Pre-Senegal Worries!

[Ingavarr]

Hi, I'm hoping you kind lot will put a lot of my worries to rest.

I'm looking to get a Senegal next year, as I have two holidays abroad coming up, I didn't think it would be the right time and I can get plenty of research in to make sure i know everything I need too.

As mentioning the research, during them has brought up a lot of questions and I haven't been able too find any straight answers.

So, my first is household cleaners; what can I use? I don't know if my current ones would be fine to use and what situations could I still use my current ones? Or would I have to do a clear out prior to getting the parrot? If so, what cleaners would you recommend, especially when it comes to cleaning out the cage? Are plugins ok? We have one in every room.

Then my partner has a cat, which we've both expressed worry over, as we don't want the cat to feel alienated (as doubtful as that could be) and obviously we don't want to come back to an injured bird and not put it in a situation which could lead to that! What's the best and safest way to get them to live in harmony, if they ever could?

In situations if I was going abroad what would the best thing to do regarding the bird? Would it be happy for someone else to come in and take care of its needs? If we was to go on a holiday in the UK could we take the bird with us? I wouldnt want the bird too feel neglected.

Feeling happy it's not going to hurt itself when it's outside its cage, what's the best way to feel ok with letting your parrot wander? The only areas it would have access to would be the front room and kitchen, we keep the rest of the doors closed in the house. The kitchen is the real risk, but what's the best precautions to take? We are still in the process of decorating the house, as certain expensive things needed sorted before the inside has got any work. Would these things bother the bird?

Would you say this is a good starter bird for a first-time bird owner? I'm worried I may be jumping before I look. What do you always look for when searching for a breeder? Is it better to go private or go to an exotic shop?

Sorry for the long post, but any answers would be appreciated and if anyone has anything to add that I'll benefit from knowing feel free to say!
Thank you

 

[GaleriaGila]

I don't have time to answer all your questions in detail just now (but good for you, for reaching out and researching!) so I'll just hit a few high spots... I'm sure more members will be along to help you.
First, here is our Senegal thread... lots of good stuff there.
Poicephalus - Parrot Forum - Parrot Owner's Community
Cleaning? Elbow grease, water, vinegar, lemons... most of us use no odiferous or scented ANYTHING around our birds. They are so incrediby sensitive. And death by toxic fumes or particulates is ugly.
Cats? Be really paranoid. Even a slight touch of a claw can inject fatal infection. Never leave kitty and birdy alone, and be vigilant when they're anywhere near each other. Separate and safe housing is so necessary.
The Search Tab above is a really good one. You'll find a lot of good reading on many subjects there.
Looks like a parrot would be a real challenge to your lifestyle, but it can be done. I commend you for asking!

 

[itzjbean]

That's good you're starting early, lots of research is key! To answer your questions....

I use a solution called F10 to clean anything bird related. Like the cage, play stand, surfaces bird will be walking on and possibly pecking at. It's so safe, it also sanitizes surfaces and is used by veterinarians. You can also spray sprouts with it, it's that safe. As far as things like Windex and Clorox sprays, I still use them but just never around the birds.

You will get differing opinions about plug ins, candles and incense but in my experience I have and still use them all (otherwise the house would just stink) and not once has he shown any signs of getting ill. But I never use them while bids are out of the cage or within 10 feet of them otherwise it can get to be too strong.

I have two cats and a very large dog along with two cockatiels. The key is to use caution always. To get it to work, it's important to have a cage that can't be opened easily (bird letting himself out while you're away), never let the bird be out of the cage unsupervised, and always keep an eye on where your cat is at all times bird is out. If I plan to have my birds out for more than 20 minutes, I put the cats in their room and make sure the door is closed completely. (one of my cats has shown high prey drive with my birds and I can't trust him). While bird is caged, cats roam freely and the cage is high enough they can't get to at all.

