Discussion Forums at www.parrots.org

Is there a safe mosquito repellent?

2008-03-26T15:29:27Z

Hello all,

Does anyone have any experience of ‘safe’ but effective mosquito repellents?

Thanks,
Celia

Housing birds outside year round in northern Ireland

2008-03-10T12:51:49Z

[Posted on behalf of a WPT member]

I started keeping cockatiels over 25 years ago. I have 5 birds now along with 2 tame ones inside. The aviary birds have always had a heated shelter in winter and I am extremely worried, if anything happened to me there is nobody to look after the birds. I`m living in Northern Ireland and after making enquiries there is no Parrot Sanctuary over here. The anima rehabilitation centres here are for wild animals and birds but one of them offered to place the birds in outdoor aviaries, but couldn’t promise they would have heating in winter. I am very worried about their future without any heating in winter. What should I do?

Our winters in Northern Ireland are usually mild about minus 2-5 degrees for two or three nights. We had a severe winter about 12 years ago with frosts minus 12 degrees. Hopefully its not as cold again for a long time.

Looking for advice.

Elizabeth-

How long in new cage before flight?

2008-02-09T10:23:04Z

We got two new parrots since a week. They get used to their new big cage. How long have we to keep them there before they max have their first free flight in our living room?
Please send help message ba email also to dietrichklueber at web dot de

thank you

Mixing birds

2008-01-03T20:16:48Z

I am new to the site and did not know where to post this so here it goes!
I have a quaker parakeet who has recently started to mutilate herself, so i am going to get her a companion bird!
A prince of whales, or a ringneck.
What do y’all think?

Cockatiel Squabbles!!!

2007-12-08T10:43:41Z

I adopted four wonderful little cockatiels from Phoenix Landing. The four I adopted are in a large flight type cage. (they were in a large flight prior to my adopting them with several other birds) The existing cockatiel I had prior is in another large cage. I wanted them to get to know each other slowly and figure out on their own “who likes who.”

The two white faces in particular seem to go after the other birds with nipping and “beaking"----I’ve never seen any serious things happening---but I’m sure if they can draw my blood---they CAN hurt each other.

The little cinnamon seems to like my little gray cockatiel--so that is going well. Should I separate the others into different cages to prevent these little “arguments” or do you feel (unless there is a real war) it is better for them to work out their own “pecking order?”

The little white/yellow one is disabled but certainly is not afraid of taking care of himself! He’ll bite the others if needed to show “he’s no push-over.” He’s by far the best singer/whistler and seems to fly “ok” and for a reasonable distance.

I have plenty of cages so if I need to separate them, it is “do-able!” We were planning on building an “indoor flight” for them this winter.

How do you handle these types of squabbles?

my contrabution of housing your parrot

2007-05-25T12:09:24Z

I will know it costs you a fortune, but last month we decided to contact a dutch company who builds stainless steel parrot palaces, the palace will be made of medical stainless steel (316). We work at the day and we want our parrots to live save, other cages are too easely being demolished (especially when you own a cockatoo or a macaw, who have extremely strong beaks) or start to rust. Remember your parrot can die of metal poisoning.

The place where a cage is best situated is with its back against a wall and not to close to the window, it can be very hot when the sun shines and not at least there are numberous things happening outside which can scare your parrot, definitely when he is insecure.

small outdoor aviary recommendations

2007-08-11T19:58:53Z

I am interested in a small outdoor aviary and would love advice.

The dilemma is that my birds range in size from a lovebird to a military macaw. Aside from the fact that I would obviously have to rotate them through the aviary so no one would get hurt, I am at a loss about sizing bar sizing/spacing. Something small with closely-enough spaced bars for the lovebird would probably be an afternoon snack for the macaw, while macaw-sized bars have large openings through which the lovebird could readily climb. The conure could probably go either way…

Any suggestions?

Nancy Sullivan

Lost cockatiel in Essex, UK

2007-07-09T00:16:57Z

----------------Please feel free to cross post-------------

LOST COCKATIEL in Essex United Kingdom
Contact: Tel - 07766464007

-----Original Message-----
From: Hayley Purnell [mailto:hayleypurnell@hotmail.com]
Sent: Sunday, July 08, 2007 5:04 PM

I have lost a yellow (latino) cockatiel who got spooked and flew out of the
window on Saturday at about 8pm. She is female and answers to the name of
Elvis (or Elv). She was lost from the address below. She is a much loved and
very much missed pet.
2, Riverside
Oak yard
High street
Halstead
Essex
co9 2jg
tel - 07766464007

Thank you Hayley Purnell

Housing birds in a northern climate

2007-06-14T19:53:05Z

Does anyone know of the best temperature to house parrots during the winter? We live in a northern climate and keep caiques, cockatoos and amazons. Thanks.