Consideration Before Getting A Pet Bird

January 1, 2010 by fts  
Filed under Bird Care

The price of parrot changes in big bounds in dependency with the species. You can obtain for example a budgie for fewer than $10. The price of the cockatiel changes between $25 and $35. An Amazonian parrot and grey parrot can be purchased for about $300 to $400 , cockatoo for $1000 and the cost of some parrots reaches $15,000! This is one of the initial question which you have to answer.

How much breathing space will the bird call for? Larger birds and even some of the petite ones are very active physically and need big cages and space in which to play.

Is there any free time for the bird? Perhaps this is the most important question. Birds are intelligent, teasing and mostly social creatures. Will you have time to play with your bird? To pay attention to it? Will it have the chance to be a part of your family? Take into account the reality that birds survive fairly long. A small parrot cockatiel lives for 20 years and more! Amazona or African grey parrot can survive for 50, 60 and there are acknowledged cases for birds that lived up to the decent age of 100 years! Can you dedicate to this? It is not abnormal to take over birds from the previous generations. Don’t obtain a bird if you believe that you will soon get bored of it.

How loud is the bird? Will the neighbours complain? Budgies and cockatiel are somewhat silence. They are proper to look after in a flat. Moluxco cockatoo could live in flat just as well if you have neighbours around you like listening to chipping reverberation to break their ear drums. The African grey parrot tends to be one of relatively non-loud parrots. Certainly, there are individual differences between birds. Somewhere there could be cockatoo, that don ‘ t make noisy noise to heaven. If really there could be found such, an enterprising person could make a fortune of it. Keep in mind that noise is a prejudiced and relative feeling. A bird can be considered as non-noisy only at the background of another one,considered as noisy.

How injurious could a bird be? Do you have first-class old stuff or rare book? Consider that these birds have physically powerful beaks,. Some of them are less inclined to nibble than others, but nibbling is entirely natural behaviour for them.

Does the parrot want out of the ordinary food? Lory parrots, for instance, need a specialized diet. Do you have an chance and way to provide it? Once you have made a initial investigation and have decided what kind of parrot you want, you can go looking for it and buy it. NEVER BUY A PARROT IMPULSIVELY!

Check out our copper bird bath and parakeet bird cages for more information.

How To Make Parrot Toys

September 13, 2009 by fts  
Filed under Keeping Pet Birds

This post is about how to make parrot toys for beginners. Making parrot toys is both a fun exercise as well as being able to save you money from buying commercial parrot toys. A parrot can go through parrot toys like a hot knife through butter. If you need to keep on buying the toys as replacement, you are going to spend quite a large sum of money. So, instead of doing that, here are some tips of how to make parrot toys for beginners.

Before making a parrot toy, you must first know the characteristic of your parrot. Size is one consideration. Big birds tend to have stronger beaks so you need to make parrot toys that are stronger and more resistant. Also, do consider the size of your parrot cage. Don’t make a parrot toy that is too big to fit into your cage.

Below are four materials suitable to make parrot toys

Rope is quite critical for making parrot toys. They are useful material to hang stuff and you will probably need a few of these to help you make some good parrot toys. When buying the materials for making parrot toys, you can choose from several different types of rope, of which solid braided rope and twisted rope are the most popular. One important point to highlight is that you should choose a 100% cotton rope as it is safe for parrots when they incidentally digest it. Any alternatives are not considered bird safe. Also, make sure that all the frayed ends of your parrot toys are trimmed to avoid your parrots from being caught by the fringes.

Wood is another material that will be popular with your pet. When buying wooden materials to make your parrot toys, ensure that you buy bird safe products. This is because your parrots may ingest some the wood that it is chewing on. The important point is never to buy painted or lacquered wood parts (certain paints/lacquers contain zinc and other harmful chemicals/additives) as the chemicals can be deadly to your birds.

Paper is a relatively easy and abundant material to work with. In fact, using paper to make parrot toys is the most easy way for beginners. First , you will need paper towel rolls. They are the easiest to work with. Then, punch a hole into the slides so that they can be string together with a rope. The great thing about this parrot toy is that you can have the option of putting lots of interesting materials between the paper towels to create variety for your parrot toys.

Finally, you can also use leather as another candidate for making parrot toys. Leather is not as common as the other materials so you might need to shop around and find a place that has the right type of leather. There are various widths and thickness of vegetable tanned leather strips. Be sure to purchase what is most suitable for your bird and the size of the hole that is drilled. The important thing is to ensure the leather has not been treated with any chemicals or dyes to prevent poisoning if you parrot accidentally swollen it.

