You have thought about all that this entails and you want to adopt a parrot. But how to raise it at home? What food to give him? What medical follow-up? All our answers.
The parrot is the common name given to the different species of psittacines, recognizable by their varied colored plumage, their powerful round and hooked beak and, sometimes, a small crest on the top of the head.
There are nearly 350 species of parrots in the wild, including macaws, amazons, cockatoos, lovebirds and parakeets. They are very popular among NACs (new pets) today and can be raised at home.
Physical characteristics
There are parrots of all sizes, it all depends on the species. Conures, for example, are small birds of 35 cm, which have nothing to do with the impressive macaws with a wingspan of one meter. When you welcome a parrot into your home, you must provide space accordingly. You should also remember that parrots are often noisy animals, which can cause nuisance to your neighborhood.
One of the parrot’s recognizable features is its powerful beak, which can be used to open nut shells and other foods.
Food
Apart from specific seeds and cereal mixtures, the parrot can eat fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as boiled legumes such as split peas or white beans.
On the other hand, certain foods should be banned because they are potentially fatal. Among these: seeds or aperitif cakes, chocolate, rhubarb, avocado, cheese or even butter. Also be careful of smoke (tobacco, incense, cooking), because the parrot has a fragile respiratory system.
Also read
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Habitat
The parrot needs to have its own home. You must provide him with a cage adapted to his size, in which he can move and fly, with several feeders and perches (of different diameters and at different heights) as well as a water point, without forgetting games to be changed regularly. to avoid boredom. The closures must be strong to prevent the parrot from opening them, and the cage easy to clean.
Ideally, an outdoor aviary is a plus. Identical to the cage for the interior, it is good to place an additional security airlock there.
Also read
Which birds to choose for an outdoor aviary?
Prix
The price of a parrot varies depending on its species. The larger and rarer it is, the more expensive it is. A parakeet costs around thirty euros; an Amazonian macaw can be worth more than 3,000 euros. Medium-sized species like conures are worth several hundred dollars to purchase.
But you also need to plan a monthly budget. In addition to purchasing the cage and its accessories (a few hundred euros), you have to think about food, veterinary costs, toys… Allow 200 to 300 euros per month.
Health
A sick parrot takes time before showing visible symptoms. For this reason, regular veterinary visits, a healthy and balanced diet, and a secure environment are essential for its good vitality.
Certain diseases can be detected quickly: chlamydia, polyomavirus, beak and feather disease, proventriculus dilation disease and Pacheco’s disease.
