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Old World and New World Parrots together

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Brittany0208

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I've come across this issue several times, and I'm still a little confused about it. I understand that powder down is dangerous for New World parrots, but why? And can Old World parrots be effected by the powder they produce?
 

Hankmacaw

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The dust from Old world parrots is very fine, much much finer than the dust from New World Parrots. It's called powder down, unlike New world parrots whose dander is just stuff from preening keratin from feathers. The dust is so fine from Cockatoos, etc. that it works it's way deep into the birds' respiratory system and causes a coating that just grows. As the coating grows the birds' breathing is more and more compromised which finally effects their heart and encourages atherosclerosis and eventually death.

Just don't ever be tempted. The disease shows no symptoms other than shortness of breath and that isn't until the bird is well into the disease. Java may be susceptible because he comes from an island where there are no other parrots and he has no filtering feathers around his nares.

A number of birds belonging to members of this forum have been lost to PHD.

http://forums.avianavenue.com/index...ers-needed-for-zoe.145993/page-8#post-2079810
 

Brittany0208

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Java may be susceptible because he comes from an island where there are no other parrots and he has no filtering feathers around his nares.
Even though he's considered an Old World parrot? He has zero Powder Down but he does have dander like a New World, but he isn't classified as such. Confusing.
 

Brittany0208

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If I ever wanted to bring in a second bird, how would I know which he would be compatible with? He's an Old World parrot but has zero powder down, so would he be susceptible to the powder down of another species?
 

Fuzzy

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Cockatoos, Cockateils and African Greys are all powder down birds. I'd steer clear of them with Java. Have a look at Eclectus which are said to produce very little dander. I've heard that Macaws especially Blue & Gold have sensitive respiratory systems.
 

Hankmacaw

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Like I said in my previous post - he very well could be, because of the things I mentioned that are unique to Java although he is an old world bird.
 

Mizzely

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Tanya

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I have wondered about grays and 'toos being compatible housemates. They are known to both be dusty, but does their dust bother the other? Grey's don't have covered nares, so would that make them vulnerable to cockatoo dust?

I'm asking because someone I knew was trying to give away a neglected grey that someone dumped and I didn't know if he would be a good fit with out dusty house. He found a good landing place quickly so it was a non-issue for us. But I'm curious for the future.
 

Parrotl3t

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Reading this makes me question the bird room I am in the process of doing today.

I have a baby Quaker, baby lovebird, & a cockatiel. Should I not put the cockatiel in the same room with the lovebird & Quaker?
 

sunnysmom

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Reading this makes me question the bird room I am in the process of doing today.

I have a baby Quaker, baby lovebird, & a cockatiel. Should I not put the cockatiel in the same room with the lovebird & Quaker?
I think I would let them all be in the same room but I would have a good air filter. I believe lovies are old world. So there shouldn't be an issue with the tiel. I think a quaker is new world. With just one tiel, I think I would feel okay housing them together with the filter. Frequent baths helps keep a tiel's dander down too. @Mizzely ?

I guess I should say technically they should be kept apart. However, most of the problems seem to occur with macaws...
 
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Mizzely

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Quakers are new world, however they do have the feathers covering their nares which helps filter particles. So they may be an exception to the rule.
 

JLcribber

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If you provide proper air ventilation and filtration I don't see a problem with housing any birds in a bird room. It's all about the environment. Always is.
 

Serin

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It is not neatly broken down into new world parrots and old world parrots, because not all old world parrots are closely related and not all produce powder down. Vasas lack powder down and should be managed like New World parrots. Amazons are South American but they produce their own sort of powder dander which may be harmful just the same in close confines without good ventilation.

With sufficient ventilation, you are unlikely to have issues, especially with smaller species like cockatiels, kept in the same space as non-dusty parrot species.
 

Mantis64

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Hi I currently own an Indian ringneck and was wondering if he would be compatible to keep with a blue fronted amazon parrot. I wouldn't say my Indian ringneck is dusty but haven't owned a dusty bird so I wouldn't now if the dust/dander produced by my ringneck would affect an amazon parrot.
 

aooratrix

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I'd like to know what ventilation system or air filtration system removes 100% of the powder How much powder does it take to affect a susceptible macaw? How much time before the damage is irreversible? We just don't know IMO, mixing Old & New World birds is a gamble, regardless of your air filtration
 

Karen

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I'd like to know what ventilation system or air filtration system removes 100% of the powder How much powder does it take to affect a susceptible macaw? How much time before the damage is irreversible? We just don't know IMO, mixing Old & New World birds is a gamble, regardless of your air filtration
I couldn't agree more!
 

Yoshi&Raphi

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Bump, also want to watch this thread because it looks interesting. :)
 

Rain Bow

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@Brittany0208 I'd consider checking w/ your vet too on this because of Java not flying. Even tho his diet is good, if any down comes from another he may not have the ability to fight off the atherosclerosis w/ flight like Mary & I are doing w/ our floof's.

Sorry just a random thought I know if your considering it (in the least) it would be for Java to be more active & have a companion, I'd have the vet go through all the pro's & con's.
 
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