(Sad Update) Sick little Girlie

[Dartman]

I have a ceramic heat lamp type thing we keep close to the cage during the winter. I started doing it after we lost Beeper our rescued house finch we raised from a baby who imprinted and became our little pet. She also got a chill one late summer morning when I had my windows open seeing how I figured wild birds could handle a little cold but she wasn't acclimatised to it and got a respiratory issue we gave here meds for but it caught up with her after a while
Nerd lived in our house which got down to 58 to 60 at night and he was perfectly fine as he was used to it but after that happened we got the heat thing and put it in a corner he could reach if he wanted. Some mornings he'd be right close to it all happy, fluffy, and sleeping, others he'd be on the other side, still happy and sleeping so it was his choice.
Lurch came from a home that was quite warm for all the birds she had and she covered him at night so we do the same and plug in the heat lamp thingy during the winter and he sleeps next to it on his favorite high perch.
I don't think it adds much to our electric bill and we keep it just far enough away he can't reach the element or cord. Keeps his spot nice and warm and of course if he wants he can move to another perch but he never has as far as I can tell.

 

[DQTimnehs]

I'm so sorry for your loss!

Was she kept outside? I would not advise getting another bird, especially a baby, if it will be kept out in the cold. If it is inside then please provide a bird-safe heater (not one that contains Teflon; oil filled ceramic works well) for the next bird.

Pionus are susceptible to fatty liver disease and should not be fed sunflower seeds. Pellets and fresh vegetables and fruit, sprouted seeds and beans and the odd almond or other nut (not peanut) would be a better diet.

 

[Julz]

Where were you keeping your bird that it got so cold? Was it that cold in your house? I've read of birds dying from cold related stress, but usually they're kept in unheated garages, basements or outdoors.

She was in the dining room. The house is unusually cold all year round. It never gets much sun during the day. That was why I wrapped the tarp around her cage and covered it with a fleece blanket. I placed her in the warmest room in the house.

 

[Julz]

I'm so sorry for your loss!

Was she kept outside? I would not advise getting another bird, especially a baby, if it will be kept out in the cold. If it is inside then please provide a bird-safe heater (not one that contains Teflon; oil filled ceramic works well) for the next bird.

Pionus are susceptible to fatty liver disease and should not be fed sunflower seeds. Pellets and fresh vegetables and fruit, sprouted seeds and beans and the odd almond or other nut (not peanut) would be a better diet.

She was on the sunflower seeds since I got her 6 years ago. It couldn't only affect her now?

 

[Merlie]

Sunflower seeds are the worst. Many birds end up with health issues after years of eating them. Just a heads up for your next bird, no sunflower seeds as part of their main diet, an occasional treat only.

I would also suggest, if you're going to be bringing home a new bird, esp. a young one, you first resolve the temperature issue in your home. A baby will be even more susceptible to the cold.

Please do some research into these issues before bringing your new bird home.

 

[Julz]

The only reason I gave her sunflower seeds, was because that was what she was fed at her previous home. I gave her fresh fruit and vegetables daily too, but she wasn't very keen on it. She preferred her seeds. I think I have a lot of research to do before I consider getting a new baby in the family. Not only the house's heat issues. I have arranged with the breeder where I am getting my baby for the incubator he kept the babies in for the time being.
Thank you for the advice, I clearly need it.

 

[Hankmacaw]

African Greys have some specialized diet requirements and @DQTimnehs or @ncGreyBirdLady can give you the correct advice on all things Grey.

-9 Celcius equal about 16F and that's pretty cold. When the temps aren't extremely cold (above say 32f outside), I use a ceramic heat lamp on a timer so Jasper has heat during the colder hours, but it turns off after the house warms up. Like Dartman said, she will sometimes sleep close to it and sometimes away from it. For when it is cold day and night, I use a ceramic space heater in her room and keep the temp. about 68-70f. The Lasko brand space heaters do not have any Teflon in them - be sure you check on that with any heater or ceramic heat lamp you purchase. Fumes from Teflon are almost always deadly for a bird.

No peanuts, no sunflowers - there are many, many nuts far better for your parrot. Almonds for Greys are especially good because of the high calcium content.

Just word about needing advice. We are not born with knowledge, we have to learn and parrot husbandry is pretty much in it's infancy. Do use your own brain and don't take everything you read as the gospel about parrots.

