All letters sent in will also now be printed in our magazine 'Postbag' page.
Getting an issue off your chest can make you feel better, and there are many issues in the parrot world. Or if, simply, you just want to tell us all about something concerning your birds, here's your opportunity.
Parrot people love to hear other owners' experiences and the many other things that make us happy or, indeed, very angry. So don't worry if your issue is controversial as we believe in a democratic system and will not 'cherry pick' letters. As long as your letter is not obscene or libellous, it will get an airing.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or if preferred, post to Parrots Magazine, West Building, Elm Grove Lane, Steyning BN44 3SA, UK
Dear Parrots magazine,
Heavy metal poisoning
In the April issue of Parrots magazine I was very concerned to read the opinion of a contributor to Postbag who claimed that zinc does not cause any particular harm to cage birds. This is very far from the truth. Many parrots have died from zinc poisoning, often due to flakes of zinc found on cheap imported welded mesh. These look jagged and can be seen with the naked eye.
Read more: Letters: Heavy metal poisoning
Dear Parrots magazine,
Quality Control for nuts
First, I want to say how much I appreciate the articles in Parrots magazine. In my area, we used to have a parrot club, an annual parrot festival and a veterinarian who specialised in exotic animals. Those have all gone, making this reading resource even more important.
Read more: Letters: Quality Control for nuts
Dear Parrots magazine,
Understanding and training a Grey
I read with great interest Sonny Stollenmaier’s article titled “Understanding and training a Grey”.
Read more: Letters: Understanding and training a Grey
Dear Parrots magazine,
Leg chains
I know there has been quite a lot of discussion about leg chains on parrots when they’re taken outside with their owners and I can understand the concern that some people have. I have an Orange-wing that I take out on occasion with a harness, and I only have a fairly short lead on it in case she decides to take off. On such occasions I’ve never had a problem with her as she is very steady and sometimes just gets a little jittery if she sees something that might alarm her, but nothing that has worried me.
Read more: Letters: Leg chains
Dear Parrots magazine,
Is there a problem with zinc?
It was when a friend of mine came to visit me that the subject of zinc poisoning came up and so went into quite an interesting discussion about it. Although she hasn’t got any birds herself, she knows I have, although she does not know what type. But the subject of the possible hazards of zinc cropped up about zinc poisoning and I remember reading some years ago in one of the bird magazines, I can’t remember which one, that the writer of a long letter was quite scathing about zinc and how we should not use it as it’s dangerous for everyone.
Read more: Letters: Is there a problem with zinc?
