Today we put a new Parrot Cup Cover in Popcorn’s cage as it popped into my head a bit ago that perhaps her repeated bacterial infections might be resulting from her pooping into her water.
An oft-asked question by caged bird keepers is “how do I give my bird powdered supplements”? Pet bird supplement manufacturers are very good at letting us know what is in the supplements and providing us with precise dosages based upon the size of the bird.
What they never tell us is how to get the supplements IN the bird. Most of them are water-soluble but we’ve all watched our birds drink, they don’t drink a lot in terms of volume so we end up throwing a dish of water out two to three times a day along with any diluted vitamins that would be in the water. This is wasteful.
Recently our cockatiel Popcorn was diagnosed with a compromised immune system by our board-certified avian vet Byron de la Navarre, DVM — Chief of Staff @ Animal House here in Chicago This was a result of stress from the seasonal changing light cycles, a recent molt and some reproductive activity. Dr. Byron administered a highly potent antibiotic and prescribed an oral antibiotic that we administered to Popcorn orally twice a day for about 10 days.
The not-so-fine print: I am not an avian behaviorist. I have no formal training in veterinary medicine. My expertise is in helping you create the best environment that you can for your bird.
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I don’t think anyone will dispute the fact that birds are unpredictable.
I listen to the clipped wings camp and one of the things I hear repeatedly is “I keep my birds wings clipped so it doesn’t fly into a wall” Something pet bird keepers who clip their bird’s wings predict with absolute certainty.
I recently saw an ad on the Internet for bird training treats. What was interesting to me was in recommending bird treats similar to NutriBerries. Don’t get me wrong we love NutriBerries and think it’s a great treat, just not for training.
Before I get ahead of myself when I speak of training when it comes to birds (horses and dogs do well with this) I talk about clicker training.
Okay all you pet bird keepers whose birds have clipped wings, I can see all of you rolling your eyes from here. “What’s he up to now Virginia? How in the world can wing clipping and screaming be related?”
Today I have science on my side – and who can argue with science? From the blog “the Scorpion in the Frog… It’s in our nature” by Miss Behavior who’s real name is Sarah Jane Alger and she is a biologist
Mitch,
Are you saying you don’t keep your birds in a cage? Ever? Like they just roam around the house all day?
How do you keep from stepping on them, what about electrical cords that might look like a toy to them while you’re not observing?
What about things like china plates on a hutch they could fly into and hurt themselves?
I would love to let them lose but how would I keep an eye on them say if they’re upstairs and I’m down? They get into EVERYTHING!
How many times have you watched in awe as a flighted bird hops off the top of it’s cage – flap flap flap then lands on an inch wide piece of ceiling crown molding or a computer monitor and in bird speak says “What’s up?”
Never giving a thought to that gravity thing that keeps the rest of us tethered to Mother Earth. These are special creatures indeed.
It’s been my observation that most caged bird keepers fail (sell, re-home or give to a rescue) because the birds are unable to adapt to the keepers expectations.
Normal Values for a Small Bird
Normal Values for a Large Bird
