"I WANT A BIRD NOW"
Many people, when they finally decide to take the plunge and purchase a parrot, expect to go to the store, phone a site on the internet, or call a local breeder and have their bird! It does not work like that, folks.
Parrots hatched in captivity, just like nature, are born in the spring and summer months and usually, that's it for the year! Sometimes, an occasional pair, in warm climates, will surprise us with a clutch at an odd time of year, but it's not the norm. And some birds, especially the larger Macaws and Cockatoos, actually stay with their parents, and are fed in nature, for almost a year, or until their parents have another clutch of babies!
So what does this mean for you as a buyer? It means that you must be patient. We believe that one of the ways to create a bitey, unhappy bird, is to force it's weaning process. Therefore, if a baby or young bird still wants formula, we still give it formula and do not consider it weaned yet.
Your patience with the weaning process will give you the sweetest nature in your newly weaned parrot, as well as a healthy bird that has been fed as closely as he or she would have been naturally, if he were still with his Mom and Dad.
Don't rush it! And don't try to find a parrot weaned and ready to go in March! Call Birdfarm, and we can put you on the list for the next available baby of your dreams.
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What you need for your new Exotic Pet Bird
So you've picked out your new baby bird, or maybe you're still shopping? Or maybe baby is already home and you just don't quite feel like he or she has everything a good birdie might need...
you've come to the right place.
Birdfarm.com has everything available to make your new bird's life enjoyable, healthy, happy, and content! We know birds, because all we do is birds, and we're available seven days a week to answer any questions or concerns you might have before, during, and even AFTER your purchase!
So here's a check list of necessary things, as well as just plain fun things, to consider for your new bird's home.
And, as always, phone us TOLL FREE SEVEN DAYS A WEEK,
if you have any questions about the items suggested.
- An appropriate sized cage for your bird's species. Something that still has plenty of room for flapping wings even after you hang toys and perches inside.
- A name brand pelleted diet for your bird's daily consumption.
Two or more different sized perches -- We always suggest rope or sisal for the young birds, it's easier to grip and hang on to.
- Some type of mineral/calcium block for the cage.
- A dark colored cage cover to help your bird feel safe and secure while sleeping at night, as well as protect him from drafts.
- Several different toys, especially wooden ones, to chew and keep his beak in good condition. Rotate toys regularly so he's not bored.
- A stand of some type for your bird to be placed on when he's out of his cage spending time with you.
- Some type of secure carrying container. These can be a simple pet crate to an acrylic case that is not only comfy, but not scary to your bird because it's clear and your bird can see where it is going.
- An emergency kit in case of a broken blood feather, injury, etc.
And just for fun, you might consider purchasing some of the following suggestions:
- A thermo perch for cool weather and even in hot weather with air conditioning running. You won't need to worry so much about keeping your bird's room warm or having it too cool.
- A shower perch so that your bird can accompany you for those necessary bath times. These perches also work great in a window or in the car!
- A play stand. With wheels, a play stand can go anywhere you might want to take your bird. Family room, patio, sunny Florida room, etc.
- A harness or flight suit. These are wonderful for your bird to travel with. A flight suit allows for a "diaper" system for your bird.
- Food treats. Things like peanuts, almonds, pumpkin seeds, fruit, or any of the many, many packaged treats available for birds. But remember, these things are TREATS only and should not replace a healthy pelleted diet or good people food like veggies in your bird's diet.
- A good book about parrot health and caring for your bird.
And don't forget MORE toys!
Probably one of the most important things in your birds world to keep him happy, stimulated and entertained!
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What Kind of Bird's Do David and Gayle Own
Our first response to that question is always, "It doesn't matter." And that's because when picking out a bird, it's an individual decision for each person, according to their own situation. (See " Choosing an Exotic Pet Bird")
But because so many of you ask, and because we do like to brag, we do own birds ourselves that we'll tell you about.
Gayle owns a wonderful little Goffin's Cockatoo named Casper. Casper has probably given Gayle more experiences in bird ownership than perhaps she wanted, but he's her baby! Casper is a seven year old DNAed male, and he is the "bird of a lifetime". Casper actually never talked until he was five years old! David says that he never had to speak up because Gayle does everything for him!
