Marlow

Quote from Yourparrotplace.com (articles) On "poisonous plant lists" on the Internet and elsewhere, you might find that Aloe vera is listed among the poisonous plants on several lists. Authors of such lists attempt to be thorough and accurate by including every plant that has any part with any toxic properties, no matter how mild. In the case of Aloe vera, the toxic component of the plant is not what most of us would consider "poisonous". It is actually an irritant that can cause skin rashes and upset stomachs. The yellow sap just under the skin of the Aloe vera stalk is the problem. It is this yellow-green sap or "Aloe bitters" that is used as a purgative. It should be avoided for all other purposes. Since it is actually marketed as a remedy, it can hardly be considered a true poison. If you use the fresh Aloe vera stalk, peel away the tough outer skin and remove all remaining yellow-green sap with a paper towel, running water or both. Many prefer to used prepared Aloe which is widely available in health food stores, pharmacies, department stores, and other places to avoid the problem of the Aloin or Aloe "bitters". Typical comments from poisonous plant lists are: "Ingestion of the latex just under the skin of the Aloe stalk can cause a cathartic (purging) reaction by irritating the large intestine." By purchasing prepared Aloe gel or juice, you can avoid the "mildly toxic" properties. Since the bitters are actually sold as a remedy or purgative, I don't think it can be considered a true toxin. Many vets, including Avian vets, recommend Aloe vera for their feathered patients but since parrots are exquisitely sensitive to toxins, (mainly to inhalants rather than ingested toxins) it is understandable that anyone who is unfamiliar with the "low degree" of toxicity of Aloe vera, and perhaps unaware of how widely it is currently used in the treatment of parrots, would hesitate to recommend it. I have used both fresh and prepared Aloe products for well over ten years with my birds and have never had one Avian case of even an upset stomach, in spite of the fact that I also feed them fresh slices of Aloe leaves without peeling away the skin. Parrots would "peel water" if they could and they instinctively peel away the problematic yellow sap just under the skin before eating it. I also have never experienced the contact dermatitis which is included in the warnings, nor have any of my parrots. http://www.yourparrotplace.com/pages.php?pageid=26

danmcq wrote: Me too! The only good thing bout where I live (Slough, UK) - and they go past overhead every morning and evening. Even saw about 20 feeding on a beech tree once; my boyfriend and I stood watching for ages. Then some guy walking his dog came past us and said, 'oh, yeah, they come down into my garden.' At that point I wished I didn't just live on the flight-path and that I had a garden

No, I'm not sure I want a grey (well, I do, but not necessarily now, cos of the apartment thing!). Trouble is, I'm planning on going back to university and I won't be earning much money (enough to afford to rent a house, anyway) for a few years, so I don't think we will be able to afford a house for a long time. But I do want a bird at some point along the line. Any ideas on quiet ones?

:laugh: with my luck, I am going to get the one on the left. Not that I care! Thanks Judy and LMG. This is a very friendly forum B)

Hi, I'm new here. Unfortunately, I am currently parrotless as I live in a flat (though I am looking to plead with the landlady next time we come up for renewing the contract!) Both my boyfriend and I really want a bird or two, but we are both just out of uni and we have to get our own lives in order. I did have a cockatiel a few years back and I still really miss him, and there is a big, feathery, noisy hole in my life right now. I have been looking on here for the past few months, just reading up a bit and looking at everyone else's birds, greys and others, and I can't say how beautiful they all are, and how much they help me fill just a little of that hole - and how much I love reading all your inspirational stories!

I am new here and I just wanted to ask a quick question (am currently birdless and may stay that way a while...sadly) but how important is cuttlefish to a bird? Can it be replaced; is it just for calcium? I don't like the idea of using it. But, of course, if it is absolutely necessary... I gave my first bird cuttlefish, but I would rather avoid it these days. Will introduce myself later. Too early in the morning for that now...