Which parrot...?

Pechow

How big is the cage? I would really recommend getting another one in case he died of something viral/bacterial, even with cleaning there can still be stuff left behind. It's just a bit of a risk with animals as sensitive as birds.

As for diet... seeds/pet shop mixes aren't good because the bird can pick out what it likes and leave the rest, and they don't include all the necessary vitamins/etc they need from elsewhere. Also, those open bins where you can scoop seed are prone to contamination and going moldy. Commonly pet birds will die of calcium deficiency, and vitamin A deficiency. The first can be solved by, example, cuttlefish, and the second especially by lots of dark leafy green vegetables.

A popular thing at the moment, especially in the US, is pellets. These are basically "complete" foods for birds, though you shouldnt feed them exclusively. Think of them as a base to the diet that you put everything else on, instead of seeds. The best by far are Harrisons organic pellets, available in the UK, and a bag lasts ages so don't be put off by price. A downside is that birds can be picky and awkward to convert to them.

Every day my conure currently gets a mix of seeds and pellets (he's being changed over to the latter over time), a few nuts, and a bowl of fruit/veg (pepper, chilli, orange, manderine, apple, plum, brussel sprouts, garlic, carrot, and whatever else is around. NEVER feed avocado or the stones/pips of fruit). He also gets various other things-like he can get small amounts of unsalted pasta, groats, hardboiled eggs... lots of things! He loves juice and gets that as a treat. We also sprout seeds for him, they're more nutritious that way and tastier for him Some people make their own diets, based on things like beans/certain seeds/sprouts, it's too much to write about though.

I recommend getting the book Parrots For Dummies... may seem like an odd resource but it's actually really good and covers everything pretty well. Also the book Guide To A Well Behaved Parrot

Pechow

jaqui59 wrote: »

I would love to have my own parrot, and I would give Ed your Blue Throated Conure a home tomorrow if I could

Oh! I have one of these

Mrs_justjohn

Pechow wrote: »

How big is the cage? I would really recommend getting another one in case he died of something viral/bacterial, even with cleaning there can still be stuff left behind. It's just a bit of a risk with animals as sensitive as birds.

As for diet... seeds/pet shop mixes aren't good because the bird can pick out what it likes and leave the rest, and they don't include all the necessary vitamins/etc they need from elsewhere. Also, those open bins where you can scoop seed are prone to contamination and going moldy. Commonly pet birds will die of calcium deficiency, and vitamin A deficiency. The first can be solved by, example, cuttlefish, and the second especially by lots of dark leafy green vegetables.

A popular thing at the moment, especially in the US, is pellets. These are basically "complete" foods for birds, though you shouldnt feed them exclusively. Think of them as a base to the diet that you put everything else on, instead of seeds. The best by far are Harrisons organic pellets, available in the UK, and a bag lasts ages so don't be put off by price. A downside is that birds can be picky and awkward to convert to them.

Every day my conure currently gets a mix of seeds and pellets (he's being changed over to the latter over time), a few nuts, and a bowl of fruit/veg (pepper, chilli, orange, manderine, apple, plum, brussel sprouts, garlic, carrot, and whatever else is around. NEVER feed avocado or the stones/pips of fruit). He also gets various other things-like he can get small amounts of unsalted pasta, groats, hardboiled eggs... lots of things! He loves juice and gets that as a treat. We also sprout seeds for him, they're more nutritious that way and tastier for him Some people make their own diets, based on things like beans/certain seeds/sprouts, it's too much to write about though.

I recommend getting the book Parrots For Dummies... may seem like an odd resource but it's actually really good and covers everything pretty well. Also the book Guide To A Well Trained Parrot

Excellent post:T

I sprout a lot of my seed (reduces fat content and increases vitamin content).

wilykit

Pechow wrote: »

How big is the cage? I would really recommend getting another one in case he died of something viral/bacterial, even with cleaning there can still be stuff left behind. It's just a bit of a risk with animals as sensitive as birds.

As for diet... seeds/pet shop mixes aren't good because the bird can pick out what it likes and leave the rest, and they don't include all the necessary vitamins/etc they need from elsewhere. Also, those open bins where you can scoop seed are prone to contamination and going moldy. Commonly pet birds will die of calcium deficiency, and vitamin A deficiency. The first can be solved by, example, cuttlefish, and the second especially by lots of dark leafy green vegetables.

