Advantages and Disadvantages of CONURE Parrots As Pets

Tingo helps with computer - Photo  by    Makuahine Pa’i Ki’i  (cc)

In general, conure parrots are a group of small to large-sized parrots. They are natives of the Central and South America and sometimes they are called parakeets although they are really two different entities. However, the term Conure has already existed far long before parakeet did. The term really meant cone-tailed. Among all the parrots, they are the ones that adapt to changes in the weather and diet the most.

Before going to the advantages and disadvantages of Conure Parrots as pets, let's look at some useful facts first.

1 - Size

These birds size is determined by measuring the length from the tips of the beak and tail. Usually, their average size is about 11.8 inches (30 cm). On the average, their weight is about 2.2 lbs or equivalent to 1 kg. When you measure their tails' length, they are usually as long as their bodies.

They are active birds and so they will usually need larger cage so that they will be able to exercise even when inside. The necessary spacing for the cages should be 1/2 to 7/8 for them to be able to climb with no worries of escape or caught in between.

2 - Life Span

They usually have a lifespan of around 35 years or more. This depends on how well you take care of them.

Advantages as Pets

One of the advantages of these birds as pets is their majestically colorful plumage, which is really pleasing to the eye. They are full of affection and can really accommodate just about anyone in the family. They breed well and can produce great offspring. They are easy to handle because of their uncomplicated nature especially their diet, which consists mainly of organic pellets, fruits and vegetables, and seeds. They are highly intelligent and are capable of learning tricks.

Disadvantages as Pets

Since they are highly social birds, attention and regular social interaction are needed. They are considered best only for people who have time to spend at home for their supervision, training, and exercise. The latter two are essential so that you can keep your bird from boredom otherwise, the birds will develop bad habits. They need a lot of activities but to counter this, you can give them toys as well as let them out of the cage every once in a while.

As long as you have the patience and persistence to put up with them, they could make excellent pets for you.

By Gary Caine For the most part, conures share similar personalities and it's more the color and size of the different species that is the deciding factor on which parrot to buy. See pictures and learn more about the unique characteristics of these conures. Green Conure - Green Cheek Conure - Jenday Conure Article Source: EzineArticles

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Parrotlet As Pet Bird - 5 Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About PARROTLETS

Little Ball of Sunshine - Photo   by       BLW Photography  (cc)

The Parrotlet is a big personality in a little Parrot body. They are quite small measuring between 5 and 6 inches long and weighing between 18 and 28 grams. Rapidly becoming one of the most popular species for pet bird owners, here are 5 answers to frequently asked questions about these little Parrots.

What Colors Are Available? 

These birds are available in a variety of colors. Many of the species names are color specific and are a wonderful way to give you some idea of the colors that are available-Green Rump, Pacific (as in blue), Spectacle, Blue Wing, and Yellow Face. Pacific, Green Rump, and Spectacles are readily available while the Blue Wing and Yellow Face are much harder to find here in the United States.

What Kind of Diet is Best? 

This small bird has a big appetite that helps fuel its constant antics and playful nature. Seeds are a must because not only do they nourish, but provide interest and exercise as it breaks them open. Supplement this with a high-quality pellet as well as fresh fruits, vegetable, millet spray, cuttlebone, and a constant supply of fresh water.  Avoid avocado, rhubarb, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, and foods with high salt and sugar content.

How Much Attention Do They Need? 

Every bird needs its owner to attend to its physical and emotional/social needs. However, the Parrotlet is more content to play and amuse itself without the constant interaction that some of the larger parrots need. They are perfectly content to play in a spacious cage that is properly stocked with toys, treats, perches, and swings that will keep them entertained during the day if you work away from home. Once you are home they will expect a fair amount of attention from you, and scheduling 10 minutes or so of training daily helps keep your bird tame and well mannered. They don't really need the company of another bird and don't seem to bond to each other, so if you decide to get two be aware that you may need to house them separately because of territorial issues.

How Are they with Children and Other Pets? 

