Bird breeding as a hobby is becoming increasingly popular. In recent years, more and more people have turned to breeding small parrots because they can be excellent companions and are easier to keep in an apartment or home without the need for large cages. In this article, we will explain the 7 points that must be completely avoided for the good health of your new pet.
#1: Thinking that parrots only eat seeds
Although parrots are primarily seed eaters, their diet in captivity should consist of less seeds and more fresh fruits and vegetables and other healthy foods just like humans. In the wild, parrots cover large distances searching for fruits, nuts, and seeds. A diet consisting solely of seeds is low in calcium and high in fats, which often leads to obesity and eventually liver diseases. You can prioritize:
- Commonly consumed fruits are all edible for parrots, except for avocado and the seeds of certain fruits like apples, pears, peaches, and apricots;
- All edible vegetables, although some must be cooked, such as broccoli, pumpkin, sweet potato, potato, dried peas/lentils;
- Other acceptable foods include hard-boiled eggs, bread, pasta, rice, egg noodles;
Feed them in moderation and in great variety. Foods spoil and rot quickly, so be sure to clean food containers and perches thoroughly. Throw away uneaten food within hours.
#2: I must shower my parrots to keep them clean
While this is true, never shower a bird that doesn’t seem healthy, and make sure it is always placed in the sun to bask and dry. There is no need to soak them for a long time and all the way to the skin. Sometimes, it is sufficient to place a shallow bowl of water on the cage floor or to use a spray bottle.
Be careful, some birds do not like to be showered, and it is a source of stress if they are soaked heavily. Always observe your birds’ reactions and adjust according to their desire.
#3: Putting my parrot in direct sunlight when it seems cold
The body temperature of a bird is 40°C. If you think, or it is confirmed that your parrot is suffering from hypothermia, simply proceed. A heat lamp is more effective for raising the temperature of a hypothermic bird than placing it in direct sunlight. Excessive heat could actually be harmful to its health.
To avoid accidentally overheating your bird, place your hand next to your bird – it should be comfortably warm, and you should not burn your hand. Adjust the distance between the lamp and your bird to achieve the ideal temperature. Place the lamp to the side so that your bird can move away from direct light if it gets too hot.
#4: My parrot seems sick, I should give it sweetened water to recover
If your parrot seems very sick and weak, it may not be able to swallow properly. If you pour water into its beak, it risks drowning as the water could enter its lungs. The most important first aid for sick birds is heat. After increasing the ambient temperature to encourage recovery for your sick bird, make sure it receives enough food and water. You may need to hand-feed it until it regains a normal appetite. Keep your sick or injured bird calm, warm, and resting.
#5: My parrot can go without eating for several days with no problem
Birds have an extremely high metabolic rate and a high surface area relative to their body mass. This means that they burn food intake very quickly to stay warm and to keep their bodies functioning. They should be checked by a veterinarian as soon as possible if you notice a significant decrease in appetite. Never let 2 or 3 days pass because it will unfortunately often be too late. They will likely require examination of the eyes, nostrils, beak, plumage, vent, feet, heart, and lungs through auscultation by a specialized veterinarian.
#6: It’s too cruel to leave my parrot in its cage
First advice: only buy parrots bred in captivity and never wild parrots. They adapt very well to a spacious cage. Their cages protect them.
An untrained bird left free or on a perch can suffer serious accidents such as:
- broken legs;
- poisoning;
- or trauma to the digestive tract when it chews on toxic houseplants or electrical cords;
- etc.
There are frequent reports of parrots injuring themselves by flying too close to a fan, for example.
This type of “domestic” accident outside the cage often results in severe concussions or even the amputation of a wing or a leg.
#7: A parrot can take care of itself and play alone in its cage
The expression “bird brain” used to describe stupid people has apparently been invented by someone who does not raise parrots.
Frustration, stress, and anxiety are often felt by parrots, especially those that are very hand-reared and well-tamed. Self-destructive behaviors and obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD) are well-known psychiatric illnesses that are very difficult to treat.
Indeed, don’t even consider getting a parrot if you cannot dedicate several hours a day to it: it will need cuddles, playtime, presence, etc., with you…
Since some parrots can live up to 80 years, do not decide to adopt one without considering all these points. Too many people abandon their bird after a few weeks when they realize the task that awaits them for many long years…
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