Bird Health Care Questions

Your veterinarian should be your first source of care and medical
information. As with all medical cases, check with your veterinarian before changing any medical treatments. This information is meant as a resource, not as a treatment, diagnosis or replacement of veterinary advice.

Nail Trimmings - Nail trimmings are a very important part of grooming and a good place to start with training. Many types of pets do not like to have their feet handled or touched. This can make regular nail trimmings a hassle and a fearful time for your pet. Some pets get so worked up that they scream and bite as if they are being tortured. Nail trimmings (when done properly) are perfectly harmless and painless. We never recommend sedating an animal to do a nail trimming. We always recommend starting as soon as you get your pet with handling the feet and introducing the clipper so that they realize it will not harm them. If you make nail trimming or any grooming process fun, they will look forward to the "chore".

For Birds, it is recommended to add at least one perch that has a rough surface to help naturally keep the nails trimmed.

Start by playing, touching, scratching the feet/paw area several times per day for a couple of weeks or until they become comfortable with having their feet/paws handled. Be sure to use lots of positive reinforcement and treats!

Next, introduce the clippers by laying the clippers next to your pet while playing, touching and scratching their feet/paws. Do this for another week or so.

Finally, pet their feet/paws with the clippers, making sure not to use the clippers. After a couple days of this, start trimming just the tips of the nail so they get used to the feel. Be sure to use lots of treats.

Aging Pets - We have gotten a lot of emails lately about aging pets and decided to list common ailments and problems associated aging. Any changes in behavior or appetite are often the first signs of illness. If you notice any of the symptoms below, please take your pet to a vet immediately for a complete check-up. This is not intended to cover everything, just the most common problems.

Lost Bird - i have a parakeet when 2 days ago it flew away cause i
left the water gate open. at first it was only in my
backyard when my attempts of retrieving it all failed
cause it wasnt hungery and stuff.
it is now somewhere else and i cant find it.
i contacted others but they could only find ways that
require it being close.
is there any way to get or lure or help my bird back
please help

Lost Bird Response - I am so sorry to hear that your bird flew away. Don't lose all hope, he may still return or someone may find him. First, immediately make some flyers to hang up in your neigborhood and take to the local shelters. Be sure to call your shelters and leave your number in case someone calls to say they found your bird.

Did you see our section about how to catch an escapee? If not, it is below:

First.don't panic. If you saw your bird escape, follow it. Don't try to find rescue equipment. Enlist the help of a volunteer to get your rescue equipment. Any noise and activity may scare your bird. Try using a hushed voice, which may entice him to listen and move closer. If he moves closer, reach out our hand or a branch to reach him. If you did not see your bird escape, try leaving his favorite toy perch and cage outside where he can
reach it and, most importantly, where he can see it. Be sure to leave all his favorite treats in sight too. Items that make-up an emergency plan are as follows:

1. Write down your bird's leg band number for easy identification
2. Have a recent photo available
3. Train your bird to land on a variety of objects and to come to
treats
4. Rescue equipment can include; a net, a carrier, binoculars, a
stick, and a favorite treat
5. The number one preventative is to have your bird's wings clipped properly

Although the above information may be too late, please at least try leaving his cage outside with the door proped open. Try leaving a pile of treats in an open area next to the house. Keep a towel or pillow case handy so that if he lands on the treats you can quickly run out and throw it over him. Most escapees do not go far for the first week or so. Canvas your neigborhood with a friend and binoculars. Tell all your neighbors to keep their eyes open. If you know someone with another bird, ask them to put
that cage outside (with the doors closed) for a couple of hours in hopes he will go to the other bird (use the towel or pillow case to catch him).

Update: Have you had any luck yet? Be sure to call your local shelters so they are aware that your are looking. Try your local vet offices too. They may get someone coming in with an injured bird they found. Parakeets are very thrifty birds and she may be able to live in the wild by herself for a long period of time. However, the dangers she may face are harsh winters and
predators such as other birds (hawks). I am sorry it is difficult for you to find help making your flyers but they need not be fancy. Using simple notebook paper and markers you can handwrite your flyer with the words "Lost Parakeet" in big letters and your phone number written several times at the bottom for people to tear off. Then tape them to the telephone poles in
your neigborhood.

