Frequently Asked Questions

What Should I feed my parrot?

Typically your best option is to use formulated pellets.  These pellets ensure that your bird gets all the nutrition it needs.  In addition you should provide fruits, vegetables, and nuts.  Seeds often work better as treats than as daily food, they lack nutrients and parrots can easily become fixated on them and not eat the food they need to stay healthy.  Lorikeets are the only parrots that do not eat regular food and require strict diet of nectar.

 

How often should I clean the cage?

Every ten minutes.  But more realistically, every couple of days as needed.  You want to avoid a build-up of excrement or your bird may become ill from bacterial infection, providing you with a costly vet bill or worse.

 

Will my baby parrot change?

Yes, like humans, parrots grow and change throughout their entire lives.  There are typically two major developmental stages in a parrot's life.  The first is what many feel is synonymous with the 'terrible-twos' and the second developmental stage is a lot like having a teenager.  During these times your parrot is going to act funny, possibly aggressive.  In many cases these changes occur almost over night.  If you consistently work with your parrot both before, during, and after these periods you can maintain a healthy relationship but diligence and patience are going to be required on your part.

 

Can I breed my parrot?

Most people should not breed their parrots.  Parrots require a lot of special care and breeding should only be done by a trained and certified professional.  In addition, breeding parrots fall back into many of their instinctive traits and do not make good pets.

 

Are parrots domesticated like dogs or cats?

Domestication is a process that takes place over thousands of years through selective breeding programs.  Parrots have only really been a common household pet since the early 1970's.  Parrots are very much wild animals that choose to live with their human companions and it is important to always remember this when working with an exotic animal.

 

Why must my parrot have proof of health to board at Julie's?

Because of the flock dynamic, parrots are incredibly good at hiding disease from just about everyone.  In the wild, a flock will leave or possibly even kill a parrot that could jeopardize the safety of the flock.  Genetically, parrots are programmed to hide everything they can that would make them appear to be a weakness.  It is incredibly difficult to tell if a parrot has a disease in some situations, and many parrot disease are easily spreadable through their droppings which could quickly contaminate the entire store, putting all of the birds at significant risk.  Similarly, when you bring your bird to our store, you know that all other birds are healthy and that your bird is safe.

 

Why don't you perform in-store beak sanding?

 

It is our professional opinion that beak sanding is a delicate process that should only be carried out by a certified avian veterinarian. 

 

Do you have information on your breeders?

Yes and we hold our breeders to the highest standards.  If you would like more information please contact us.

 

Do you recommend any avian veterinarians?

In the south bay Timothy Govers.