Do You Feel The Smaller Birds Have Less Issues Then Larger Parrots?

[spensergirl]

I wanted to get some input, from people who have both types of birds, the larger parrots and the smaller birds like keets and tiels.

Chilli was my only parrot, but I do have a lovebird and two keets that an elderly friend of my mom's asked me to take when she could no longer care for them. They seem to be quite happy and healthy birds and I have had them about 3 years or so.

I have numerous books on parrots and I may be way off base but it seems that they seem to acquire more issues and that the nutrition issues with them is much harder to maintain (such as Greys and Amazons and their Vitamin A issues you have to be very careful with, etc).

It might just be since Chilli appeared so fragile to the vet, that the size of the bird or type of bird and their chances of having more issues is just coincidential, but I wondered if anyone had any thoughts.

I would be especially interested in those who have cockitiels and or other small birds and also have larger birds, in regard to how you would compare the issues involved...if there even is a connection.

Thank you in advance.

[amanda143]

I think there is some truth to it. Although the larger they are the hardier they tend to be. But, smaller ones are so much easier to deal with and take care of. I've never had a parakeet or cockatiel freak out on me the way our amazon does. lol

[spensergirl]

What do you think are far as how hard it is to keep them in good health, small as opposed to larger? That is what rather confuses me when I read my books. The larger ones seem to live longer, but it also seems they are prone to more illness and or nutrition issues (and it appears perhaps more diseases also)

[Kolkri]

I really don't know cause the biggest bird I have is Joey and most don't think of that as big.
Macaws beaks scare me and the messes are way to much for me to deal with.

[Jwhear]

I think that part of it may be the fact that bigger birds live longer so health issues come to light more often than with the smaller ones. My parrots eat better than my smaller birds, but only because I can't get them to eat anything other than seed (though I try daily) My love bird will try new stuff from time to time. My smallest is a love bird and my largest is an Amazon. In my opinion though the easiest ones are the 2 conures as they will try anything, are the easiest to tame/train and are the most fun, and the biggest lovers. I love them all and each has different strengths and weaknesses. I think just like with other animals each tend to have issues they are prone to, different health concerns.

[becca623]

I think that many people are more likely to take a larger or more expensive parrot to the vet than a "cheap, throw away" bird which contributes to the life span of the bird.

[Chief's Mom]

I also agree with Becca. I would imagine that if a person were spending $1500 on a bird compared to $20 on a bird, they would, at least initially, spend a little more on a cage, toys, vet, etc. You come home with your new baby macaw...you go in for your "well baby check-up." You come home from Petco with your new baby budgie...you put it in the too small cage with the seeds you bought there as well. (Not saying that everyone who buys a budgie from there does this, but I've witnessed parents buy a parakeet just to appease their children and actually say outloud to other shoppers "Oh, it won't be alive in two weeks!")

With my birds, my keets have had a case of mites which has been easily cured. One of my budgies died a few months ago from an undetermined respitory issue...multiple vet visits, tests, antibiotics, none of it worked and he was too fragile for surgery. And Patty, my PF Lovie came to me with Lovebird Pox which cost about $500 over the course of 4 or 5 months with complete quarantine, to heal properly. The only problems I've had with my macaws are a little dry skin and projectile pooping And of course all the wood in my house keeps disappearing, but what can you do

I do think the longevity of the larger birds gives them more opportunity for illnesses. Their size also allows for surgery and other procedures (hence, more problems found) to be done that can not always be completed on a smaller bird. I've found that my larger birds are much more open to trying new foods, toys, etc. than my little ones ever are. All I have to do is pretend to eat it myself and they are all over it. The little ones could care less. They just push it to the side.

As far as the differences in keeping them in good health, I really don't do much different with them. They each get pellets for their size, a clean seed mix, appropriately sized nuts, cheerios, oatmeal, pasta, and featheriffic in their food bowls everyday. They all get a variety of veggies and fruits every day, which I cut into appropriately sized pieces. When one gets spaghetti, they all get spaghetti! They all get the types of toys that they enjoy and they all get one on one attention in whatever fashion they like it (some of mine would rather you just talk to them, some want to cuddle on their backs in your lap). They all see a highly qualified avian vet. We seem to run a pretty Equal Opportunity household around here

I think with the larger birds, it tends to have at least something to do with their breeders and how well they were taken care of as babies. Some are hand fed, some are parent fed, some are just not taken care of in general. At least around our area, most smaller birds like budgies and cockatiels are parent raised, at least for the first few weeks. That may also have something to do with it.

I just hope that you're not asking this question because you're considering not getting another Amazon or 'big bird' because of Chilli's illness I really think all species have their pros and cons and you have to research both the bird and the breeder before you make a specific decision. I could tell you that my (insert bird type here) is the healthiest thing ever, and my nextdoor neighbor could get one and it not make it. There are always possibilities, I guess my approach is to keep learning and take care of them the best that I can, no matter what size

[spensergirl]

Thanks for all the input. No, I would never disgard the thought of another Amazon, due to all Chilli's issues, as I love them so. To me, they (Amazons) are like dogs with wings. But I have been confused about how the larger birds seem to have more nutrition issues and diseases, compared to smaller birds. Probably, as many have said, the longer something lives, the more issues come to light and maybe (some) people simply do not take small birds to vets, although I certainly would. My small ones are just never sick. I can't get the small ones to eat veggies and I change their papers once a day, whereas I changed Chilli's several times a day given her fragility and gave her bottled water, tried to have her eat what she was supposed to eat,whereas small ones drink tap, etc.

I have a friend, who has a small green turtle and she and her husband even take it to the vet, which is nice to hear. Once they had to give it a shot (at home) daily for two weeks and they did (and it recovered)... So, hopefully people do not gauge if an animal is worth saving by size, but I am sure many do, sadly.