Need Vacation List Advice

[drlisaort]

Well, I have to leave my Oliver for five whole days and I am in need of putting together a list for my family on how to take care of my big boy. The last time I left for three days my husband did okay but failed to change the newspaper the entire time. Not Good! I thought this time I'd put together a list of do's and dont's. I could swear I saw a list many months ago on this site and thought I'd copied it but I can 't find it anywhere. So, if anyone has one or anything you think I should put on my list I would be so grateful.

 

[Birdlover11]

I have some !

Do's

Monitor any unusual behavior , if you notice something call me RIGHT away !

Change food and water dish EVERY day

Try to keep cage clean , ex . Brooming around cage , changing newspaper , cleaning spills.

Make sure you remove fruit after two hours ,

Give some attention to him

 

[Birdlover11]

Donts

Feed him chocolate , avacodo , alcohol , candy , fatty foods , junk foods

Don't spray chemical near him AT ALL !!!!

 

[Chikoo]

A list would be handy! I'm going to be gone for 6 weeks at the end of this month and am having a friend stay at my place to care for the birds.

 

[ruffledfeathers]

When I first got Georgie and had my parents watching in on her when I was gone, I also made labels I put on things and left specific measurement/quantities of what she ate. (sometimes it just got expensive. they would fill to almost overflowing a gigantic stainless bowl and then just dump it and refill on the next check in---um, those Harrison's pellets cost a lot to keep dumping, ya know?) I left emergency vet numbers on a printed instruction list as well, and a carrier in case of emergency. (in my mind, it won't happen if you prepare for it, and, murphy's law, the thing you don't prepare for ends up happening.) Being over-prepared keeps you from worrying as much.

 

[mtdoramike]

This is what I have draftedup to use for our Pet sitter when we are gone, she would stop by twice a day. Unfortunately for an Eclectus that isn't enough because they dirty their water so often it could stand to be changed 4-5 times a day. I have 3 water bowls that I have setup in his cage when we go away so hopefully he has clean water in one of them.

Mornings
1. Uncover Tiki's cage and change out water put new seed mix in her right rear bowl and fresh veggie mix in her right front bowl. Tiki has a holder in her cage for holding 3-4 grapes, if you can put grapes in the holder fine, if not just put them in her veggie bowl.
2. Open up Mac's cage allowing him to roam around his cage and playstand throughout the day. Change out his large water bowl with fresh water and place seed mix in the left rear bowl and fresh veggie's in the left front bowl. Make sure to close the door to Mac room before leaving for the day.

Night or evening
1. If you can allow Tiki a few minutes of out of cage time, great if not no worries. Tiki's cage gets covered at night with no light on for her.
2. Mac only has the door to his cage closed and the night light left on for him with the door to his room closed.
3. Make sure to remove the fresh food bowls from their cages, clean them and replace them without any food in them until morning.
If you have time and want to change out the paper in their cages fine, if not don't worry about it, we will only be gone a week and can take care of that upon our return.

 

[JerseyWendy]

This is what I had on the fridge for my live in pet sitter when we went to Georgia for a few days.

PHONE NUMBERS:
Alex cell phone
Elizabeth phone
Ginger phone
Dr. Doolen (Avian Vet)
Dr. Fenton (Oscar & Ziva’s vet)

BIRDS:
Microwave frozen food for 4 minutes. Place some of the cut up fruit in their bowls, top with microwaved food, mix, and serve. Please do not leave that food in their cage for longer than 3 hours. It will spoil. IF you have time, you can also dethaw the birdie bread in the freezer in the microwave for 50 seconds, let cool a bit and then devide it among the birds. It goes in with the fresh food.

You can top off dry food daily or as needed.

Please give fresh BOTTLED water at least once a day, or when you see it is dirty.

Please give Niko AND Ripley some nuts every day (in big, light blue tupperware container). They LOVE Walnuts. About 8-10 Walnuts each per day....plus a mix of the other nuts.

I will have layered the bottom of the cages with LOTS of newspaper. If you feel up to, and see the bottom is getting too messy, you could just remove a layer of paper, and it will look good and clean again.

Please, if you see poopie on a perch, clean it up with sponge and hot water.

Please turn radio on for the birds and dogs in the morning. It can be on all day, until dinner time.

Please turn on the blue WordyBirdy thing on the windowsill in the morning. You can shut that off when it annoys you, lol.

Niko's and Hunter's lights go off around 8PM and come on at 8AM. At night, once the lights go off, please turn off Sam's light, close the curtain, and cover Ripley, Sam & Hunter. Sam gets the beige blanket, Ripley the dark brown one, and Hunter the brown/beige plaid blanket.

DOGS:
You only have to feed them once a day while we are gone...they'll survive.

Oscar gets 1 cup and Ziva about 3/4 cup (a smidge less). You can add some Parmesan cheese to Oscar's if you see he isn't eating.

Please give them fresh bottled water at least once a day. Please keep water bowls filled.

Remember the baby gate at the top of the stairs at night, so you can hear them if they have to go out.

 

[coltfire]

the main thing that is a must must with eckkies is some one needs to spend some time with him as he is going to stress not having you around, i know when ever i have to leave my fids, even if its just for an over night, they stress just having some one else putting food in there cages, he is not going to know why your not there just that your not, so who ever you have watching him ask them to spend as much time with him as they can.

