Jan F. asked the question:
Is there something wrong with peanuts?
I see bird feeds specifically saying “no peanuts”.
Is there something wrong with peanuts?
I give my severe macaw about 4 unsalted, roasted, unshelled peanuts on top of his pellet variety every day.
Helen D. wonders:
I feed my two parrotlets a mixture of Roudybush pellets and Volkman’s Parrotlet Seed mix.
Only one will eat both.
The other one will not eat the pellets.
Susan S. is concerned about supplements for her green cheek conure:
I have a green cheek conure named Jax.
He will be 8 years old in December.
He was acting lethargic and ill.
I purchased Nekton-S multi-vitamin and put it in his drinking water.
Editor’s note: sometimes we combine several answers into a post to make for more interesting and efficient reading endnote
Hi Mitch,
In response to the comment about travel cages, I have found a solution.
My Senegal parrot (Gonzo) did not like to hang out in a smaller cage.
So I got her a reasonably-sized cage that I can use for her travel or if she needs to stay with someone.
I can drive with it and strap the cage into a seat belt.
I set it up in another room and left the cage door open. She has started playing inside it and seems to like it.
Now, with COVID-19, I am working from home, and need it to be quiet when I’m on the phone.
Scott S. inquires:
Hi – I actually have a birdie question.
We have a 2-year-old male Gray Cockatiel who has the worst case of “ouwie feathers” under his wings.
We can lift his wings and see a number of pin feathers that are causing some distress.
Question: what if anything can we do to help him out?
He’s fine otherwise, big beautiful boy and a best in class winner here in Florida last year.
Thank you in advance!
Sherry L. comments:
Yes, my birds are fed ‘chop’ (Arlo the grey, calls it ‘bobbity’) This is a new term for what I have done for 28+ years.
Chop is chopped veg, grains, and sometimes, a tiny bit of seed sprinkled on top or a bit of walnut, or something.
I used to cut the vegetables larger because Arlo was pretty accepting of lots of things, and I didn’t have a food processor.
I also (now) feed Arlo a pelleted diet, along with the chop.
She also gets a small amount of fruit, and sometimes about an inch square of chicken breast (baked) or some steamed scallop (yum).
Barb H. asks:
I’d appreciate advice on integrating parrots into a 36′ X 10 communal aviary for 8 amazons & 2 macaws.
These birds have all lived together in the same room divided by partitions. Although separated, they can see each other and communicate.
Since they’re familiar with each other, I’m hoping for a painless transition.
Mary W. relates:
We’ve talked about the differences between molting, preening, and plucking in a post found here.
Molting is misunderstood and usually viewed as nothing more than a nuisance.
We have 10 birds in our home.
That means they’re going to shed between 50,000 and 70,000 feathers combined, annually!
Feathered factoid: Ducks have 10,000 or more feathers and swans have upwards of 12,000+.
