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Archive for the ‘Bird Care’ Category

By Lee Dobbins

Like other pets, your bird can get sick but unlike other pets your birds illness can become serious, even life-threatening, very quickly. If your bird is acting even the slightest bit ill you should get him to your veterinarian right away since birds can go downhill very fast.

Sometimes, however you can get your bird to the veterinarian right away so here are some steps you can take to help care for your sick bird.

first off, you want make sure that you sick bird stays warm. Keep his cage out of many drafts and you might want to try using a grow light ( the same kind you use to grow plants) aimed at the cage but placed in such a way so that your bird can get out of the direct light if he gets too hot.

If you find that your bird is just sitting on the bottom of the cage and is to sick to even sit on his perch, then you might want to move into a hospital cage for better safety. A glass aquarium can make a great hospital cage. Put a towel or some newspaper on the bottom of the cage and put shallow bowls of food and water where your bird can get to it. Newspaper can be kind of slippery so you want to put something that has a little more grit like paper towels on the bottom so that your bird isn’t sliding around.

If you can get a freestanding low perch in the aquarium this is perfect in case you bird wants to perch. Position the light so that It shines and to only one side so that the bird can get out of it if he gets too hot.

if you don’t have an anti-aquarium readily available than you can make a few changes to your bird’s regular cage. Cover most of it with a towel to keep in the heat input the birds food and water dishes on the bottom of the cage where he can get to them. Also, if you have a freestanding parts put this on the bottom two.

You’ve got to make sure that your bird keeps up his strength as he can easily become weakened by lack of food and water. electrolytes can give your sick bird some quick energy and if he is a hand fed bird then you might see if he’ll try taking a few drops of a sports drink from a spoon or eyedropper. If you have a hand feeding formula ready mix that up with some of the sport strength instead of water and see If you’ll take that. if you bird is eating on his own make sure that he’s getting enough and maybe offer him a tree like a spray millet so that he can get some quick energy. Make sure he also gets enough water.

If you bird is bleeding you need to provide emergency care before you can get them to the vet. Look him over to see where the blood is coming from. While most others do not bleed new feathers that are still growing can bleed. These occult blood feathers and if you do find that the blood is coming from one you’ll need to pull the feather out completely. It’s a good idea to cover your birds head with a towel while you are doing this. If it’s not a feather that’s bleeding check his nails and toes and if it’s coming from they are applied to styptic powder to the cut. If you don’t have styptic powder handy you can use flour In a pinch.

The key to successfully treating your sick bird is getting him to the vet at the first sign of illness. Be sure that you’re always watching your bird in checking him for signs of illness. If you notice that your bird Is acting a little different or even look sick it’s best to call your bet and get them in right away. It may be that nothing is really wrong with your bird but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Lee Dobbins writes for http://pet-birds.pet-breeds.com where you can learn more about pet birds and caring for sick birds.

Article Source: Lee Dobbins

By Azmi Adnan

Your parrot relies on you, the owner, in providing a safe environment. As a responsible parrot owner, it is your duty to see that this is provided. Medicine and chemicals are to be stored safely in cabinets and out of reach of your free flying parrot. Keep watch on your parrot whenever you let it out of its cage. Parrots are instinctive and curious birds and will cause harm to themselves in the house if they are not watched.

Window curtains and coverings are to be properly secured. Make sure that all cords are out of reach and not knotted or looped as your curious bird could get itself entangled. Parrots are known for their fondness of knots so you need to make sure it is safe.

Replace all damaged parts of a toy as this is harmful if chewed and swallowed. Examine the toys each day and ensure that they do not cause any danger. Ensure that perches are in good condition and affixed correctly. Visit the veterinarian immediately if you suspect that a piece of a toy has been swallowed and your bird behaves abnormally.

Even if you use a carrier while traveling in a car with your bird, ensure that a seat belt is used. This is to prevent the carrier from rolling forward and cause shock to your bird should you brake suddenly. It is also a good idea to prop up the cage so that your bird is able to see out of the window while you are driving. If for some reason the bird is frightful of traveling in a car, use a blanket to cover the carrier.

Keep a list of important phone numbers in case of an emergency. This would include the veterinarian emergency number, bird specialists and fellow bird enthusiasts should you need to consult them for some apparent reason.

Educate your family members on bird care and what is dangerous to birds such as soap powder, liquid detergent, rat poison, glue, ceiling fans, etc. Ensure that these are not exposed whenever the bird is out of its cage.

Develop a disaster action plan. Keep stock of bird food and other supplies in the house in case you are not able to go to the pet store due to bad weather like a snow storm, windy season or floods. Find alternative pet stores to widen your supply base. Learn to perform minor medical treatment in case your bird injures itself during bad weather and you are not able to rush to the vet. Keep stock of bird medication. Talk to your vet and find out what are the likely ailments your bird could suffer and what you could do about it in case a vet is not immediately contactable.