Some other ideas to try:

Bird bath; on hot summer days she may be looking for water.

Bird feeder; if other birds are attracted, she may join them. I have often seen parakeets at bird feeders.

Taming - My name is Angela and I have recently acquired two Budgies (parakeets). I have never had any kind of birds before and now I have two! So I am full of questions. The question that is most concerning to me is how to train my new birds. These two (female) budgies have lived in the same cage together for two years. As I have found out, they greatly depend on each other and have little interest in humans. But I also know that these two birds were very neglected. Not neglected of physical needs but of emotional attention. They basically just existed with a fresh batch of food and water every couple of days with no interaction with their owner. I want them to trust me and love me. I have finally been able to put my hand in the cage and get them on my finger without being attacked, but I can't say that they really enjoy my intrusion. They just seem to know that I am not afraid of them so they allow me to handle them. I want to know if this is just a long process or are they ever going to become attached to me?

It sounds like you have your hands full....but you have made a great start and for a first time bird owner, you are doing it perfect. Obviously, because the birds have not been handled, they are not tame. However, this does not mean that they will never be tame. Most important because you are persistent, unafraid and loving, you will eventually win them over. We do have a couple of tips to help you along as well as some website with additional information:

1. It may be a difficult decision but if you want them to become tame, you need to separate the birds. The idea is to have the birds bond to you, however, at the current time they are bonded to each other. To combat this problem we recommend having them in separate cages near each other.

2. You will need to spend as much time as you can gaining their trust (which you have started). They have relied on each other for that trust and now need to learn to trust you. Gaining their trust involves keeping your hand in the cage for extended periods of time (ackward but worth the wait). Keep favorite treats on your hand at all times. Eventually they will venture to your hand for the treats. Keep up this contact until they are comfortable sitting on your hand and taking treats from your hand.

3. Next is to get them to stand on your hand or finger. To accomplish this, use a key word like "up" each time you put your finger up to them. Gently push your hand or finger up against their chest using the key word. As you push against their chest this puts them off balance and they will step up to your finger. Keep them in the cage on your finger at first. Gradually work towards bringing them out of the cage. Be sure to have lots of treats available when outside the cage. It is probably best to cover the other cage as you work with each individual bird.

Most important when beginning training is to have your birds wings clipped to prevent injury. Don't expect overnight miracles, it can take up to a month just to start showing some results.

www.birdsnways.com

Bird Training - Hi My name is Charlene Whitton and I have a problem, my budgie's name is Oscar he is 4 years old and he bites all the time, I have been trying to train him for a long time but I really need some advice from someone who knows better.

Bird Training Response - You don't say how long you have had your bird, but I will assume that it has been about 4 years. It may be hard to retrain him if you have had him this long because he and you have established your routines with each other. It is best to start from scratch.

Most important when training your bird is to make sure his wings are clipped to prevent his constant flying away. The first step is to retrain him to like your hand and feel safe with your hand and finger. Keep your hand in his cage for extended periods of time with food on it. He will learn to perch their and eat treats. Do not force him to get on your hand for a couple of days or until he has gotten on your hand by himself and has stayed on your hand eating food. Be sure to praise him when he is good. Do not give him attention when he is being bad. Using a consistent command like "UP" when asking him to get on your finger will help him recognize what you want. Try ignoring his biting. If he sees that it gets no reaction he may stop. If he continues bad behavior, use a sharp no and put him on a perch and ignore him (putting him in his cage is exactly what he wants do not reward him by putting him in his cage). Patience, time and lots of love are the key to taming your budgie.

he has already got bad athiritis as the vet wont do anyrhing iv'e tried changeing vets.His problem devloped because the vet said as a baby he some-how broke his right foot and toe's.And now his circulation dosn't work properly.and he falls off his perch

You didn't really ask a question but I am assuming you are looking for help with your bird and his arthritis. I will assume that your vet took x-rays and discovered a broken foot and toes. There are other ailments that can cause birds to fall from their perch such as; poisonings, neurological problems, vitamin deficiencies, etc. It sounds like you are on the right path by looking for another vet. He should have given you lots of advice on how to alleviate some of your birds pain. Try to find a vet that specializes in birds.

