Giving your parrotlet a bath

[JoanneinNC]

I know I asked this question a while back in the parrotlet section,but I can't find the thread.

I am picking up my parrotlet tomorrow. I have a few questions about giving him a bath.

It was suggested to me by a breeder and BirdBoard member not to worry about purchasing a small dish for the bottom of the cage. That my parrotlet would most likely bathe in his water dish. In the cage that I purchased, there are there dishes, side by side. The location of them can not be changed. If Nemo bathes in his dish, the water will get into his food. Should I purchase new cups to place them around the cage? How often will the parrotlet bathe?

I was thinking today that if I took him out each morning and misted him with a spray bottle, he might learn this as his bath? Is this a good idea for a parrotlet?

In the cooler months, will Nemo still bathe? If I do use the spray bottle, should I bathe him during the cooler months?

How earlier in the day does your parrotlet bathe, do you bathe him/her so that they do not get a chill.

A lot of sites recommend that you do not handle your bird for the first day or two to let them get used to their new home. If I plan to bathe my parrotlet, should I bathe him during this time or wait a few days?

Thanks so much

Joanne :0)

[tielfan]

Different birds have different preferences about how they like to bathe. Wait and see if your parrotlet likes to wallow in his water dish, and act accordingly. If water-dish bathing is a problem, one way to prevent is with one of those inverted-tube waterers. But with these you have to make sure that the bird doesn't stick something in the tube that clogs it up; if that happens, your bird will go thirsty and you won't even know it.

The frequency of bathing is likely to depend on how often the species bathes in the wild. Rain forest birds bathe every day, while those from dry areas don't want it that frequently.

Many birds love a mist bath, while others enjoy a trickling faucet or joining their owner in the shower. You don't want to frighten your bird while he's getting to know you, and it's probably better to wait a few days before you mist him unless you're sure that he's already familiar with mist baths and likes them. If he starts taking a dip in his water dish, you can offer him a different bowl to bathe in as long as he doesn't freak out in the process.

As far as winter months and other timing issues are concerned, a lot depends on the temperature of your house. If you wouldn't be cold walking around wet, then it's probably OK for the bird too. Right before bedtime generally isn't a good time, since body temperature drops when during sleep.

[Mike B]

Why not just bath him in the kitchen/bathroom sink? Get a glass pie plate put about 1/2 of water in it. You'll both be having a party

As far as a new baby coming home. Love on him as soon as he gets there. He needs to feel secure. You are that security blanket. The most important thing is to make sure he is drinking water. You can make some warm veggie mash to feed. That always wins a birdies heart over. hehehe

Mike

[Juliee]

Hi, i'm new to the board and iam trying to find out as much as i can about parrotlets as im planning on getting one. i wanted to know how you make a warm veggie mash and also what to do as soon as the bird arrives from the breeder to my house. i have kids but i can try to keep them away from the cage the first few hours.
i know well enough to bring a carrier to the breeder and set the cage up before leaving to pick up the bird, but i need help on how much time the bird will need to settle in and after how long i should go ahead and play with him outside its cage. Also, i wanted to know if the bird will feel lost in a large cage? i want to get the bird a large cage about a medium cage for a conure, what is the safest bar spacing for a p'let?
PLease help!
Sry for all the questions

[BeakerLuvsBunsen]

Originally Posted by Juliee

Hi, i'm new to the board and iam trying to find out as much as i can about parrotlets as im planning on getting one. i wanted to know how you make a warm veggie mash and also what to do as soon as the bird arrives from the breeder to my house. i have kids but i can try to keep them away from the cage the first few hours.
i know well enough to bring a carrier to the breeder and set the cage up before leaving to pick up the bird, but i need help on how much time the bird will need to settle in and after how long i should go ahead and play with him outside its cage. Also, i wanted to know if the bird will feel lost in a large cage? i want to get the bird a large cage about a medium cage for a conure, what is the safest bar spacing for a p'let?
PLease help!
Sry for all the questions

Hi Julie - welcome-
I just brought home my babies a few weeks ago and can offer some advice
Find out what their favorite treats are from the breeder- you might want to
bring some along to get them to travel in the carrier in comfort.
My guys love millet so they were munching on some almost the whole
car ride home.

Also it's a good idea to keep somethings consitant in their new cage
mine had a slinky in the breeders cage and she supplied me with one
as soon as they saw that in their cage they new they were home

noticing little details really helps them be at home in their new cage
which side are they used to the water dish on?
how does the breeder give veggies and treats?

it will take a while for them to explore, let them go around the whole cage
you might want to move some of the things or provide more steps
or curl some rope perches to allow better movement.

I watched my little guys and made sure they both found the water and
had a good drink, then i made sure they found the seed.

they love their swing but for some reason didnt notice it until
I perched one of them on it and then it was their absolute favorite

be patient with your new pet and speak softly to it.
I wouldnt start training or petting with the children right away
but you can have a good talk with them about being small or
being in a new home and have them understand why they can't play
right away.

Bar spacing should be no larger that 1/2" and any size larger than
16x16 is perfect for one bird- larger is better so they have room to stretch wings
(I always think about cleaning a huge cage and it stops me from moving up sizes)
I have two p'lets in a 18x18x24 cage and they are very happy
if they want to come out they have even more room to play!

hope this helped
-Steph