Even though they are small, they are fearless and can often be aggressive towards other pets that they may interpret as invading their space. It's best to keep your bird away from other pets and close the door when your bird is out of the cage to avoid confrontations. As for children, they can be very gentle; especially those that have been hand fed from an early age and are used to regular training and human interaction. Parrotlets have large beaks for their size and can sometimes be nippy. So your child needs to be very closely supervised by you when handling the bird, and an older child who understands how to handle the bird stands the best chance of success.

What is Their Life Span? 

With proper care, many Parrotlets can live between 15 and 20 years.  This requires quite a commitment, so make sure you're up for it.

By Debbie Davis One of the ways you can help your Parrotlet live a long and healthy life is to keep its air passages clear by using a HEPA air purifier to remove airborne pollutants from the air. PurerAir.com offers the Bird Dander Purifier at http://purerair.com/bird_dander_air_purifier.html Article Source: EzineArticles

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CHICKEN BREEDS - The Araucana Chicken

Aracuana Rooster (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

The Araucana was initially developed in South America, specifically in Chile in the early 1900s by a professor of animal science. The Breed was developed from birds kept by a native Chilean tribe, the Mapuche. Later in the 1930s, the Araucana was introduced to the United Kingdom. The unique traits of the Araucana chicken come from cross breeding of the Collonca, a small single comb bird which lacks a tail and lays blue eggs, and a Quetero, which has a flowering tail, a pea comb and lays brown eggs.

When crossed with other breeds the Araucana offspring will lay blue eggs, this is where the development or the Ameraucana came from as the Araucana have a genetically lethal allele combination that results in the death of some chicks. The aim of developing the Ameraucana was to standardise the laying of a blue egg laying breed and to remove the genetic flaw.

Araucana Chicken Breed Facts

Class

Standard, All Other Standard Breeds.

Bantam, All Other Combs, Clean Legged.

Size

Standard Cock: 5 lb. (2.25 kg)

Standard Hen: 4 lb. (1.8 kg)

Bantam Cock: 26 oz. (740 g)

Bantam Hen: 24 oz. (680 g)

Comb, Wattles & Earlobes

Small pea comb; wattles are very small or absent; earlobes are very small and smooth and covered by an ear tuft. All are bright red.

Tail

Entirely absent; saddle feathers flow over the rump.

Colour

Black. Black beak, shanks, and toes; brown eyes; standard black plumage.

Black-Breast Red. Hornbeak; reddish bay eyes; greyish yellow shanks and toes. Male: Head, hackle, and saddle are reddish chestnut changing to gold at lower extremities. Front of neck and breast are lustrous black. Tail and wings are black with reddish bay highlights. Under colour is slate. Female: Head and hackle are reddish chestnuts against a cinnamon brown body. Tails and wings have some black. Under colour is slate to light cinnamon.

Blue. Standard blue plumage

Buff. Standard buff plumage.

Golden Duckwing. Hornbeak; red eyes; willow shanks and toes. Standard golden duckwing plumage.

Silver. Standard silver plumage.

Silver Duckwing. Hornbeak; red eyes; willow shanks and toes. Standard silver duckwing plumage.

White. Yellow beak, shanks, and toes; red eyes. Standard white plumage.

Place of Origin

Chile

Conservation Status

Study

Special Qualities

Lays blue to bluish green eggs. Has a lethal allele combination; some chicks die during incubation.

The Araucana was first admitted to the American Poultry Association (APA) in 1976.

By Kor Rassad - Article Source: EzineArticles

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CAIQUE PARROT - The Clowns of the Parrot World

Black-headed Caique - Photo: Wikimedia

Caique - Strange name for a parrot isn't it. The correct pronunciation of Caique is: "ky-eek" or "kah-eek." Yes, this word also means a sailing vessel and darned if we know what that has to do with birds (not to be confused with Kayak). They are intelligent, curious, stubborn, affectionate, fearless and devoted. They are sometimes referred to as "clowns" because of their amusing antics. There aren't many parrots that have the same personality with the exception of the Lorikeets/Lories.

A Caique may not be the bird for you if you are looking for an excellent talker. Many do learn to talk but they tend to speak in a low almost whispering voice, but; do learn to use words properly, Like-Good Morning, How are you, etc. They do learn to whistle tunes quite well. They are not verbally interactive like Quakers or African Greys, for example.

