So You Bought a Parrot, Now What?

So You Bought a Parrot, Now What?

by Sherry R Vulgamott

In my other blog, I write about my daily life. But, most of my posts revolve around my parrots, as does my life. It is in my belief that birds were not intended to be on this earth so we could still them in a cage in our homes. No matter what your religion is, birds were not made for solitary stationary lives. They were intended to fly in the great outdoors. Nobody can argue with that.

But, now you have one in your home, as do I. Now what? Well, let's hope that you did your research and you found a parrot that is right for you and your family. We're going to assume you did for the sake of this article and my sanity.

CAGES

The first thing that needs to be purchased is a cage. Have you ever walked into a pet store and saw that they have a sale going on, "Buy This Cage, Get a Parakeet FREE!" Don't do that. Just buy the parakeet and cage separately because THAT cage will not be big enough for your new family member. Remember, your new family member is a bird with wings and will need to use those wings. A cage for a parakeet should be wider than taller, because they are not helicopters that can fly straight up.

Bigger is always better when buying a cage for your new pet. However, the width of the bar spacing in cages is also just as important, as tiny heads can get trapped in between the bars. So, keep that in mind when purchasing the cage.

A good cage size for a Macaw or bigger parrot is one where your parrot can stretch his wings without touching the sides of his cage.

FOOD

As with the topic of human children and nutrition, there are just as many debates on parrot nutrition. Some say pellets only, some say seeds and pellets, some say fresh food, seeds, and pellets, some say cooked foods, fresh foods, seeds, and pellets; but, no one says that only feeding seeds is good for a parrot.

Mine get a huge variety of foods on a daily basis. If you read my other blog, you would know that I am having some issues with Sisco eating foods that are good for her. She is a seed junky and will not eat anything else except mashed potatoes. Just like human children, if they are exposed to only certain things, they will never develop a taste of other foods. However, if they are exposed to good foods on a daily basis, they will eventually try something, and possibly even like it!

The point is to never give up trying to feed your parrot healthy foods and never stop learning about parrot nutrition.

TOYS

What do you mean by toys? My bird needs toys? Isn't a swing enough? Um, no. Your bird needs something to do. A bored bird is an unhappy bird. A bird that is busy is a happy bird. A bird that is locked in a cage from day in to day out with nothing to do will exhibit very unwelcoming behaviors such as excessive screaming. A bird that doesn't have any toys (or the wrong toys for THAT specific bird) but is allowed the freedom to come and go as he pleases may start to be destructive to the things around him, such as the molding on your big picture window or your first edition of Twilight.

There are lots of different toys on the market today. To pick out which toy is right for your bird will just be a process of trial and error. But in reality, a bird should have a variety of toys and not the same type of toy in his cage at all times. You should have enough toys to be able to rotate every few weeks.

ATTENTION

No, it is not enough to plop them in a cage with healthy foods and enough toys to outfit a bird toy store. Sorry. You need to pay attention to him. You do not have to hold your parrot 24/7, but you do need to give him ambient attention. Ambient attention is to give your parrot attention while she is in her cage or on her playstand. This can be achieved with just talking to your parrot, interacting with her, calling his name when he calls for you, reading to her, dancing with her, singing with her, watching TV and keeping a running commentary with her of what you see, etc. This is the kind of attention parrots absolutely love.

VET CARE

Your new buddy needs to see a doctor from time to time. It is true that birds hide their illnesses, so when you see what could potentially be a sign of an illness, get him to a vet as soon as possible! The time to find a good avian vet is when he is healthy, not when it is an emergency.

Those are just some of the basics of parrot care. The very basics, unfortunately. If you do not treat your parrot like the delicate animal he is, things can go very wrong in an instant.

Bird Aviaries 101

Bird Aviaries 101

by Mark G Jones

Bird aviaries or bird cages to the plain-spoken, are large enclosures for confining birds, not to keep them captive but to allow them larger living spaces where they can fly. Aviaries are also known to come with shrubs and plants to mimic their natural habitat. They can often be found in zoos and public parks, displaying birds of various colors and species for the public's enjoyment.