These are all I have for you. Now, it is your turn to go and have fun making parrot toys.

A Beginner’s Guide To Safe Material Selection For Parrot Toys

August 8, 2009 by fts  
Filed under Uncategorized

It is not easy to select parrot toys.There is quite a variety of toys available ranging from bullet proof plastic to shreddable pi

What Do You Feed A Parrot – And More

August 7, 2009 by fts  
Filed under Keeping Pet Birds

What Do Parrots Eat – How To Know

Hows it going fellow Parrot owners. Many of you are new Parrot owners looking for the proper diet for your new pet.

To really get an idea of what your Parrots need to stay healthy for there average life span of around 40-50 years, it will be a good idea for you to do some further research on Parrots and their unique eating habits and needs.

Yes, it will take some research -but it will be well WORTH IT!

First of all, you really should know the type or breed of Parrot that you own. I mean, there are so many different species, and certain groups of species require there own, unique eating habits. You see, certain Parrot groups need unique foods that meet there own minerals and vitamin criteria ,if you will.

Overall, there are 3 separate diets that will include just about every Parrot known:

1. Seed-Based Diets – Very simple and left lacking in many vitamins and minerals -but they are always available and will work as a last resort.

2. Formulated Diets (Usually Pellets) – Normally the formulated diet will provide the relevant nutritional needs of all species – but certain species will definitely need added or supplemental foods,like greens and many other such food that contain the necessary vitamins and minerals (Fresh food has a way of keeping all the natural minerals and vitamins)

3. Cooked Diets – Basically these are great diets. Usually you can cook them yourself or buy them already cooked. Precooked foods have
been known to lose there nutritional value if you dont feed them to the Parrot in a relatively short period of time, so it really depends on your parrot and its overall appetite.

What Kind Of Foods Do Parrots Eat

Things To Know When Considering Your Parrots Final Diet

O.K., most times when we buy a Parrot from the pet store, we
should automatically know the species of our new Parrot. Actually, most of the time the Parrots will be from a very popular species – which will ensure that you understand your specific Parrot’s diet and proper foods.

But if you dont know exctly what type of Parrot you own, go to the “Formulated Diet” – With nutritional supplementation. Regardless of your supplementation, make sure you watch closely, as certain species of Parrot, like the Amazon parrots, cockatoos, and Eclectus parrots, are prone to obesity. usually though, its pretty obvious that you own a type of Parrot species like those.

Aside from those Parrots, you have the Eclectus Parrots that do not do well with a formulated Diet – and they should definitely NOT be fed Nuts, as they are completely frugivorous when in the
wild. They can basically survive on nothing but fresh produce or green’s. With a different type of intestinal track, they will absorb more protein, vitamins and other healthy minerals.

But some extra grains and extra legumes will serve as the perfect additions along with the produce ,as they still do require there own bit of proteins.

The Parrots That Should Have A Higher Fat Intake In The Diet

Now on the opposite end of the Parrot species’ are the macaws , Hyacinth macaws ,and conures will always should have a certain level of fat in their everyday eating habits, actually they will need much more fat than the regular formulated diet. Including large numbers of nut’s in the diet is regularly done.

As you can see the question, “What do parrots eat?” -is not an easy question to answer. Most of you will undoubtedly recognize that the range in food and vitamin/mineral levels are very unique from 1 parrot kind to the other.

Having your own Parrot Upkeep and Help guide will be very beneficial to you and to the Training and Upkeep of your Parrot.Train Your Parrots To Stop Biting

Parrots are really outstanding pet’s. Its highly unlikely that any other animal be compared to the Parrot.

Discovering The Perfect Diet For Your Pet Parrot – Why We Must Do Our Research

Its not the Parrot owners fault,but, many people get it very wrong when actually buying food for there Parrots.

But many times, its the companies fault….

See, alot of the time the “recommendations placed on the Parrot
food bags can really mislead you. For some reason the Parrot food company does not actually give recommendations for a species of Parrot -they just describe a size of the Parrot or size of the food or
pellet.

This just doesnt make anything easier for the Parrot
owners. The biggest reason this can be bad for the Parrot is the simple fact that, Parrots are quite unique, and they have different ways of holding and eating there food.

Many Parrots eat the pellets with there claw or some eat the parrot food directly off of the dish with there beak. Some parrot foods or formulated diet foods are exactly the same for budgies and macaws. BUT – a macaw does not eat it’s food the way that the budgie does.