These little birds (either the Black-Capped or White Bellied Caique) are just little playing machines. They love to lie on their backs and play with whiffle balls or other foot toys. They are agile and interactive. They love to be loved and are not noted to be screamers, squawkers or nervous birds. Once introduced to bathing or showering, they absolutely adore it. They will splash and cavort in a glass cake pan or perform their acrobatics while on a birdie shower perch. Showering time can be a great bonding experience for your Caique. Take them in the shower with you. All you need is a good shower perch. Make sure the water isn't too hot and have fun. They love drying off time, just as well. Wrapping them in a fluffy towel before letting them preen is the highlight of their day.

Caiques sleep in tree cavities in the wild, and while our pets are several generations from the wild, that need is still there. Provide them with a Birdie Bungalow or a roosting box to sleep in and they will be happy campers. Because these little acrobats love to climb, their cage should be one with more horizontal than vertical bars. The spacing should be no more than 3/4 inch and the cage no less than 24x24x24. They need to move around and enjoy lots of very well supervised out of cage time. A tree made of manzanita or java wood with lots of branches is ideal for them. They benefit from lots of hanging toys and swings to play on.

By Kimberly Santor  -  http://www.birdcagesgalore.com   -    http://www.yourparrotcage.com  Article Source: EzineArticles

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SUN CONURE Birds - The Beautiful Exotic Sun Conure Bird

Sun Conure or Sun Parakeet (Aratinga solstitialis) at a bird park in Singapore.
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I have always believed that everybody needs a pet in life. Be it a dog, a cat or even a bird, a pet of some sort or another can be a wonderful stress relief. Just sitting and relaxing with your pet can be a nice way to end a really hectic day. A lot of people don't have space for a dog or a cat and for them, a bird would be a wonderful choice. But to pick just one type of bird is a hard choice. Some are too loud and others too large while others are just too darn messy. A bird that I think isn't too large or messy is the sun conure birds. Sun conure birds are just the right size to be at home in an apartment or a house without leaving the owner feeling cramped.

Sun conure birds can be found in different parts of the world such as Mexico, South and Central America and even into the West Indies. In these regions, the sun conure birds roam freely in large groups that can range from twenty birds on up. The sun conure birds like to live in groups all year long, even during the mating season and can be found that way in the wild. Sun Conure birds were actually given their name because of their bright colors.

A sun conure possesses a variety of colors ranging from bright shades of green, golden yellow, blue, and orange. Generally, a younger bird will have more green feathers than an older bird who has feathers that are bright, iridescent reddish-orange and yellow. A baby sun conure will start off with the feathers that are greener although at about six to eight months of age they begin to molt into the vibrant adult colors. That is a great way to tell if the bird you're looking at is young or aged a little bit.

Unlike some of the bigger birds, sun conure birds don't have a wide range of speaking ability. They can speak some words although do better at imitating noises such as a doorbell or a microwave oven. Their voices are more of a screech and very birdlike when compared to some of the other breeds of birds. But they do let you know that they're happy with the screeching voice of theirs. They aren't exactly a quiet bird as they screech when they're happy, when they're mad or when they're bored or really excited. Sun conure birds are just a more vocal member of the parrot family.

Sun conure birds would be a great pet as they have a friendly nature that just likes to be around people. And if treated right and well taken care of they can live for about twenty-five to thirty years. That would make the sun conure birds a great lifelong companion.

By Laura Belle - Article Source: EzineArticles

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All About Common PARROT Diseases

Photo   by     budi javas  (cc)

There are some diseases that parrot owners should stay aware of so that they can catch early signs of any trouble in their birds. Pacheco Disease (PVD), Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD), Feather Plucking, Avian Salmonella, Escherichia coli - E. coli, Avian Tuberculosis, Avian Chlamydia, Avian Polyomavirus and Proventricular Dilation Disease (PDD) are among types of parrot disease that are common.

Good hygiene and healthy nutrition are the basic requirements for a healthy parrot but being aware of the more common types of parrot disease will be useful in being a proactive pet owner. A prompt visit to the vet is recommended as well.

Pacheco's disease (PDV) is visible through symptoms such as lethargy, diarrhea, ruffled feathers, sinusitis, anorexia, conjunctivitis, and tremors in the neck, wing, and legs. The bird's fecal material may become discolored with urates becoming green suggesting possible liver damage.

