

Adell, have you checked out www.cornerslimited.com

You can start out small and add on as money allows. I'm going to have one built for my balcony next summer. I want the safety door. I want a roof because I've seen raccoons on my balcony and somone I know just had to have 2 of her birds euthanized because of raccoon roundworm. The Toronto Zoo also lost 1/3 of their lory population to raccoon roundworm. The coons were climbing on the enclosures, pooped and of course, birds will get down on the ground and the rest was history. Also, I think with the roof it gives them a bit of protection from the sun although my birds won't be out there unless I'm out there and only for a short time to get some sun.


Bev

I have friends in Indy that during the summer would use a corn crib for their macaws. First they bought a corn crib and then took it apart and brought it home on a flat bed trailer. Then they sand blasted it and repainted it with a non toxic paint then they put it back together with all new bolts and they also had to have a door put in as most corn cribs have a tiny door at the bottom to allow a corn escalator to take the corn from the bin. They also had built in their back yard a concrete platform for the corn crib. In the middle they put in the concrete a 12 foot tall pole with a barrel nest box on top and the birds did produce in it. The pole also had arms with openings so that they could add wood perches and change them when they were chewed up. They also had a water fawcet out by the cage to wash it down and yes they had to worry about the coons and their little paws if the macaws were on the sides. For the top they put a new stainless top to keep most of the rain off of the birds. Once fall would hit the birds were taken indoors. No, I don't have any pictures, but you had better have a sand blaster, a good large trailer and a way to put this thing together as well as a good painting machine.

Hope this answered a few questions. Denis

If you want to see the Corners Limited units then look at my aviary at WWW.Platinumaviary.com as Jeff Smith from Corners Limited and I built this 12 cage unit that we will add mor units to next year.

Denis

http://nmi.craigslist.org/grd/773946184.html
this one is a dandy!

I honestly have not seen one in 2 years or so up in the foothills and mountains.

this isn't advice....just a perhaps humorous story....when i first visited the midwest and saw empty corn cribs on farms we were passing on the highway, i thought it weird that the farmers had those big aviaries on their farms....chuckle....i was a city girl....