new member 2 family

[popcornbird]

Its not exactly "poisonous" but the saliva of cats and dogs contains much more bacteria than that in the mouth of a bird. If that bacteria is swallowed by the bird (if a dog or cat licks a bird and the bird preens the same spot after) the bird can get seriously ill, and even die. Human saliva also has more bacteria than that of a bird, but not as much as a dog or cat. That's why it is always advised to never allow your bird to eat from your mouth or from a spot you took a bite from. Also, its important to take precaution when you kiss your bird or your bird kisses you, because you shouldn't let your saliva get into the bird's mouth. it CAN make them sick, so its best to be on the safe side. When you get your bird Aly, I recommend that you keep it away from your other pets, especially the cat. You can never trust a cat with a bird. If you want the bird to socialize with the dog, only do that after teaching your dog to be gentle with birds and how to react to them. When you let your bird meet the dog, do so under complete supervision, and don't let the dog lick him/her. My neighbor has two parakeets and one dog. He taught the dog to be nice to the birds, not to lick them, etc. His dog is VERY well behaved and he never even bothered the birds, but they still keep them in seperate rooms when they cannot keep an eye on them. Jessica has a bird and two dogs so you might want to ask her for suggestions. My teacher also has a dog and a lovebird. The dog has come to love the bird so much that he would never harm it in any way. In fact, my teacher told me the one day she heard her dog barking and calling her from the yard. She went out and a little sparrow was stuck in the bushes and couldn't get out. Well, he wanted his mommy to save the little birdie, and he didn't touch her or harm her in ANY way! What a good dog! I'm sure you can teach your pup how to react, but its best to supervise them when they are in the same room at all times. Good luck! I would recommend waiting in getting a bird until it can have its own safe room.

[popcornbird]

Aly, Tikeyasmom, Primabella, and other bird owners or future bird owners. Please read this article.

http://www.theaviary.com/s1295-21.shtml

Aly, it tells about the dog/cat salvia thing too, that's why I recommend you read it. Also, Tikeya'smom, you shouldn't give the birds veggies in their seed bowl. Personally I give my birds veggies on the kitchen counter (we have a very large kitchen so the counter I let them eat on is FAR from the oven and other kitchen dangers, and they are there only under supervision). If your birds are not tame and cannot be fed outside, everyday, remove theit seed bowls from the cage, and put broccoli in a plate in their cage. (Leave the broccoli in their cage for two hours and then return the seed bowls in their cage and take the veggie plate out, as it can spoil after a few hours.) I'm saying broccoli, because the top is kind of seed-like, so its usually the first veggie birds will try. Fruit is not a big neccessity for tiels and keets. They should get small amounts every now and then, but they NEED veggies, and that should be part of their daily diet. Only leave the veggies in the cage for two hours and then return the seeds and take the veggies out. You don't want to starve the birds by leaving something they are not familiar with in the cage all day. I ate broccoli with my birds in the first session and made a big deal out of it, constantly saying MMMMMMMMMMMM and smacking my lips like its really something yummy. (That made them associate mmmm with food, and now whenever I say that, they go and start eating! ) They may not eat it for the first few days/weeks, but hopefully they will try it eventually. Once they get used to broccoli, put peas in the plate. Peas and broccolu are my birds' favorite. They also love romano lettuce and cauliflower, and they eat carrots as well. One veggie you should NEVER give your bird is avacado. That veggie is deadly for birds. Good luck!

[aly]

Yeah thats why I said I would wait. I would *NEVER* let my cat around the birds even though I don't think she'd hurt them. I dont want to take that chance.

My dogs are wonderful with animals. I can trust them with my newborn foster kittens when I have them (*always* supervised). Reece has been "mother" to at least 30 baby kittens! So I don't have to teach my dogs to behave around other animals because they already do.

I am very paranoid and cautious though so I'm not going to let them around the bird(s). I just couldn't take the chance that Reece might lick the bird. (Lolly would just run away from them like she does to kittens and other small animals that chase her)

[tikeyas_mom]

I dont put the fruits and veggies in the seed bowl I put it in a seperate bowl think thats metal and hangs on the side of their cage. I give my birds rapple everyday, but I never gave them veggies and plum and crud intill yesterday.

[tikeyas_mom]

Cockatiel Food Suggestions:

Dark green vegetables like broccoli, kale, spinach, dandelion greens, collard greens, mustard greens.
Vegetables high in carotene, such as sweet potatoes, yams, carrots, red peppers.
Other vegetables: turnips, green beans, peas, corn, tomatoes, legumes (like chick peas and kidney beans), hot peppers.
Fruits (no pits or cores, please): apples, grapes, bananas, oranges, melons, apricots, peaches, plums, oranges, tangerines, pomegranates, watermelon, kiwi.
Table food: cheese, eggs, pasta, rice, potatoes, wheat bread.

Are these good to feed your birds?? Thanks

[popcornbird]

Yup they're good. Your birds will give you a hard time with the fruits, so give them the veggies first. The only fruits my birds will eat are grapes and apples. They take veggies with much more ease.

[tikeyas_mom]

Doyour birds just take the veggies out of your hand?? I have the fruits and veggies all mied up in a bowl hanging on the side of there cage. They dont really care for it.I am planning on getting a pick of Spanky today because he finally is brave enough to go on my finger **<<--- YAY!!! So now both of mybords sit on my finger. Spanky lets mye give him kisses on the bach and on the head. I love em soo much. ... Cheeko sits on my finger but he doesnt let me touch him oh well he is still a cutie pie

[popcornbird]

I put them on the counter, put a plate, fill it with veggies, and they come running. They won't eat veggies inside their cage. They believe its an "out of the cage" food and seeds and pellets are "inside" foods! LOL. When I introduced veggies to them, I would be holding two pieces of broccoli. I would take a bite out of mine, say mmmmm and act like its really yummy, then give them the other broccoli. They didn't try at first, but they eventually decided to take a bite and have loved it ever since. Try not to mix veggies at the beginning. Only start with one, so they don't have too many things to suspect. Its best to start with broccoli because most birds find it the most tempting. Maybe you can put them on a table or something and put some in a plate in front of them. My birds love to snatch peas out of my hand! Its so cute! LOL

Good luck! Glad to here your parakeet started coming on your finger. That's a good sign. Just continue to work with them, and lessen their cage time everyday, so they get to experience their freedom in the house. My birds are like practically never in the cage. They have certain "resorts" where they always go and sit outside of the cage. They only go in when they feel like it, and their door is always open when we are at home. Now that your parakeet started coming on your finger, I hope we can see a pic of him.

[tikeyas_mom]

We dont have any broccoli right now because my mom never bought any this week. But today I'll make her. ..I hope my birds will like it - nod -

[primabella]

thanks budgielove and popcornbird i'll check out the articles tomorrow. i'm kinda busy now but i do plan on giving them some fruits and veggies everyday. would it be okay if i chop little pieces of apple and give it to them? (instead of putting it in a separate bowl)