Psittacosis - 5 Ways to Lessen the Chance of Psittacosis in Your Home

Psittacosis - 5 Ways to Lessen the Chance of Psittacosis in Your Home
By Debbie Davis

Psittacosis sometimes referred to as Parrot Fever or Bird Fancier's Lung (BFL) is a disease that all species of birds are susceptible to, and one that can be passed to humans as well. Pet birds are the most frequent transmitters of the disease especially many types of Parrots. If recognized and treated early with antibiotics, the recovery rate for birds and humans is good. Here are 5 ways to go on the offensive against Psittacosis and lessen the chance of having it develop in your home.

Keep the Cage Clean--One of the ways this disease spreads is through dried dust from bird feces. Once the fecal matter starts to dry, minute pieces can become airborne with the bird's movement, your movement or even circulating air from the air conditioner or heat. Changing the paper at the bottom of the cage daily or even more frequently lessens the chance of these airborne contagions spreading and being inhaled by you, family members, and your bird.

Become Familiar with Symptoms in Birds--This is easier said than done as many birds that are infected do not present symptoms. However, the symptom that is most indicative of this condition is eye discharge. Others include diarrhea, difficulty in breathing, a drop in energy level producing drowsiness and lethargy, puffed up feathers, tremors, disinterest in food, and weight loss. Knowing what is usual for your bird will help you spot any changes in behavior easily and allow you to take preventive steps early.

Regular Check Ups with the Veterinarian-You don't have to go it alone when trying to recognize whether a change in your bird's habits is an indication of sickness, and more specifically Psittacosis. Having an avian veterinarian that you trust is an invaluable resource to locate and use from the moment you bring your bird home. Don't be afraid to take your bird for professional observation if there is even the slightest question about your bird's health. The sooner the disease is correctly diagnosed, the better chance your bird has of surviving. And even if it turns out to be a false alarm--better safe than sorry.

Recognize Human Symptoms--In people the symptoms are similar to the flu-headache, chills, fever, aches and pains. When seeking treatment for flu-like symptoms mention that you have a bird, and ask to be tested for Psittacosis.

Use a Purifier to Filter Your Air--Nothing can guarantee that you and your bird won't contract this disease, but given that it spreads with inhalation of dried fecal matter that is airborne, using a high efficiency particle arresting air purifier is a good way to clear the air and lessen the chance of having this disease spread in your home.

An excellent resource for an air purifier to lessen the chance of Psittacosis in your home is offered by PurerAir.com-- the Bird Dander Purifier at http://purerair.com/bird_dander_air_purifier.html

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Debbie_Davis
http://EzineArticles.com/?Psittacosis---5-Ways-to-Lessen-the-Chance-of-Psittacosis-in-Your-Home&id=1880973

To purchase supplements, please visit Bird Buffet N Things. They carry a full line of Morning Bird products for most illinesses.

 

Book of Faith

Tips For Feeding Your Pet Canary the Proper Diet

Tips For Feeding Your Pet Canary the Proper Diet
By Jake D

Feeding your pet canary the proper diet is essential. Most importantly, it will help him remain healthy. If you have a male, he will also be happier, so he'll sing more often. If you don't know what to feed him, keep reading. This article will give you a few tips for feeding your canary the proper diet.

Seed

Seed should be the main part of your canary's diet. He can survive on just seed alone, although he should be fed a balanced diet just like humans. There are many different varieties of canary seed available, so you'll have various options to choose from.

Egg

You should also feed your pet canary boiled eggs regularly. This will help increase his intake of protein. Feeding eggs mixed with biscuits is especially important if you want to breed your bird.

Water

It should go without saying that your bird will need water. It's best to have fresh water available on a daily basis. These small birds have a fast metabolism. If they're deprived of water for too long, they will quick die of thirst.

Fruits/Veggies

Your pet canary should also be fed fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are good for their minerals and vitamins. Canaries usually like fruits such as grapes and apples. Popular vegetables include lettuce, watercress, spinach, and corn on the cob.

Snacks

Just like humans, canaries enjoy snacks too. So, make sure you provide a treat for your buddy every once in a while. Popular snack choices include millet spray and honey stick.

These are a few tips for feeding your pet canary a proper diet. Besides feeding, there are many more things you need to know about taking proper care of canaries. So, click here right now to learn more about basic canary care.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jake_D
http://EzineArticles.com/?Tips-For-Feeding-Your-Pet-Canary-the-Proper-Diet&id=1824169

Visit Bird Buffet N Things for a full line of canary feed, treats and supplement.

About the Staple Diet

The "staple diet" comprises the bulk of what an individual bird consumes on a daily basis. For companion birds, the staple diet has been largely seeds or pellets. Unfortunately, though these diets are simpl.e to use, they are often detrimental for companion birds when used incorrectly. Feeding just one type of food, day after day, doesn't provide the variety that companion birds need to thrive. Malnutrition is the single most common reason for illness and death in companion birds. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies lead to a compromised immune system, which makes a bird more susceptible to viruses, bacterial infections, and fungal growth. Protein deficiency causes poor feather quality, and lack of essential fatty acids causes shin problems. Mainutrtion also leads to plucking, behavioral problems, and eventually compromised liver and kidney function.