If you're a student or traveling a lot, I would highly advise to WAIT until all your traveling is OVER and you won't be gone for an extended period of time. Some birds don't do well with change, and may get very confused when you leave. I always recommend to anyone still in school or without a stable income to WAIT until you have your own house, own income and transportation. Otherwise your bird will constantly be seeing you coming and going and will likely not stay tame if not given the attention they so desperately need daily. I had a Jenday Conure when I was 13 and had to rehome him by 18 since I was going to college. I didn't get another bird until I was on my own and an adult, age 24.

Birds don't exactly travel well, though there are some situations where they do fine, generally speaking it's not advised to bring a bird along on a vacation, so many things could go wrong and it also can make them VERY stressed out. New things can spook smaller bids easily, and there will be SO many new things on vacation, nothing will be familiar.

Never let your parrot roam around by itself without your supervision. Though good intentions, I can't tell you how many times I've heard of birds dying from being allowed to 'free roam' the house, getting into something they shouldn't and it turns fatal very quickly. I used to follow a very cute 'free roam' budgie on Instagram from AUS and it sadly ingested particles of the screen door, which it couldn't pass and ultimately suffered greatly and passed away. So sad.

A solution to this would be to have a playstand on top of the cage or on ta kitchen counter where you can keep watch at all times. But they CAN and WILL get into everything and everything, including house plants, paint on the walls can be chewed off and swallowed, he could bite wires and electrocute himself, I don't mean to scare you but it's just something I've seen. No unsupervised wandering!

What draws you to the Senegal? I have never owned one but several members here have them. As far as starter birds, I highly recommend cockatiels!

In my personal experience, it's better to find a private breeder who raises their own handfed baby bids, generally pulled from the nest at 2 weeks old and therefore socialized and around humans a lot so when you get them, they'll be very tame.

Anything else, just ask! We have members here with literally decades of experience.

 

[Ingavarr]

Thank you both for replying

Would the F10 cleaning spray be something you can find in local supermarkets or would it be something you might have to order online? Thank you, I'll make sure to use them only when necessary whether the bird is in or out.

I was planning on regards to the cat just letting him roam upstairs or go outside whenever the bird was out, he's more interested in sleeping than anything else when in and he's usually out all night, but he would be behind the kitchen door where the bird would be in the front room, so they would never be left unsupervsed with me.

I'm not in a situation where I'm travelling a lot, my partner likes to go abroad at least once a year or go away for a break in the UK, as he's self-employed and doesn't have any time off, unless he plans on going abroad etc. So there's no worry there.

What drew me to the bird is how quiet they are (I know they all aren't gaurenteed to be 100% quiet), its more for my partners' sake than mine, he couldn't handle my vocal German Shepherd, as my partner has 0 patience with anything, so the only compromise I could think up with was a bird that wasn't overly vocal. The more I've read about the bird the more facinated to interact and have one. I've tried going to some exoctic bird shops to see if they have any in, but they have both had breeding issues and they have been losing nests. so I'm sill hoping to see and handle one face-to-face, before I jump in entirely.

 

[Inger]

If your partner is not a patient person, a bird may not be the perfect choice. Even the quietest bird can be pretty noisy. They demand (and deserve) a lot of attention, and they bite. Dogs are much lower maintenance, so if the German Shepherd was too much, I really urge you to proceed with caution.

Perhaps you and your partner could visit and maybe volunteer at a local bird rescue to get some idea of what you’d be looking at.


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[EllenD]

I appreciate you doing your research first, most people don't do this and they end-up sorry and the bird ends-up being re-homed...

Senegals are tough, well, Poicephalus in-general can be tough. I've been a bird-owner all my life, but Kane is my first Senegal, he's 2 now and I love him to death, but he is absolutely completely different in his behavior than any other bird i've ever owned. He is stubborn and very territorial, and he kind of "wants what he wants when he wants it", and when he's having a grumpy-spell then he can go and have it and I'll check-in with him later, lol..

***Please do not use any "Plug-Ins" or any other scented items, regardless of whether someone says they have "used them without an issue", as it literally only takes one whiff of a fume from a candle, cleaner, incense, perfume, etc. to kill a bird instantly...and as Gail said, it's ugly.

