buy a grey parrot of Buying an African Grey Parrot
Buying an African Grey Parrot is a major investment. This bird can live up to 50 years. You'll have to be prepared for an extended commitment.
It is best to buy a baby African Grey from a reputable breeder or pet store. You'll be able to tell that the parrot is fully weaned.
Cage
A well-designed cage is one of the best purchases you can make for your African Grey Parrot. They are a social animal and require plenty of space to be content. They also require a space to play and exercise. A large cage is required and should be easy to clean. It should also be constructed from a sturdy material such as stainless steel or powder-coated wire. It should be designed in a way that your bird is unable to escape, and should have a secure latch and hinges.
The cage should be large enough to hold many perches. Parrots like to spend time in cages, however, they need to be able to come back to their home. Additionally, the cage should have bar-spacing that is large enough to keep your bird from getting stuck. A cage that has a playstand on top and that opens is a good option because it can be moved around.
Many people feed their African Grey Parrots a standard commercial mix of seeds. This mix is often high in fat and deficient in essential nutrients. In the wild, African Grey parrots have access to a wide variety of fruits and seeds and they are adapted to eating diverse diets. If you feed your African Grey parrot too much seeds, they could be sick or even die prematurely.
A healthy african grey parrot requires healthy diet, exercise and mental stimulation. They should also be taken to the veterinarian frequently for checkups and vaccinations. They are cheaper to have than a cat or dog. Furthermore, if you purchase exotic pet insurance for your pet, it can significantly reduce the expense of your vet.
Food
African grey parrots can live up to 80+ years in the wild. It is therefore crucial to feed your pet the right diet. A quality bird food will improve the health of your African grey as well as the other animals that you be sharing your home with. There are a wide range of bird food in pet stores and online. You can also offer your African grey a wide variety of fruits, grains and vegetables. You should avoid foods that are high in sugar and salt.
In the wild, African gray parrots often form large groups in the evening to roost, before dispersing throughout the day into smaller flocks to hunt and collect. They are social birds and manage complex relationships within their groups. Unfortunately many domesticated African greys don't have the same level of social interaction as they get in the wild and can be stressed by their isolation. Stress can lead to self-harming behavior, such as cutting their feathers.
Parrots require a broad range of nutrients to remain healthy and active. Ideally they should be fed a mix of seeds, grains and nuts, in addition to fresh fruits and vegetables. Seeds such as safflower seeds, sunflower seeds and Linseed are excellent sources of vitamins and protein. However, they lack micro-nutrients and should not constitute an overwhelming portion of a captive African grey's diet.
Vegetables high in beta-carotene should be the staple in any captive African grey's diet. Greens such as kale, mustard greens, spinach and dandelion greens are high in calcium and provide a natural source of vitamin D. Other great vegetables include turnips, carrots and okra. Apricots, figs, as well as endive are also rich in calcium. Filberts and hazelnuts are also a good source of calcium but be sure to give them in moderation since they contain oxalic acid, which hinders the absorption of a few of your pet's other minerals.
Toys
Like any other pet, African grey parrots need plenty of toys to keep their minds stimulated and occupied. These toys help prevent boredom and other destructive behaviours like feather picking chewing, biting and snorting. These toys also allow the bird to exercise outside of their cage. Parrots that aren't getting enough stimulation in their minds can become depressed, anxious and even withdrawn. They could even begin to lose weight.
Toys used by african grey parrot must be safe, durable and made from non-toxic materials. They should also be suitable to the bird's size and activity level. There are a variety of toys for African greys, ranging from foot toys to foraging games. Some of these toys are costly however the majority of large chewing and shredding toys are affordable. Keep in mind that these toys need to be replaced regularly which means there's a constant cost.
It is crucial to remember that if you come across a parrot being offered for sale at a remarkably cheap price or at an extremely expensive price, it could be an indication of fraud. Prices that are low could be a sign of the existence of a breeding facility or illegally obtained birds and the high price could be related to genetic claims or a fake identity. If you do encounter this kind of situation, be sure to ask for DNA results prior to making a purchase.
If you're seeking a way to lower the initial cost of a African grey parrot, think about adopting one in need of an additional home. These animals are often abandoned by their previous owners due to a lack of time or funds. They are available in parrot rescue centres and adoption agencies. While buy a grey parrot might be less expensive than buying from a breeder an investment of significant size will be needed in terms of time and money as well as energy.
Health care
The African grey parrot is an extremely intelligent bird that is able to form strong bonds with humans. They also have an inborn ability to understand and learn human speech, which has catapulted them to a renown in the pet sector. These birds have been domesticated since thousands of years and make fantastic pets if properly taken care of. These birds are very demanding and can cause stress to their owners if they don't receive enough love and attention. Our Greeley veterinarians explain that these bird need lots of mental stimulation and environment enrichment to avoid behavioral and health issues.
These birds need plenty of toys inside and outside their cage to keep them busy. Toys that require them to use the beak, such as chewable leather toys and newspapers and cardboard to tear apart, or foraging toys, are very popular. They should also have multiple perches in their cage, preferably of varying widths and heights. Water should always be available, and it is best to use a shallow saucer for water to limit the possibility of bacteria-related infections.
The African grey parrot, just like any other pet, needs regular veterinary examinations to ensure their health. This includes a thorough physical exam and grooming (fingernail and toenail trimming if required) as well as laboratory tests (as required). These annual checkups help avoid illness and detect potential health, nutritional, and behavioral problems.
It is essential to find a veterinarian who is specialized in avian species, as these animals have particular requirements. A first aid kit for avian species must be kept by the owner to treat common ailments. To prevent official statement and fungus infections, it is essential to keep the area clean. The cage should be cleaned frequently by removing all bedding and food particles and the perches must be disinfected as needed.
Training
African greys are renowned for their intelligence and they can learn very quickly. They can live for up to 50 years, and are considered to be the most happy bird in the room. Some can even speak basic phrases and words. They can be taught to label items like toys, food and even wood. If you want your african grey dog to talk it's best to begin as a baby and train him to use the words "yes" and "no" when asked. This will help him understand your message and avoid repetition of negative words such as "shut up" or "no more".
Short, but effective training sessions. Two five-minute sessions per day is sufficient. During these sessions the bird should be praised and given rewards for their progress. It is also important to allow him some time in the cage to resting and relaxing. Introduce him to family members and visitors to get him used to hearing different voices. It is also important to teach your child to adapt to loud sounds and not be afraid.
Think about how much time you can devote to an african gray before purchasing one. They require a lot of attention regularly fed and regular cage cleaning. They may also require a bird carer to take care of them while you are away. It is important to avoid unnecessary stress and costs. Many people buy a parrot and then discover it's not the right pet for their family. They are then forced to have it re-homed. This can be extremely stressful for the bird and cause health problems.