Birds generally die from massive liver necrosis characterized by an enlarged liver, spleen, and kidneys. However, some birds die suddenly with no specific or observable symptoms.

Infected birds can start shedding the virus in the feces and nasal discharge as early as 3-7 days after infection. This viral disease is classified as highly contagious.

Pacheco's disease is often fatal and affects parrots of all ages. New World parrots are seen as more susceptible to PDV than Old World psittacines. Asymptomatic birds can be carriers of Pacheco's virus. Birds that have survived an outbreak of PDV can be possible carriers.

PDV appears to be reactivated when the parrot is under stress during times such as breeding, loss of a mate, or other environmental changes.

Avian Chlamydia, also known as Psittacosis, Parrot Fever or chlamydiosis is when parrots are infected by intracellular parasites. These are sometimes called energy parasites because they use ATP (a crucial energy containing metabolite) produced by the host cell.

Dull plumage, drop in body temperature, lethargy, conjunctivitis and yellow to greenish droppings or grayish watery droppings are among the symptoms. Sometimes there is no outward evidence of an infection.

This is an airborne bacterial disease. The bacteria can be shed by an infected bird through its bodily secretions, fecal material, and feather dust. The organism may remain relatively stable outside the host body and can dry into a dusty substance and contaminate the air.

Incubation periods in caged birds vary from days to months although most often this is 3 to 10 days. The incubation period is hard to gauge because chronically infected birds sometimes develop persistent and asymptomatic infections.

Parrots in overcrowded settings are particularly susceptible to the disease. A significant detail about Avian Chlamydia is that it is a zoonotic disease which can be transmitted from animals to humans.

Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD) is the disease in which we see a loss of feathers, development of abnormal feathers, new pinched feathers, shedding of developing feathers and loss of powder down.

Overgrown or abnormal beak, symmetrical lesions on the beak and occasionally nails are other likely signs. Immunosuppression, dramatic weight loss, and depression are also seen as the disease progresses.

PBFD is caused by a virus that also sometimes affects the liver, brain, and immune system. Secondary infections stemming from this sometimes lead to complications and death.

Transmission is through direct contact and the infected environment has to be thoroughly cleaned as the viral particles can persist in the environment even after the infected bird is removed.

PBFD is supposed to be specific to psittacines and some species that are particularly vulnerable to it are Cockatoos, Macaws African Grey Parrots, Ringneck parakeets, Eclectus Parrots, and Lovebirds.

PBFD can be fatal for young birds and even adult birds that survive can become carriers. Others feel that those survivors develop an immunity which can be genetically transferred to their offspring.

Feather Plucking can be a traumatic problem for the parrot and the pet owner as it seems to indicate more deep-rooted problems. The broad reasons for feather plucking are improper diet or inadequate nutrition, emotional stress and bacterial or fungal infection.

Owners should ensure that the bird is not kept in too small a cage and if the bird is molting special nutritional attention should be paid. Also keep an eye open for fleas, lice or ticks. While these are rare they can be the cause of skin irritation also.

A well-balanced diet, a mentally stimulating environment, adequate physical space and good hygiene are among things that can help with this problem.

Escherichia coli (E. coli) are manifested as ruffled feathers, diarrhea, listlessness, and shivering. Baby birds, with less developed immune systems, are more susceptible to disease.

Chronic infections in adult birds can lead to abscesses, failure to hatch eggs and cause changes in eating habits. The extent to which a bird is affected will depend on the age and immune system of the bird and on the potency of the bacteria.

Clean feeding bowls and water and antibiotics can help most birds recover fully from the infection of common parrot-disease.

By Karla Deacon - Article Source: EzineArticles

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New PARROTS - The Discovery of New PARROT Species

A pet Mitred Parakeet (also known as the Mitred Conure).
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Many in aviculture will tell you that nothing compares to the satisfaction of raising a healthy, loving bird, but there is one bigger thrill that the parrot enthusiast can enjoy - the discovery of a new species. There is no need to travel to the uncharted territories of space to find unidentified life forms, but on the other hand, discoveries are few and far between. This article introduces a couple of new species discovered in 2006.