Aviaries were meant more to preserve certain bird species and for breeders' use. Often, it is not easy to mix bird species especially if you have no sufficient knowledge of their particular traits and habits but keeping them confined within aviaries offers a neutral environment which helps the birds settle down more easily. The most popular type of aviary is the home aviary, which are popular with breeders who have enough space in their backyards for it. Traditionally, aviaries were a DIY project but these days, commercial aviaries are available in various sizes to fit all kinds of spaces and budgets.

There are two main types of home aviaries: suspended and grounded. Grounded aviaries are fixed to the ground with a concrete base to keep rats, snakes and other predators from chewing their way in while suspended aviaries are either hung on trees or have supports that are affixed to the ground as another way to prevent predators from reaching the birds. However, choosing the best aviaries depends on a lot of factors, which makes shopping for them online quite a challenge especially if you don't have an idea of what you're looking for.

To choose the best aviaries, you must consider factors like house space, design and bird species if you are to get the best ones that will keep your birds happy, healthy and safe. Stainless steel bird aviaries are a popular choice among breeders because for one, there is no coating of paint that the birds can chip or chew on so there's no risk of toxic poisoning. It is also easy to clean and it resists the formation of bacteria well because it is non-porous.

However, if we are to be more specific, here are the most popular types of bird aviaries that are available online and off that most breeders and bird lovers consider:

Indoor and Outdoor Aviaries
These are best for people with enough space in their homes and backyards. These cages are usually big enough to accommodate two large birds or several small birds like canaries. Breeders usually choose between the stainless steel and aluminum varieties.

Stacker and Breeder Aviaries
These are for breeders who have limited space and who take care of several bird species. These are usually stacked 3-4 cages high and powder-coated in white or black. These enclosures usually contain feeder boxes, a place to hang a watering device and they have removable pans to make for easier cleaning.

Flight Cages
These are enclosures that are large enough for birds to fly in. Unlike cages they allow birds more space to spread their wings and get all the exercise they need as they tend to get bored and depressed when they can't fly around as much as they'd like and this often leads to an untimely demise in some cases. They also designed to simulate a bird's natural environment with the addition of plants and shrubs.

Cantilevered Aviaries
These combine the best of both grounded and suspended aviaries. They are usually designed with a conventional ground-based section that is attached to a suspended section which provides birds with extra room for flying and resting. This suspended section also makes it easy to keep the cages hygienic since the droppings fall to the ground and not in the cage.

Aviaries are the best investment bird breeders can make but it is also important to keep in mind several things in order to make sure that the aviaries you purchase are worth your time and money: make sure that they are equipped with proper heating and cooling to keep the birds comfortable, make sure that the wire or mesh is thick enough so the birds can't chew their way out and that they are not made of cedar or redwood which emit dangerous fumes the birds can inhale.

The Right Way to Take Care of a Pet Parrot

The Right Way to Take Care of a Pet Parrot

by Bernard Yao

Getting a pet parrot may turn out to be a highly worthwhile investment, in terms of time and money. Such a pet proves to be very fascinating to some people, especially with the numerous abilities they have. One can simply be entertained with the gesture of teaching their parrot a bunch of tricks, and a ton of time is to be dedicated into providing proper care for this type of bird. There are so many things, though, that one has to make sure of, such as cleaning its cage properly, changing its water supply as well as ensuring that it's always provided enough company. Below are some additional things to ponder upon when it comes to taking care of a pet parrot.

1. One has to decide carefully if they really want to have a parrot as a pet, and this includes looking into their cage's size and getting it a perch, since it's quite a sociable creature to have. One should also realize that its most unique trait is the ability to mimic any sound it hears, including how the owner talks. Owners should have enough time spent on schooling it and ensuring that it gets the proper training in order to develop into a well rounded pet that everyone can have fun with and appreciate.


2. Getting them the right kind of food is also essential. Parrots are often fed seeds which contain a lot of nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals, all of which can help them grow and acquire healthy bodies. However, this isn't always the most appropriate choice. Considering that most seeds are being commercially manufactured, and may even include all those various nutrients, there's also a lot more freedom in choice. One can simply purchase pellets which these birds can chew on, and the owners won't have to worry about husks of seeds scattered all over the cage.


