Are you concerned about
your bird's health? How about their diet? There are many resources available
to you on the internet--so start looking so you can make an informed decision
on ways to keep your feathered friends happy and healthy.
Health
All birds should be
seen yearly by a qualified avian veterinarian. Even the most experienced
bird owners may not be able to detect illness in a pet bird until it is
too late. The information and links provided here are meant to supplement
(not replace) your relationship with your vet.
Poisonous
Plants (The Birdcage)
Toxic,
Harmful, and Safe Plants and Foods (Monica Sudds/Beakers)
Complete
Blood Chemistry (Scott McDonald, DVM/Beakers)
Basic
Bird Care Collection of articles at Bittacus,
also home of the Pet
Bird Health FAQ.
Avian
First Aid Kit (Sybil Erden, Carol Highfill/Winged Wisdom)
Manual
of Parrot Diseases (Al E. Decateau, DVM/Up At Six)
Psittacosis
FAQ
Tips
From the Vet (HARI)
Poisoning
Risks (Bittacus)
PBFD
Home Page (Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease)
Food
Manufacturers
If
you are still feeding your bird a seed only diet--you need to reconsider.
All seed diets are generally deficient in
several vitamins and minerals (Notably vitamin
A and Calcium). Look into converting your bird to a more healthy diet--including
not only pellets or extruded food but ample fresh fruits and vegetables,
as well as cooked foods such as rice, corn, and beans, and seed in small
amounts. The listing I have included here is by no means complete, but
each of the manufacturers listed here produces a high quality food and
each have invested much time and money researching their formulas.
Scenic
Bird Food
Marion
Zoological, Inc
13700
Water Tower Circle
Plymouth,
MN 55441
Phone:
1-800-327-7974
Harrisons
Bird Diets
7171
Mercy Rd. Ste 135
Omaha,
NE 68106
Technical
Service: 402-397-9442 Fax: 402-397-9454
Phone:
1-800-346-0269
Hagan-Tropican
3225
Sartelon Street
Montreal,
Quebec
Canada
H4RIE8
Phone:
1-800-225-2700
Kaytee
P.O.
Box 230
Chilton,
WI 53014
Phone:
1-800-KAYTEE-1
Lafeber
Company
24981
N. 1400 East Road
Cornell,
IL 61319
Roudybush
Diets
Box
908
Templeton,
CA 93465
Phone:
1-800-326-1726
Crazy
Corn
7621
Fulton Ave. N. Hollywood, CA 91605
Phone:
1-818-503-4YUM
Fax:
1-818-765-4895
Beak
Appetit
Pet
Concepts
101
Rincon Loop, Tijeras, New Mexico 87059
Phone:
1-800-467-4677
Nutrition
Resources
There are
many articles on avian nutrition available on the web. This is only a sample
of what is out there, and they are wonderful resources for doing research
on changing your bird's diet. However, you should check with your avian
vet before implementing any drastic changes in diet.
Alternative
Recipes Alisa Momsen (The Birdcage)
Ethoxyquin
Alisa Momsen (The Birdcage)
Nutrition:
Foundation for a Healthy Bird Susan Schwab, D.V.M. (HotSpot for Birds)
Roudybush
Information (Impeckable Aviaries)
Calcium:
Needs and Dangers (Impeckable Aviaries)
Nutritional
Psittacine Diet (fresh food) Bruce & Alicia McWatters (Up at Six)
Sprouts:
Nutritious and Easy to Grow Bobbi Brinker (Birds r Us/Winged Wisdom)
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