Study of new species contributes to the knowledge base of microevolutionary patterns and processes of parrot evolution and can be used to test the relative contribution that different microevolutionary forces have in shaping species.

Camiguin Hanging-parrot, Loriculus (philippensis) camiguinensis

This parrot was first described in 2006 and is found on the island of Camiguin in the Philippines. It was identified as a separate species from the Philippine Hanging Parrot (Loriculus camiguinensis). It is a mostly green bird measuring around five and a half inches. It was discovered in Camiguin's forest in the coconut plantations, and there are thought to be a population of around 2,000.

Tucuman Mitred Conure, Aratinga mitrata tucumana

First described in 2006 this is one of the Mitred Parakeet (Aratinga mitrata), a species of parrot in the Psittacidae family. It has mainly green plumage and measures up to 15 inches. It was discovered in its native habitat in Tucuman in Argentina but is thought to be in Peru also. It likes to stay in dry areas of tree and forest. It can be distinguished by its green cheeks and red coloring that is limited to its forehead.

These new species are not suitable parrots as pets, and it will take time for aviculture to lead to domestication.

By Danny Oakes At http://parrotcare.tropicalpets.com/ Danny Oakes writes about all aspects of keeping parrots as pets. Article Source: EzineArticles

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The Benefits of OSTRICH FARMING

Ostriches (Struthio camelus) on a farm in New Zealand's Waikato region.
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Have you ever seen an ostrich? Do you know that ostriches are the largest birds in the world? Yes, ostriches are birds but they have lost their ability to fly. Ostriches are long necked, long legged, giant birds. I'll bet you didn't know that ostriches can run up to 40 miles per hour and live for over 50 years.

For many different reasons, ostrich farming is spread all over the world. The first reason and the most prominent is that ostriches have very healthy meat. Ostrich meat is low fat, low cholesterol, and even low calorie. Ostrich meat is a healthier choice than beef or chicken. That is why many people choose ostrich meat for their diets.

The ostrich feathers are very beautiful. That is why they are desired from many of us. The ostrich's leather is even more desirable. Only the ostrich farming produces this leather. Ostrich's leather is soft but strong and it very famous with its distinctive quill patterns. The greater parts of ostrich farming profits come from ostrich's leather sales.

Ostrich farming is very lucrative because ostrich feathers and ostrich oil are much-desired products. In order to produce them, however, many ostriches are needed. That is why often ostrich farming does not focus on production of ostrich feather and oil. Too many livestock is necessary for the ostriches to complete even one order.

Ostrich farming is probably more moneymaking business than farming cattle. Ostriches are very fertile. They can produce more than 40 young animals per year. Bird's gestation period is about 42 days. Ostriches can be bred for over 30 years. You can calculate how many young ostriches ostrich farming can produce per year.

Ostriches are usually bred in pairs, in trios or in colonies. The male ostrich is able to serve to two or three females. The female ostriches lay the eggs but they often take breaks before they continue lying.

Nowadays it is very popular to talk about environmentally friendly ostrich farming. This type of ostrich farming gains more and more speed lately. Environmentally friendly ostrich farming means that farmers use a method of breeding that is environmentally friendly. Ostriches are given no steroids, antibiotics, or hormones. Animals are not forced to eat against their will. They are left to roam freely and to eat natural food.

However, birds in ostrich farming are still slaughtered and sold for profit.

Ostrich farming encounters some problems. The first one is that birds are often fed poorly and improperly. Ostrich farming does not take enough care of the birds. Many farmers experience problems with selling their products, as marketing is a problem for them.

Ostrich farming is a really wonderful alternative to cattle farming. Ostriches are beautiful birds if you enjoy watching them. Ostrich farming is an enchanting and profitable industry.

By Morgan Hamilton - Article Source: EzineArticles

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Sexing PARROTS - How to Tell If Your Parrot is Male Or Female

Male and female Golden-shouldered Parrots in an aviary at the Queensland Museum (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The parrot's lack of sex organs makes it very difficult to distinguish between males and female simply based on the way they look. Some species have different colorings between male and female that enable them to be distinguished, and some have different eye colors. However, for the vast majority of parrots, scientific sexing is required. Some pet owners do not take this step, but it is vital for breeders.

