Birds News | The Conure Coop

Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) : A Natural Antibiotic

It must be the Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar, otherwise, It may be helpful in some cases to certain extent but that’s merely a possibility. ACV has no side-effects & is a much better alternative to antibiotics for birds. Usage of Unfiltered ACV –

1. Raw & unfiltered apple cider vinegar has natural enzymes, minerals vitamins and essential acids that help keep yeast & other infections under control.

2. It is frequently referred to as natures ‘antibiotics’ that is more of a pro-biotic (because its an antiseptic). It works against almost all kinds of viruses, bacteria & other germs in birds’ body. Cures digestive & crop disorder/ vomiting/ green poop & other bacterial problems, respiratory/lungs problems/ labored breathing due to lung infection

3. It detoxifies (cleans out) the entire system of birds, i.e., all the organs of bird’s body & enhances immunity- lungs & the full respiratory system, digestive system including stomach & crop etc.

4. It reverses almost all kinds of digestive disorders & malfunctions of other organs, such as stomach, liver, kidney, crop, intestine, lungs etc.

5. It can be used externally, to disinfect wounds/injuries on the bird’s skin just as an antiseptic. (the ratio may be- water : ACV = 3:1 or in some cases without water depending on the particular condition) Best brand of ACV is “BRAGG MOTHER Apple Cider Vinegar”.

Budgerigar, Finch, Dove & other small BirdsEnglish Budgie, Cockatiels, Lovebirds, Pigeons, Parrots & other medium BirdsAfrican Grey, Cockatoo & other large BirdsDosage for Health maintenance use 2.5ml in 250ml water for drinking for 3 continuous days, once a month use 5ml in 250ml water for drinking for 3 continuous days once a month use 2.5ml in 250ml water for drinking for 3 continuous days once a monthDosage for digestive & crop disorder/ vomiting/ green poop & other bacterial problems use 5ml in 250ml water for drinking for 5 days continuously use 10ml in 250ml water for drinking for 5 days continuously use 5ml in 250ml water for drinking for 5 days continuouslyDosage for respiratory/ lungs problems/ labored breathing for lung infection use 7m in 250ml water for drinking for 7 days continuously use 15ml in 250ml water for drinking for 7 days continuously use 7m in 250ml water for drinking for 7 days ACV mixed water should e provided for 6 hours in the morning (for example 9.00am-3.00pm) and then throw out the mixture and provide normal water.

Shake the ACV bottle before using & refrigerate for best preservation. ACV mixed water can not be refrigerated for later use. Keep in a glass jar always. [Prepared by : Sifat E Rabbani, Source of information: Sifat E Rabbani (Natural Treatment Consultant of “The Fig Tree USA” & Certified Aviculturist of American Federation of Aviculture USA) Azizul Haque Farhad (President of Exotic Birds Breeder’s

What are the "step up" and "step down" commands? What are they good for?
    "Step up" is for when the bird steps up onto someone's finger, and "step down" for when the birds steps off someones finger. These are simple, easy commands that serve first and foremost as a means of communication between you and your bird. If you ask him to step up, he knows what you're talking about and he knows what you expect of him. This seems like a simple thing, but it can mean a lot. For aggressive birds, a step up command properly carried through can let the bird know that you're still in control of things. For shy or nervous birds, the step up command can be something that they are familiar with, something they are comfortable with, and something they know they can do. Even for the most well-adjusted bird, the step up command is just a good thing for both you and your bird. Dog owners will appreciate this: you don't teach a dog to sit or stay just because you want the dog to sit or stay. You teach them so you always have a little control over the situation, and you teach them so that the dog has a task he can perform successfully and happily.
    Step up is taught simply by saying "step up" when the bird steps up onto your finger. Always follow through with the command - and don't say it unless you're sure the bird is going to step up. You want step up to mean, "step up now," not, "step up if you feel like it, now or later."
    For what it's worth, the words "step up" and "step down" are not set in stone. I use "up" and "down," and it could be "banana" and "ice cream" for all the bird cares!