A popular thing at the moment, especially in the US, is pellets. These are basically "complete" foods for birds, though you shouldnt feed them exclusively. Think of them as a base to the diet that you put everything else on, instead of seeds. The best by far are Harrisons organic pellets, available in the UK, and a bag lasts ages so don't be put off by price. A downside is that birds can be picky and awkward to convert to them.

Every day my conure currently gets a mix of seeds and pellets (he's being changed over to the latter over time), a few nuts, and a bowl of fruit/veg (pepper, chilli, orange, manderine, apple, plum, brussel sprouts, garlic, carrot, and whatever else is around. NEVER feed avocado or the stones/pips of fruit). He also gets various other things-like he can get small amounts of unsalted pasta, groats, hardboiled eggs... lots of things! He loves juice and gets that as a treat. We also sprout seeds for him, they're more nutritious that way and tastier for him Some people make their own diets, based on things like beans/certain seeds/sprouts, it's too much to write about though.

I recommend getting the book Parrots For Dummies... may seem like an odd resource but it's actually really good and covers everything pretty well. Also the book Guide To A Well Trained Parrot

The cage is quite big.

I am not rushing into getting another bird right now anyways as I am not moving yet.

I will definitely be making my own parrot food as opposed to buying it to ensure it gets all the vitamins etc that it needs and I will invest in that book

jaqui59

wilykit wrote: »

Now I just feel like I am being blamed for my parrot's death and that you are going to point out many other faults.

Of course you are not being blamed ... Im reading and learning here myself ... But dont forget you did mention at the beginning that you didnt have much experience, so there are some experienced people on this thread trying to help you

jaqui59

Mrs_justjohn wrote: »

OK!

You are obviously a sensible and knowledgable 'future' bird owner...LOL

Remember Birdline when you are in a position to take on a bird:T

I will indeed

Pechow

wilykit wrote: »

The cage is quite big.

I am not rushing into getting another bird right now anyways as I am not moving yet.

I will definitely be making my own parrot food as opposed to buying it to ensure it gets all the vitamins etc that it needs and I will invest in that book

Dimensions? Asking again because (and I too fell into this trap when I got my first birds, finches) pet shops will sell you cages that are too small just to make a sale. Usually for a IRN it's recommended to be about 24"x24" (60x60cm) at minimum with an appropriate height for the long tail, even if it will come outside of the cage. Of course bigger is always better if it can be managed.

Making your own food will be great It seems daunting at first with so many different things to research and hunt down but it's not too bad when you're used to it. That book has a great list of charts of things that are safe, least contaminated by pesticides, and the author writes about how she makes her own homemade diets

E: Though I still recommend the Harrisons pellets, if nothing else it would be a handy backup

wilykit

Pechow wrote: »

Dimensions? Asking again because (and I too fell into this trap when I got my first birds, finches) pet shops will sell you cages that are too small just to make a sale. Usually for a IRN it's recommended to be about 24"x24" (60x60cm) at minimum with an appropriate height for the long tail, even if it will come outside of the cage. Of course bigger is always better if it can be managed.

Making your own food will be great It seems daunting at first with so many different things to research and hunt down but it's not too bad when you're used to it. That book has a great list of charts of things that are safe, least contaminated by pesticides, and the author writes about how she makes her own homemade diets

E: Though I still recommend the Harrisons pellets, if nothing else it would be a handy backup

Not sure about dimensions - I will have to measure it.

Yea but if it is better for the parrot then I would rather spend time making my own food

Pechow

That's great You'll read all about the different things and pros/cons if you get that book anyway-it's currently £9.12 new on Amazon with free shipping. TBH while I could link to different individual sites and articles that book gives a really good overview of basically everything. I don't regret getting it and still refer to it now and then!

This is also a great forum to read through or join and ask things on basically any subject, there are even specific subforums for species (I think the posters are mostly American but it still applies): http://forums.avianavenue.com/forum.php

Also you can see if there's an avian vet near you: http://www.aav.org/association/index.php?content=activeMembersList Avian vets are preferable when possible, otherwise look for a vet with bird experience (ideally specifically parrots). Maybe an exotic vet, or see what the local zoo uses. Regular vets often don't have much experience with birds.