We describe birds where sexes cannot be determined by their markings as monomorphic, and a number of methods have been used to determine the sex of such birds including: vent sexing (the posterior opening known as the cloaca serves as the only such opening for the intestinal and urinary tracts), laparoscopy, steroid sexing (measure the levels of steroids in excrement or blood plasma), and DNA analysis.

With DNA analysis the sex of is determined by looking at the genes located on the sex chromosomes. The difference is that male birds have two Z chromosomes and females have one Z and one W. This is considered the least intrusive of the methods as it simply involves taking a sample of blood to send away to a laboratory. The laparoscopic surgery approach, however, involves a minimally invasive surgery, where an incision is made in the parrot's abdomen and the gonads are inspected.

DNA analysis is not as simple as it may at first sound, and involves chromosome isolation and karyotyping. It can be difficult to get the cells needed for analysis, and there is a time delay in getting the results from the cytogeneticist. The more invasive laparoscopy gives instant results and allows the vet to inspect the general condition of the reproductive organs at the same time, which can provide valuable information for breeding.

People often use feathers for the DNA testing instead of collecting blood, but it should be pointed out that this is highly unreliable. If you keep a male and female together then the female's W chromosome, which is in every cell on the female, could contaminate the feathers of the male.

Once you have determined your parrot's sex does it have any implications beyond making it easy to select breeding partners? Well, it is fair to say the difference between male and female pet parrots is nothing like the difference between a bitch and a dog. There is no difference in their ability to mimic or any notable difference in the way they will interact with their human companions.

By Danny Oakes Danny Oakes writes about the wide range of parrot issues, including Parrot health care along with advice on which species make the best talking parrots. Article Source: EzineArticles

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Important POULTRY DISEASES

Left - normal chicken eye. Right - Eye of a chicken with Marek's disease (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Poultry farming is a method that involves breading and rearing of chickens, ducks, turkeys, and other such birds with a purpose of obtaining eggs and meat for food. Poultry is considered an important source of the animal protein throughout the globe and is considered the most intensive species for rearing. There are a number of ways in which there is a big use of poultry products like butter, bread, bakery items, and other recipes.

The poultry industry is known to be a major contributor of food and plays a significant role in the economy of any country. Poultry rising in different parts of the world has proven it a profitable enterprise as it is considered a best and vital source of palatable, nutritious, and cheap food protein. In different parts of the world, there are hen birds that are maintained in the backyard of houses on small-scale in small villages. A very little investment is needed in terms of material and money for this backyard poultry farming.

Some important breeds worldwide involve leghorn, buff rock, Rhodes Island red, light Sussex that is hatched successfully in different parts of the world. An average of almost 250-300 eggs is produced by lying birds per year whereas the average live weight of lying birds is usually recommended at the age of 8 weeks as 1200 grams.

Over the last few decades, the production of poultry eggs and meat has shown a positive growth in the performance of livestock sector. Poultry farming is considered one of the most profitable and promising sources of extra income.

Rearing and breeding poultry is a tough job as there is an increased risk of diseases in poultry, both locally as well as internationally. There are different causes of poultry diseases but there are two main categories of the direct cause that include infectious and the non-infectious. Some non-infectious condition may cause reduced immune responses; secondly, this non-infectious condition may result in increased contact with different infectious organisms that can lead to an increased cause of infectious diseases.

Comparative to the production of modern poultry, the poultry production that is village based is usually characterized by different disease ranges that occur at same time. There is some free-range poultry that has subclinical infections with an increasing number of ectoparasites and endoparasites. Backyard poultry results in low productivity and the major cause of this is high mortality that is due to the diseases, mismanagement, lack of nutritional predators, and feeding. In this backyard system, the rate of mortality has been estimated about 80-90% within one year of hatching.

In many flocks of family poultry, poultry disease is an important and increasing problem. Diagnosing, treating, and preventing poultry disease are considered essential to any of the attempt at raising the productivity.

