If you were making a care sheet....

[anbrownucsd]

Hello All,

I was hoping that I could get some added advice from you on this board!

I am making a care sheet for Rose-Breasted Cockatoos and I was wondering what helpful information should be put on it.

Obviously I am including diet, no-no's, cage sizes... things like that. What do you think would be very helpful to a new bird owner. Now, of course, it is always preferable that people do a lot of research before purchasing a new pet. But the purpose of this sheet is to help those who do not do their research, that way the bird is not affected during their first few weeks...

Thanks,
Ashley

[loyallyroyal]

you might want to emphasize the fresh fruits, veggies, sprouts, cooked foods, ect. in the diet since those things are often overlooked

give a couple of ex.s of safe fruits and veggies along with a couple brands of healthy pellets/seed/snackie foods

maybe give some good foraging ideas also along with toy ideas

also showers since ive met many people that think giving your bird a bath is a novel concept (dont ask me why)

oh the importance of a playstand, maybe mention manzanita, java, and grapewood (the hard woods) arent always the best choices for birds

the idea of when you are gone during the day leaving the tv, radio, ect on a timer, I leave my bird a movie (his fave is the sound of music) on one of those travel movie players since it has a battery life of about 3 hours and shuts off automatically

the 3+ perch rule, rope perch, natural wood perch (maybe list good types of wood, cajeput ect.), grooming perch (sand/concrete), swings/moving perches, since people tend to just leave the bird with the rods that come with the cage

oh and buying a cage that is easy to clean and access to put perches/toys in. also the idea of rotating toys and perches and socializing the bird to new things...
oh and steamers work great for cleaning cages without chemicals, I also like those poop-off wipes they make

maybe also stress getting your bird out of their cage each day and the neccesity of vet care, many people often dont get their bird proper vet care

sorry kind of got carried away hope that helps

[anbrownucsd]

Oh man... I didn't think of any of that.

I do so much every day as a bird owner and I don't even know that I do it, it has become second nature to turn on the television when I leave and give Hermes a shower, lol.

Thank you for jogging my memory, those are all great ideas! The better question is how to fit this all onto one care sheet.. maybe I will have to hand out care packets :-)

[Ashling]

That had bit of info for myself, I've been keeping birds for 8 years, let alone any first time bird owners! Very well done loyallroyal!

I have to add: You should mention poisons and toxic chemicals (eg. scented candles, teflon, deoderant spray, perfume) as well as food like chocolate, avocado, coffee etc.
-and the benefits of using natural, organic cleaners etc such as white vinegar.
This'll be cool, what's it for?

[Astrid660]

Here is a fact sheet that I made.
A Wealth of Information on Parrots! |

I wish more people were educated before buying birds .... ugh sometimes I just wish pet stores had fact sheets to hand out when someone bought a pet bird .

[Ashling]

They had fact sheets for HERMATE CRABS why not BIRDS!?
lol well, here's a start eh? Good going Astrid and Ashley!

[Astrid660]

^lol! thanks

[Icednova625]

Our local petco has care sheets for just about every species of pet bird. Its the only place I've seen them. The info is all accurate, even lists the diseases that that species of bird is prone to get and what to look for.

[Koki]

More than any thing else, since you said the purpose of a care sheet is to help those that haven't done their research;

I'd list all the reasons not to buy a parrot.
They can scream,
they make a lot (a lot) of mess,
they demand attention,
they can bite, even become aggressive
they need time out of cage,
they may end up plucking all their feathers out,
they are very expensive, the cost of the bird is only the tip of the iceberg, cage, food, perches, food dishes, toys, toys, toys, vet bills, grooming fees, boarding,
they take a lot of your time, not just socializing, entertaining, and playing, but making fresh meals, cleaning cages, and something I seldom see mentioned, you need to read, read, read and continue to learn all you can.

Parrots are not pets, they're a lifestyle:)

Are they worth it? No question!

[Icednova625]

I'd add life span so people know that what they are taking on is often a life long commitment.