PARROTS

Parrots needs a variety foods to provide a healthy balanced diet.
A good quality seed blend will supply much of your pets needs, but is not enough on its own. Listed below are some simple rules for a healthy pet bird.

A simple guide to feeding Parrots:

* Give fresh water daily. Don't be fooled by a full bowl, it may just be husks.
* Clean the seed tray daily.
* Always give a cuttlefish bone or similar source of calcium.
* Feed fresh fruit and vegetables - up to 50% of the total diet.
* Feed mixed pulses, once boiled, on a regular basis.
* Avoid feeding dairy products such as cheese.
* Parrots are like children - they love treats, but don't spoil them.
* If in doubt, consult your veterinary surgeon.

A happy Parrot is a healthy one

It is not enough to simply feed your pet well. They are intelligent and active birds and require a number of other pointers for a healthy life.

* Don't let them get bored, they can rapidly develop bad habits. There are plenty of good toys available to provide them with hours of fun.
* Keep their feet in good condition - either get the vet to clip the claws or get a conditioning perch which has a rough surface to wear down the ends of the claws. We suggest that you get the vet to clip claws, because not only can they bleed, but also if you do it yourself, your pet might sulk for a while.
* Talk to you bird - they love conversation. You might feel self-conscious at first, but both you and your pet will soon be having long conversations.
* Let them out of the cage regularly - they love the chance to stretch their wings and explore. If your bird is destructive, simply return it to its cage - they soon learn to regard this as punishment enough, but remember, a cage is their home and not simply a punishment.
* Wash your bird regularly. Some birds like to wash in a bowl of water; others prefer a shower from a domestic sprayer.
* Don't leave the bird in a draught - this can be lethal.
* Don't let you bird be too cold, but a constant room temperature is more important than a hot one.
* Never have a parrot in a conservatory; it is cold in winter and too hot in summer.
*Most parrots will prefer one member of a household to the others, this is quite normal, so don't be upset if it isn't you.
* If you have any doubts about the health of your bird, contact your vet.
* Joining your local branch of The Parrot Society is also a good idea, as you will meet other parrot-lovers & be able to discuss related issues.

JJ Parrot Mixtures:

No1 Parrot : Medium Striped Sunflower, Large Sunflower, White Sunflower, Paleskin Peanuts, Safflowerseed, Whole Maize Naked Oats, Monkey Nuts, Chillies.

Mixed Pulses : Black Eyed Peas, Blue Peas, Maple Peas Chick Peas, Mung Beans, Yellow Peas, Tic Beans. This can either be soaked & sprouted to be fed as greenfood or can be boiled for about 10 minutes and fed directly to give necessary vegetable proteins

"Hull Mix" : Dehulled Sunflower, Safflower, Naked Oats, Popcorn Maize, Raisins, Wheat, Barley Peanuts, Buckwheat, Banana Slices, Papaya, Dehulled Pumpkin, Chillies Brazil Nuts, Walnuts. All ingredients (except safflower) are dehulled so there is no waste. You will be able to tell how much food is taken with each feed.

Parrot Fruit Mixture (over 40% Fruit and Nut) Medium Striped Sunflower, White Sunflower, Banana Slices, Raisins, USA Large Striped Sunflower, Safflower, Whole Maize, Pumpkin Seed, Naked Oats, Paleskin Peanuts, Diced Papaya Monkey Nuts, Diced Pineapple, Chopped Apricots, Brazil Nuts, Walnuts, Chillies.

Tropicana : Banana Slices, Diced Pineapple, Diced Apricots, Raisins, Hazelnuts, Papaya, Pumpkin, Apple, Coconut, Brazil Nuts, Walnuts, Cashew Nuts, Pistachio Nuts, Peanuts. This can be fed as a treat or proportionally blended with No1 Parrot to obtain a custom designed mix. If boiled then it can be frozen so that you do not need to make fresh daily batches.

Parrot-Like Tonic : White Millet, Canaryseed, Red Dari, White Dari, Wheat, Naked Oats, Broken Rice, Popcorn Maize, Buckwheat, Linseed, Black Sunflower, Hempseed, Seaweed Grit, Flavoured with Aniseed. When blended with large parrot foods it can Help parrots to forage which keeps frustrated males busy and also helps prevent feather plucking.

Which seed mixture suits which bird?

African Parrots, Amazons, Cockatoos and Macaws : No1 Parrot, Parrot Fruit Mixture, "Hull Mix" & Tropicana.

Poicephalus Types : No1 Parrot, Parrot Fruit Mix & "Hull Mix".

Cockatiels, Rosellas & Large Parakeets : Cockatiel Mix or Parakeet Mix as expected & also Conure Mix as a fruity Parakeet Mix.

Small Grass Parakeets : Budgerigar Blend.