Beak Appetit's cooked diets solve this problem. The combination of quality ingredients and essential supplements creates a whole food that supplies birds with the nutrition they need to function and thrive. Along iwth fresh fruits and veggies, Beak Appetit's easy-to-use diets provide your bird with a worry-free feeding plan. Simply cook up a batch of Beak Appetit and then keep it in the refrigerator for a week, warming a protion of it each day. Or, you can sparate portions into small baggies or ice-cube trays and freeze it, thawing or microwaving the portions as you need them. Variety is key and Beak Appetit has it.

Cooking time ranges from 3 to 25 minutes depending on the product (unique preparation instructions are printed on every package). Most of Beak Appetit's recipes fill the kitchen with the luscious aroma of cinnamon, tropical fruits and other spices.

The full line of Beak Appetit diets is now available from Bird Buffet N Things. For more information on Beak Appetit diets, click here.

Yours

Michael Camire
Bird Buffet N Things

Bird Buffet N Things adds Beak Appetit Diets, Softbill Diets and Supplements to Product Line

Due to the demand from our customers to provide a larger variety of natural and cooked bird food, Bird Buffet N Things has added the entire line of Beak Appetit Diets, Softbill Diets and Supplements to their product line.

For birds in the wild, finding food is the most important part of the day. Some wild parrots can eat up to 75 different types of vegetation as a regular part of their diet, everything from leaves and fruit to nuts and young seeds. Different foods occur seasonally for parrots. At certain times of year they feast on one type of fruit, nut, and vegetation and when that's gone, other species of trees or grasses bloom and fruit, offering yet another nutritional opportunity.

Until recently, bird food producers ignored this need for variety. Birds were left with boring meals lacking in well-rounded nutition. Fortunately, Beak Appetit now offers the variety that parrots require. Each Beak Appetit selection contains a vast assortment of grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes, giving parrots a nutritious change of pace.

For more information on Beak Appetit Diets, Softbill Diets and Supplements, visit Bird Buffet N Things.

Parrot Training » Blog Archive » 12 Secrets To Make Your Parrot Behave

Parrot Training » Blog Archive » 12 Secrets To Make Your Parrot Behave

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Question and Answers About Seed

Questions	Answers
“Birds in the wild eat seeds, don’t they?”	Very few species of parrots eat seeds in the wild, but they do eat a wide variety of foods, such as flowers, buds, fruits, nuts, insects, leaves and grasses depending on what is available seasonally.
“Aren’t the seed mixtures I feed my bird what they would eat if they lived in their native habitat?”	Birds in South America, Africa and Australia are rarely exposed to sunflower seeds and peanuts, yet most commercial seed diets contain a high proportion of these.
“Why do they say my bird will get fat on a seed diet?”	Seeds are high in fat and deficient in important nutrients, so a steady diet of them can lead to obesity and other nutritionally related diseases. Unlike wild birds, caged birds are more sedentary and do not expend as much energy during their daily activities.
“If I add vitamin and mineral supplements to my bird’s seed diet, won’t he be getting a nutritious diet?”	Whether you are adding supplements to your bird’s food or water, you never know how much of the supplements your bird is consuming. Powdered supplements separate from the food and end up as waste, and because you change the bird’s water frequently, the supplements are thrown out with the water.
“Aren’t ‘fortified’ seeds healthier for my bird?”	When your bird eats seeds with shells that have been coated with vitamins and minerals, the hulls usually end up as waste on the floor of the cage.
“If I supplement my bird’s seed diet with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, won’t he be eating a very healthy diet?”	While fruits and vegetables are healthy additions, many of them are high in sugar and carbohydrates, and should not make up more than 20% of your bird’s overall diet.
“My bird eats a lot of the same foods as I make for myself , so isn’t he getting a good diet?”	It’s difficult to make sure your bird is getting the correct balance of nutrients — after all your nutritional needs are different from his.
“What kind of diet will give my bird everything he needs to stay healthy?”	The best diet for your bird is one that provides a reliable, consistent source of balanced nutrition, such as high-quality, extruded nuggets.
“Can I feed my bird other food items along with the nutritious nuggets?”	Yes. You can feed your bird a few seeds, fruits, nuts, vegetables and other food items every day, as long as they do not make up more than 20% of his daily diet. Use these foods for training rewards or treats.

“Extruded diets are the best choice to ensure birds get the important balanced nutrition they need.” Mark L. Morris, Jr., DVM, PhD, Diplomate American College of Veterinary Nutrition

“Nutritionists agree that extruded nuggets take the guesswork out of feeding your bird, and can offer a reliable and consistent source of quality nutrition.” Don Harris, DVM, Miami, Florida

For more information about how you can convert your bird from a seed diet to a healthier diet, click here to download a brochure from ZuPreem.

Visit Bird Buffet N Things for your bird’s feed and needs.

COME SEE US APRIL 21 - 22, 2007 AT THE

Southeast Exotic Bird Fair at the North Atlanta Trade Center
1700 Jeurgens Ct, Norcross, GA, Exit 101 off I-85
April 21, 2007, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm and April 22, 2007, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm