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Conference 7.286::pet_birds

Title:Captive Breeding for Conservation--and FUN!
Notice:INTROS 6.X / FOR SALE 13.X / Buying a Bird 900.*
Moderator:VIDEO::PULSIFER
Created:Mon Oct 10 1988
Last Modified:Tue Jun 03 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:942
Total number of notes:6016

56.0. "Bird Falls of Perch. Lives to Fall Again." by WITNES::MACONE (It's the story of a man named Brady) Tue Nov 15 1988 18:05

    As I am sitting here thinking about all the terrible things that
    I make my birds endure (and praying that the SPCA doesn't have my
    number ;') ) I started thinking about this peculiar habit that both
    Hansel and Gretel have.
    
    	They fall off their perches.
    
    I mean, I'll be sitting around doing nothing, as will be H&G, and
    all of a sudden I will hear this thud that sounds distinctly like
    a bird hitting the bottom of the cage.  And what do you know --
    it is a bird hitting the bottom of the cage.  Apparently these guys
    have the habit of falling of their perches; maybe they are leaning
    a little too far to the left ;')
    
    They always pick themselves back up, and climb on up to the 'ole
    perch again, and give me this look as if to say, "I bet you can't
    fall of your perch mom".
    
    Am I supposed to be concerned here?  Could it be a revolt since
    I obviously do not clean cages?
    
    They have been doing this for the 2+ years that I have been their
    owner.
    
    	-Nancy
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56.1Not sure but...CSC32::K_WORKMANP.I.A.S.O.M.Tue Nov 15 1988 19:374
    I have heard that if an infection exists, this could be causing
    problems with their ability to balance.  Kind-of like people
    with ear infections....  Maybe some one has more on this!
   
56.2Or...the perches are too large!FREKE::HUTCHINSFeathered Obsessions AviaryTue Nov 15 1988 19:5615
    Aside from infection...but you did mention sneezing...maybe your
    perches are too large!  When a bird perches, his claws should go
    all the way around the perch, not be spread out.  This too, helps
    to keep nails trim!  The nails grow to compensate for lack of length
    of toes...Do you understand?
    
    I usually do not supply store bought perches, rather, I go to an
    apple orchard and pick a cluster of branches, this gives the bird
    a variety of perches and they can exercise their little feet better!
    
    Try that!  Remember--if you use trees as a source for perches, clean
    them with bleach, or bake them for a while to kill pesticides and
    bugs!
    
    Jean
56.3WITNES::MACONEIt's the story of a man named BradyTue Nov 15 1988 20:2510
    Re .2
    
    How big should a cockatiel's perch be?
    
    Re .1
    
    If they have had an infection for 2+ years that affected their balance,
    would they still be alive?
    
    	-Nancy
56.4Jean, where are yooooooo?CSC32::K_WORKMANP.I.A.S.O.M.Tue Nov 15 1988 20:415
    Nancy,
    
    About the infection for two years...  I doubt it,  but................
    
    Lets ask JEAN!
56.5My experience....EUREKA::WHITEWed Nov 16 1988 13:0520
    Let me add my TWO cents worth.........
    
    
    I had a pair of Molluccan Cockatoos that lived together for one
    and a half years. All of a sudden, the male developed a condition
    that looked like the bird was dead drunk, could NOT walk using feet.
    He would roll around the bottom of the cage (this made me feel awful!)
    I called Dr Decoteau (My main man) who made a "house call" (No charge)
    and told me the symptoms were of a disorder commoc to cockatoos
    that would NOT spread throughout my aviary.  He ordered a special
    medicine for me and I dosed it out till it was gone. No improvement,
    and after another year, the bird finally died.  The reason I am
    telling this story is that the condition that note .3 was referring
    about is probably this, but my cockatoo couldn't stand on a perch.
    
    I will try and remember the name of the condition, (real long name.)
    
    ANy ideas Jean??
    
    chet
56.6I'll keep my TWO cents to myselfFREKE::HUTCHINSFeathered Obsessions AviaryWed Nov 16 1988 14:5619
    CHET...  How *well* do you know your main man?  Write me outside
    of notes please!
    
    There are always seizures you know!  Most common in Amazons, but
    cockatoos can be affected too!  ALL infections can be passed from
    bird to bird...I'm afraid, especially with cockatiels, that the
    birds would succumb to an affliction...not remain chronic like a
    cat or dog might...
    
    Chet, it sounds like your cockatoo had epilipsy!  There is very
    little that can be done for seizures.
    
    Cockatiel perches...well the foot should close completely, so maybe
    a half inch in diameter and a three quarter inch perch would be
    alright.  Try cutting some branches and placing them in the cage
    too!
    
    J
    
56.7WITNES::MACONEIt's the story of a man named BradyThu Nov 17 1988 13:4811
    Gosh, my perches aren't even a half inch diameter -- 3/8 I think.
    I was under the impression that the perches were too small, but
    due to the bars of the cage, I really couldn't go to anything bigger.
    I wa sthinking of getting the "Universal Perches". . .
    
    Regarding what Chet said, wel  both my guys climb all over the place
    and appear totally healthy, 'cept they just tend to fall down at
    times.  I guess I just have clumsy birds.
    
    
    	-Nancy
56.8Crash helmits ?CSC32::K_WORKMANP.I.A.S.O.M.Thu Nov 17 1988 14:0615
    Nancy, Hi!
    
    I hope you don't think we are out to scare you or anything, we just
    want to make sure your birds are healthy and happy and live a long,
    long time for you!.  I'm sure your probably correct about just having 
    clumsey birds since they both are doing this. My baby Quakers are
    always getting themselves into strange positions especially when
    one or the other is hogging the food dish!.  If you do feel worried 
    then a trip to the Vet wouldn't hurt.  
    
    Take care!
    
    Karen from Colorado
    
    PS.  Do they make crash helmits for birds?
56.9Chocolate?????EUREKA::WHITEMon Nov 21 1988 17:247
    Did you read Bird talk this month?????? there was an article regarding
    feeding "chocolate" can be fatal or cause birds to fall off perches??
    
    
    
    just a 
    chet
56.10Interesting!SQUEKE::HUTCHINSFeathered Obsessions AviaryTue Nov 22 1988 14:386
    Hi Chet!
    
    >Is it the caffine, or the cocoa?  I don't get bird talk anymore!
    It's sure interesting though!  Thanks for the info!
    
    J
56.11not caffeineFSTVAX::WIMMERMon Nov 28 1988 17:153
    January issue of Bird Talk, in article about "135 hints" says it
    is a particular ingredient in the chocolate --something "bromine"
    I think.
56.12Caffeine is not good eitherCSC32::K_WORKMANP.I.A.S.O.M.Mon Nov 28 1988 17:533
    The January issue of Bird Talk also says, in the section where
    they have the steps for proper bird care, DO NOT give your
    birds Caffeine either.  This is dangerous to their health also.
56.13chocolateNYFS01::CHERYLCheryl McGintyTue Nov 29 1988 10:447
    I was reading an article about how dangerous chocolate is.  One
    candy bar can KILL a small dog.  I bet it wouldn't take much chocolate
    to kill a small bird.  I don't remember the specifics of why, but
    my dog didn't like the news very much. (He loves Reese's cups).
    
    cheryl
    
56.14AKOV13::LAJEUNESSEMon Dec 05 1988 16:0211
    This has been happening with my bird.  It's only late at night when
    she is a sleep.  All of a sudden you'll hear her hit the bottom
    of the cage.  She climbs back up and ruffles a little and then goes
    back to sleep.  
    
    I thought about putting a towel or something under her at night.
     
    
    Mark