3. It would also be essential for the owner to take it out of its cage and be properly groomed. There needs to be utmost caution when doing so, since these creatures can be very fidgety, thus increasing the risk of injuring them. Their beaks must be properly cleaned in a delicate manner, toe nails should be trimmed carefully with the right sized trimmer, and wings have to be clipped properly to avoid nasty falls during flying play sessions.

A pet parrot may not be the least complicated type of birds to handle, yet they are pretty fun to have around the household. It also teaches owners how to be responsible in taking care of fragile creatures that will end up leading to a whole new experience.

Homemade Chicken Incubator: How To

Homemade Chicken Incubator: How To

by Rambo Moe

A chicken incubator is necessary if you want to hatch chicks and don't have the mother there to do it, as would normally work. You could go out and spend thousands of dollars buying an incubator from the store, but there's really no need to do that when you can get some basic supplies and make one yourself right at home.

The first step is getting the supplies you need to get started. The easiest way, especially if you've never made your own incubator before, is to purchase a complete kit. This makes it faster and easier to complete your incubator, so you can complete it and start using it right away. Just make sure that you keep a few things in mind when you're building your incubator.

The most important thing is to maintain a constant incubator temperature at all times. Otherwise, the eggs can get ruined. If you want to hatch a good percentage of fertile eggs, you have to maintain a constant temperature. This can also be one of the most challenging tasks, but the aim temperature to maintain is around 99-3/4 degrees Fahrenheit. Even though different types of eggs do require different heat levels, this is the ideal and works for most.

Next, to make your incubator, you need to monitor the humidity. If it is too dry or too humid inside the incubator, you're going to have serious problems. You can monitor the humidity with a wet-bulb thermometer, which allows you to make sure there are never too low or too high of moisture levels.

It does take some work and effort on your part, but you can create an effective, efficient incubator with just basic materials and a little bit of time. These are the key things to keep in mind when you're building the incubator, to make sure it works how you need it to.

Why Invest in A Bird Aviary

Why Invest in A Bird Aviary

by Mark G Jones

Do you have pet birds at home? Or are you planning to go into such hobby sometime soon? Whatever your preferences are when it comes to pets, it's always essential to keep them well-feed and highly comfortable in the environment they live in. As much as possible, make sure to invest in a good cage for them so they can still enjoy their surroundings even though they are not in their natural habitat. But apart from the traditional bird cages, there's another option you can take advantage of. Instead of getting the typical cage that always seems like a mini prison for them, why not go for a large bird aviary so they can freely enjoy and comfortably explore their new home? Check out the following reasons why aviaries are growing more popular option nowadays.

Aviaries are the most ideal option if you really care about your birds' welfare. Because of the wider space, birds can be freer in exploring their surroundings, just like when they are in their natural habitat. Unlike cages which limit their movements and their flying space, they can enjoy more flexibility in flying, socializing, and exploring in an aviary. If you are a bird breeder, you can take advantage of the dynamic natural-like surroundings of an aviary. There are even large bird aviaries that you can visit or explore yourself. You'll have the chance to enjoy watching them while sitting comfortably in a bench inside the aviary. This gives you an opportunity to interact and explore the birds' surroundings yourself.

Just like anything else, aviaries have their own share of disadvantages. For one, they use up larger space on your yard. Large aviaries can also be a bit expensive, especially when you compare them to the cost of a traditional cage. Because of the larger space, moreover, there's also a high tendency for you to have less control over the birds (unlike when you go for a typical small cage). And of course, with more freedom to fly and explore, birds can also sometimes get into trouble with other birds or collide into something that can cause them injuries.

If you value your birds' happiness and welfare, though, aviaries are still the best way to go to support conducive breeding and flying space. Invest in a good one that has a safety porch, roof, and covers to each side. If you're not ready yet to go for a large bird aviary, you can start with a small bird shed. You can check out shed kits and aviary products that are high-quality, affordable, and easy to clean and maintain at the same time.

Birds Through The Ages

Birds Through The Ages

by Maxina D Williams

Throughout history man has kept pets. Dogs have been the most popular and look how cats were revered in ancient Egypt. But birds have always been there as well. Parrots in particular were very popular with the ancient Greeks and Romans and feature prominently in ancient writings.

