RosieTrinitee asked:


I have budgies, cockatiels, kakarkis & lovebirds and they are lacking calcuim. I give them cuttlefish-bones, iodine blocks and oyster shell grit but still something is lacking.

What can i buy for this? and where?

I live in exeter UK

Brett

Laurene Arroyo asked:


Pet or Performing Parrot?

You have just found a parrot for sale or adoption, and whatever your motivation for doing so, they are most likely good ones. What every new parrot owner should keep in mind though, to ensure a harmonious relationship with their new companion, is that one should not expect their pet parrot to perform impossible feats.

However amazing these birds are, they were not born to be performing parrots. Some species of parrots are known for their entertaining nature, for their faculty to learn human language, while others are more shy or even timid. 

Your parrot will always try to please you, but when training your parrot do not expect him  to memorize a word, a behavior, or a parrot trick simply because you want him to. He will remember only what he judges useful and necessary. Your parrot will only be able to say these words or sentences in the right context if he really understood the meaning of the word or sentence.

Become a good educator, when working on your bird’s socialization, when training him to talk, in order to consolidate you and your parrot’s unique bond. 

Mutual Respect

As a last recommendation, a sound human relationship is based on trust and mutual respect. When it comes to creating a relationship with your pet, these principles hold true.

Parrots need to feel safe in your company, and it is your job to win your bird’s trust, and do everything in your power not to lose it, since this could have dramatic consequences and turn your beloved feathered friend into a monster. 

Turning to mutual respect, every bird has his personality. In addition, animals are not like us, they have different codes of communication than those we use. It is therefore our task to adapt to our parrot, not the other way round. Animals do not behave as humans do, and we must not interpret their behavior using our human frame of reference, but rather keep in mind their specificity.

This will help us not to mistake what is normal behavior for parrots from bad or problematic behavior.  Mutual respect implies that your pet bird must be considered as a parrot, but also that he must respect the limits you set: to each his own territory, food, sleep cycle, instincts, and needs.



Shane

chicwitpurpose asked:


We have two cockatiels in a cage in our dining room. I am constantly cleaning bird seed, feathers, dander from the shelves and tables and vents in that room. How do most people deal with pet birds and still keep the house clean. My house feels disgusting…I dont have time to dust and wash that room everyday…any ideas from other bird owners???

Dean

Andri Irawan asked:


Pet birds with behavioural problems usually have social problems too. There would be times when behaviour issues with birds can be brought about by lack of interaction with owners, conflict with other animals or just because of sickness.  It is important to identify the reasons why birds are showing negative behaviour.  By identifying the stressors you can take it out of the birds’ system.

Positive reinforcement is an effective method which can be used to train and tame birds. Positive reinforcement focuses on what birds want like food, a scratch, verbal praise, comfort and other similar things.  Negative reinforcement, of course, is the opposite of this and is rarely successful in the long run.

Punishment never resolves the birds’ behaviour issues.  To address negative attitude of birds, here are some simple tips you can keep in mind:  

• Show your dissatisfaction with your bird’s behaviour by ****** expressions.  Frown.  Birds can pick up ****** expressions and body movements.  The best method of showing dissatisfaction towards your pet bird is by your body movements.  Maintain eye contact when doing this.

• There are bed owners who also suggest turning your back behind your birds or ignoring them.  This would discourage them into doing bad acts.

• Some bird owners say that it is effective to speak to birds with low but not loud voice.  Tell them what they did was wrong.  But be concise and short as possible. Too much negative attention can have negative effects on your pet.

• Never hit a bird.  Birds have fragile bones, physical force may injure them fatally. Also, bird abuse can also result to aggressiveness and viciousness.

• When disciplining your pet, never compromise their health.  Examples would be insufficient food and water supply, neglecting the cage and even bathing them.  This can result into deep emotional and physical injuries.

• When giving birds food as rewards for their good behaviour, choose some food which they would enjoy but rarely eat.  It is also good to pet, scratch them as positive reinforcements.  But be cautious of offering treats with too much sugar and fat.  

There would be instances when severe aggression and viciousness is treated with mood-modifying drugs.  When having problems with your birds you can consult your avian behaviourist or your vet.  But any treatment is useless without addressing the issues causing the bad behaviour.  

Actually, it is important to determine if the bad behaviour is brought about by medical condition.  So if you have noticed anything with your bird it would be best to bring them first to a vet to make sure that medical issues are ruled out.