Gayle also owns a Yellow Naped Amazon named "Sugar". Everyone called her "Sugar" when she was younger because she'd let anyone hold her and scratch her head. Now we call her "Tang", Chinese for sugar, because she's not really that sweet anymore to anyone, except Gayle! Typical of the Amazons, they love their own people.
Also in Gayle's nest is a cute little Parrotlet, a female Lutino named "Peeps". Peeps does happen to love everyone! She'll ride around for hours with anyone who lets her come out of her cage!
David's nest is stuffed with a Yellow Crowned Amazon named "Stubby". Stub lost several toes as a baby, and stayed with David rather than being sold, because David fell in love with her when she would fly to wherever he was hand feeding baby birds, to get some formula, even when she was almost a year old!
He also proudly owns a Blue Crown Conure which we all affectionately call "Step Up". She has a huge vocabulary and entertains anyone who will listen! In addition to "Step Up", there's a little Blue Crown Conure male, named "Rudy" who worked his way into the nest at David's house. Rudy is a little shy, loves toys, adores "Step Up" and talks almost as much as she does!
He loves to ride on the food cart during feeding time and yell "Weeee", as David pushes him around the room! Perhaps one day Step Up and "Weeee" will fall in love and we'll have our own baby Blue Crowns to tell you about !
How many birds is that so far? There's still one more to tell you about! IT'S "UIE". She is pictured on the site with Gayle. She is a beautiful "Catablu" Macaw female that is three years old. "Uie's" a Hybrid Macaw from breeding a Blue and Gold and a Catalina. She lives at the store so she can spend lots of time with Gayle and David. She loves both of them equally and goes to either of them without showing a preference!
If you visit the BIRDFARM SUPERSTORE, you can meet "Uie", I bet you'll figure out how she got her name if you visit her in person!
So that's our own clutch, and now you all know what we have at home! Ask us anytime about our birdie family, and we'll be glad to tell you lots of stories!
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Bird Cage Cleaning
HERE's THE BEST BIRDIE CARE HINT YET! I've owned birds all my life, and just recently tried something new, that has made cage cleaning SO MUCH EASIER! Everyone run, quickly to your cage! Look at your cage's design and determine if the grid can be removed WITHOUT allowing the bird to then fit between the cage and the tray.
If your cage is so designed, that the bird cannot get out without the grid in the cage, then here's the tricky part: Do you have a bird that stays above his lowest perch? Doesn't go to the bottom of the cage to pick things up or try to tear up the paper? Then you are in business with this hint!
Pull that grid out now! It serves no purpose if your bird doesn't go to the bottom of his cage! It's just one more very difficult thing to keep clean! Some cages, (Island Cages) can even fit the grid under the cage, between the legs, and it will act as a shelf for you to keep things on! David and I have both done this with our Amazons and it works perfectly! (Can't do it with my Cockatoo, because he's at the bottom getting into everything!) Take a look at your cage, see if it works for you!
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Pet Bird Behavior and Breeding Season
Many of you who own birds may be saying to yourself in the upcoming weeks, "What is going on?" It's breeding season! The days are getting longer, and more sunshine is telling our beloved pets that it's that time of year again!
I've noticed my Goffin's Cockatoo acting like a teenage boy this week, and it's sometimes hard to deal with, but there is advise out there. Don't encourage breeding behavior in your bird. When you pet him, stay around his head, never stroke him all the way down to his tail. If he or she exhibits things you don't care for, ie: regurgitating on you or rubbing against you, quickly put them back in their cage and try to convey that their behavior is not acceptable so they go back in their cage when they do it.
But above all, try to remember that they are birds, and we must let birds be birds sometimes. That means perhaps having to just deal as best we can with screaming, a bite now and then, and even breeding season! Love them for what they are, and know that "this too shall pass"!
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Why a Parrot May Pluck Her Feathers Out
Items you should NEVER feed your Parrot or Exotic
Plants that can Harm your Parrot, Macaw, or Cockat
Your Pet Bird's Digestive Health
The Grit Controversy Resolved
Sex Education for Bird Lovers
Identifying the sex of parakeets
Teflon Dangers for Birds
Pet Bird Diet Tips
Inexpensive Toys for your Pet Bird
Average Sleep Times for Pet Birds
Pet Bird Personality Types
Pet Bird Toys
Thermo Perches for Winter Bird Care
Zupreem Avian Entrees
Hybrid Macaws
Bird Cage Cleaning
Pet Bird Behavior and Breeding Season
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