Have you tried one of the new magnetic perches that have magnets which help increase blood circulation in the feet and can relieve pain from arthritis? You can pick up these perches at your local pet store. They are becoming quite popular. Also, be sure to provide your bird with several different sized perches. The different sizes help your bird to exercise his feet which also increases circulation.

October 25, 2000 - Build Bird Cage - Hi. I would like to build a cage for my macaw. I was wondering if you had any ideas and/or pictures to help me. Thank you very much!!!

October 25, 2000 - Response - You don't say whether you want an indoor cage/aviary or an outdoor aviary.
I tried to find as much information as possible since this looks like it
will be a big undertaking and you will need a lot of information. Your best
source would be to contact some of the people at the links below asking them for advice (*). I am sure they would be happy to help. Another good
resource are breeders in your area, zoos, etc...

http://www.multiscope.com/hotspot/metals.htm (metals not to use - poisonous)

http://www.birdsnways.com/wisdom/ww14eii.htm (more info on poisonous metals)

http://www.bird-cage.com/ (clear cages)

http://www.bluequaker.com/Art-004.htm (another builder with specs) *

http://www.birdsnways.com/wisdom/ww46e.htm (some ideas to keep in mind)

I will keep looking to see if I can find more specific information. I do
know of someone that has built their own cage, but have been unable to
contact them. I will let you know when I hear from them.

A quick note to let you know I spoke to my friend who built an outdoor cage
for her Macaw. Her cage was 8 x 8 x 8. She said that the bigger you make
the cage the less problems you will have with chewing. She got the wire
mesh from Home Depot which was a rectangular shape of about 1 1/2 inches by1 inch. She used 4x4's on the outside as a frame. With the frame on the
outside it reduced the amount of chewing. Be sure that the boards are not
treated with any chemicals. She simply used U shaped nails to attach the
mesh to the frame. She said that the finished result was heavy enough that
she did not need a bottom for the cage and simply made a wood framed door to walk through and hosed everything down to keep it clean. She also said that you may be able to use PVC pipe as the frame. You would have to drill holes through the PVC and attach the mesh with wire ties through the holes (making sure the wire ties are on the outside to prevent injuries). This would also be lighter and should have a bottom.

I thought some of this info might be helpful. However, this information is
meant as a resource and not as a recommendation on how to build a cage.

June 14, 2000 - Feeding Conures - Could you please tell me what is the best food to give my conure, when I got her the man at the pet store gave me a mixture of peanuts, red peppers, seeds, go
figure. :). I want to give her the right foods. Thanks, Thelma

June 14, 2000 - Fedding Conures Response - I love hearing from our visitors. Thanks for keeping us updated. Your right, the diet the person recommended is made for large parrots not
conures. Conures do well on a diet with a base of safflower seeds. Stay
away from the diets with a lot of sunflower seeds. Sunflower seeds are high
in fat and can be addictive. Look for a high quality diet made specifically
for conures and lovebirds. It is a good idea to supplement your conures
daily seed diet with fresh fruits and veggies. Try oranges, apples, dried
bananas, broccoli, baby carrots, corn, halved walnuts and uncooked pasta.
She may be reluctant to try new foods, but keep trying because they
generally change their mind. Once a week you should supplement your conures
diet with vitamins. Also as a once a week treat, it is ok to give the
parrot mix as a nice change.

Keep up the good work with your new bird. She must be thriving under your
special care. Debra, Petinfo4u.com

June 10, 2000 - Bird Behavior Problems - I am having a great time with my parrot. She is learning to talk and she is very smart. The only problem is that she continues to bite me and she squawks like I am hurting her if I try to pick her up to put her in her cage. She gets out oof her cage all the time. Is there anything I can do to help me deal with her. Thelma

June 10, 2000 - Bird Behavior Problems Response - It sounds to me as if you have a friend that does not want to be in her cage but with you. Obviously, there are times when we can't spend all your time
with your bird and they need to be in their cage. Sometimes, as new bird
owners, we spend a lot of time in the beginning with our bird and then have
to get back to real life. This can be confusing to your bird. Be
consistent with the time and shedule of when you allow her out of her cage.