Attitude cannot change overnight. So do not be disappointed if your birds are not showing improvements immediately after employing the mentioned tips.  Just like when disciplining children, consistency is the key when training your birds.  Birds would understand what you would like to happen when you start being consistent with your method and ways.  

When disciplining your pet birds, it is important to balance things.  Of course you wanted to correct bad behaviour, but it is as important to reinforce of point out the good behaviour also.  Birds respond to training better when focusing on the good things, not the bad things.

This method may require hard work, patience and love.  It may take a long time, but when you look at your happy pet bird, I think its going to be worth it.



Melinda

Creates A asked:


out of the finches (what type?)and canaries and budgies (not interested in large parrot type birds),thanks.:)
not interested in any parrot type birds other than budgie.
Everyone keeps mentioning parrot type birds ,no hookbills please, thanks!

Ronald

holaa! asked:


I just got some pet birds! Two actually. They are cockatoos. On is a girl and the other is a boy. They are about 5 years old. They have been living with 2 other families so far. The one family didnt really care for thebirds that much. They had them for two years and then passed them on to my great aunt. THey had them for three years and the nevery really wanted them, but the didnt want to see innocent birds thrown away. THen they gave it to us. My dad still needs to clip the wings and all. But whenever i get too close, the start to hiss at me. How do the birds get closer to me.?

Allen

Darkrai asked:


I live in front of a home who has a pet bird outside in a cage. I’m no animal psychologist but the bird seems to squawk as if it were lonely. I don’t know about you guys, but I can’t seem to comprehend the idea that birds who would otherwise be free in nature, are being caged for decoration. Free shelter, water and food are great, but that’s not how nature intended for birds.

What is your opinion?

Patricia

sy greenblum asked:


They are not physically fighting, but they keep screaming back and forth at each other from opposite ends of the cage. They are very angry and they keep casating dark looks at each other. I can almost hear the racial slurrs coming from their beaks.

Mary

~allanimals~ asked:


I’ve been looking for a Bird as a pet but my sister and mom aren’t too exited about having a bird in the house. So if there are any birds you can think of other than like ducks and chickens. Thanks alot!

Randall

Bird Brain asked:


Want to enjoy nature more? Do you love the beauty of nature? Many, many people do. They enjoy going to an aquarium, the local zoo and even the pet store. Hiking, climbing or perhaps a car ride are wonderful ways to be a part of nature.

But is there a way to enjoy nature in ones own backyard? How about getting a bird house. A bird house is not only a great addition to ones yard but for very little money can bring the excitement of nature home. And if it’s in our own back yard we can enjoy it anytime; right?

How to Pick Out a Bird House

The size of the yard is a main consideration when picking out a bird house. Simply the larger the yard the larger the bird house can be (or the more bird houses can be used). Too large a bird house for the space can result in too much nature. Of course personal preference always reigns. For instance, it may or may not be your preference to have the bird house close to your patio. Many people enjoy them near the patio because the maid or gardener will clean up after the birds; but, on the other hand, others don’t seem to have this kind of help and depend on their cat. Something to think about.

Where you plan to put the bird house is another major consideration. If the spot is pre-existing, such as a tree, the spot may determine size. If it is to be free standing then the size can vary with taste.

The next consideration about size goes to the bird seed budget. Since part of the use for a bird house is to feed the birds the cost of the bird seed can become a factor. Chances are the bigger the bird house or the more bird houses you have the more bird seed used and the more expense involved.

After making a size decision, model comes next. The style of house can be determined by the kind of bird you want to attract. Of course, the type of bird seed you use will attract different birds. Most pet or bird stores have a wide variety of seed mixes that will attract different birds. But remember you will only attract first the birds that are common to your area so plan accordingly and remember that certain birds like certain types of houses and seed.

Now the fun part comes in. Once the bird house is installed and filled with seed it is time to watch and enjoy. The wide variety of species that are attracted by regular bird seed is always a surprise.

Some More Options

Build your own. Many people don’t like the commercial options available or think they are boring. Design your own or buy a set of plans? Elaborate or simple? Bird houses can be built to whatever size, style and design excites you. Not only is a bird house for the birds but it is also for the people who enjoy them. However you choose to go, once the bird house is done, nature and beauty brought close to home can be enjoyed by everyone.



Timothy