It is always
recommended that you talk either to an avian veterinarian or breeder to find out the
necessary diet that is needed for your breed. For a good diet, your bird will need more than just seeds. He will
also need fresh fruit and vegetables. Birds have a tendency to have a Vitamin A deficiency, so keep this in mind when planning his
diet. Toxic foods to stay away from are: alcohol, avocados, caffeine, chocolate, and
rhubarb.
You will need at least 3 feeding bowls.
One is needing for water, which should ALWAYS be available. It is advisable to change it
2-3 times daily to stop the growth of any bacteria. Another bowl is needed for
his regular diet such as fortified seeds and pellets. Pelleted foods are a better choice,
for most birds, topping it off with a little seed. When giving seeds try to buy a blend
with as few sunflower seeds as possible, preferably none (or you could save it to give as
a treat). Birds love them but they are very not very nutritious and they may choose
them over the other more healthy seeds.
Now, for the third bowl, it should be saved for fruits and vegetables or any other healthy
food that you would like to give your bird. A rule of thumb to remember is that if
it is good for you then it is good for your bird.
Cages
Your bird will need
a cage that will give him plenty of room to stretch his wings, move around and leave
room enough for the toys and different perches he will need. For more information
and cage sizes, go to our Cages and Toys page.
Bathing
Most birds love
water and you may find them splashing around in their water bowl having a great time.
One suggestion would be to buy a spray bottle and mist him down, gently at first to
makes sure he likes it. Another would be to try the shower with him. You can
either turn the shower on and hold him under on your arm, or why not just jump in with him
on your shoulder or arm? Most birds, with no doubt will love it!
After you are done bathing him, keep him out of drafts and make sure that he is kept warm.
You might want to try a blow dryer on warm heat and see how that goes. It
might be a bit much for some birds, but its worth a try.
alert
friendly
responsive
comfortable with people
A hand feedbird is usually friendlier and
easier to handle than one that is not. Take your time choosing your bird, and try to
go by instinct. You can usually get an idea by how the bird acts as to whether or
not it is friendly and reactive to people. Try buying from a reputable breeder
before buying from a pet store. Most breeder's will stand by their birds and will
assist you in their care and health requirements.
clear, bright eyes
absence of nasal discharge
clean vent (rectum) with no signs of droppings
no signs of wheezing or difficulty breathing
If it is at all possible your best move would be to take the bird
to your veterinarian for a general examination before making the final decision.
Even if he looks healthy it's better to be safe and ease your mind with a visit to the
vet. Make sure to ask your breeder about a trial period or period of guarentee.
Choosing a veterinarian before your pet is good idea so that you can have
the new bird examined as soon as possible. You will need wings clipped, nail trimmings,
among general check-ups. You definitely do not want to be caught in an emergency
situation without a vet to call.