Jayd

SterlingSl, Timbersmom and murfchck, I'm sorry you felt my question deserved the reply's you gave me, I know I've always been respectful to the 3 of you, I'm sorry you couldn't answer it for the forum. Please show more courtesy to other members questions. Now to the question of how to carry a parrot while riding a bike. A carrier should always be used for the safety of the parrot. Parrots spook, and accidents happen. Here's two graphic examples I've personally been exposed too. Timbersmom, this happened on a Tuesday, at a bird fair a elderly lady had a 3-wheel bike, with a perch on the handle bar like SterlingSL's photo, the Grey was wearing a harness with a six foot leash attached to the handle bar, the Grey got spooked, flaped off with clipped wings and was caught and run over by the rear tire, killing it. 2009. 2007 in a Walmart Parking a young man was riding his bike with his clipped wing Grey on his shoulder, a car honked his horn and frightened his Grey, lt tried to flap off and flew into a oncoming cars windshield, they had to euthanize the poor baby. I'm sorry my question didn't deserve a reply......Jay

Gee, I'm sorry, I guess I wrote the question wrong...Does Greycie wear a harness when you ride her on your bike ?

As you are to us Luv, Stay well our friend...

Thank you, it's always so warming when we see you post on the forum. Luv Jay and Maggie

How is your baby doing????

Hello my friend, we hope all is well.........................

jOE HERE,That's a Great idea.....Thank you...

Doe's Greycie wear a harness?

I hope this will help in the quest for UVB. Full spectrum light bulb that meet Featherbrite spec's can be purchased at Walmart, Home Depot, and Lowe's etc, 14watt for around $6.00,there labeled Full spectrum Daylight compact florescent bulbs. Their a full spectrum with very little UVB/UVA output. Featherbrites instructions state to use them along with natural sunlight at the brightest part of the day.[?] A true UVB bulb is made with a special Quartz glass, like ZooMeds. We use Walmart full spectrum daylight bulbs throughout the house and Zoomeds at each parrot station.........Thanks Jayd

I'd like to join the rest of these wonderful members and say thank you once again Welcome

Thank you and welcome, both of you.

Welcome to our Zon world, keep posting, tell us more, love the photos....Jayd

You have received a lot of advice, it's up to you to try or do what you wish. Judy's veggie list is great. If you wish to feed fruits, fine or seeds or pellets, it's all up to you, when all is said and done you have to do what you feel is right...Thank you...

Heres the manual for Zoo-Meds, It a lot stronger then Featherbrite,Like you said, it could have been the reflector. I only use Zoo-Meds, but at 24 inches instead of the recommended 18 inches. Sun burn is a common problem...Thanks Penny..... AvianSun Self Ballasted Compact Fluorescent Lamp™ Item # AS-C5 AvianSun Floor Lamp Item # AFL-10 .0 UVA & UVB COMPACT FLUORESCENT LAMP INSTRUCTIONS Congratulations on your purchase of Zoo Med’s AvianSun 5.0 UVB Compact Fluorescent Lamp; your birds will thank you! The following instructions will assist you in setting up your new lamp. Lamp Fixture: This bulb is designed for use with Zoo Med’s AvianSun Deluxe Floor Lamp fixture (Item AFL-10). See the following photo for an example of the correct setup. Note o N L amp bur N i N : Compact fluorescent lamps have a “burn in” period when the light and UVB output is at its greatest. For your new AvianSun 5.0 Compact Fluorescent Lamp , this period lasts about two weeks when the lamp is used to provide a normal photoperiod or day/night cycle at 10 to 12 hours per day (150 hours of use). Refer to the following chart for recommended distances during and after the burn in period. Zoo Med’s AvianSun Deluxe Floor Lamp is fully adjustable enabling you to easily adjust the distance of the lamp to your bird’s cage or perch. Zoo Med’s Adjustable AvianSun Deluxe Floor Lamp (Item # AFL-10) distance* * See application chart for correct distance *please email or phone us with any questions you may have. email: zoomed@zoomed.com 08-07 *Notes o N operati N g ra N ge: *The Recommended Distance refers to the distance from the lamp to your bird’s perch. The lamp should be placed directly overhead of your bird. DO NOT place the lamp on the side of the cage causing your bird to stare into the lamp. WARNING: DO NOT place the lamp closer to your bird than the recommended distances listed above as eye damage may occ

Thank You, carolz7..................................Good post.

