How To Exercise Your Parrot
Having
an exercise routine for your parrot is a crucial part of their
care. When a parrot is kept in captivity it is our job to supply
them with enough mental and physical stimulation. Parrots in
their natural environments will work for food, build nest, care for
young, and of course fly. So we need to take a better look at the
way our parrots receive exercise.
Before
beginning any exercise routine you need to make sure your parrot is in
excellent health. This should include an exam, an avian chemistry
panel, psittacosis test, aspergillosis test, fecal exam, chloaca and
chloana smears, and any other veterinarian recommended tests.
Your parrot should also be on a diet with a base of pellets and fresh
vegetables and grains.
Wing
flapping: Make your parrot flap their wings for five minutes a
few times a day. You can stimulate this by holding them on your
arm or hand and lowering your hand up and down to encourage
flapping. You may also swing them around in a circle or figure
eight (you must have a good grip on their feet). You can simply
swing back and forth if you are not sure of how to grip their feet
properly. If your parrot is flighted, simply call them back and
forth from one person to another, or from a stand to you and
back. You may also take your bird outside and toss them gently
into the air; they will fly about six to eight feet and then run back
to you. Wings should be properly trimmed before taking any parrot
outside. If your parrot is flighted a flight harness is an
excellent alternative.
Chase:
You can place your parrot on the bed, outside, or on a blanket on the
floor and chase them around. Most parrots thoroughly enjoy this
game.
Climbing:
promote climbing by having them go up and down a staircase in your home
if you have one. If not take a rope and attach it to the ceiling
from the floor and encourage them to go up and down on command.
Step-ups:
simply encourage your parrot to do multiple step-up exercises from one
hand to another (laddering).
Play
ball or fetch with your parrot on a bed or on the floor.
Aggressive birds should not be allowed free roam of the floor. If
your parrot is aggressive place a blanket down first to establish
boundaries for your parrot.
Dancing:
Play your parrots favorite music and encourage them to dance around
with you. If you have children have them dance in front of the
parrots cage. This will get the parrot excited and jumping around
with the child. This will tire both parrot and child out.
Always supervise children and parrots.
Remember
that when starting any exercise routine you will need to begin slowly
and build up your parrot’s stamina. A parrot that is properly
exercised is a well-behaved parrot.
Courtesy of: Michelle Karras, The
Polite Parrot
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