In the commercial production system, broilers are vaccinated routinely against different diseases like Avian Influenza, Infectious bronchitis, Marek's Disease, Newcastle Disease, and many others that depend on some specific recommendations and situations in each country. There are a number of poultry diseases so they are divided into five major categories that include poultry diseases caused by fungal infections including Aspergilloses, Ochratoxicosis, Fusariotoxicosis, aflatoxicosis; virus such as Fowl Pox, Avian Flu; bacteria like Escherichia coli, Pasteurella multocida, Mycobacterium avium; parasites like Coccidiosis, Haemoparasites; and those are caused by nutritional deficiency like the food that may be deficient in vitamins and minerals. There are also problems that involve poultry diseases caused by the stress, poor management, and housing. To avoid different poultry diseases it is recommended to have a regular examination of your chickens to avoid any type of serious and fatal disease.

By Vincen Temers - Article Source: EzineArticles

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Breeding LOVEBIRDS (Part Three)

Lovebirds (Agapornis) at Zapari zoo, Tel Aviv, Israel
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The quality of food that you give your breeding pair of lovebirds will have a direct impact on their health, ability to fertilize their eggs, and on the health of their young. This is not a situation where you can rely on parrot mix, and your parrots need plenty of fresh healthy greens and fruits. Of course, seeds will also remain an important part of the diet.

The mating act itself will be conducted by your lovebirds on their perch, and to facilitate the process you will need to provide a steady perch that the birds can comfortably grip whilst they engage in the act of mating.

Once your bird has laid a clutch of eggs you will be eagerly awaiting the hatching process. Do not be surprised if all the eggs do not hatch as this is common. The next most common problem after un-hatched eggs is when young chicks do not have the ability to walk well and suffer splayed legs. To avoid this make sure that the nest box flooring is of a suitable flooring that the parrots can walk on.

An experienced breeder will manage these two issues and keep a watchful eye on the parents as they manage the feeding of their young by regurgitating food and giving it to them. To help this process you need to provide foods that are easy to process and regurgitate and ample supplies of water.

Of course, the areas covered in this three-part series have been quite basic and we encourage you to do a lot more research before starting on the exciting journey of breeding parrots.

Danny Oakes has articles on all aspects of parrot care, and is a great read for those that keep parrots as pets. Article Source: EzineArticles

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Breeding LOVEBIRDS (Part Two)

Domesticated lovebirds in an aviary. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This is the second article in a series looking at breeding those loveable small parrots known as lovebirds. In the first article, we looked at the importance of diet and maintaining clean conditions, and noted that scientific sexing is usually required to identify a breeding pair.

Once you have your pair you will need to cage them either in an aviary or breeding cages. Some breeders will have groups of pairs in an aviary and successfully breed, but the easiest way to put a pair in a dedicated breeding cage. It must be a large enough cage to allow your birds freedom to exercise and have a variety of perches and toys. The minimum diameter of any cage is twice the parrot's wingspan and twice its height, with two parrots in a shared cage it must be larger still.

A nesting box must be provided. It is advisable to have a ledge that provides entry to the nestbox so that the lovebirds don't fly directly in and damage the eggs, furthermore, you should make sure that it has easy access for you to inspect the eggs. Suitable nesting materials include dried grass and eucalyptus leaves. 

Some of the materials should be damp as this is important for successful nesting. Another option is just to pop along to your local pet store and purchase special nesting material.

In the next article in this series on breeding lovebirds, we will look at diet in more detail and the process of raising a young parrot.

By Danny Oakes Danny Oakes writes on http://parrotcare.tropicalpets.com/ about all aspects of parrot care, for those that keep parrots as pets. Article Source: EzineArticles

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Breeding LOVEBIRDS (Part One)

Masked Lovebird (Agapornis personata) at Auckland Zoo. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Lovebirds are especially affectionate parrots. There are nine species of lovebird, eight from Africa and one from Madagascar:

• Madagascar Lovebird
• Abyssinian Lovebird
• Red-headed Lovebird
• Peach-faced Lovebird
• Masked Lovebird
• Fischer's Lovebird
• Lilian's Lovebird
• Black-cheeked Lovebird

It is the long monogamous relationships that these birds have that gave rise to the name lovebird.

