The Dangers Of Apple Seeds

Are apples good for your bird? Yes, they are and contain the following:

Raw apples with the skin contain Protein, Vitamin A, C, D, E, K, B6, B 12, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Folate, Pantothenic Acid, Choline, Betaine, Minerals, Calcuim, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, Zinc, Copper, Manganese, Selenium, and Fluoride. Sounds like a wonderful food for your bird and they are but you must take out the seeds. Why because they can be toxic to your bird.

Lurking in the seeds are danger for your bird. They contain poison, in the form of amygdalin, a cyanide and sugar compound which can be broken down in the body into the highly poisonous compound hydrogen cyanide. However, the amount in an apple seed is tiny, not enough to cause harm to a person but in a bird it will as they are much smaller bodied than we are and so it takes a much smaller amount to be dangerous or even lethal for them.

Apple seeds if swallowed whole are not harmful at all as the seed passes through the body unnoticed and intact the danger occurs when they are broken open or chewed to release the harmful cyanide.

Because a bird will crack open a seed to eat it this makes apple seeds very dangerous for them and always wash all fruits well to remove harmful pesticides that may be present.

Fruits For Your Parrot That Have Seeds And Pits

Fruit pits and seeds which includes apples, pears, peaches, apricots, plums, nectarines and cherries, and others contain harmful toxins. The fruit flesh itself is fine and actually healthy, but be sure to take out all seeds and pits before serving. Peach pits contain one of the highest amounts of cyanide in the form of amygdalin, a cyanide and sugar compound which can be broken down in the body into the highly poisonous compound hydrogen cyanide.

While no human deaths have been reported, it has been documented that hogs and cattle have succumbed to eating fallen peaches pit and all. So you can clearly see why you shouldn't feed these fruits and the others that may contain smaller amounts of cyanide to your parrots.

What is interesting is that the flavor of the pits and seeds of these actually have an almond taste to them which would be one reason that your parrot would if given the chance try to eat them. Your parrot clearly doesn't know what is safe for him/her to eat and their curiosity can lead them into trouble. It is up to you to know, guide and give your parrot what is safe to eat. Never assume that your parrot knows best what is and isn't good for him/her. When in doubt leave it out as the old saying goes. Removing the seeds and pits that are harmful for your parrot is the only way to go.

Also remember to wash all fruits well because there could be harmful pesticides on the fruit.

Eliminating fruit from your parrots diet would be a tragedy as they are so healthy for them and only require a small effort on your part of removing all seeds, pits and washing your fruit well.

Citrus fruit such as oranges, lemons, limes, grape fruit and the melon family of fruits such as watermelon, cantaloupe, pumpkin and others seeds are just fine for your parrot to eat and have much nutritious value.

Thank you for reading and keep your birds safe for more information on parrots please visit our website: http://www.sweetacrebirdfarm.com/

Preparation For Traveling With Your Parrot And Other Pet Birds

Prior to traveling with your parrot it is a good idea to associate him/her with the container in which you use to travel with your bird, whether it be a kennel or travel cage. Don't just shove him/her into it on the day of travel as this can cause quite a lot of stress and fear if you don't get your bird aquatinted with the container in advance. Every bird you own should be aquatinted in this way in the event of travel due to a need to evacuate your home like for a hurricane or other natural disaster, you can never be to ready for.
Start by getting a kennel or small travel cage to contain your pet, preferably that can be secured in the vehicle by way of the seat belt or other means of securing it.

