My Pet Parrot

I think it is only fair to the parrot and you, if you are thinking of buying one, that you think long and hard about bringing a parrot into your household, as I have said before I love all parrots big and small and care very much for them.

I have had many other pets and will probably have them again in the future but if I do I will make sure that the introduced pet will compliment my friend I have now my pet parrot.

So on that basis when you decide to get a parrot think of all the requirements and adjustments your household will have to make and may need for your new pet.

Because Parrots come in sizes from the iconic red, blue and yellow macaw to small parakeets and many sizes in between but they are all in the same family; they have the same shape beak and generally have rich, bright plumage, and all require special care and accommodations and especially your love and personal care. more:

Friday, May 1, 2009

Parrot Diet - Fresh Food, Snacks and Table Food

By Matt Carver

Like everybody else your parrot deserves fresh food whether it's seed, pellet or cooked. But it's not always easy to know if the seed or pellet food you get at the pet store is always as fresh as it should be. Next time you get some seed, place a teaspoon of it between two damp paper towels. In a couple of days check it to see how has sprouted. If most has you've got good fresh seed. If only some of it has it's not so fresh. If none sprouted find a new pet store.

If your supplier sells seeds or pellets in large open bins I'd find another store. Store employees or customers may run their hands through it and contaminated it. Worse yet the food may have been picked over by rodents. You want the food you buy to be in airtight sealed bags - seed or pellet.

Your parrot likes a treat now and then just as you do. The trick is to give them something health as well as enjoyable. Store bought snacks are usually high in calories and low in nutritional value. Doesn't that sound familiar? There are some healthier alternatives if you look for them.

Millet spray is a favorite of many smaller birds like budgies and cockatiels. Give to them in the late afternoon after eating its other regular food - kind of like dessert twice a week. You can thread it through the bars of the cage so your bird has to work at it to eat it. Here is a word of caution. Don't buy a spiral millet holder. They have been known to cause injury or even death.

Many of the foods we eat every day can be very nutritious for your parrot. But be careful. If you're going to feed your parrot table food, here are some things you need to be aware of. He can eat just about anything you can - but not everything. What he can't eat is very important to know. Some of the foods we like to eat are in fact toxic for your bird. Salty and sugary foods are unhealthy for them so avoid all junk food.

There are other foods that also must be avoided. They include avocado, rhubarb, chocolate (no candy bars!), raw onion, any salty or sugary foods (it may be fun to watch him eat that pretzel but it is definitely a no no) and alcohol. These foods are toxic or even deadly and must be avoided.

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