Keeping a parrot is a very rewarding experience, however it is important that you familiarise yourself with the needs of your new addition. Different speciess of parrot have differing requirements, below we have tried to list the various species needs, as well as a general synopsis that we suggest you print and keep.
KEEP YOUR PARROT SAFE HEALTHY AND HAPPY
Fumes and poisons
There's a reason canaries made such terrific poison gas detectors in the early coalmines, Birds have delicate respiratory systems susceptible to strong fumes .
You should consider any product or substance that gives off a vapour potentially deadly to your parrot. Never expose your bird to aerosols, cigarette smoke , or fingernail polish remover. Plug-in air fresheners, fumes from overheated non-stick cookware and other Teflon-coated products (including space heaters), and even pine-scented car air fresheners also can kill birds. If you cannot avoid using these products, make sure your bird is not in the same room and that you ventilate the house thoroughly with fresh air.
Unsafe Foods The following foods should be considered unsafe for all birds : Sugar (refined), White Flour (refined), Fizzy Pop, Alcohol, Avocado (Guacamole), Caffeine, Chocolate, Dairy Products, Salt, Fried Foods, Raw Egg Whites (binds up biotin -- a B vitamin -- necessary for bird growth).
Chocolate, coffee , and cocoa contain Theo bromine, which is toxic to birds. Do not give these to your birds and do not leave them out where your bird could get hold of them. Avocado is toxic , particularly to African species, but should not be given to any birds. Parrots cannot excrete salt the way we can. High-salt foods can be harmful to them. An occasional nibble from a chip might be okay, but don't let them get into the habit. DO NOT GIVE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES to your bird under any circumstances. It is cruel, not amusing, to get your bird drunk. Their liver cannot metabolise the alcohol.
Bird Grit Parrots do not need grit . Only birds that cannot break the hull of the seed need any, and then only a small amount. Grit can cause blockages and impactions in your parrot!
Watch That Beak Parrots love to chew and destroy. Make sure your bird has safe toys and does not roam about your house chewing things. They don't know that electrical cord is dangerous!
African Grey Parrot
The Congo Grey is by far the most popular parrot in the uk, 70% of the birds we breed are Greys and the demand for babies has never been greater.
A Grey that has been hand reared with care an affection can make a very rewarding addition to your family.
In recent years they have received a very unfair press, with people claiming that they have a nasty nature and can be quite nippy. This is mainly due to the influx in the last twenty years or so of wild caught birds sold as pets, and birds that have been reared on more of a production line than lovingly as individual birds.
Greys can be very nervous birds, they dont like change and introducing new toys can be distressing if not done thoughtfully, however if you start of correctly, changing toys reguarly and introducing your bird to new surroundings, this should not be a problem.
As with most animals Greys can prefer one member of the family than another, however with a bit of extra work, and again introducing your bird to as many different people as possible can stop this being a problem.
Greys are good with routine, if you work then try and stick to the same routine every day, then your bird will learn when his play time is and be far more content when he is on his own.
Greys have quite complex dietry requirements. If certain vitamins and minerals are not given to the bird in early life then this can be very detramental later on. For example lack of calcium can cause seizures, feather plucking and poor bone growth. Calcium needs a catalyst in order to work in the body in the form of Vitamin D3, most calcium supplements include Vitamin D3, we recommend OPTIMAL NUTRITION CALCIUM WITH VITAMIN D3 availble from our shop, however the best way for your bird to get Vitamin D3 is from the sun, so use the supplement and get them outside for some sunshine!
Unfortunatly most seed diets are not species specific enough and high in sunflower seed. We suggest a good seed diet such as AFRICAN GOLD or Prettybird African Conure seed mix. The diet should be complemented with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, along with the correct vitamin supplement, again OPTIMAL NUTRITION AFRICAN ESSENTIALS is our vitamin supplement of choice.