Parrotlet-at-home

Your New Bird At Home

Owning a pet bird is a many year commitment. In some cases it is a longer amount of time than raising a child. Please review the below information before bringing your new parrotlet home. We also recommend reading our Parrotlet information page and doing internet searches on your computer for bird care. The internet is full of great care instructions. Remember that your new family member will be naturally shy and scared at first. Even handfed babies are naturally hand shy after being shipped to a new home. As soon as you get home with your baby bird you will want to open the shipping box – slowly- in a private room with little to no noise. You will have to catch the baby in order to remove it from the shipping box in most cases. Gently move the baby into its new playpen or cage. Watch the baby very closely for the first day to make sure it finds the food and water.

PLEASE READ THIS WHOLE PAGE – IT COULD SAVE YOUR BIRDS LIFE

* Remember to re-read your new bird guarantee on the day of arrival as some items are on time schedules.

The International Parrotlet Society’s
Recommended Minimum Standards For Care of Parrotlets ( Also a good guide for Budgies, Linnies and Cockatiels )
(Read the flyer provided by the Parrotlet Society for care Info)

* Feed your bird a healthy, varied diet on a daily basis including pellets, vegetables, beans, grains, fruits, seeds and nuts.
* Clean water should always be available. Change water at least once daily.
* Learn what foods should be avoided such as salt, sugar, chocolate, avocados and alcohol.
* Secure the services of a veterinarian certified in or experienced with avian clients.
* A well-bird examination and annual check ups are highly recommended.
* Quarantine any new bird(s) coming into your home for at least 45 days if another bird(s) is already present.
* Have nails, beaks and flight feathers trimmed when needed.
* Keep your bird away from smoke, toxic plants and fumes.
* Give your bird exercise opportunities and time out of its cage daily.
* Never leave birds unsupervised with children or other pets.
* Never take your birds outside unless they are in a cage. Even a small bird with clipped wings can still fly.
* When traveling with your bird in a car, always make sure the seatbelt is securely fastened around the cage.
* Provide a cage large enough to contain many toys and perches to allow your bird ample room to exercise. A recommended MINIMUM is 18″ wide x 18″ deep x 24″ high. Maximum bar spacing is 1/2″. (small birds) Larger birds and have larger cages.
* Provide enrichment items and rotate them on a regular basis to alleviate boredom. Also, check them often to make sure they are not damaged and are safe.
* Clean cage, perches and toys regularly and change cage papers daily. Food and water dishes should also be cleaned daily.

Let Your Bird Rest
When you first bring your bird home and put him in his new cage he will be afraid and timid about his new surroundings. Give him plenty of time by himself to get familiar with his cage. He/she may be too shy to eat with you, your family, your neighbors, your other pets walking up and staring at him/her in the cage. THE FIRST DAY HOME, LET HIM REST & EAT IN PEACE AND QUIET! Be sure that he finds his food and water. Start giving him attention AFTER you notice his food has been disturbed and is he/she is eating.

DO NOT CHANGE DIET RIGHT AWAY!
Your new bird should initially be fed a healthy cockatiel diet with pellets, or a budgie diet for the budgies. If you decide to change the diet, do it gradually! Young birds have been known to starve to death because their diet was switched overnight and they did not eat the new food. Have plenty of millet available. If he doesn’t explore the cage to find his food, put the millet and water close to where he perches most. If he becomes fluffed up and not eating, contact your avian vet immediately.
FOOD: In order to assure that all of my customers will have access to the same kind of seed (food) I am currently weaning all of my babies onto Wild Harvest Cockatiel Mix or Budgie Mix. This seed is available at all Wal-Mart Stores. If possible pick up a bag of the advanced nutrition Wild Harvest. If not available the standard mix will be ok to start. Also pick up a small bottle of liquid bird vitamins made by 8 in 1. This is also available at Wal-Mart in the bird department. Follow the instructions and call or email me with any questions you may have. Contact Page or phone 727-493-4816

Bird Toys
Birds love to play and should be given a lot of toys. Things that move such as swings and hanging toys are favorites. They also like things made from natural materials such as wood, leather and raw hide. Birds can be taught to stay on playpens and baskets. This will allow your pet more freedom as well as more time with you as he is more mobile and easy to move around.

A Birds Time Out of Cage
The next few days, only take him out to play with him for about 15 minutes at a time. Let him settle into his new home. Then make sure to give your new bird time out of its cage daily. He is depending on you to be his companion for his entire lifetime. Play with, provide toys and exercise outlets, share affection with your feathered friend daily. Pet birds require one on one time with their owners. It doesn’t have to be a long period of time but it must be consistent. If you are gone all day, take a minute for a little play time before you leave. When you get home they’ll be happy to see you and content to sit on your shoulder to watch TV or work on your computer.

Warm Temperature
Your baby is used to cuddling up against his siblings at night. Make sure his cage is placed in a warm area and cover him at night. Do not expose him to drafts.

Molting is Natural
Most small birds have their first molt at about 4 to 5 months of age. This is a stressful time. He might be a little irritable and look a bit ragged in appearance. Be patient with your new pet. He will probably like being misted with warm water more often at this time.

Biting or Nipping Phase
Sometimes young birds go through a nippy phase. To deter this behavior, say NO firmly. Never physically punish your bird. Your bird will enjoy sitting on your shoulder and having the back of his neck rubbed. He will become your best friend. Be patient during the training process.

Frequently Asked Questions about Delivery