Frequently asked questions by customers

With keeping birds, ourselves and an extensive knowledge in bird products I wanted to share with you some frequently asked questions by customers, along with some issues and how they were resolved.

Q1. Does my bird need toys?

ANSWER – YES! Not only do toys provide essential stimulation for birds (who in the wild would spend all day flying hundreds of miles in search of food and a breeding partners) but it is also essential for their health. One common occurrence is an over grown beak, not only is this costly to rectify at the vets but it is also stressful for your bird (and you)!

This video illustrates how 2 seemingly similar toys provide completely different advantages

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7quQ3j5LqAg&ab_channel=ScarlettsParrotEssentials

Q2. Why does my bird feather pluck?

ANSWER – The first thing to do is rule out any health issues. A good avian vet will do this with a series of simple blood tests.

Once illness is ruled out look at environment, is your bird in a draft, is he in a room where he can get a good 12 hours sleep uninterrupted, do the kids and other pets bother him through the day, does he have stimulation, does he have a UV Light

If all of these factors have been addressed, then it could simply be hormonal. Birds are not really meant for captivity, they are not as domesticated as other pets and although a hand reared bird will rely on humans solely for the first year of his life, the wild instincts start to come back once they reach maturity.

Q3 How can I stop hormonal behaviour?

ANSWER – Ensure your bird has a solid 12 hour sleep in total darkness.

We have some things to help, our Hormone Harmony tea

and avian calming formula

Along with plenty of fresh vegetables especially those low in protein. Remove any hidey places such as snooze huts and boxes and also ensure your bird is not shredding paper on the bottom of the cage.

Q4 Will a lone bird lay eggs?

ANSWER – Possibly yes. It is important to allow your bird to go through the motions and not remove the eggs. With a lone bird they cannot be fertile however, if you remove them she may keep laying more and more, this will deplete her body of calcium and could lead to serious health issues. Allow her to sit on them and once she realises they will not hatch she will throw them out. If she shows no interest in the eggs remove them anyway.

Q5. Can I keep 2 birds together?

ANSWER - If the birds have been raised together from young then usually yes you can provided the birds have ample space. Birds of different species should not be housed together unless part of a large flock in an aviary.

Smaller birds can worry some species due to their highly strung personalities, beak sizes and body strength along with the differing dietary needs are all factors to consider. Most bids can enjoy time out together in the home but in reality need their own cages.

Lone birds are often more dependant on humans making them tamer, however, birds kept with a companion of their own kind can enjoy a more natural life which is very special to watch.

Q6. What should I feed my bird?

ANSWER – This is really species dependant. Eclectus for example absorb everything they eat so really need to remain on a very low fat, low protein diet.

 On the whole for most species a varied diet with vegetables (If your bird refuses them try our Scarletts Golden Harvest Mix)

A good quality dust free seed mix is essential without any peanuts in shell ensuring your bird does not contract the deadly disease Aspergillosis.

All our seed mixes are 7 x filtered and tested for mytoxins, We also do not sell any peanuts in shell as these grown underground and are extremely harmful with a high risk of aspergillosis spores.

Here is a link to our bird safe food mixes

Along with seed we recommend a pellet also be offered which is nutritionally complete such as Roudybush. As Roudybush pellets are sugar free they are far less likely to cause crop infections

Roudybush pellets are enjoyed by most birds and come in a range of sizes to suit all bird types

Q7. Can birds eat human foods?

ANSWER – In moderation yes. It is important your bird feels part of the family, you are his flock. Screaming during meal times is not naughty bad behaviour, it is him calling to you. Eggs, toast, pasta and rice are welcomed, watch out for products with a high salt content.

Bird treats are a better thing to offer, you will find many popular healthy treats such as garlic sticks which aid digestion, and peppers rich in antioxidants

Q8. I have developed allergies or breathing problems, do I have to rehome my bird?

ANSWER – Absolutely not. There are many ways to manage allergies and the chances are it’s not just your birds feather dust contributing but also pollen, allergens in the air and household dust.

An air purifier will reduce these and give out a cleaner air into the room for you to breathe.

Air purifiers also contain uv bulbs which zaps aspergillosis and mould spores.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-copd/

Regularly misting your bird will also help reduce feather dust which is beneficial to your bird and something most birds enjoy. If your bird dives into his water pot the second you turn on the hoover it is because it recreates a sound similar to that of a tropical storm when rain is coming.

Q9. Do I need to give my bird supplements?

ANSWER – If you have an African Grey we always recommend a calcium supplement. This can be in the form of Liquid Calcivet or Powder Calcivet. If your bird is egg laying no matter the species we also recommend the calcium supplement.

If your bird has a varied diet then a general boost once a week of Daily Essentials will suffice

If your bird is a fussy eater and you are limited on what foods he will eat then give him a boost more often. We also recommend a probiotic boost regularly to maintain good health.