I've heard you shouldn't let your bird on your shoulder. Why not?
Most birds can safely be allowed to set on your shoulder all you like. But aggressive or nippy birds should not be allowed on shoulders. First, being higher up is a position of authority for birds - they feel like they're equal to you if they're eye-level to you. Second, you have very little control over a bird on your shoulder. If he doesn't want to get off your shoulder, he can climb to your back where you can't reach him. If he wants to bite your ear, he can and you can't stop him. If your bird happily steps up from your shoulder and is not aggressive or nippy, feel free to allow him to sit there. But if you have consistent problems getting your bird off your shoulder or if he has an aggression problem, it's best to keep him off your shoulders.

Why do green cheeks bite? How do I deal with it?
Let's start with a closer look at why and when green cheeks usually bite.
    First, it should be realized that all parrots like to use their beaks. They touch and explore with them. They also interact with other parrots with them. Conures can even be considered especially "beaky" birds. It is normal for a parrot to want to grab your finger with his beak - it's his way of greeting you. Particularly with young conures, the problem comes when they just don't know how much pressure is too much! Baby conures go through a phase around weaning when they want to have their beaks all over everything, and this gets a little painful sometimes! But it is quite normal, is not any indication of possible future aggressive behavior, and will eventually pass. I simply physically remove their beaks from my skin when they start to apply too much pressure. There are people that don't allow their babies to "beak" them at all, and this does effectively teach a young parrot never to put his beak on a human, but it also teaches him not to preen you gently or interact with you with his beak. This is normal parrot interaction and can add a great deal to the parrot/human relationship.
    Second, most green cheeks go through a nippy phase when they hit their "terrible two's". This is typical of parrots, but I will honestly say that green cheeks are a bit more prone to being nippy during this phase than some other parrots. As the bird reaches sexual maturity, he may start to nip, especially under certain circumstances. What these are will depend on the bird: he may nip only when you reach into his cage, or if he doesn't want to be picked up, or he may nip only certain people. This phase is a little tricky because naturally it should pass, but if the owners don't handle things correctly then you can make it worse. The first thing to remember is to continue the rules and guidelines you should have set down in the beginning. Use the "step up" and "step down" commands, and when you say it, mean it - pick him up even if he bites. This is a time when you may not want to allow your parrot on your shoulder or above eye-level. If possible, avoid situations in which your bird might bite. And when you do get nipped, try to avoid retreating or yelling in pain - these are reactions that the bird might be looking for! It is very important for you to remain confident and upbeat while handling your bird. Owners that become nervous or shy of their birds because they're afraid of being bit are a lot more likely to be bitten!
    It sometimes helps if you punish the bird for nipping, but finding an effective punishment can be a tricky thing. Physical punishment (hitting, banging on the cage etc.) should never be used. It probably will not help the biting, and may result in bird which is terrified of you. If a bird bites while on your hand, you can drop your hand quickly, unsettling and startling the bird. This often works for birds that are confident enough not to be frightened by this - just startled! Another possibility is to quickly set the bird on the floor and walk away. The floor is not a comfortable place for most birds, and this combined with the sudden loss of companionship makes for a punishment that is sometimes quite effective. Locking the bird in the cage can work with some birds, but not with others who don't mind being alone - and for birds that are nipping to try to get you to go away, this may be a reward! Yelling is not usually an effective punishmen because, unlike dogs, they don't necessarily recognize anger in your voice - and those excited noises may just be another form of reward!

Your Birds Diet
Your new Parrot has been fed a diet of Zupreem natural colored Pellets in the Cockatiel size, a seed mix, sprouted seeds and beans, and fresh and frozen vegetables (not canned—they are too processed and have too much salt and sugars). They are also fed dark greens such as turnip greens or kale. The best vegetables to feed your parrots are the dark green and orange vegetables, as they have the most valuable vitamins. We sprout a mix of dry beans and seeds similar to what can be purchased from China Prairie. Apples, Pears, Grapes, and Berries are loved by parrots also. Be aware that some fruit seeds are poisonous. A parrot should be given a varied diet including all these foods, and any other nutritious food you may be eating. Of course your parrot should also have fresh water available at all times. Your bird can also be given a cuttlebone, or a mineral block if you wish, but is not necessary. Fresh foods should be removed before they have a chance to spoil. Parrots often enjoy dipping their food in their water, so the water should be checked often through the day, as soiled water can grow bacteria and can make your bird sick.