YorkiePud_3

Hi there, I'm owned by an African Grey called Elvis ... *S* ... I spent a couple of years researching everything I could about them before actually going for one knowing I could give him everything he needed for a happy life.

I have had parrots before and consider myself to know "enough" about them to look after them correctly but even I would baulk at taking on a rescue parrot.
Not knowing what has happened to them, how they've been treated (or mis-treated) and knowing they are intelligent enough to remember past hurts and how it can affect their behaviour, I know I am not up to the job of taking a rescue on.
I have known parrots be in such a state of distress that they have started to pluck their feathers out or even started to self-mutilate. It's heartbreaking .. and all because of how they have been treated. So, as I say, that is why I feel I'm not up to taking one on and dealing with any extreme baggage the bird may have.

I don't work and only go out shopping/doctors etc ... so I am in most of the time.
Elvis lives in the room, sort of halfway along it so he can see me if I am in the room OR in the kitchen so he knows he has company all the time. I don't think he'd be happy at all upstairs in my bedroom, even if he did get visitors popping in and out.

He is fed on Nutri-Bird P15 tropical pellets ... they look like multi coloured bits of dried cat food ... !! He absolutely adores them though and although he has fruit also, parrots CANNOT absorb the vitamins very well from them that they need, especially calcium and without having calcium a bird's bones will shatter like glass (unfortunately, I know of a bird who died that way after mis-timing his landing and flying into his owner's shoulder instead of on it).

There is a mail order company called the Birdcare Company and they stock something called Calci-vet. This is a strong liquid calcium supplement and it is absolutely marvellous ... I give Elvis this twice a week (only 3mls a time in his water) and it has really made a difference, plus, he breezed through his big moult in no time at all.

A lot of fruit and veg can be carcinogenic to parrots so I just give him carrot, clementine, satsuma and cherry tomatoes. Not that he needs them, as he gets everything he needs in his pellet diet, but it's nice for him to have some squishy messy food to play around with.
If you make your own food (and I wouldn't know where to start!) you might not be able to replicate what is in the pellets as it is scientifically developed to be nutritionally perfect for your bird's needs ... don't get me wrong, I'm not preaching at you, but I would definitely recommend a pellet diet with added fruit for interest just so you have the peace of mind knowing you're giving your bird all the vitamins etc it needs!

I'd also recommend getting insurance .... a few years ago I went to an avian vet with another parrot I had and the first thing she said to me was, "you do realise it is £100 to walk through my door before I treat your bird" ... nice, eh .. ?!

I see you're in Yorkshire ... do you know about Matt Brash .. ? He is the exotic vet for Flamingo Land Zoo ... anyway, he is the vet listed for me through my insurance. He has a number of surgeries too so one may be closer for you than another. Plus, he's a really nice bloke who does care about our birds ... I'm just trying to think of the name of one of his surgeries ... Battle Flats I think ... anyway, if you do want to list your bird with a "proper bird vet", then do google his name and you'll find his surgeries ... it's worth knowing incase, God forbid, you need to get to him quickly!

LOL ... us birdies can ramble on forever about birds can't we .. ? I best bring it to a close before I bore you all ... can I just say though, I am so sorry for your loss. It's right what's been said, that sometimes you just don't know your bird is ill until it is too late and nothing can be done and, having been in that position once before, I know how heartbreaking it is. I was there at the time though with my little girl, Katie and was holding her in my arms at the time. It was weird when I look back, she started making kissing noises to me, then the next minute she was gone ... no warning, nothing ... I got Elvis shortly after and all we can do when we take the responsibility (and it is SUCH a responsibility to take on an otherwise "wild" animal) is to give them as close to perfect a diet as they need, all the stimulation and play they need and the love and time they need because as much as they are our companion, when we bring one into our home, we become THEIR companion too ... and it is such a lot of hard work ... it's almost a science to get things right for them, the space they need, the cage size, nutrition etc ... but when you earn the trust and favour of one of these beautiful birds it is wonderful ... you really do get back everything you put in and it is so worth it!!