Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Things You’ll Need:
- Bird Food/water Bowls
- Bird Perches
- Bird Toys
- Parrot Cages
- Parrot Food
- Parrot Play Pens
- Parrot Treat
Cage Setup and Cleaning
Step1
Buy a cage large enough for the parrot to be able to move around comfortably and have room to spread both wings.
Step2
Line the bottom of the cage with paper and change daily.
Step3
Provide toys, a perch, and food and water bowls.
Step4
Place a sheet of Plexiglas on the wall to prevent stains.
Step5
Wipe food and feces off the cage, perch and toys daily with hot water.
Step6
Wash the food and water bowls twice daily.
Step7
Clean the cage thoroughly every three months.
Grooming and Feeding
Step1
Wash your parrot at least once a week with water. Dry with a towel.
Step2
Clip your parrot's nails when they become long.
Step3
Talk to your parrot. Social contact is important.
Step4
Feed your parrot a balanced diet containing fruits, vegetables, meats and grains.
Step5
Give your parrot fresh water every day.
Comments
Anonymous said
on 8/8/2006 Say hello to your parrot twelve times every hour for three and a half weeks. If your parrot does not learn 'hello' by that time, the parrot is only useful for parrot pudding.
Anonymous said
on 7/31/2006 While it's true that many of the common birds you see in your backyard have seed based diets, parrots in the wild don't! Read about your breed of bird and get to know it's nutrition requirements. In addition to fruits and veggies, Zupreem is a great pellet that every bird I know gobbles up with gusto. Also remember to change diets gradually. Birds have to get used to new things.
Also, cleaning can be a breeze if you have the right equipment. I put those plastic mats made for office chairs under my birds cage to protect the carpet, and the best (and cheapest) way to clean all that bird mess from every thing is to mix 1/3 part white vinegar with 2/3 part water in a spray bottle. Vinegar is harmless to your birds, and acts as a natural disinfectant and insect repellent. It's safe to use on all your birds perches, toys, etc. Just remember to always remove the bird first!
Anonymous said
on 2/25/2006 Grit is bad for parrots! It hurts their stomachs and they don't need it because they hull their seeds, unlike chickens, who do need grit.
Also, you don't need bird sand or gravel paper for the cage bottom for the same reason. Newspaper is fine, it's not poisonous (but to be safe don't use anything from a color page, some papers use unsafe color inks) and it's easier to clean, as you can just take it out, dump it, and replace it with more. It's a lot cheaper too.
And a word about wing clipping:
If you have a problem bird, clip him! It makes a huge difference for the better, because it makes him dependent on you, and he will realize he likes you!
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 Saliva from a cat or a dog are deadly to birds. Should your bird be bitten(even if you cannot see a break in the skin) it needs immediate veterinary attention. Remember, birds hide their illness as long as possible so by the time you see that they aren't well, it could be too late.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 Ideally, your parrot should be bathed every other day. Fill up a spray bottle with hot water (as it will cool in just a few minutes) and when it is sprayed it will also feel cooler to the bird. As long as the temperature is steady in the room you are bathing the bird in, and there are no strong drafts, there is no need to towel dry your bird. Typically, they like to prune themselves as they dry.