Dangers in the Home
Your bird should never be allowed to eat Chocolate, caffeine, or avocado. These foods are poisonous to your bird! They should also not be fed foods high in salt or sugar. Your parrot should also never be exposed to cigarette smoke, room deodorizers, scented candles, or harsh chemicals. You should be very cautious if you use Teflon coated cookware, as they release a gas that is poison to your bird. There are also other places that Teflon coating is used, such as toasters, irons, stove top drip pans, self cleaning ovens, space heaters, and who knows where else!

Veterinary Care
I suggest you take your bird to an Avian Vet for a well bird check up. The vet will examine your bird and do some tests to determine if your bird has a normal bacterial count. Regular visits will ensure that your parrot is in good health. Illness in birds can be difficult to spot until it is too late. Signs of illness include mucous in the nostrils, watery eyes, fluffed feathers, changes in the color, or consistency of stools, loss of appetite, any signs of blood, or any signs that your bird is acting out of the ordinary. You should call your vet for advice immediately, if you notice any of these signs!

Grooming
Parrots often will need their toe nails clipped occassionally. If you do not feel comfortable doing this yourself, a vet can do this for you for a small charge. Most parrots do not need a beak trim unless for some reason your parrots beak has an injury or malformation. If your parrot is given lots of wood to chew on he will keep his beak groomed himself. Your parrot does not really need to be bathed, he will take baths in his water bowl when needed. Some birds will bathe daily, some will only do it occassionally. You can also mist your bird with a water bottle. Especially when he is molting. Do not add anything to the water you use to mist with, and make sure you use a new sprayer that has never had chemicals in it.

Household Dangers:
A parrot's respiratory system is very sensitive to odors and fumes. The smell of spray cleaners, room deodorizers, candles or hair spray, to name just a few, are all very dangerous to your bird. To be safe your bird should be removed from the area in which cleaners of any type are being used.

I would like to stress how dangerous candles and especially room deodorizing "plug-ins" and Febreeze type products are. These should never be used in your home! Some people do believe it is safe to use them in back rooms away from your birds environment, but I personally do not believe they are safe to use anywhere in your home.

If you are painting your walls or doing any type of home remodeling it is best to let your bird visit grandma or a friend. The off-gasses of paints, glues, new carpets and other products used in remodeling can be very dangerous to your birds respiratory system.

Obviously cigarette smoke and drinking alcohol is dangerous to your bird also.

Teflon or Silverstone brand products are made with PTFE which release an odorless gas when heated which are not only dangerous to your bird but also to people. Keep in mind that teflon coatings are on many items not just your cookware. They can be on your hair dryer, curling irons, clothes iron, space heaters, oven liners, stove top burner liners, indoor grills, and numerous other items and appliances. Cooking / Roasting bags are coated with PTFE also. You should contact the manufacturer if you are in doubt, or simply do not use these items with your bird in your home. A bird who is placed in the back part of the home while teflon coated cookware is used can still be in danger. Household fumes travel in air vents and many times can be concentrated into one part of the home which could very well be in the back bedroom you put your bird in while cooking.

Self cleaning ovens should not be used with a bird in your home! The high heat that is used to break down cooked on foods emit a horrible gas which is very dangerous for your bird.

Dishwasher detergent chemicals are vaporized into the air as the washer cycles through the cleaning. Your bird should not be in the area where a dishwasher is being used. The fumes from a plastic item which falls onto the heating element in the dishwasher can also be dangerous to your bird.

Pest repellent sprays, fly paper, dog and cat flea collars, or any other type of pesticides should not be used around your birds.

Feeding issues:
While your baby was here we fed him from crocks placed on the bottom of the cage. So, your baby is used to looking for food on the bottom of the cage. Most cages have food bowl holders somewhere in the middle of the cage. I suggest giving your baby food and water both in the side cups and on the bottom of the cage for the first few days. As soon as you see the baby has found the side bowls then it is safe to feed only from the food stations attached to your cage. As a safety issue, it is important to always have bowls in food bowl holders of your cage. Birds have been known to get themselves caught and injured on open cup holders. If there are more food receptacles on your cage than you need you can use one of the empty food bowls as a toy box for foot toys.

