Friday, April 29, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
Sunday, April 24, 2011
First Aid for Parrots
Unfortunately, accidents can - and DO happen, so it's always a good idea to be prepared! While accidents usually produce obvious injuries, illnesses are often kept well hidden by birds. In nature, if you're sick you pose a threat in making your whole flock vulnerable to predators, so parrots have become adept at masking signs of illness. This is one reason that it's vital to have a "well bird" check-up annually. Needless to day, once a bird is showing obvious signs of illness, he's often very sick and needs immediate vet attention. First Aid is intended to help you get by until you can see the vet, or in treating minor injuries.
It's helpful to have a "hospital cage" for emergencies - a smaller, easily portable cage where you can isolate a sick or injured bird and easily move him to a warm, quiet, area of your home. It's advisable to have a quarantine area as well - for new birds coming into the home, as well as sick birds recovering from an infection. This area should be well separated from the rest of your birds to prevent air-borne transmission of germs, as well as those spread by direct contact.
Some of the signs of possible illness include: more time on cage floor, talking and playing less, fluffed feathers, lack of appetite, drinking more water, personality changes (such as becoming bitey or not wanting to come out of the cage), tail bobbing, puffy eyes, sleeping on both feet with head tucked, droopy wings, sneezing or coughing, "clicking" in chest, vomiting, diarrhea, soiled vent, etc. I won't go into specific diseases here, but hopefully you get the general idea - if things are "different," get to the vet! Other problems include broken blood feathers or egg binding.
It's a good idea to put together a first aid kit (Your Parrot Place has a nice one for sale!)
Include:
· Eye and skin wash
· Styptic powder
· Corn starch
· Antiseptic wipes
· Cotton Swabs and balls
· Eye dropper
· Assorted bandages - gauze, adhesive, vet wrap
· Scissors
· Latex Gloves
· Forceps or hemostats
· Betadine or iodine swabs
· Adhesive tape
· Penlight
· Heating pad and/or lamp
· Hydrogen peroxide
· Pedialyte (Electrolyte solution for babies)
· Hand feeding formula and syringes
· Phone number for vets and poison control
Generally, with any illness or injury, remove the bird to a hospital cage and put him in a warm, quiet, dimly lit room (bathrooms can work). Provide fresh water (and Pedialyte if needed). Feed favorite foods (healthier things you know he'll eat) plus warm foods like cooked rice or oatmeal. IN addition, spray millet is often enjoyed by smaller birds. If he's not eating well on his own, offer some warm food with your fingers or a spoon. If need be, you may have to mix up hand feeding formula and give by cup or syringe. If you've kept your bird in the habit of eating from a spoon or cup, this will be easier. DO NOT use over the counter remedies from pet stores. It's too much of a guessing game. I know a Pionus who became psychotic after being given an OTC bird "remedy" and would not stop thrashing around her cage. A little chamomile tea can help the bird relax and ginger tea is good for digestive upsets. If you're familiar with herbal remedies, you can safely
use those without causing harm to your bird. NEVER give antibiotics without knowing your bird actually has a BACTERIAL infection (and which bacteria!)
Broken blood feathers (or those accidentally clipped) can be hard to stop bleeding. Do not use styptic powder on skin or soft tissue - only on bleeding nails. Otherwise, use corn starch as a coagulant. If the blood feather (immature feather with live blood supply) won't stop bleeding, it has to be pulled or the bird can bleed to death.
A note on egg binding: If a hen is on the cage bottom, fluffed up and straining, she may be "egg bound". Put her in a warm, humid place (like the bathroom). You can rub some vegetable oil around her vent. Egg bound hens can die fairly quickly, though, and if the egg does not pass within several hours, she needs to get to the vet immediately (a good diet with extra calcium will help prevent this.)
So get in the habit of inspecting your birds on a daily basis, and being alert for signs of distress. Read up on diseases and gain a basic knowledge of illness in birds. "Bird proof" your home, avoid toxic fumes and unsafe toys. Have a first aid kit and hospital cage available. No what's "normal" for your bird and act quickly if things don't seem right. Find a good AVIAN vet and see them annually. Be sure your house and your bird's cage and play areas are as safe as possible. Feed the best diet you can to ensure your birds best possible health. Wouldn't it be nice if your first aid kit never gets used?!
