My Caiques Health in General.

[tommytime555]

So;

I've had my buddy Albert (Black Headed Caique) for a few years now. He seems happy and in good health but lately I've kinda felt the need to do some research.

I've been reading all kinds of scary stuff online (non-stick cookware can kill them, sunflower seeds can give them strokes, etc).......

So how true is this stuff?

I mean; should I seriously go down and buy cast-iron pots and pans and stop feeding too many sunflower seeds?

Also; should I take him to the vet ever so often to have him checked out?

Any direction appreciated.

Tommy

 

[Spiritbird]

Yes is the answer to all of your questions. There are members here on the fourm who have lost their loved bird because of heated non stick cookware. There are many other things that have teflon coatings also such as hair dryers, heaters and appliances. It is no joke~~ I purchased a set of stainless steel cookware. Sunflower seeds to a bird are like french fries to a human. Fat, fat, fat. All companion birds should see an avain vet at least once per year.

 

[tommytime555]

Heaters??

Like regular AC/Heating units?.... How am I suppose to work around that one?

If I didn't care I wouldn't be on this forum asking questions.... eh?

Thanks

T

 

[Spiritbird]

Have you read the book Parrots for Dummies. We usually suggest people have a copy of this book to read and for reference. It has lots of good info. on the basics and beyond. There are many kinds of heaters that have teflon. One does the research when purchasing a product and sometimes calling the manufacturer for more information. I am glad you asked these questions for your bird's safety. Now you know to be very careful. No burning candles, sprays in the air, plug in's or other items one may have to spray in the home. Here is an excellent educational article on safety.

Bird Essentials

 

[tommytime555]

Thankyou very much for the info.....

Wow...... I'm pretty neurotic when it comes to this kinda stuff, I'm a huge worrier...... So, literally; NO air fresheners of any sort at any time? Even if I put Albert outside for a few hours, the freshener could still hurt him?

Gosh, now I'm worried about the heating unit in my house.... gonna go check that out now.....

As far as cookware, most of my pots & pans have the Calphalon logo on them.... perhaps I should throw all of this out and replace? Any suggestions as to what I should get exactly? Gosh; I'm scared to cook now.... :|

Last but not least; the food I've been giving Albert has a lot of sun flower seeds in it; I just threw it out and am headed down to get some better stuff along with some fruit....... I'm assuming sodium (fruit in a can) is also probably bad?

Again; I really appreciate your help here..... I'm gonna take necessary steps to assure he stays in good health...

 

[greenbirdsf]

Teflon is deadly. It is in a lot of products, so always ask. The fumes in non-stick pans get released when the pan is heated at high temps. It is seriously not worth having in your cooking tools at all if you have a bird. It isn't really good for people either and it's been associated with headaches and other ailments. You can certainly live without it. Scented candles, air freshener, harsh cleaning products and of course, cigarette smoke can all harm or kill your bird.

Regular whole-house heating units are not a problem; I would be more concerned about space heaters and wall units. You should have a CO2 detector anyway, for you and your bird. Forced air furnaces do produce very dry air so it is advisable to use a humidifier so your birds sinuses are not irritated.

If you are a new bird owner, I suggest you buy "Birds for Dummies" by Dr. Brian Speer. He happens to be my Avian Vet and he is one of the best.

Your bird absolutely MUST to have a yearly exam with a Certified Avian Vet. If you don't have one near you, find one in a nearby city and go. Dog and Cat Hospitals are not trained or equipped to deal with birds. Birds hide symptoms of illness so if you wait until you "think" there is a problem, it could be too late. You need a complete blood panel done every two years to make sure everything is okay.

Dr. Speer's book and your Avian Vet will be able to help you with any questions concerning diet, behavior etc. The internet is great for some stuff but there is a lot of misinformation floating around.

And one more thing- NO SEED DIETS. No peanuts. Have your bird on a good quality pelleted diet + lots of dark leafy green vegetables, squash, low sugar fruits (bananas,grapes, apples, other North American fruits need to be in smaller portions). Watch your bird's weight; get a small scale. Too many nuts, treats, "people food" snacks, carbs, high sugar fruits can take years off your bird's life and impact his/her quality of life. Make sure your bird gets exercise. These creatures can fly up to 40 miles a day in the wild, foraging for food. If your bird sits in a cage all day bored and eating a horrible diet, it will mean lots of medical problems down the road that will cost you heartache and money.

Good luck with your bird!

 

[Spiritbird]

Calphalon pots and pans are ok. Good quality pans. I too again state birds need at least a baseline avain vet exam to start off with and then if no problems found they need to go once per year. Get a good quality carrier and get your bird used to the carrier and the car with short trips before the vet trip. Have you been socializing your bird?? I hope you study what your birds needs are as far as food goes. Harrisons pellets are among the best. If you have not fed your bird any pellets then that is something else you should talk to your vet about. There are very few good diets for our birds in a pet store. There are also some no nos as far as food goes you should learn such as peanuts, caffine, chocolate, avacados, any sweets or salty food. You have lots to learn.

http://www.tailfeathersnetwork.com/birdinformation/firstvetvisit.php

http://www.tailfeathersnetwork.com/birdinformation/pellets.php

 

[greenbirdsf]

Fruit in a can is usually loaded with sugar which is converted to fat in the body. Stick to fresh or frozen if you need the convenience. Vegetables are better than fruit- fruits that are lower in sugar are blueberries, raspberries, cranberries, blackberries, apricots. Best vegetables are broccoli, spinach, kale, dandelion greens, chard, watercress, arugula, mustard greens, squash (my bird loves cooked butternut squash), sprouts. If you are just switching to pellets like Harrison's or Roudybush, go to the manufacturers website for advice for weaning your bird off seeds. It can be a gradual process and you need to make sure he is still eating as it may take a little time for him to recognize the new stuff as food. Roudybush has several methods for switching printed right on the package and of course try a variety of brands out. My bird has always liked Scenic Brand because it is a shape she can hold in her foot to eat. The pellets come in different sizes so get the right size for your breed.

If your pans have non-stick coating, even if they are a pricey brand, sell them on ebay or give them to a non-bird owner. We have All-Clad Stainless Steel and I cook all the time with no sticking issues. The chemical companies are full of it- you don't need Teflon. Le Creuset makes cast iron with an enamel surface that is great and you don't need to "season" it like most other cast iron. And, air fresheners are just gross anyway. Open a window and take the garbage out often and you won't need it! All that fake scented stuff is bad for you too!

 

[tommytime555]

All of you were so much help.....

I'm on it..!

Thankyou so much.

Tommy

 

[Jodi]

Real quick about the plug ins. My girlfriend called me the other day telling me she killed her sons parakeet. She did not know how deadly the plugs in were. Who knows for sure if this it's what killed the poor little thing but it was fine before hand, and they had him for several months. She used the glade plug and her son found the bird when he got home from school...
I'm glad your researching what could be harmful to your little one now. Never too late to learn.