Azmi Adnan is a writer and a bird enthusiast. Subscribe to his newsletter for fresh video clips on parrots and other bird species, ezines and interesting bird stories at his website http://www.power-to-live.com/parrot.html

Article Source: Azmi Adnan

Eclectus parrots are highly social, and extremely healthy. Maybe it is their overall good health that makes us forget that they can be killed by toxic materials. The most innocent things can be extremely deadly for Eclectus parrots, and it is vital to their continued longevity that you know what those toxic threats are.

First, as much as you may love your non-stick cookware, if you use it in your home where your parrot lives, you are putting his life in jeopardy. The Teflon in this cookware emits a toxin that can literally kill your Eclectus parrot in minutes.

You must also be aware of Teflon in bread machines and toaster ovens, and also realize that self-cleaning ovens also emit toxins that can kill your beloved bird. This means that you must go back to old-fashioned cookware, and manually cleaning your oven in order to protect your Eclectus parrot.

This isn’t the only thing that is toxic to your bird. You should also avoid the use of aerosol cleansers. In fact, most experts agree that you should avoid the use of aerosol products, no matter what they are for, if you have an Eclectus parrot in the home. Obviously, cleaning supplies are a danger to your parrot. Many of them are only toxic if they are ingested, but some are toxic if the fumes are inhaled as well.

You must also be aware of toxic foods. Chocolate, greasy foods, avocados, alcohol, and caffeine are all toxic for Eclectus parrots. Don’t assume that he is safe as long as you don’t give him these foods. He may find them lying about, and help himself. He doesn’t know any better. For example, if you have chocolates in a bowl, even if they are foil wrapped, he is perfectly capable of unwrapping them and eating them and he will.

Other products that could be harmful or toxic to your Eclectus parrot include bleach, dish detergent, coffee grounds, leather sprays, tea tree oil, thermometers that contain mercury, aluminum foil and cooking bags, epoxy glue, most essential oils, all types of pesticides in their various forms, plant food and fertilizer, carpet freshener, plug in air fresheners, spray air fresheners, mothballs, cigarettes, cigarette smoke, medications, antifreeze, flea treatments, linoleum, film, potpourri oils, certain plants, personal care products, play dough, matches, pine oil cleansers, and spray starch.

For the safety of your bird, you should consider using only natural, non-toxic cleansers in your home. Even something as simple as commercial furniture polish can be harmful. These days, in an effort to clean up and save the environment, there are many natural products on the market, so you won’t have any trouble replacing your harsh and harmful cleansers. Not only will you be protecting your Eclectus parrot, you will also be doing your part in protecting the environment. You may even be surprised that you and your family are healthier as well.

By Nancy Mcdaniel

There are many things to consider when owning a pet bird.

• Do you have enough room?
• Do you have enough patience? Is our house set up to have a bird? If not , are you willing to invest in what it takes to have a home that’s “bird safe”?.
• Do you have the time it takes to care for a bird?
• Do you know what kind of bird you want?
• Are you ready for a long-term commitment?

These are the most important questions you should ask yourself BEFORE considering owning a bird as a pet. Birds live a long time, depending on the type some live over 20yrs. Birds require a lot of interaction and stimulation. If you don’t have the life style that would be conducive to having a bird as a pet then stop right here! YOU must adapt yourself to the bird, and not expect the bird to adapt itself to you!

Not only having a home that is bird suitable, but having a home that has an appropriate place for a cage is very important. I can’t stress enough the importance of having a suitable cage. Depending on the type of bird will be the factor in the size and placement of the bird cage. Cages can be very costly, the bigger the bird the bigger the cage. Certain bird types need different types of feeders,waters, and toys. yes toys, boredom is one of the birds biggest stresses. Boredom can causes many problems in birds, feather plucking, depression and behavior problems.

Being a bird owner is not to be taken lightly. I would rather you find out now then to realize this after investing in everything to have a bird as pet. There isn’t much of a market for getting rid of previously owned birds. Having a bird as a pet can be very rewarding,but only if you are willing to educate yourself on being the best bird owner possible.

Birds are very entertaining and very smart animals, some types can be taught to speak, they can be house broken, and taught to do tricks. Once again it takes a very committed person to own a bird. They are not just play things that can be put away when your tired of playing with them. Owning other pets, having them in the same environment as the birds not a good idea, nothing against cats but cats can cause pet birds a lot of strife. A scratch from a cat can cause a type of bacteria to enter into the birds blood stream and kill just as quick as if the cat had just attacked it.

Birds can very easily get their beaks caught in things,that is why not only having a bird safe home important, but having a cage that is safe too. Birds are allergic to many different types of plants, cleaning solutions, cooking utensils and smoke. As you see it’s quite extensive the amount of knowledge needed BEFORE getting a bird as a pet.

Nancy McDaniel is a lover and bird owner, she writes on this subject and other related issues. You can learn more by visiting her blog http://new2birds.blogspot.com

Article Source: Nancy Mcdaniel