The First Aid kit available at Your Parrot Place (under accessories) contains most of the essentials such as: Styptic Powder, Latex Gloves, Eye Skin Wash, 1"x6 yd Sterile Bandage, Scissors, Locking Forceps, Iodine Swabs, Antiseptic Towelettes, 2"x2" Gauze Pads, Cotton Swabs, Adhesive Tape, Hand Wipe, Emergency Info Card, Directions, and Case. Perishables, like hand feeding formula, should be stored in the freezer and replaced every six months.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
How to Train Your Parrot To Talk
Everyone enjoys a talking parrot. Having a talking parrot at home can be so much fun. It is not only a cute pet but also a good companion. But teaching a parrot to talk can be a difficult task if you don't have any idea about how to go about it. Training him to talk is a process that requires patience some other various points which I covered in this article.You should follow the following steps while teaching him how to talk-
Start young- You should start as early as possible to teach it different kinds of words. You should try and associate objects with the words. It takes time for him to learn, so be patient.
Consistent- be consistent in your training. Set a training time each day for him. When you are training him, be excited so that it increases his interest. Do not ever over train your parrot. If he is tired and is not showing much interest you should stop. Give him his time so that he is able to relax and understand what he has learned.
Reward him- You should reward him generously for his work. You can give him his favorite thing to eat, and you can also praise him and stroke his head or neck lightly. It encourages him to perform better. It also builds a trust between you two.
Personal- You should be a personal tutor for your parrot, though there are some teaching recorded tapes available in the market. Remember it's not only about teaching him to speak. It's also about him feeling happy to please you. If it feels happy that it has pleased you, it becomes more interested in learning.
Repeat- It takes time for him to learn and you should try to repeat the words even if you feel he is not learning. When he speaks some words bring that object to him in order to make him understand better. You should also try teaching him about certain things that happen daily. Like, try teaching him "lunch time", at the time of lunch or "welcome" when someone comes to your house. While training, remember that whatever you are teaching him, you would hear it back for a long time. Be happy- If you think your parrot is not learning don't worry about it. Always remember birds differ in terms of personality and takes their own time to learn. Never be angry on your bird if he is not learning fast enough.
Also, you should always take care of your parrot's health and keep its cage clean. Healthy parrots learn faster.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Pet Training - How to Train Your Bird
Many different kinds of domesticated birds can make enjoyable companions when taken care of properly and treated with love and respect. Although if your bird is not socialized and mentally stimulated daily with shred able toys, ropes, and treats, bouts of depression and aggression can develop, especially in the absence of socializing your parrot. A few of the problems that can occur include squawking, biting and even your bird biting you.
The key to training your bird is having patience. Birds are fairly small creatures, and some may learn slower than others, so it is very important to keep your cool if tweedy is not doing exactly what you want when you want it. A common training tool for your bird is teaching it to step-up. This is where the bird steps up off a surface and onto your finger or hand. Repetition of the exercise is very important and you may find this to be very helpful, as it will be easier to move your bird from one place to another. The best way to train your parrot the step-up is to first approach him or her while on a flat surface. Offer just your index finger to the bird by placing your outstretched finger to your birds chest height or a little above the feet. Say "step up" while gently pressing against the front of the body if there is not an immediate response or if your bird seems uninterested or distracted from what you are asking. Do not be forceful, and it is completely okay if your parrot does not get the step-up right away.
These things take time. Practice this whenever you can, but never repeatedly for a long time. Asking for a step-up here and there around the house is acceptable. When your parrot does do this correctly, they will see your finger and step up onto the elevated surface (your hand). Make sure to reward your parrot for obeying by praising them vocally. For instance say "good bird" in a happy tone and offer a small healthy treat to them such as a small piece of fruit. You will now be able to move your parrot where and when you wish.
Keep in mind to pick an appropriate time to train. Do not work with your bird if you are tired or frustrated. Do not spend too much time training your bird in one time period, for they tire quickly and it is better to teach your parrot in small amounts of time.
During the training sessions, be clear about what you are asking of your bird to avoid excessive confusion. As mentioned earlier, remember to always treat your parrot with respect and patience. Now that you know how to successfully train your bird enjoy all the time that you will get to spend with your pet.
The key to training your bird is having patience. Birds are fairly small creatures, and some may learn slower than others, so it is very important to keep your cool if tweedy is not doing exactly what you want when you want it. A common training tool for your bird is teaching it to step-up. This is where the bird steps up off a surface and onto your finger or hand. Repetition of the exercise is very important and you may find this to be very helpful, as it will be easier to move your bird from one place to another. The best way to train your parrot the step-up is to first approach him or her while on a flat surface. Offer just your index finger to the bird by placing your outstretched finger to your birds chest height or a little above the feet. Say "step up" while gently pressing against the front of the body if there is not an immediate response or if your bird seems uninterested or distracted from what you are asking. Do not be forceful, and it is completely okay if your parrot does not get the step-up right away.