You are going to love your new baby Grey. I've always wanted one.

 

[ncGreyBirdLady]

I'm so very sorry for Your loss Yes Mary Lynn is right-You will LOVE a baby Grey. Where are You located so that We might better be able to help You get ready for a New Baby

 

[Julz]

We are in Alberton South Africa. I'll also go read up on the parrot feeding, just to form a baseline for me to work on.

 

[Coki]

I'm really sorry for your loss

 

[Julz]

I'm really sorry for your loss

Thank you.

 

[Monica]

Sorry for your loss!

A poor diet along with a lack of exercise (i.e. flight) can indeed lead to organ failure. A high fat diet (re: sunflower seeds) could lead to liver failure. A high protein diet, or even a diet that is too dry, could lead to kidney problems. However, these issues could also be due to household toxins or consuming something they shouldn't have. Heavy metal poisoning is one example. It looks like she had a ladder in her cage with a lot of chipped paint.

Signs Of Lead And Zinc Poisoning In Parrots

Although it's also possible that she was sick with something that was missed which could have caused organ failure, too.

You mentioned that you got her from someone else. How old was she when you got her?


Parrots do need a clean cage and poop should never build up. They also require a healthy diet (as previously mentioned) to include pellets (especially important if they aren't eating a healthy, fresh food diet), maybe some seeds, sprouted seeds (sunflower seeds sprouted are fine here! along with other sprouts!), grains, legumes, vegetables and some fruits, with the occasional cooked eggs.




Just so you know, african greys frequently suffer from hypocalcemia (lack of calcium) and vitamin A deficiency. If you end up getting a grey baby, please keep in mind their "special" dietary needs! (if on a healthy diet, it's generally not an issue!) Also, african greys are very dusty birds and the dust may not be good for someone who has asthma or those who might have allergies. With frequent cage cleanings and frequent bathes, it is possible to keep the dust down, but bird dust/dander can get *everywhere*! If you don't have one already, a HEPA air cleaner without an ionizer may be recommended to help keep the dust down. These are just some other considerations to keep in mind before getting a grey baby.

Please do not let your husband rush you into getting a new bird without doing prior research first!

 

[kmmouse]

Sorry for your loss!

A poor diet along with a lack of exercise (i.e. flight) can indeed lead to organ failure. A high fat diet (re: sunflower seeds) could lead to liver failure. A high protein diet, or even a diet that is too dry, could lead to kidney problems. However, these issues could also be due to household toxins or consuming something they shouldn't have. Heavy metal poisoning is one example. It looks like she had a ladder in her cage with a lot of chipped paint.

Signs Of Lead And Zinc Poisoning In Parrots

Although it's also possible that she was sick with something that was missed which could have caused organ failure, too.

You mentioned that you got her from someone else. How old was she when you got her?


Parrots do need a clean cage and poop should never build up. They also require a healthy diet (as previously mentioned) to include pellets (especially important if they aren't eating a healthy, fresh food diet), maybe some seeds, sprouted seeds (sunflower seeds sprouted are fine here! along with other sprouts!), grains, legumes, vegetables and some fruits, with the occasional cooked eggs.




Just so you know, african greys frequently suffer from hypocalcemia (lack of calcium) and vitamin A deficiency. If you end up getting a grey baby, please keep in mind their "special" dietary needs! (if on a healthy diet, it's generally not an issue!) Also, african greys are very dusty birds and the dust may not be good for someone who has asthma or those who might have allergies. With frequent cage cleanings and frequent bathes, it is possible to keep the dust down, but bird dust/dander can get *everywhere*! If you don't have one already, a HEPA air cleaner without an ionizer may be recommended to help keep the dust down. These are just some other considerations to keep in mind before getting a grey baby.

Please do not let your husband rush you into getting a new bird without doing prior research first!

Really good information, thank you! Recently learned my grey has some liver issues (blood test)... we're working on a better diet now.

 

[Julz]

The ladder has been removed from her cage years ago.
I got her when she was still a baby. She had just been weaned when I got her (just got off the spoon feeds completely).
I bought her from Pet Masters in Boksburg. They are the largest bird specialists in South Africa.

I have managed to put a hold on the African Grey for a while.