All birds love to play and splash in open water dishes. For this reason I consider my birds water bowls to never be clean. I change the water as often during the day as possible as bacteria grows quickly in water which has had food, beaks, toes, and feathers dunked in it! I think water bottles are very good and use them in all my adult bird cages. However, I do believe it is important for all birds to have fresh water to splash in also. If you do teach your bird to drink from a water bottle, it is beneficial to let them have a bowl of water available at least for a few hours each day. Your baby has not been taught to use a water bottle yet. You must make sure you see your baby actually drinking from a water bottle before you take the bowl of water away from him.

A varied diet is important to not only your birds physical health but also to his mental health! Do not let anyone tell you that a 100% pellet diet is best for your bird. Although pellets are developed as a 100% nutrition imagine how boring your diet would be as tiny little hard nuggets! I see birds eat everyday and I see the excitement and eagerness they show when they see me preparing their fresh food bowls. Every bird in my care eagerly dives into a bowl of fresh food the second I put it in their cage. My pet Dixie knows that when I get the cutting board and knife out she is going to get something yummy.

Your baby has been fed a good seed mix, Zupreem natural colored pellets, our sprouting mix, and all types of fresh veggies and a little bit of fruit. The best veggies are the dark green and orange ones. I feed not only fresh veggies but also frozen. I never feed canned veggies as they are too processed and have too much salt in them. Too much fruit can sometimes give your bird a runny poop. One chunk of apple or one grape a day is plenty. You can read more about our diet on our web page.

There are many food items your bird should not be fed. Avocados, foods with caffeine in them, chocolate, apple seeds, pits from peach, plums, nectarines, high fat, sugar or salt foods, raw or undercooked meats or eggs are foods your bird should never be fed. Most foods which are healthy for you are probably ok to feed to your baby. (With exception to the avocado)

Toy safety considerations:
I don't consider any toy to be completely safe for all birds. Any toy can become a safety issue depending on how your bird plays with it. The best advice I can offer is to watch how your bird plays with his toys and to closely inspect the toys in your birds cage frequently to look for dangers. As a toy is played with and as it begins to be destroyed safety issues may arise.

Here are just a few toy issues you should watch for:
--You should watch for long strands of string from rope toys which can be wrapped around your birds toes or neck.
--Always make sure all quick links are closed securely and check them often as a bird can get his foot or beak caught in an open quick link.
--Toys which work like a pendulum in which a heavy chunk of toy hangs below a long chain or rope can be accidentaly swung around a birds neck or body. Sometimes new toys can present this danger or more often older toys which have had several chunks of toy chewed off present this danger.
--Toys which may have a small hole in which your bird can get his foot or toe stuck in. For example, I don't like giving my birds toys made with wiffle balls. Wiffle ball toys often have things stuck in the holes of the wiffle ball. I have had birds get their toes or foot stuck in the hole that was jammed with other things and the bird's foot was stuck and he could not get lose. Too small or too large of a hole in leather pcs. can also be a danger.
--Brittle plastic can cut your birds tongue, face, or legs as he plays and chews on it.
--Watch for openings or rings in toys in which your bird could put it's head through and get caught. All openings into or on a toy should be big enough for your bird to fit it's entire body through or not big enough for him to put his head through.

Cage Care and Safety:
It is very important to have the appropriate sized cage for your bird. If the bars are not spaced correctly your bird could squeeze his head through them and the risk of strangulation is very possible! As a general rule I consider 1/2 to 5/8 inch to be the largest bar spacing to be used for small birds from caiques to cockatiels. Caiques can safely be in a cage with 1 inch bar spacing when older. But, caiques are tumblers and often tumble against the side of the bars. I have seen young caiques get their wing caught in cages with bar spacing larger than 5/8 inch. Medium birds from Jardines to Amazons can safely have up to a 1 inch bar spacing. Again, with young birds I consider bar spacing larger than 1 inch a possible safety hazard even for this size bird. You can not watch your bird 24 hours a day, and you do not want a safety issue to occur when you are not there to help your baby.