The popularity of parrots throughout the ages has been due not only to their beauty and their great companionability but also to their ability to be taught to talk. Can you imagine a parrot talking in Latin? Well, in ancient Rome someone had one which had been taught to say "Hail Caesar". The Alexandrine Parrot derives its name from Alexander the Great. It is said that he was given one after his invasion of northern India in 327 BC. In more recent times, 1493 to be precise, Christopher Columbus brought back a pair of Cuban Amazon parrots for Queen Isabella of Spain. That was probably the least he could do seeing she had sold off her jewellery to fund his trip. He must have had some knowledge of how to care for them or they would not have survived the journey. One can only wonder how many thousands, or perhaps millions, of the beautiful feathered creatures have perished over the years as a result of the ignorance of trappers who simply didn't know how to look after them.

A parrot, particularly one that talked, was very much the thing to have in wealthy Roman households and one of the slaves would have the job of looking after it. The type of cage was also a status symbol and would often be elaborately carved out of expensive materials such as ivory and tortoiseshell. In the 18th century Madame Pompadour, mistress of King Louis XV of France, kept parrots and served up their food and water in only the best quality porcelain bowls. No doubt the birds were impressed.

The situation is a little different today because birds of all kinds are more readily available. Having rare and expensive ones is still seen as a status symbol for some and there are serious collectors of exotic birds whose motives are quite genuine. But there is a bird to suit every person and every budget and you can derive just as much pleasure from one of the common varieties such as a Budgerigar as you can from one that costs a mint.

Cages have evolved down through the years as well. Whereas in earlier times the emphasis was on appearance, the modern cage is more scientifically designed with an emphasis on practicability and functionality but without sacrificing an attractive appearance. The comfort and safety of the bird is also a very important feature of the modern cage.

In many ways man hasn't changed all that much over the last couple of thousand years but our ever increasing knowledge and ingenuity has meant that we are forever improving the living standards of not only ourselves but also of the creatures we keep around us to enhance our lives and that includes our pet birds.

Tips You Need to Know for Spring Bird Feeding

Tips You Need to Know for Spring Bird Feeding

by Francesca Sharpe

What to Feed Them

Now, it's important to remember the significance of the breeding season. Over winter you can throw out whatever food you like and the birds will merrily peck it up, but in the spring there are children to think of!

Usually, birds will frequent feeders less as long as there are plenty of invertebrates lounging around for feeding. They'll be able to sustain themselves easily and return to the nest to feed their children. Now, if the weather turns and creates a food shortage you may find yourself seeing many more visits from mature birds. The risk is they'll not only use the feeder for themselves, but take food back to the nest. Fat, bread hunks, and large dry foods like peanuts can easily choke an infant bird.

Hand out high protein foods, including grated cheese, black sunflower seeds, mealworms and raisins. Sliced fruit such as apples and pears also respond well.

Keep One Eye on the Weather

At least in the winter you know what you're getting. It's going to be cold, and birds will need feeding. In the spring weather varies a lot more. For the most part food will be abundant and you can leave out minimal amounts, but a change in the weather can quickly result in food shortages. For insect-eaters, a bout of extremely wet weather will cut down their food source substantially, and you might want to leave out a few snacks appropriate to the species. A lengthy drought will harden the ground, and remove access to earthworms, a sizable loss for birds attempting to feed their young.

It's incredibly different for humans to detect a food shortage. Rather than adjusting your feeding practices dramatically just keep track of your local visitors' frequency. If they're coming with regularity it may indicate an immediate food shortage, so be sure you're not leaving out feed inappropriate for their young.

Keep it Clean

Unlike the winter, you're likely to see a much slower turnover of feed. Keep your unused seed in a metal container to keep it from spoiling, and consider investing in a covered feeder for the garden. The combination of rain and heat can quickly create mould and disease in your seed, and you don't want to be responsible for any health problems.

There'll be more wastage, so try to keep the amount of feed out at any one time to a minimum. Clear up the debris left on the feeder or grass, as well. Hardily shelled black-oil sunflower seeds will slowly kill your grass, though fruit and sunflower chips will spoil extremely quickly. Try and give the feeder a healthy scrub around once a week, perhaps more.