In advance take the time to associate your bird with the container by letting him/her explore it, put snacks in it and a toy to make it a positive experience that many parrots actually learn to enjoy and look forward too. The toy should be some what of a foot toy, easily picked up for play and not some large dangly thing that could cause harm or need you to untangle your bird from while traveling, think small but not so small that it can be swallowed, safety is the way to go for your bird and you. While driving you don't want to be distracted obviously if your parrot becomes tangled up. Make sure a feed cup and water cup are secure in the container. When thinking about water as it can spill and than be gone it is often wiser to place some of your parrots favorite juicy pieces of fruit in it instead of water. This way he/she will not be without moisture for travel, also either bring some of your water from home in a container or bottled water to offer him/her if your travel a great distance and or upon reaching your destination. Bring extra food that the bird is accustom too, now is definitely not the time to introduce a new brand other than what he is use to and will readily consume.
If you plan on a destination such as a hotel or other lodging it is a good idea to bring a mini vacuum and other items to clean up after your parrot. They are much like traveling with children, can make a mess and have needs that you need to be prepared for. It is a good idea to find out in advance if your destination such as a hotel does indeed allow pets.
Other considerations are the fact that you are traveling in an air-conditioned vehicle does not insure that your pet will stay comfortable as direct sun and glare can easily come in through a window even with the window up and the airconditioner on. Just like for a baby it is a good idea to provide a nice shaded area in the vehicle for your bird. A shade screen can be purchased in advance as an item in most stores that carry things for babies and is a wise purchase indeed. As a panting parrot can not cool him/herself off like a cat or dog and even they should have these considerations when traveling with them also.
Another thing to have on hand is a birdie first aid kit that you can put together, it should consist of orange flavored Gatorade (for dehydration), Neosporin Ointment (safe even if eaten), Kwik Stop (for bleeding prevention), a towel (in the event you have to restrain him/her for any reason and or for comfort in a kennel), small scissors (in case he/she becomes tangled up in a thread from the towel or such), a small wire cutter is a good idea also (just in case). You can never be to prepared and usually if you have these items readily available the trip goes smoothly, it's when you don't have them and are not prepared for mishaps that they most often happen.

Having a safe trip is of course is always preferred and it can even be fun to take your parrot for a ride as he/she can learn it is enjoyable and always likes to be with you anyway. Many of ours look forward to going bye bye and even know which travel cage and or kennel is theirs.
Closing thoughts: Always clean up after your parrot if you stay at a hotel as the next person with a parrot will be a lot more excepted at a facility if you do. While on the road keep your parrot in his/her container so you are not distracted while driving. Keep it neat and safe for all!

Raising macaws, cockatoos and many other parrots since the early 80's and finding little or no information on these magnificent gems of the parrot world has prompted me to write articles and stories about them. They are so much more than just a bunch of feathers and one should not want one on just a whim. It should be well thought out, researching them well before considering to own one or any animal for that matter. Although many parrots, cockatoos and macaws do have ability for speech, this alone should not be the reason for getting one. My hopes are to give you a glimpse into what they are about not just a novelty but a creature with a beating heart. That if treated with kindness and respect for their needs, will return much pleasure for years to come. They are one of Gods treasures and should be treated as such. To learn more about them, interesting pictures, videos and more through out our website: http://www.sweetacrebirdfarm.com/ and visit this url http://www.sweetacrebirdfarm.com/traveling.htm for a list of pet friendly lodging in Louisiana. It's always good to think ahead before disaster strikes, call around your area for pet friendly lodging, you never know when you'll need this information.

Umbrella Cockatoos

Umbrella Cockatoos although not prized for their talking ability many of them often surpass the African Grey's talking ability. They are one of the cuddly bird types and prefer to be not just on you and with you but curled up in your arms as part of your body. Thus giving them the nickname " The Velcro Bird" among parrot types. True to their nature they are not one to leave on a playstand when you leave the room as you will soon hear the pitter patter of small feet on your floor searching for you. For this reason they should not be left unattended when let out to play for they can get into trouble on their quest to find you. Electrical cords and such are not their friends for obvious reasons, among other household items they can and will get into. It is not that they are bad birds but that owners must take a more responsible stand in caring for them. Which when properly cared for leads to a wonderful companion of very longevity.

It is a misconception on our part for those of us that think or believe a bird knows what is good for it. Think of them more as a small feathered toddler in your care and everything given to them must be carefully selected by the owner to keep them out of danger.

 

Toys are a very important part of the umbrella's daily activity and must be appropriate for the species. They should be changed often or even rotated so the old becomes new again fun and exciting to occupy your bird. Just as we don't want to do the same thing day in and day out nether does your bird.

　

Umbrella's can be loud but this does not happen all the time and it depends on how you raise them which can make a world of difference. It is the umbrella that is received as a baby showered with attention and then put on the back burner so to speak that becomes unruly, this doesn't happen over night. Someone that starts out holding the bird continuously with constant attention actually teaches the bird that this is what it can come to expect and receive.