Advice to purchase the largest cage possible is often given to new parrot owners. Although I do think it is important to have a spacious cage for your new baby, I think bar spacing must be considered first. It would be lovely to have a macaw sized cage for your new conure, however, it could also be deadly as a cage this large will most likely have at least 1 inch bar spacing or more which is definately a safety issue.

Wing, Nail, and Beak Trimming:
It is very important for your baby's safety to keep his/her wings trimmed correctly. There are so many accidents which can happen to a fully flighted bird. If you decide to take special precautions so that your bird can be fully flighted please make sure that everyone in your home understands the rules of having a flighted bird.

Wing trimming is fairly easy to do, however, please have a professional show you how to do it. If you purchased your bird from me I will show you how to trim wings before you leave with your baby. However, I can not trim wings of your baby in the future as I have a closed aviary. A closed aviary means that I do not allow other birds into my home / aviary unless they have had at least a 60 day quarantine period.

Nail trimming is important also so that your baby does not get his sharp toe nails caught in toys. Care must be taken when trimming nails so that you do not cut the quick and cause bleeding. It is best to use corn starch to stop bleeding instead of Quick Stop. Quick stop is known to cause tissue damage and systemic poisoning.

In my opinion beak trimming should never have to be done if your bird eats a healthy diet and has plenty of soft and hard wood chewing toys. Your birds beak should be naturally maintained by his own self grooming. Keep in mind that some types of parrots naturally have a longer more pointed beak. As an example, mature caiques do have a longer pointy beak as they mature.

Outside Playtime:
There are so many dangers outdoors for your bird, however, the benefits of sunshine for your bird are also important. The only way I consider it safe for your bird to be outdoors is in a cage. In some parts of the country having the cage covered by mosquito netting is also important. Never assume that your bird is safe outdoors even if your bird has his wings clipped. If your bird is frightened and with the right wind gust your bird can end up in a tree and too frightened to come down. It is just not worth the risk! Please only allow your bird outdoors in the safety of a cage.

I also consider wild bird germs a big danger to your bird. Not only the bacteria and viruses wild birds carry but also the parasites. I once had a lutino cockatiel that loved to sit on a window sill with the window open, (screened window of course), and she would scream and holler at my young son as he played with his friends. After a few weeks of this I found that my little cockatiel had picked up a wild bird parasite from the birds outside who had been eating at a near by feeder. She was easily treated and no harm came to her, however, I was lucky to have seen the mites on her lutino feathers. I am not sure I would have noticed them if she had been a grey colored bird. For this reason I think it is important to keep your bird away from all dangers of coming in contact with wild birds when they are outdoors.

New Bird Quarantine:
When you bring a new bird into your home you should carefully quarantine the new bird from the rest of your flock for 30 - 60 days. Ask your vet for advice on how long he would consider quarantine to be necessary. It is impossible to do a perfect quarantine in most homes, but you should do your best to keep the new bird from your current flock. Even though you assume your flock and the new bird are all healthy there is a possibility that bringing in the new bird will cause stress to any one of your feathered family. This stress can cause illnesses to flare up and this illness could very well be deadly to your whole flock. Please discuss quarantine with your vet.

Avian Vaccines:
Polyoma is a deadly virus which your bird can be exposed to if he is around other birds. The most vulnerable bird is a young bird from the ages of 2 weeks to 5 months. If a bird of this age is exposed to the Polyoma virus it is almost always deadly.

A bird which is exposed to the Polyoma virus at a later age may survive without any signs of being ill, however, this bird will be a carrier and can expose other birds to the virus. A bird carrying the virus will show no signs of illness but will very likely shed the virus when put in a stressful situation such as a new bird entering his home.

So, if you have other birds in your home, I do suggest having your bird vaccinated. If you do not have other birds in your home and you do not plan on ever having other birds near your bird then I personally don't feel the vaccine is necessary. However, keep in mind that if you go to a pet store, a bird show, or anywhere there are other parrots you are risking bringing home the Polyoma virus to your bird at home. The virus is shed through feather dust and feces. If you are around other birds you are surely bringing home germs from their environment into your own home.

I am not a vet however, and these are my opinions on research I have done. You should talk to your Avian Vet about the Polyoma Vaccine.