I belive this is the thread Judy was referring to? http://www.greyforums.net/forums/showthread.php?59809-complete-veggie-fruit-list./page7

Your baby is acting 110% normal and is showing off too you. Bicycle riding is up to you on how safe you feel your riding is, age is no problem. Check the forum for shoulder packs, there's one that's very nice. Here's one example.http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=pak+o+bird&tag=mh0b-20&index=aps&hvadid=1455566452&ref=pd_sl_1l6l2g1p9n_e

Thank You, no, daytime hours are rest time, which a Grey needs also. As far as a sleep cage goes, as large as you can get, http://www.petsolutions.com/C/Large-Bird-Cages-Greys-Amazons-Sm-Cockatoos/I/Parrots-Square-Roof-Cage.aspxlater . You keep a simple toy or two, water/seed/pellets. A Grey rises and lives by sunrise/sunset. Thank you.

Thank you, once again, colorful pellts can cause unknown medical problem, it's best not to feed. One of the most important aspects of care-taking [owning] a Grey is setting up a routine, starting with bed time's. Extra hard boiled egg's washed and scrubbed with white vinegar, should only be given a small amount a couple of times a week. You just have to bite the bullet and stick with what you start. What your experiencing has been felt by every member here. Lola's beak will get no larger, she' full size, it's perferance not food size, some of our fid's eat only a whole carrot, others only a small chopped piece..............Thank you

Lola needs 11-12 hours of sleep, quiet dark sleep, a cover can proved security in case of light flashes. It would be more healthy to put her or a sleeping cage into another room. A grey over time with improper sleeping conditions can develop mental and physical problems. Peanut's and nuts are esential to a Greys diet, they provide EFA's, [Essential Fatty Acid's] where they can get them no where else, Limit any fatty food. Size of pellets is of no concern, it only depends on what your Grey likes, and please limit watermelon [sorry], that's all it is is water ans sugar. when you feed a parrot fruit or high sugar content foods, they'll eat them instead of the proper foods the need, remember, fruits flush their system leaving no nutrients behind, like a person with anorexia. Thanks and sorry.

Hello, Welcome and thank you for the re-home. Lola doesn't need to change to a pellet diet as long as you try to feed her fresh veggies etc. Keep the seeds in the cage 24/7 (about 1/2 cup and change or add seeds as needed). Seed mix should be sunflower-less, sometimes called safflower parrot mix. If it does have sunflower seeds, pick them out and use them strictly as a treat...about three tablespoons a day (treat only). Keep a small bowl of assorted pellets and keep filled. In the morning and afternoon, give her fresh veggies in this order: Dark Green leafy veggies (Kale, dandelion greens, beet tops, carrot tops, etc), broccoli, a carrot stick cut in a couple of pieces (lightly steamed if you wish)...to this add a sugar snap pea, a fresh string bean or two, red or yellow pepper or sweet or hot peppers (jalapeno etc. ) (this list is not inclusive-check out the complete list at ) Legumes, a few chickpeas, black-eyed peas (cooked) etc. Do not feed any large beans such as lima, fava, pinto, garbanzo beans, etc. unless they are over-cooked. One walnut and one almond a day provides healthy nutrients. We advise and suggest you look into red palm oil. There are many threads about this on this forum and where to get it. When it comes to fruit, a small grape, a chunk of apple or orange every few days is all a Grey needs...stay away from too much fruit. Lola will waste and she will pick out what she likes...patience is the key. Any cooked food needs to be removed within two to three hours. Fresh veggies and seeds are far more important and healthy than a pellets-only diet. Do not use colored pellets or fruit flavored pellets. A lot of Greys like ZuPreme Nut Blend and Natural Blend, Harrison's and Roudy Bush pellets. Once again, Rome was not built in a day. The food process will take time, possibly years. As a reminder, no peanuts in the shell unless it is human-grade, roasted with no sodium. Thanks, Jayd and Spock (Maggie) http://www.greyforums.net/forums/showthread.php?190462-We-Feed-Our-Fid-s!!!-Update/page3