Their precise scientific classification is:

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Aves
• Order: Psittaciformes
• Family: Psittacidae
• Subfamily: Psittacinae
• Tribe: Psittaculini
• Genus: Agapornis

It is hard to describe the color of lovebirds because they have been bred in so many different colors, but basically, they are mostly green with different colors on their upper body. They are really small birds which grow up to seventeen centimeters in height and sixty grams in weight - along with budgies they are some of the smallest parrots. On average they live for up to fifteen years.

In this three-part series, we take a look at what is involved in breeding these lovebirds.

Caring for parrots takes on a higher level of involvement when you make the decision to start breeding. You need to have very healthy specimens, kept on a special diet, and kept in very clean conditions. Of all of these factors, the most important is the diet, because not only is this important for fertility, but also for ensuring that the young a very healthy.

The first step to breeding lovebirds is getting a male and female, no easy task since these birds are sexually dimorphic and require scientific sexing to tell the male and female apart.

In the next article, we will discuss what special steps owners need to take for successful breeding

By Danny Oakes. Danny Oakes writes on http://parrotcare.tropicalpets.com/ about all aspects of parrot care, for those that keep parrots as pets. Article Source: EzineArticles

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Pet CANARY Care

Common Canary - Photo   by      rkramer62

If you're considering sharing your home with a pet canary, it's probably because you've heard so much about their nearly constant, bubbly singing. Join the club! Since the seventeenth century, pet owners the world over have kept canaries for nothing more than the sheer pleasure of birdsong filling their homes. A canary is not merely a feathered music box, though, and pet canary care is so much more than the gilded cage of old. A canary is a living thing, dependent on you for food, shelter, and love, and canary care, while not rocket science, involves a certain level of avian expertise. Ready to become an expert? Study hard!

Thanks to selective breeding, there's quite possibly a canary out there to suit every personality and desire. Some canaries are bred for their coloration, some are bred for their shape, and some, of course, are bred to produce a very specific song pattern. What kind of canary you purchase will depend on what canary resources are available near you. If you can find a reputable canary breeder, that will be your best option. Many pet stores now, however, commit to purchasing healthy birds only from reputable breeders but check first to make sure that your canary was not wild caught or raised in less-than-desirable conditions. If the pet store manager cannot account for where your potential canary came from, don't buy a canary from that store! Oh, and be sure that the canary you purchase is a male if it's a strong singer you're after. The females are incapable of producing the characteristic long trills and melodies that made canaries famous.

The Canaries can be quite delicate, so a primary part of learning to care for a pet canary is to realize that prevention is key. If there's a number one rule of pet canary care, it's that you absolutely must keep your canary away from drafts at all times. A drafty room can kill a canary without any warning whatsoever, and even a slight draft can prevent your canary from warbling. If a lit candle flickers when held outside your canary's cage, then you've picked a spot that's too drafty for your new feathered friend!

As far as cages go, your canary doesn't require anything too spectacular-just enough room to hop about and stretch his wings. Make sure you purchase a cage that is at least two feet wide and three or four feet tall. Get a cage with a tray in the bottom to make for easy cleaning, and make sure that the bars of the cage are not coated with toxic paint or other chemical sealants. You should clean your canary's cage thoroughly at least once a week, washing perches, food and water containers, and toys in a mild bleach solution, and wash down the rest of the cage with dish soap and warm water.

While they can't stand drafts, canaries do love indirect sunlight. A good supply of natural light will keep your canary singing, and will also interest him in breeding should a female be present. If a draft will kill a canary the fastest, a second runner-up is a dehydration. Because of their speedy metabolisms, canaries require a lot of water and may die if they go as little as a day without it. Change your canary's water daily and never leave for more than a day without asking someone to water your canary for you. As for food, the seed is the mainstay of a canary's diet, and there are many good commercially available seed mixes made specifically for canaries. You should supplement your canary's seed with a little fresh fruit and boiled egg every day. An apple slice and a fourth of a hard-boiled egg are enough. You should also provide your canary with a cuttlebone, as he will gnaw on this to attain necessary calcium.

With these basic rules and supplies of pet canary care well in hand, you're ready to seek out the perfect canary for you. Will you choose a rosy red colorbred canary, an exotic Persian Singer, or something in between? Whatever your decision, your canary will thank you exuberantly for the next ten to fifteen years the best way he knows how-by singing his heart out.

By Barry Mcgee - Article Source: EzineArticles

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