Giving your parrotlet a bath

[JoanneinNC]

I know I asked this question 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)

[dgcashier]

Paulie has decided that he like a shower. He can't get into his water cup...he's tried! ;) I use a plant prayer with a fine mist and he loves it. I spray him thru the bars of his cage and he just fluffs up his little baody and really gets wet. I use plain water.

[stepht25]

Originally Posted by JoanneinNC

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.
Thanks so much

Joanne :0)

I know this advice is given a lot to new owners - and for some birds it is good advice to follow. On the other hand - if you are getting a well socialized, hand fed baby that is used to daily interaction - I don't think it's good advice. Of course every bird is different and you should take cues from your bird as to what level of interaction they are comfortable with. With all of our birds -they showed interest in wanting to be with us - even the first hours of being in their new home and I think it would have been harder on them to adjust if we had taken the advice to put them in their cage and not handle them for the first few days. Just something to think about - and like I said before - definatly try to take cues from your bird on what kind and how much handling they are comfortable with those first few days.

[kevinp]

i would have to agree with stepht, if you are bringing home a hand reared parrotlet, i wouldnt leave him for a couple of days. as he will be used to being handled and petted so get him home and start interacting with him straight away. he will not know what is happening to him, strange person (you) and a strange place. give him cuddles and scratches and play with him. i would also try to get him as early as possible in the day. so that he has plenty of time to settle in before bed time.
as for bathing let him go at his own pace, put a bowl of water on the bottom of the cage if you want. as for the spray bottle i did try this a couple of times but every one of my birds hated it. i have a bowl outside of the cages for the budgies which they bathe in most days, jake also used to use this, but would also use his large water bowl in his cage.

i wish you well with your new parrotlet, and hope he brings you many years of happiness.

ps:i dont see any need to spray him or bath him everyday, let him decide.

[JoanneinNC]

Thank you all so much for your advise and friendship.

I brought Nemo home today, and I feel like he is afraid of me. If I am out of the room, he chirps to some soft music I have playing, he eats, etc. As soon as I walk in the room..oh no..there she is again. I am afraid to push him too much..so I decided not to take him out of the cage again today. Hopefully I am doing the right thing but I feel pretty incompetent right about now. Isn't that the greatest feeling? lol

Joanne :0)

[stepht25]

Aww, sorry you feel that way Joanne! ((hugs)) Have you tried just sitting by his cage and talking to him or reading to him? Tried giving him some treats from your fingers? I always offer my fids something warm and mushy (like oatmeal or even a little warmed up applesauce - just make sure it doesn't have loads of sugar in it - even handfeeding formula - or reg. baby food) when I first bring them home (and actually I continue giving them something like this off a spoon reg. in case I ever have to give them medicine). Try sitting next to his cage and look at him kind of sideways - try blinking at him and see if he'll blink back. Just silly, quiet things to show him you mean no harm and want to be friends. You could even leave his door open so if he feels like venturing out he can. I'm sure he'll settle in soon and realize you are wonderful!! Hang in there!!

[Sally]

Lots of good advice. For a while you feel like your new bird doesn't really like you. It is not true. They just take a while to adjust and trust that they are safe.

Soft music and singing is great. Offer a nice seed. I did that with safflower seeds. I handled Chipper a little several times a day. Spoke softly. Offerred those yummy seeds.

I like the warm food idea too. Makes the tummer feel nice and happy. Just be patient. I was SOOO happy to have these forums for help. You will be fine. Just keep asking questions.

[JoanneinNC]

Thank you, both. You are wonderful.

I purchased two small jars of baby apple sauce today, low in sugar. How would you suggest I give it to my new baby parrotlet? I am picturing his mouth all covered with the applesauce. Will he let me wipe it off if he is still a bit unsure of me.

I think we are making some progress in that area though. I couldn't get him to come out of the cage today, but he sat near where I was sitting and didn't move away. I figured that was progess. lol

Hugs back at you

Joanne :0)

[stepht25]

I'd say it's progress!! Usually when I'm offering my fids baby food (or something of that consistency) I offer it to them on a spoon. But - some birds are afraid of spoons if they're not used to seeing them and eating off them. You could try a small dap on your finger or maybe even just put a little in a food dish and put it inside the cage. Let him see you put it in the dish so if he tries it and decides he likes it you can progress to putting it on your finger or a spoon (might be best to buy a human baby spoon for a parrotlet?). My alexandrine is used to eating food from a spoon - but every once in awhile when I bring a spoon in with food on it and he didn't see me putting the food on it - he looks at it like he's never seen a spoon before! But then if I bring the food in and let him see me putting it on the spoon - he can't get to it fast enough! I would think if you gave to him any of these ways he wouldn't get too messy. Then again... Really though - if you just give a small amount at a time I wouldn't think it would be too messy. If he does try it - don't be surprised if he flings his beak and sends applesauce flying in every direction - especially after the first bite! My fids seem to do this when the food is more of a "wet" texture - kind of like they weren't expecting it and they were surprised!

Just keep doing what you're doing! I bet you'll be best friends in no time at all!