Trixie's Tidbits

I'm always looking for new tips. Please email me with your shortcuts.

Helpful Hints and other information:

• Don't wait for an emergency with your bird to find an Avian Vet. Make sure you take your bird for a well-bird checkup at least once a year. Not all vets are avian vets. When finding a vet, make sure you specify that you want an Avian Vet.
  
• Polly DOESN'T want a cracker. Try fresh veggies & fruit instead.
  
• Birds are meant to destroy toys. This is a sign of approval. Your bird may also enjoy some homemade toys, such as:
  1. Paper Towel rolls
  2. Paperback books that you don't want--take the covers off first, because the ink could hurt your bird.
  3. Knots, knots, and more knots. Birds like to untie them.
  
• Birds are motivated by food and interaction. One way to earn your bird's trust is by offering it a favorite treat.
  
• Shopping for toys for your bird can be lots of fun, and new items keep your bird entertained while you are away or busy.
  
• Homework can be used as a bonding activity with your bird. However, just like a dog, a bird can eat your homework.
  
• Unsalted/unbuttered popcorn will give your bird hours of fun!
  
• Avoid cages made for rats/rodents unless you are SURE they are not galvanized metal (many are) which can result in lead poisoning for your bird.
  
• Happy huts are a great, secure place to sleep! Always check for wear and holes, which can make it a hazard.
  
• Vet wrap (about $3/roll) is great for wrapping on ramps and slippery perches. It's rubbery coating keeps the bird from slipping
  
• Wide rope perches will allow your bird to get a better footing. Avoid small wood perches, and avoid manzanita perches which are slippery (sand blasted perches alleviate that problem).
  
• Wash fruit and vegetables thoroughly before serving them. Organically grown produce may be contaminated with bacteria or insect and/or rodent droppings. Scrub under running water, then dry with a paper towel to remove even more residue.
  
• Your bird may prefer some vegetables raw rather than cooked. Experiment!
  
• Freshness counts. If you won't eat it, please don't feed it to your bird.
  
• Holiday season means more cooking--do not use non stick cookware or appliances where birds are present. Fumes emitted from heating these products can kill birds very quickly. Never use the self cleaning cycle of your oven during the winter when your house is closed up, or at any time during the year when your bird cannot be temporarily relocated. Your oven may contain non stick or chemically treated components. Fumes from these, or smoke from burned on food can be deadly to birds.
  
• Reduce risk of salt toxicity by using unsalted water for boiling or steaming vegetables. If you offer canned vegetables to your bird, use the salt free varieties.
  
• Pumpkins are a good source of Vitamin A. Birds will enjoy the seeds, fresh or roasted, as well as the cooked pumpkin itself.
  
• State issue: A bill restricting the sale of unweaned birds was adopted by the full legislature and sent to the Governor for his signature. In its final form, AB 202 permits pet stores to possess unweaned birds so long as they have on staff PIJAC certified avian specialists. Assuming it is not vetoed, the law will become effective in September 2004. This represents an extension of the standard effective period based upon a request by PIJAC. Although PIJAC has opposed this bill since its introduction, PIJAC also worked with the sponsor to improve the bill. As introduced, the measure would have prohibited any possession of unweaned birds (meaning they could not even be bred). PIJAC also questioned the PIJAC certification requirement for pet store possession of unweaned birds, but agreed to attempt to make its program widely available in California to meet the demand, should the law actually pass. The delayed implementation deadline will allow a revision and expansion of PIJAC's program to meet this commitment. We are proud to say that Feathered Follies now has 7 PIJAC Certified Specialists.