Parrots in the wild receive a soft mist of rain on a daily
basis with a good drenching bath once to twice a week. Therefore you
should mist your bird on a daily basis and give them a good drenching bath
at least once to twice a week to insure good feather quality and also to
replenish lost moisture.
Once a week when you drench your bird completely you should also give your
bird a good look all over to check for lumps, cuts, bruises, and also
check their preen gland to make sure it is not inflamed. I commonly see
birds that have infected preen glands and the owners are not even aware.
You can help avoid medical problems by doing a self-exam at least once a
month on your bird along with the daily checking of their stool.
I routinely check all of my parrots for abnormalities on
their skin and feathers to ensure that they are in good health. Checking
your bird on a routine basis will help to alleviate potential medical
catastrophes. Along with bathing you should keep their wings and nails
properly trimmed to avoid accidents within their cage, or their
environment out of the cage. If you have a flighted bird make sure any
potential dangers within the household are taken into account by bird
proofing. Placing signs on outer doors so people are aware that there is a
flighted bird in the home helps visitors be aware and take caution when
opening and closing doors.
Nails and wings should be checked weekly when you do the
self-exam on your parrot. If you are not able to properly trim your
parrot’s wings and nails then they should be taken to the vet about every
six weeks to have them done. I have met many birds that have near fatal
accidents due to overgrown nails. Nails are easily caught up in rope toys
and perches. Always check these toys for loose threads that your parrot
could catch themselves on and get stuck.
If your parrot is fearful of being showered or sprayed you
can work with this phobia by getting down low below the parrot and misting
with the spray bottle upwards, talking to your parrot the whole time
letting him know that this is fun not a punishment. The first few times
just mist once or twice graduating up to being able to drench them down.
When done reward with praise and\or a treat.
Parrots take pride in their beauty and we should help them
look and feel as beautiful as we can.