Usually Parrots Find This Quite Healthy

The one thing thatMost of the time we can feel alright about feeding Parrots is the fresh foods, like fruits and vegetables. (Cooked is quite alright too) Of course you should always monitor you Parrots eating habits. Some only need small amounts
while other have a larger diet, maybe due to faster metabolism or something to that effect.

Most of the time it is normal to give your Parrot food right off of your dinner table. Of course, it cant be unhealthy or full of salt and fatty acids. But foods that WE find healthy are not only O.K., but can be very good for your pet Parrot. Because there
diet is actually very plain, a tasty treat are actually great for your pet Parrot.Remember, these are Parrots,and
they DO have personality.(even though they seem to just “copy” what we say most of the time;)

Its actually a well known fact that Parrots have diet’s that are still somewhat unknown to many very, knowledgeable people. But paying attention to your parrots species, where the parrot comes from and the type of food that it consumed while in the wild can always help you in knowing the ins and outs for the diet of your Pet Parrot.

Its fantastic to be an owner of your own pet Parrot, and there really is no limit with pets like parrots. Some say that there is more than just great companionship, but they have been known to live for up to 60 YEARS!Totally awesome – Just take good care of your parrot and show them the type of love that you are capable of giving, you and your parrot will become like part of your family.You AND your children will absolutely love having your own Parrot.

For those of you that want an outstanding Parrot teaching guide that will really show you some more in depth training and Parrot Care information, go ahead and check the “Ultimate Guide To Parrot Upkeeping”

Discover how and why Parrots speak. Learn how to handle a Parrot, without getting “nipped” at. And basically learn the difference in Parrot species and there own separate diets and upkeep methods:

What do parrots Eat

Building An Aviary For Your Birds

May 27, 2009 by admin  
Filed under Bird Supplies, Keeping Pet Birds

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Before you begin any building work, make sure you know exactly where the electricity cables and water and sewage pipes are, so that you do not dig through any of them. If in doubt, go over the plans of your house and garden. If the aviary is to stand on the edge of your lawn or garden, lay down some planks or boards to protect the ground during the building process.

Never rush the building of the aviary, as this can cause you to make expensive mistakes. Examine other aviary designs and plan carefully. If you do not feel confident to do the job yourself, employ a good carpenter or buy a ready-built aviary in kit form and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for assembling it.

Always decide what species of bird you are going to keep before you construct your aviary, as different species have different requirements. Generally
speaking, a wooden aviary is more attractive than a metal one and quite suitable for, say, softbills. Wood is also acceptable for small parrots, although if they do start to attack the frame, try covering it with thin sheet metal or very fine wire. Provide plenty of perches for small parrots and parakeets to encourage them to chew the perches and not the surrounding frame.

If you intend to keep large parrots, such as Amazons, cockatoos or macaws, you will have to build the frame out of metal, as these birds will destroy any wood in sight. Even if the wood is on the outside of the mesh rather than on the inside, they will still manage to poke their beaks through the wire and demolish it. Only by lining the aviary with a thick layer of sheet metal can you stop large parrots from destroying wooden frames.

If you live in an area where heavy falls of snow are possible, you need to reinforce the aviary framework. Even 5cm(2in) of snow on top of an aviary is a considerable burden that can cause a weak structure to collapse. You may try to overcome the problem by knocking the snow off the aviary every morning, but beware, overnight snow can really build up. Be sure to include a good drainage system in the aviary because after a rainstorm; a sanded floor will rapidly become flooded.

Positioning a Pet Bird Aviary

May 23, 2009 by admin  
Filed under Keeping Pet Birds

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Siting an aviary will require careful thought as there is nothing more annoying than having to move an aviary after it has been built.
If you are designing a new garden, build in the aviary requirements at a very early stage, taking into account servicing and expansion. Remember to choose a site with plenty of room to accommodate a back shelter. Even if you do not build it straight away, you may decide to add one later.

Discover the most common wind direction and then site your aviary so that it faces in the opposite direction, preferably so that it receives as much sunshine as possible. Sunshine and light are essential for your birds’ well-being, not only because the birds enjoy sunbathing, but also because the ultraviolet rays in strong sunshine help to kill bacteria.

