• Use only newspaper or papertowels for tray lining - natural (corn-cob) litters promote bacterial growth
• Remove fresh foods after no longer than 2 hours, depending on room temperature
• Always have everyone wash their hands before and after touching your parrot
• Change clothing after handling birds at stores or fairs/shows before touching your bird
• Change water frequently, use high quality water or bottled water
• Check toys and cage frequently for signs of wear and replace appropriately
• Carefully supervise your bird with any new toy
• Frequently check your parrots wing trim and nails
• Periodically check your birds feet for callousing or redness from synthetic pedicure perches - adjust the height, and therefore frequency of use, of synthetic perches appropriately
• Early on introduce your Quaker to all mirrors, windows, and glass doors
• Birds can catch bacterial infections, like Strep, from you, but not viruses, and vice-versa
• 12 or more hours of dark and rest every night to prevent long term detriments
• Natural unfiltered (as in outside) or synthetic (Vita-Lite) sunlight whenever possible
• Daily misting or bathing
• Have a rehearsed emergency evacuation plan that includes your pets
• First-aid kit including a clean soft towel, cold flour or cornstarch in freezer for blood feathers, tweezers, pet carrier, heating pad, Pedialyte or Gatorade, avian vets' phone number
• Keep a notebook or diary of your birds vet visits, weights, immunizations, illnesses, and exposure to other birds - directly or indirectly, like exposure to people with birds
• Gram scale for weekly weights (this is a really good idea)
• Supervise all interaction with non-family members, children, and pets
• Join the Quaker Parrot Mailing List!
• Buy a subscription to Bird Talk Magazine
  
  
  

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©Material contained in Quaker Quarters Copyright Kyra Brown 1998