How Much Lighting Will I Need for My New Bird Room?
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How Much Lighting Will I Need for My New Bird Room?

Stephanie M. needs to know:

Hi. I am building a new house with a bird room (for a 30+-year-old female Moluccan cockatoo) located in the middle of the house (where all the excitement happens).

It will have a drain and water for easy cleaning, plus doors for nighttime.

It will also have appropriate lighting.

I will need to install wet-protected light fixtures (easiest is typical shower recessed 6″ fixtures that take standard Edison base bulbs).

That’s my question…if the room is 10’2″W x 5’6″D x 8′ 4″H, how many lights do I need?

Thanks for any advice you can lend

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What’s a Good Diet for a Moluccan Cockatoo?
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What’s a Good Diet for a Moluccan Cockatoo?

Charles P. has a feeding question:      

I feed my Moluccan cockatoo a daily feeding of frozen mixed veg, fresh carrot, snow peas, green beans, grapes, apples and pasta, chickpeas, and sometimes hard-boiled eggs, plus Kaytee rainbow large parrot feed.

Is that a good mix of food and veggies?

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In Response to “Do You Serve Your Pet Bird Chop?”
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In Response to “Do You Serve Your Pet Bird Chop?”

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).

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How Can I Help My Egg Bound Cockatoo?
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How Can I Help My Egg Bound Cockatoo?

Debbie S. writes: Hi! I got your contact info from a long-time bird-loving friend. I reached out to “Gloria” yesterday as she has lots of birds and bird knowledge and we have 1 bird. We have an Umbrella Crested Cockatoo – since she hatched and is now age 28. She’s very healthy all her life, good diet, exercise, toys, etc.
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What Kind of Bird Should I Get at 60?
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What Kind of Bird Should I Get at 60?

Darla S asks:

Can you suggest a few medium-sized parrot species for a 1st-time owner about to turn 60y?

I am interested in moderation (moderate affection, playfulness, independence, friendliness, and noise) ability to talk would be a plus.

I still work full time, and live alone in my own house.

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