If you build your aviary in the summer, remember to take into account the typical winter weather conditions. For example, do not build your aviary in a dip in your garden, where it is likely to become flooded during the winter or act as a frost pocket. Placing your aviary underneath a tree may seem a good idea as it should provide shelter, but such a position is more likely to be dark and damp. The trees block out the sunshine, the dampness will produce a multitude of bacteria and after a heavy storm, the aviary will take much longer to dry out. There is also the risk that branches from the trees will damage the aviary and birds. However, carefully planted trees and shrubs can improve the appearance around the aviary and provide extra privacy, which may encourage the birds to breed successfully.

If possible, build your aviary within view of your house. Not only will this add to the enjoyment of keeping birds, but it will also enable you to see at one quick glance if something is wrong. However, take into consideration the amount of noise that the birds can make. For example, parrots, parakeets and conures may prove very entertaining for the first couple of days, but after a few weeks you will become extremely irritated, especially with their dawn chorus. If you are planning to keep noisy birds, do not build the aviary too close to your house or, for that matter, to your neighbour’s house. To avoid stressing your birds, do not build the aviary close to a road or a dog kennel. If you already keep a pet dog, you may find that your birds become used to it, but try to keep them apart, as the dog is likely to put your birds off breeding.

The aviary should also be easily accessible from the house to enable you to feed the birds and carry out regular maintenance. This may involve transporting tools and a wheelbarrow, so construct a path to your aviary to keep the rest of your garden looking presentable.

An important point to bear in mind is security. Parrot species, for example, are very expensive and, unfortunately, fairly easy to sell on the black market, so it is safer to keep them reasonably close to the house. If the area is guarded by alarms, so much the better. (Alarms will disturb your birds if they go off, but better that than losing your birds!) Guard dogs are also a good idea, but be sure to keep them away from your birds; otherwise, you will never breed them. Automatic lights are another simple security idea. They are relatively inexpensive, easy to fit and a good deterrent against both burglars and other predators, such as cats and foxes. They also provide an excellent light when you check your birds in the evening.

Artificial incubation of pet birds eggs

May 14, 2009 by admin  
Filed under Breeding Pet Birds

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It is possible to artificially incubate the eggs from any bird. There are usually two reasons for doing this; the parent birds may have left their eggs because they were disturbed or you may decide to remove the eggs from the parents so that one pair can raise more chicks in a season. Whatever the reason for incubating eggs artificially, always remember that after incubation the chicks will have to be hand-reared, which involves a great deal of care and attention. In any case, it is important that you find out as much as possible about incubation before you even attempt to incubate your own eggs or consider buying any items of expensive equipment.

Rearing the youngsters of ground birds, such as ducks and pheasants, is generally fairly easy, but it becomes more complicated with birds such as parrots. Incubating and hand-rearing softbills can prove to be extremely difficult and should not be attempted without a great deal of experience. The safest option is to leave incubation and rearing to the adult birds.

Still-air and moving-air incubators are both efficient. Moving-air incubators are aimed at beginners, because the whole machine is set at one temperature. With a still-air incubator, there is a temperature gradient from the top to bottom of the machine of up to 4

Choosing The Perfect Bird Cage

May 8, 2009 by admin  
Filed under Bird Supplies

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Choosing a cage for your bird is not an easy thing to do. There are many types of various sizes. But if you take into consideration the characteristics of your birds, you could find the perfect cage for your bird: safe, comfortable and beautiful.

One of the most important aspects of a bird cage is the size. The cage should fit the bird and leave it enough room to stretch the wings and feel comfortable. Choosing the minimum size is not recommended. Take your bird

How To Ensure Your Pet Bird Stays Healthy

May 3, 2009 by admin  
Filed under Bird Health

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The health of your bird is directly proportional to the food you give it. It is important that your bird has a balanced nutritional diet. Sometimes the birds die because they are poorly fed or because they get some diseases from the food.

So get well informed on how to take care of your bird and learn the things you can and can

African Grey Parrot

May 1, 2009 by admin  
Filed under Bird Breeds

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Also known as the Timneh African Grey or the Congo Afican Grey, this bird originates in Africa, just like the name suggests.

These birds are considered to be large birds. They grow to about 12, 13 inches from beak to tail feathers and this is why they need a lot of space to exercise and play.

The African Greys live for many years if they are taken care of. Their average life span is up to 50 years. Sometimes, rare specimens sometimes live to be 75 years old.

Many breeders say that the African Greys are extremely clever and very affectionate to their owners and all the family members. They get very sweet if they receive the right amount of attention and love. But if they are neglected, they get bored and can become unsociable and have a destructive behavior.

The name says everything about this bird

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