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A Proper Diet
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- The most important way to keep your parrot healthy.
- Seeds are not a complete diet. They are high in fat and low in minerals.
- A bird could not physically eat enough people food to make it a balance diet.
- Pelletted diets, containing no artificial
dyes, are the Best way to offer your
bird a full and balanced diet comprising 70 - 80% of their daily intake.
- The remainder of a bird diet should consist of sweet potatoes, carrots or
squash and dark green leafy items.
- Fruits should be of the exotic variety
(mangoes, papaya and cantaloupe)
- Apples bananas and grapes are not
nutritious.
- Toxic foods consist of alcohol, avocados, caffeine, chocolate,
monkey biscuits and foods high in sugar or salt.
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A Proper Cage & Cage Accessories
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The bigger the cage better. The longer the cage better.
Birds need room to exercise and stretch their wings.
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Natural wood, rope and grooming perches of the proper size
are essential. Do NOT use mite protectors or sand paper perches.
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Use newspaper, butcher
paper or paper toweling as bedding. Corncob, or wood chipping can
cause illness.
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Make sure the cage is
in a place where your bird will feel safe and will be able to sleep for
10-12 hours a night.
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A separate play gym or
T-stand is needed so your bird can be taught to come out of its cage and
be part of the "flock".
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Healthy Air |
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Birds are more sensitive to poor air
quality that we are.
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Never smoke or allow smoking around your
bird. If you do smoke wash your hands and change your clothes
before handling your bird.
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Avoid air fresheners, candles, incense
etc.
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Teflon pans can release fumes that could
kill your bird.
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A HEPA filter is recommended to keep near
your birds cage.
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Water (Drinking and Bathing)
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Birds need fresh water daily or even
several times a day.
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Dishes (food and water) should be cleaned
daily.
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Birds need showers or baths frequently.
Some birds may be fearful of the shower so introduce it slowly.
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Birds can be bathed several times a week;
even in winter, just make sure to have plenty of time to dry off before
bed or being taken outdoors.
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Proper Socialization Skills |
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A bird should learn to step up, step down,
stay, and be used to being handled both with a perch and hands.
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Signs that Your Bird
is Sick
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Birds are very good at hiding signs that
they are sick. Knowing what is normal for your bird is very
important.
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Signs such as being in the bottom of the
cage, sitting fluffed up, not talking, not eating, or more obvious signs
such as vomiting, diarrhea, or bleeding are all potential emergencies.
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Veterinary Exam
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New birds should be examined as soon a
possible.
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All new birds should be quarantined from
any existing birds for a minimum of 30-60 days.
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Blood work is very important. A CBC (Complete
Blood
Count), and chemistry should be run every few years.
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Other tests such as gender identification, fecal analysis,
and Clamydophila tests should also be performed.
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Routine grooming such as nail trims and wing trims are
also important.
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Beak trims should not be needed. Contact your
veterinarian if your bird's beak is overgrowing, because this could
indicate a medical problem.
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