Severe winter weather is one of the most common natural disasters in the world, and being prepared in advance can help keep your macaw safe during a winter storm. With a few simple and easy preparations you can ensure that your bird stays healthy and comfortable, even when the weather outside is dangerously cold. Prior to the storm hitting, here are a few things you can do to prepare your macaw for a winter storm.
Have 2 weeks of food available before the storm hits: Prior to severe winter weather, many people stock up on essentials for themselves- but may forget that they also need to have essentials on hand for their pets. Prior to a winter storm approaching, make sure you have at least 2 weeks of food available for your macaw. In case of emergency, you will be able to ensure your pet is still fed.
Keep extra water available: In case of frozen pipes or a loss of access to fresh water, you will also want to make sure you have water available for your macaw. Having an additional gallon of fresh drinking water available in case of an emergency, for your pet, can help prevent issues if you lose access to water during the storm.
Prepare emergency travel cage: In the case of any emergency situation, we always recommend attempting to have some kind of emergency travel cage available in case you need to relocate with your pet. A travel cage specifically made for macaw is recommended, but in the case of an emergency you can also use a plastic tote with a lid that has had holes poked into the top. If you do not have any small travel cage available, or a plastic tote, a cardboard box can be used as a last resort. If you do use a cardboard box, it is especially important to monitor your bird to ensure they are not attempting to chew out of the box. Regardless of the type of travel cage you prepare, it’s best to have a layer of soft bedding in the bottom of the cage to keep your pet comfortable and to give them a sense of security by allowing them to perch on something soft. A travel cage with a perch built into it will be the most comfortable emergency cage for your bird, and that is what we most highly recommend.
Keep cage away from windows and doors: Most winter storms are accompanied by strong, cold winds. These winds often create very cold drafts near doors and windows. To keep your bird from becoming chilled, it’s best to keep their cage away from areas that are subject to cold drafts. Placing your macaw’s cage against an inside wall, or in the center of a room, can help ensure they are not near cold winter air.
Keep cage very dry: In the case of dangerously cold weather, it’s very important
that your pet stay as dry as possible. If they were to get wet, it will be
harder for them to maintain an appropriate body temperature. Because of this,
it’s important to deter your macaw from attempting to bathe or play in water
during this time. Keep water bowls secure to prevent them from spilling or
tipping.
Place a hide-out or nesting box in your macaw’s
cage: During cold temperatures, having a hide-out or nesting box available
for your macaw is a good way to encourage them to hide away and stay warm. Most
macaws will instinctively fluff their feathers and rest in cold weather to
attempt to stay warm. Some will naturally try to seek a warmer area in the cage.
Offering a hide-out or nesting box can give them a suitable place to “nest” through
the cold weather.
Fill a nesting box with bedding: An easy way to make nesting boxes and hide-outs warmer for your macaw is to fill them with warm nesting material such as untreated moss, hay, coconut coir, bamboo, natural wool, and natural animal fur (such as angora rabbit fur). These materials give your macaw well-insulated material they can nest into.
Keep habitat in the
warmest room in the house: If a certain part
of your house tends to be warmer than other parts, placing your macaw’s habitat
in that room during severe winter weather can help your pet stay safe.
Offer high-fat snacks: If temperatures begin to drop in your home, a quick way to help your pet temporarily increase their body temperature is to feed them a high fat snack. These snacks should be fed in moderation, but can help pets with high metabolisms, such as macaws, stay content when the room temperature drops. These high fat snacks can include sunflower seeds, corn kernels, peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, and even suet blocks.
If the heat in your home is inefficient, check out our tips for keeping a macaw warm in winter here.
What should you do with your macaw if the
electricity goes out during the winter storm?
If the electricity goes out, it’s vital you take extra steps to keep your macaw safe during a winter storm. In case of a cold weather emergency, these actions can help keep your macaw warm and healthy.
Place cage in center of room where you can easily monitor them: The first step you should take to keep your macaw safe in the case of a winter storm electrical outage, is to place their cage in the center of a room where you can easily monitor them. This will keep them away from drafts, while also allowing you to check on them regularly.
Cover habitat with blanket to keep in heat: By placing a heavy blanket over your bird’s cage you can keep warm air in their habitat longer. This will insulate the warmer air and keep the cage comfortable, even as the rest of the room begins to cool down.
Keep macaw in their cage: During emergency situations, such as a winter storm power outage, it’s best not to bring your pet out of their cage. Keeping your macaw safely in their cage allows them to fluff their feathers, rest on a perch, and stay warm. It also allows you to easily monitor them and keep them secure in case you need to quickly relocate them.
If your bird burrows into a nesting box, do not disturb your pet: Nesting is a natural instinct many birds have to keep themselves warm in cooler temperatures. If you notice your macaw is burrowing into their nesting box or staying in a hideaway, do not disturb them. By letting them stay in place, you will help them stay warm and comfortable.
Monitor pet for signs of
hypothermia: Check your pet regularly
as the temperature in your home drops to look for signs of hypothermia. In macaws
these signs include acting lethargic and unresponsive or shaking/shivering for
more than 5 consecutive minutes.
If your macaw begins to show signs of
hypothermia, what should you do?
Macaws are hardy little pets and can often weather cold temperatures by comfortably nestling away in their cage. If your pet begins to act very lethargic and unresponsive, is shivering for more than 5 consecutive minutes, or gets wet by accident in cold temperatures- it’s important to act quickly to help your pet get warm. If you cannot access a vet, here are a few steps you can take to help your pet.
If your macaw is hand-tame, place your macaw in your lap: One of the most effective way to increase a macaw’s body temperature is to use your own warmth. Bring your macaw to you and place them in your lap. Place a blanket over them to help insulate your body temperature around them. Anywhere where your body heat can extend to them can help them get warm. Keeping them in a blanket while they are next to you can help you quickly warm them with your own body heat.
If your macaw is not hand-tame place them in your emergency travel cage: Your emergency travel cage can be a special travel cage made specifically for macaws, or a Tupperware container with holes in the lid, or a cardboard box with holes in the top.
Fill the travel cage or box with soft dry bedding: Your travel cage should be filled with a layer of soft dry bedding that your pet can easily burrow into. Bamboo fiber, paper-based beddings, and coconut coir are all great bedding sources that allow for comfortable insulated burrowing. In case of an emergency, towels or blankets can also work well.
If you have access to electricity, place the travel cage on top of a heat blanket: A heat blanket is a good source of consistent warm heat. You can place your macaw’s travel cage on top of the heat blanket to help it become warmer. To help insulate the heat, wrap the blanket around the cage leaving one side open so you can monitor your pet.
Place travel cage near you under a heavy blanket: If you do not have access to electricity or a heat blanket, you can create your own heat source with your own body heat. Place your macaw’s travel cage beside you and then place a heavy blanket over you and the cage. Allow your body heat to warm area under the heat blanket, also warming the travel cage.
Monitor your macaw’s behavior: As your macaw’s body temperature warms they should become more alert. They should no longer be lethargic or shivering. They should eventually begin to get up and try to move around. At this point offer them access to a water source and a small amount of macaw food. Continue to monitor your macaw. Ideally, you should also keep your macaw in a warm area- such as a travel cage next to your body where they have a stable heat source to help them stay warm.
Winter storms are stressful for humans and their pets alike. Birds, such as macaws, are especially susceptible to the cold and taking extra precautions during winter storms, and knowing what to do in the case of an emergency can help you prepare for even the most extreme of cold weather emergencies.
