Hello from Idaho

[tstmard]

To start off my name is Susan and my husband is Tom. He has owned a pair of parrotlets around 15 years ago and has always wanted another. Well we got lucky and noticed an add for a female that was born in July 2007 and hand fed, and for the bird cage,food, and toys were only asking $100. So this morning my husband called and they still had her so he went and picked her up tonight. The woman said the reason she was getting rid of the bird who she'd gotten from her grandma was because she didn't have time for it anymore. Well the poor thing is in a too small of cage with not the right diet, all seed( mainly the little light colored ones with sunflower seeds) with a treat stick and a whole thing of millet. She does have a rope perch and a cuttlebone which are the only 2 things that she has going for her. So I what is the right diet, cage size requirements and toys for these beautiful birds? My husband has an idea but as I said it's been awhile. I know what is right for budgies just not these little guys. So any pointers are very much appreciated.

[SweetPeasMom]

I mix a premium seed mix and Zupreem pellets, which stays in her feed tray all day. I give her fresh pieces of fruit and veggies for breakfast, take away after she is finished eating or throwing around the room. Then for dinner again, but I add pasta or wheat bread pieces. A good size cage is really important, see see some of the earlier post, cages are pictured with tons of toys, which are important too. I do love the rope perches, Sweet Pea has 2 of them, and a boing. Look around on the internet, there are plenty of vendors. Glad you joined the forum.. You will get loads of information here!!! OH and send pictures---we love pics.

[chapala]

Hi Susan, Congratulations on your new P'let! Glad you got her since it sounds like she was being ignored. I just got this cage for my Cello:
http://www.windycityparrot.com/page/Windycityparrot/PROD/specials/19302242001
Hard to beat for $129 including shipping, and a nice, roomy size for a Parrotlet.

There are lots of threads on diet, toys, etc., so read back through some and let us know if you have more questions!
Reta

[Pado]

Welcome again Susan and Tom ( I welcomed you on another of your posts before I came across this one :p )

Thats great George ended up with you - at least he has experienced owners now who know how to care for him and what he needs- Congratulations.

There is a lot posted on the forum on diet:

My Birds Basic Diet:
A good small hookbill seed mix (with limited sunflower seeds)
Organic Pellet (Harrison's)
Fresh Vegetables daily
Fresh Fruit (I personally don't offer fruits daily)
Birdie Bread
Spray Millet ( Millet isn't as bad for birds as its rap sheet claims - I don't offer this daily but I offer it often)
Soaked Seeds ( I offer this often - everyday to every other day - as sometimes I forget to soak them:p )
Sprouted Seeds ( I don't offer daily but do often)
Beak Appetit



Here is a post by Reta on diet - http://www.talkparrotlets.com/showpost.php?p=11416&postcount=10

[tstmard]

Hey thanks Pado for the help. But I don't know where you got George from since we have a girl and we haven't named her yet.:confused:

[Pado]

Hey thanks Pado for the help. But I don't know where you got George from since we have a girl and we haven't named her yet.:confused:

:D :D :o - I have no idea why I put that in your post :o ... Sorry ... The name Georgina's available :p
Another new member joined yesterday with a George I guess the name stuck in my head :D

[tstmard]

That's what I figured.

[LyndaM]

Welcome to you and your husband! You are very smart to ask about diet because what we know about parrot diets has changed considerably in the past 15 years! I also feed high quality pellets (Zupreem, Harrison's or Roudybush) along with some seed (not too much, not every day, and no sunflowers), fresh veggies (Otis likes them chopped finally in a mini processor) and easy to prepare warm food like Beak Appetit. I also will feed occasional healthy food from my plate, depending on what we're eating. I am about to delve into learning about sprouting as well, since it's supposed to be highly nutritious and birds love it.

[Sally]

Poor little baby. I am so glad you have the little girl now! They need large, wide flight cages and lots of fun toys, perches, swing and great fresh foods! I give the foods listed above in the posts. A large variety of foods, baked and fresh.

Oatmeal is great too. Chipper loves celery, carrots, bell peppers/seeds and cookies and breads I make for her.

I can't wait to hear more!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v492/Sally11/PICT0894490.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v492/Sally11/doorPICT0616smaller500.jpg

[pam311]

welcome, my little guys like the harrisons organic pellets, broccoli and volkmans seed mix. I am going to get a sprout kit this weekend and try that

[aby]

Welcome...I don't have any parrotlets yet, but will be getting them soon! I'm learning a lot from these folks already, and I'm sure you will too!

Aby