Handling and Restraint
Most domestic birds are easy to examine and treat once properly restrained. Care must be taken not to injure the bird or have the handler injured. Birds the size of cockatiels or smaller (whether domestic or wild) are properly restrained using a paper towel to capture them. The paper towel is placed over the back of the body. The thumb and forefinger are used to hold the head under the eyes and behind the beak. This allows control of the potentially dangerous beak. Too much pressure can cause bruising. The bird’s body and wings should rest in the palm of the restrainer’s hand and expose the breast. DO NOT compress the chest for any reason. Birds need to be able to expand their rib cage in order to breathe so compression could be fatal. Larger birds such as macaws, parrots and conures can be handled in a similar fashion using a clot towel in place of a paper towel. The cloth towel can be wrapped around the body to help control the flapping wings. Again, be sure not to wrap too tightly so as to compress the chest.
Medicating
When medicating birds, whether oral or by injection, proper restraint techniques should be followed. Oral medications usually have a bitter taste and are disliked by the patient. Some can be mixed with Gatorade, honey or fruit juice to improve the flavor – always check with the doctor first. The crop is located on the right, so oral medications should be administered on that side. Birds should always be in the upright position, not on their backs when being given oral medications. Pectoral muscles (breast) account for 20% of the bird’s body weight. Injections are administered IM in this pectoral muscle. When injections are to be given over several days duration it is advisable to alternate the side of the keel they are given in each day.
Feeding
DO NOT FEED AVOCADOES, CHOCOLATE OR RAW MILK PRODUCTS – cottage cheese and yogurt are OK. Pellets are supposed to be 100% nutritionally complete. Fresh water should always be available.
Large Psittacines such as African Greys, Macaws, Conures, and Parrots should be fed 20% or less of seed and 80% fresh vegetables, fruits and grain sources such as cornflakes, cheerios, chex flakes, shredded wheat, granola, oatmeal, grapenuts, muffins, breads and pasta (uncooked). Do not give a lot of sugar or salt. Stay away form deli meats. Fresh fruits and vegetables are best.
Dried or frozen can be given but canned are the worst. Meat can be given for protein source as long as it is cooked (i.e.: chicken!)
Cockatiels, budgies, etc… are fed 40% or less seed (too much seed leads to a fat bird.) The rest of the diet includes the same variations as listed for Large Psittacines.
Mynah birds are one of the exceptions to domestic birds feeding situations. Commercial brands of mynah pellets are available. These formulations should be 90% or more of the daily intake. Supplementation should include a variety of fruits and vegetables (low iron, diced and mixed). Avoid fruits containing high levels of Vitamin C. Meal worms may be given occasionally as treats. Mynahs enjoy fruit juices, nectars and Gatorade. They also enjoy bathing so a large bowl of water 1 ˝ to 2 inches deep should be provided. Their droppings are VERY watery so the bedding must be absorbent. A paper bag may be provided for privacy, playing and/or sleeping. Perches should be of a variety of diameters. They enjoy toys sized for parakeets.
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