Also, you must immediately get rid of any pots, pans, or cookware that contains any non-stick coating with Teflon in it (usually it's any black-colored non-stick coating), this is not at all optional, as when they get hot enough they release PTOA's, PTFE's, etc., which do literally kill birds instantly, there's nothing you can do to help them, it's pretty much 100% fatal. So you must use only ceramic non-stick, cast-iron, aluminum, or real, pure copper cookware, baking pans, etc.

As far as cleaning goes, same thing...no scented cleaners, nothing with bleach, etc. So yes, you're going to have to probably change everything you clean with for the health of the bird..definitely no Bathroom cleaners like "scrubbing bubbles" or "Kaboom", those are so caustic and harsh they can make a bird deathly ill in a matter of minutes..

If you just keep in-mind "nothing scented" and "all-natural", you'll be good as far as cleaners...any more you can buy plant-based household cleaners at most-all grocery stores, they are usually clear and are made from plant-enzymes, they work well, are unscented, and won't hurt the bird. Another way to go is White Vinegar, hot water, and lemon, as Gail suggested, or F10, which is available at most pet shops or online. Cleaners like "GreenWorks" are great...but that's it. It's just not worth the risk of respiratory distress, air sac irritation, or death...(the Teflon thing again is not optional, as it's not a risk, it's fatal 100% of the time if the bird is exposed to the fumes)...

 

[condobirds]

I have a Senegal. He is 17 years old and is absolutely the best bird. He is predictable, calm, noisy at times, patient, beautiful, plays alone well, independant, very bonded to me. I spend much time with my birds, handling them and interacting every day to keep them easy to deal with.

I am not sure a Senegal is the best choice for a person with no parrot experience. Better than starting off with a cockatoo, Amazon or macaw but Senegals can be a handful. Depends on the bird and the person, I guess. I would recommend starting off with a smaller, less demanding bird. Maybe a cockatiel, lovebird, parrotlet or parakeet. Cockatiels are great birds that are much more forgiving of inexperience.

I use dish detergent, hot water and a scrub brush to clean cages and accessories. I do not use anything scented, candles, plug ins, nothing. Better safe than sorry is my thought. You will read many opinions on this.

I have only birds. Many people have predators living in their homes and are comfortable with it. I would not be, especially cats. Too many chances of human mistakes and the birds always lose. I would feel absolutely terrible/guilty if something happened because of that decision. My birds are always out on their playstands when I am home. If I had a cat, they would be in their cage most of the time. Not fair to the birds. Wonder what a bird thinks when predators are lurking around their cage. Especially the smaller birds.

When we go on vacation, I have a bird sitter who is great. She is comfortable handling birds as she has 15 of her own. She comes in 2X a day and the birds are happy when we get back since she takes them out, plays with them, etc. Or you could board the bird at the vet which may be better since there is only 1 bird. I would not be inclined to travel on vacation with any animal. The logistical challenges would be too much for only a week or so. If you travel alot, now may not be the time for a bird. They are flock animals and are happiest when the flock leader is in residence.

At the risk of criticism, I admit to clipping wings, so their mobility is somewhat limited. I always have them with me on their playstands and are supervised at all times. Birds have a way of getting into everything, some of which may be deadly. Many people have fully flighted birds so that is something you have to read about and make a decision on.

Do research on parrot diets, hopefully the breeder has weaned the bird on to pellets and fresh veg. otherwise, you will need to convert ASAP. And obtain an avian vet, a CAV, not a general vet.

 

[condobirds]

I just read your post about quiet bird and boyfriend patience. Think about this hard. If not for you, the potential bird. Senegals are only quiet compared to many other species of parrot. When my Senegal gets going, it is ear splitting. Noise tolerance is individual. I am used to parrot noise and barely notice but there are others that find it intolerable. Another reason a cockatiel or smaller bird might be a better choice.

Another thing is that birds are MESSY. You will always be cleaning up after them. No getting around it. It is in their DNA.