Dear Parrots magazine,
Rhode Island legislation
In the April issue I read with great interest about legislation that was being put through at Rhode Island in the United Sates to stop certain pet shops and suppliers from selling parrots. In the article it does say that some pet shops and sellers would still be able to sell birds, but my understanding is that this legislation is targeted at the unscrupulous who regard birds as goods without any concern for their care.
Read more: Letters: Rhode Island legislation
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?
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,
Breeding budgies
When I was younger and living at home with my parents we always had a budgie in a cage like many people did way back in the old days, but now I am married and have a family, the thought of budgerigars is still well ingrained in my mind. It is quite interesting that when I took my young son and daughter to a garden centre a couple of years ago, they went straight to where the budgies were. I did think this was quite interesting, but they seem to have the same interest as I did when I was at their age.
Read more: Letters: Breeding budgies
Dear Parrots magazine,
Review your security
Over the years I have read a lot about security with all the gizmos and gadgets that are available, but I suppose like many keepers, think what I have in place is adequate. However, I was wrong, as recently there was an attack on one of my aviaries in which I have a pair of Yellow-fronted Amazons. Although I have metal clasps with padlocks securing the doors, the attackers clearly used a crowbar and attempted to prise a door open. Luckily, I have two Jack Russells who set off the alarm as they were aware of something going on and then barking to wake me up about two o’clock in the morning. I looked out of my bedroom window and could see two figures at the aviary, and as only one of my two auto floodlights turned on, they continued to break in. The one that didn’t turn on was the one that would have better illuminated these burglars, which is why I suppose they continued. Unfortunately, by the time I and my two dogs got to the aviary, these two had gone, but luckily, my Amazons were no worse off by the commotion.
Read more: Letters: Review your security
Dear Parrots magazine,
What a mess!
I read in the January issue the article by Eb Cravens about how messy parrots can be, well, how that resonates with me! We bought an African Grey 14 years ago and although love him to pieces, he does make an amazing mess like all companion parrots do. Whatever I put in his cage, he will pick at it and tear it to pieces, weather toys, wooden perches, or cardboard boxes and anything else he can get his beak into. But as we all know, this is what parrots do and I agree, it’s like having a five-year-old toddler for the rest of your life, but I wouldn’t be without him for all the money in the world.
Read more: Letters: What a mess!