Thank You carolz7 Amazon Foot Necrosis While this condition has a name, that doesn't explain why it occurs. What we know is that it seems to be cyclic in nature, that it is more likely to occur seasonally in some birds. Often, the blisters form on the skin of the feet and legs initially. Then the bird begins to chew on the affected skin, resulting in wounds that crust over. What causes the blisters initially is the mystery, and probably varies from bird to bird. One cause is from owners that smoke cigarettes. The tar, nicotine and other toxins from the cigarettes get on a smoker's hands, and these irritants are then transferred to the parrot's feet when it is handled. For this reason, it is very important for bird owners who smoke get into the habit of consistently washing their hands after smoking prior to handling their birds. Other topical lotions, creams or soaps should be thoroughly washed from the hands, as well, prior to handling any birds. This is especially important if the owner uses any type of topical steroid cream, as the creams may be absorbed through the skin, or they may be ingested if the bird grooms its feet, and steroids can be very dangerous to pet birds, causing suppression of the immune system, elevation of blood sugar levels, excess water consumption and increased urination. In other birds, since the blisters seem to occur seasonally, it might be related to allergens in the environment, such as oak pollen. Allergies are poorly described in pet birds, but probably do occur. It is very important that any Amazon that develops foot and leg lesions be given a thorough work-up by an avian veterinarian, including a CBC, blood chemistry panel, and any other diagnostics deemed necessary. It might be important, from a diagnostic standpoint, to have skin biopsies performed, cytology of the fluid from a fresh blister, bacterial cultures from the lesions, Gram's stains of the lesion and/or fluid from a blister, and perhaps DNA PCR tests on the fluid, as well. Without a diagnostic work-up, it may be impossible to determine the cause of the lesions, and therefore impossible to prevent them in the future (or minimize the outbreak). During an outbreak, most birds will require systemic antibiotics, as most will have either a primary or secondary bacterial infection. Others may require antifungal therapy, if fungal organisms are diagnosed. Many Amazons benefit from topical medications, as well, which are applied directly to the foot or leg lesions, and to prevent mutilation by the bird, bandages may be applied to the feet and legs. It would probably be beneficial to run an air purifier with a HEPA filter to minimize pollen, mold and dust in the environment. Since Amazons are particularly prone to sinusitis due to low humidity, finding ways to humidify the environment where it lives is often very important, as well. Vets unfamiliar with this condition, and those who don't usually treat birds, may attempt topical therapy with salves, lotions, creams or ointments that contain various preparations of steroids (betamethasone, dexamethasone, cortisone, hydrocortisone). These preparations (usually not labeled for birds) should NOT be used in avian species, as they can prove very dangerous. Steroids applied topically, especially to inflamed follicles, will be absorbed systemically, and can be ingested when a bird preens. Steroids can cause the suppression of the immune system, which can have disastrous results, including aspergillus infections (a dangerous fungal infection) and serious, even life-threatening bacterial infections. Steroids can also cause elevated blood glucose levels, increased thirst and appetite, weight loss and other problems. Steroids should only be used when absolutely necessary, and should not be administered to birds topically without medical necessity. In some cases, it may be possible to prevent outbreaks by avoiding contact with allergens or toxins. Wash your hands before handling any bird, and prevent your bird from contacting any chemicals used for washing the cage, perches or cage equipment. If your bird has foot or leg lesions, it is important to work with your avian vet to try to identify the source of the problems, so that hopefully, in the future, additional lesions and outbreaks can be prevented. Copyright © 2006 Margaret A. Wissman, D.V.M., D.A.B.V.P. All Rights Reserved ExoticPetVet.net www.exoticpetvet.net

Check this site for whats called "Red Factor Sun's" http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images?_adv_prop=image&fr=moz35&va=red+factor+sun+conure+for+sale I'll try to get some currant photos of our suns...

HeHeHeHe...............................................

I'm posting this in hopes of unscrambling this often asked question. Zoo-Meds ReptiSun 5.0 and there Avian 5.0 are the same bulb, Full spectrum UVB-UVA. I spent quite awhile speaking with them about it[There's a copy of the post on the Forum somewhere] . A parrot requires a low dose of UVA-UVB, some repitiles and terreiums require low dose's also, now, some UVB come with high-dose and a heat lamp attached, BAD!!!!! To answer "Full spectrum" doesn't necessarily mean it has UVA-UVB, check your bulb spec's. Now, "Sunburn". any UVB-UVA bulb can produce sunburn, depending how close you place the bulb. There's always a break in distance example 25inches new and 20inches 1 month old.... To the original question jjcool, yes I beleave there the same thing, just like ZooMeds, but check the specs out first.....UVB provides D3,, a Grey gets very little D from food or other sources, the Grey doesn't adsorb it well that's why sun is so important to our Grey's,