 

[drlisaort]

Thank you everyone for your valuable advice. I made a ginormous (sp?) list taking from each of you. The good news is Oliver will be in his environment and all the family watching him are people he knows and they have some idea of his routine. My youngest (whom he loves) promised to take him out every day and play with him. Day time he'll be alone but nights he will be out for several hours. I sure wish he could come with me!

Thanks again! I knew I could count on all of you to guide me. You're the best!
Lisa

 

[maillet]

I could email you my actual one if you would like.

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Eclectus Parrots – What to Know​

Daily Habits: (Things to Avoid)
1. NEVER use the Iron or Blow-dryer in same room as bird. It could kill him within seconds.
2. NEVER use any Teflon (non-stick) or clean Oven unless room is extremely well ventilated.
3. NEVER feed any form of Chocolate, Caffeine, Avocado, Apples, or Non-Tree Grown Seeds.
4. NEVER punish poor behaviors. You must ignore most bad and reward the good behaviors.
5. As general rule: Use caution with any form of Aerosols or Chemicals inside of same room.
6. Parrots have a highly developed respiratory system. What is fine to people could kill them.
Interactions: (How to Approach)
1. Approach the cage from a visible angle and slowly. If you are energetic he may feel startled.
2. Open the cage door and allow him to come to you. He might bite if you attempt to grab him.
3. Speak softly to describe any actions until he is comfortable. This displays you are not a threat.
4. You have to respect his feelings. Eclectus are irritable when disrupted from sleeping or eating.
5. Parrots are highly sensitive to your moods and actions, so remember to remain and be gentle.
6. Smokers will not be permitted near Eclectus. The faint scent of smoke could kill him instantly.
Feedings: (What You Can Feed)
1. Eclectus diets consist of roughly 50% Fruits and Vegetables, 25% Seeds, and 25% Grains.
2. Favourite fruits will be darker colored (Pomegranates, Blueberries, Cherries, and Grapes).
3. Favourite seeds will be Pine Nuts, Sunflower, or Pumpkin seeds. Walnuts are given if shelled.
4. Favourite vegetables will include any type of corn, potatoes, cauliflower, peppers or carrots.
5. Favourite grains will include hardboiled eggs, cooked pastas or rice, banana, beans, or peas.
Basic Grooming: (Cages to Bathes)
1. Change the water in cage once or twice daily. Eclectus are known for making “soup” of foods.
2. Change the newspaper in cage once every two days to avoid bacteria. Newsprint is non-toxic.
3. Eclectus should be bathed 3-4 Times weekly with either a basin or spray bottle soaked to skin.
4. Feathers will be allowed to grow fully. Toes will be trimmed once every quarter or as needed.
5. Spend at least an hour with the parrot daily. Change out the toys in cage once a week (bored).
What to Watch for: (Health Issues)
1. Eclectus will go to extreme lengths to hide illness. Watch for subtle changes in mood or energy.
2. Common dietary problems include “Toe Tapping” and “Beak Clicking” which are difficult to stop.
3. Common social problems include “Feather Plucking” often caused by boredom or low attention.
4. Beware: Absolutely NO seeded fruit – These contain cyanide (e.g. Avocado, Apples, or Oranges).
5. Beware: Absolutely NO chemicals nearby (e.g. Carpet Cleaner; Window Cleaner; Air Fresheners).
6. Beware: Absolutely NO heated metals (e.g. Oven Cleaner; Ironing Board; Non-Stick pots & pans).

Electus Parrots – Mealtime Information​

Essentials: (These provide his primary nutrients)
1. 2/8ths to 3/8ths of cooked plumped corn. If you use more here, use less at dinner.
2. 2-3 Slices of Pineapple. Each slice should be not any thicker than half a finger-tip.
3. 1 Thin slice of Potato. Cut it into between 16-32 Slices so it mixes well with food.
4. Maximum of (2) items from Coloring. These will affect his dropping by the most.

Optional: (Must use if he is eating less Potato)
1. Small piece of Carrot. Cut it into as small pieces as possible so it mixes with food.
2. Add small handful of defrosted peas (roughly 20-30 for a rough count) will suffice.
3. Add small handful of beans cut into small pieces so it mixes well with food (picky!).
4. Add small handful of millet (30-40 Seeds) sprinkled over food to encourage eating.

Coloring: (Increases interest in the overall food)
1. Add (1) small Strawberry cut into 8 pieces. This allows him to easily pick it up to eat.
2. Add (5) to (8) washed Blueberries. These can be cut in half to blend with food more.
3. Add (2) to (3) slices of fresh Kiwi. He seems to respond well to these only sometimes.
4. Add (3) to (4) seedless grapes. He enjoys these cut into halves to allow an easier grip.
5. If droppings are less watery. Add (2) to (3) pieces of lettuce (No nutrients, but water).

Health Issues to Note:
1. Eclectus Parrots are classified as “Grazers” and will eat throughout the day. Ensure he has fresh (sanitary) food available. Fresh foods will go stale overnight so use the seeds.

2. Eclectus Parrots have the longest digest track of any bird. For this reason, they require an increased fiber diet. You also cannot feed too many of same mineral to stay healthy.

3. Eclectus Parrots are known to have deficiency of Beta-carotene (Potatoes, Carrots, and in Broccoli). This absence can cause muscle spasms called “wing-flipping”, “toe-tapping”.

4. When providing a Bath. Ensure this is done before Noon so he can dry off before night. It is also necessary to provide either an immediate dry with towel, or constant warmth!