These things take time. Practice this whenever you can, but never repeatedly for a long time. Asking for a step-up here and there around the house is acceptable. When your parrot does do this correctly, they will see your finger and step up onto the elevated surface (your hand). Make sure to reward your parrot for obeying by praising them vocally. For instance say "good bird" in a happy tone and offer a small healthy treat to them such as a small piece of fruit. You will now be able to move your parrot where and when you wish.
Keep in mind to pick an appropriate time to train. Do not work with your bird if you are tired or frustrated. Do not spend too much time training your bird in one time period, for they tire quickly and it is better to teach your parrot in small amounts of time.
During the training sessions, be clear about what you are asking of your bird to avoid excessive confusion. As mentioned earlier, remember to always treat your parrot with respect and patience. Now that you know how to successfully train your bird enjoy all the time that you will get to spend with your pet.
Birds Training-Basic Guides To Training Your Pet Bird
You brought home with you a beautiful Macaw, you've done your research and got it what it needs to be a happy bird. Now its time to train your pet bird to do all the neat tricks you've adorned from a distance in envy. Where to start? Here are some basic training tips for those of you who recently brought in a feathered friend.
The more you spend time with your pet bird the more you will become familiar with their unique personality. Like humans these birds possess unique personalities that tell you how they feel in their own special ways.
1. Have you ever had trouble concentrating during long class hours or business meetings? Like people birds get bored too, so keep the training session short. 10 minutes are about the ideal length in retaining your bird's attention.
2. Comfort and familiarity is important to birds too, if you're using props to train your bird then leave them near the cage and let the bird warm up to those items.
3. Once again, birds are like people in that they can't concentrate very well with distractions. Turn the TV and your stereo off when you're training your pet and try to find a quiet place away from the cage. If the bird, however, has some insecurities or is frightened you should probably keep the bird near the cage to let it feel secure.
4. We all remember things better when there's a reward involved. (Remember that gold star you got for turning the homework in on time back in elementary school?) Find a treat that your feathered friend will be rewarded with if it performs a trick correctly. The treat doesn't necessarily have to be food but if you do choose to give your pet something to eat, make sure it's small and something that is easily consumed. Though praises or a good head scratch is always preferred.
5. Consistency is the key to success. Try to train your bird same time everyday. That way your bird has something to look forward to and can get used to the routine.
6. Try to avoid your pet from developing bad habits. Biting can be avoided by keeping your hands out of beak range when training your bird. That way your bird won't be as tempted to take a bite out of your finger.
7. If you're bird starts to misbehave don't get intimidated, remain calm and stay close until the bird calms down. You can leave when the bird has stopped stirring, this way it teaches your pet that acting out won't get it what it wants.
8. Remember that each bird behaves differently and all birds require patience and commitment. Don't expect for your bird to behave like a Harvard student after one or two training sessions. With abundant affection and consistent training your bird will learn to build bonds with you and perform tricks.
The more you spend time with your pet bird the more you will become familiar with their unique personality. Like humans these birds possess unique personalities that tell you how they feel in their own special ways.
1. Have you ever had trouble concentrating during long class hours or business meetings? Like people birds get bored too, so keep the training session short. 10 minutes are about the ideal length in retaining your bird's attention.
2. Comfort and familiarity is important to birds too, if you're using props to train your bird then leave them near the cage and let the bird warm up to those items.
3. Once again, birds are like people in that they can't concentrate very well with distractions. Turn the TV and your stereo off when you're training your pet and try to find a quiet place away from the cage. If the bird, however, has some insecurities or is frightened you should probably keep the bird near the cage to let it feel secure.
4. We all remember things better when there's a reward involved. (Remember that gold star you got for turning the homework in on time back in elementary school?) Find a treat that your feathered friend will be rewarded with if it performs a trick correctly. The treat doesn't necessarily have to be food but if you do choose to give your pet something to eat, make sure it's small and something that is easily consumed. Though praises or a good head scratch is always preferred.
5. Consistency is the key to success. Try to train your bird same time everyday. That way your bird has something to look forward to and can get used to the routine.
6. Try to avoid your pet from developing bad habits. Biting can be avoided by keeping your hands out of beak range when training your bird. That way your bird won't be as tempted to take a bite out of your finger.
7. If you're bird starts to misbehave don't get intimidated, remain calm and stay close until the bird calms down. You can leave when the bird has stopped stirring, this way it teaches your pet that acting out won't get it what it wants.
8. Remember that each bird behaves differently and all birds require patience and commitment. Don't expect for your bird to behave like a Harvard student after one or two training sessions. With abundant affection and consistent training your bird will learn to build bonds with you and perform tricks.
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