If she is a little houdini and unlocking her cage, a simple ring that screws
shut (found at hardware stores) works well. This also allows easy access in
case of emergency as opposed to locks.

Birds do not take kindly to nor do they respond well to negative
reinforcement during training (such as yelling and hitting). They do
respond well to and should be rewarded for good behavior with praise and
treats. The best way to deal with bad behavior is by ignoring it. When she
stops the bad behavior and is behaving properly, lavish her with attention
and treats. Most birds are trying to get your attention and will try
anything. By ignoring the bad behavior, they will try something else. Your
birds squawking and biting, when you are putting her back in her cage, is to
distract your attention and hopefully keep you from putting her back in the
cage. Be persistent and never let her get the upper hand or win the
distraction game. To get your bird's attention or to stop her from doing
something, try speaking very softly so that she will concentrate on what you
are saying and not what she is doing. Try waiting to give special food
items until after you are done playing so that she knows they are there
waiting for her in the cage when you are done.

The most common problem behavior in birds is biting. To stop biting, try a
"handquake". This method is done by gently shaking or dropping your hand
quickly to get your bird's attention. Again, ignore the biting behavior by
not saying anything and putting her down. You should never cause your bird
to fall to the floor as this can injure him.

It is also important to note that your bird may see you as a mate. Biting
behavior is natural and used as a protective gesture.

Patience and time are the key. I don't know if you have already seen this
link, but it has additional information.

http://www.birdsnways.com/wisdom/ww20eiv.htm

I am glad to hear that you are enjoying her antics. Hope this information
helps. Please let us know how you and your conure are doing. Debra

June 8, 2000 - Parakeet Cost & Info - My parents said I could get an Amereican Parakeet if I found out how much they cost so I was wondering how much an American Parakeet costs on average.

June 8, 2000 - Parakeet Cost & Info Response - Parakeets start from about $10.00 and go up depending on rarity, quality and color, plus a starter kit including a cage, perches, etc. at around $50.00. It is important to get the largest cage you can afford, with bar spacing suitable for Parakeets. More importantly, please find out as much as you can about the care of a Parakeet. Parakeets make great starter birds. They are energetic, chatty, and one of the best talkers. The male Parakeets are considered friendlier than the females and generally make better talkers. Did you visit my care sheet on birds, under Pet Care? There are many great books and websites available. Below are several links I found to get you started on your journey into the wonderful world of birds:

http://www.upatsix.com/faq/budgie.htm

http://www.birdsnways.com/wisdom/ww13ev.htm

http://www.budgies.org/info/resinfo.html

If you need any further information, please feel free to contact us. Debra

June 3, 2000 - Blue Crowned Conure - Hello, I am the new owner of a Blue Head Conure. I need to know how can I can tell if she is sick. Is it normal for her eyes to look like they have a red rim around them? Thelma

June 3, 2000 - Blue Conure Response - It is normal for a Blue Crowned Conure to have a orange ring around both eyes. Your bird should not have any discharge or swelling in or around its eye. This is can be an
indication of an upper respiratory infection. If your bird shows any signs of lethargy, loss of appetite or discharge from around his eyes or nose, take him to vet.

Please let us know if our information has been helpful. Welcome to the wonderful world of birds!
Debra, Petinfo4u.com

May 20, 2000 - Ringneck Parakeets - I recently acquired a ringneck. I have no info on these birds, and was wondering if you could provide me with info and some sites on these birds. Thanks,Kathy

May 20, 2000 Ringneck Parakeet Response - We love visitors that are always looking for new and helpful information on their pets...that's what Petinfo4u.com all about. Ringneck Parakeets have many beautiful color variations available making them very popular. Ringnecks are able to bond with their owner and are best kept seperate from other ringnecks to help in the bonding process. These birds do best in an environment where they receive a lot of attention. They are considered a very fast flyer and should have their wings clipped on a regular basis to protect them from harm. They can talk but need lots of practice. Enjoy your new feathered friend! The following are some links you may find helpful.

Good Luck and visit us again. If you have any comments or questions regarding the information provided, please let us know so that we may improve our information. Debra