If your bird is on a pellet diet and eats the complete food you won`t really need to supplement. Having said this, during moulting birds can struggle and it lowers the immune system so a boost of Feather Up to speed up the moult

Along with some Guardian Angel to give any birds under pressure or stress (from illness, moulting, breeding or general life changes) a boost.

Q10. What do I do if my bird gets sick or injured?

ANSWER – The most immediate thing to do is seek medical help from a vet, preferably an avian vet. However, in the short term there are a few pieces of advice we can offer. Firstly, even though your heart is racing, and you are probably trembling…try to remain calm. The thing to do first is minimise stress for your bird. Wrap him up in a towel so you can hold him and check him easily.

If your bird is bleeding apply some first aid kit essentials

If your bird is injured you can apply some colloidal silver to help prevent infection

and also treat with F10 treatments

You should always have somewhere handy in case you need to hospitalise your bird. The travel cages are perfect for keeping your bird in a contained safe area, with food and water, and a favourite toy, with easy access for you or a vet. These cages double up as garden cages on nice sunny days to make your bird familiar with them, and fold flat when not in use.

If your bird is not eating or drinking ensure you give him some Guardian Angel

Warm mashed up food from a spoon is comforting, such as Harrisons Mash

or baby food, mashed vegetables, and a little manuka honey can help with strength and healing.

Q11. How do I choose a cage for my bird?

ANSWER – Firstly ensure it is zinc free powder coated. Some paints are toxic to birds when chewed.

All our Rainforest and Liberta Cages are Zinc free and bird safe.

The next consideration is where your birds cage will be situated. He needs somewhere he can be part of the family but also have some quiet time.

It must have the correct bar spacing to ensure he cannot get his head through and get it stuck, but also is not so small he can get a wing stuck. Our shop by bird species guide will help.

A cage may seem expensive as an initial outlay but this is your birds home, it is important he has plenty of space to open his wings, enough room for toys and a variety of perches and somewhere to sleep.

Many birds like to sleep on a swing, this is because in the wild they roost up high

Q12 I have heard Hideways and Snugglies are dangerous, is this true?

ANSWER – In theory everything in the home is dangerous, it is our job to be vigilant, know our birds, and check items regularly.

If your bird chews and destroys things easily we would not recommend leaving one in the cage unsupervised, however, a quieter bird who doesn`t chew much will find great comfort in somewhere to snuggle. The key, as with all toys, perches, snugglies and products is to regularly check them, replace them at any signs of wear and tear and provide items appropriate for your bird

Q13 What Species Of Bird Should I Buy?

ANSWER -  This needs a lot of research. The reality of living with a bird is quite different from the funny images you see on Facebook. All birds are noisy and demanding to some degree. Smaller birds such as Cockatiels are often over looked yet they make great companions for the family. They are intelligent, easier to handle and need less space. On the flip side they need handling regularly or they become nippy.

African Greys and Amazons are popular parrots. Amazons can be very hormonal and are known for eye pinning and attacks. African Greys are often nervy birds who do not like change. They also often bond to one sex only so this can make life in a family difficult.

Quakers and Conures have a very high pitched noisy scream which some people simply cannot stand. Senegals and Jardines are not so commonly found yet are huge characters along with Parrotlets, all of which do better as lone birds.

Macaws are less noisy though loud when they do scream. Big beaks means big bites and these guys need lots of space.

Cockatoos love to be snuggled and held close, the down side to this is they scream constantly for you and are known to be prone to feather plucking.

Whatever species you decide on remember, this is a huge commitment not to be taken lightly.

Q14. Should I rehome a rescue bird or buy a baby?

ANSWER – If you take on a rescue bird you do not know their history. Their diets may have done damage which cannot be seen but also cannot be repaired, they may be shorter lived or come with behavioural issues. The positive side is that a rescue bird is older and will show you his temperament, you will instantly know if he likes men or women, how noisy he is, how well he eats etc and are more likely to find a bird to suit you.

If you look for a baby bird a reputable breeder is essential.

The Parrot Society have a list of verified reputable breeders

Most baby birds are friendly, love cuddles and like the entire family. This WILL change! As they mature they will nip at times, they will get noisier and they will choose who they dislike (for seemingly no apparent reason). The baby phase is nice while it lasts though and you can ensure you set some ground rules from day one and enjoy watching his character unfold whilst providing the correct diet from day 1.

Q15. Should I quarantine a bird?

ANSWER – Yes you should. There are many diseases that can spread across different species and some even to humans such as Psittacosis.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/psittacosis

 It is important to thoroughly wash your hands in F10

and also clean down the birds areas including feeders with F10

A bird who looks well isn`t necessarily well and you should quarantine any new arrivals.