sick birds

[Bird crazy]

Boy I've been trying to research about how to tell if a bird is sick. I wish there was just some definite way. My Nila was to the vet and he said he looked fine but I'm still a little worried. I give him a variety of food and his poop reflects what he's eaten if it has any color to it. Is that normal? Eat a cherry and next poop is dark red, or green if green veggies? If eating fresh food really a lot looser and if just pellet and seed thicker.
I still catch him sitting fluffed up and shivering from time to time, I've been trying to determine if it's related to when air conditioner comes on.
We keep it set at 76 F and he's in our front room, the hottest in the house.
But like most homes in florida (I've been in) the vents are in the ceiling and they blow down.
I read that there feet should be warm, I never noticed that his aren't really warm. Not cold though. But when I visited the pet store the little grey's feet were really warm, I really noticed the warmth as soon as I picked him up and was worried was he sick since his feet were so warm. Hadn't thought of that as a possible clue till I read about the feet tonight. Can you take a birds temperature?
Sue and Nila

[Mikaela]

The feet should be about the same temperature as the beak, not *as* warm but very close/warm, nonetheless.

Yep, mine blow down too. Makes for uneven cooling, in my opinion. Im always either cold or hot. Its 4 am and I got up to go pee pee and Baby is a puff ball. I never put him up lastnight so he is stuck to my bedroom mirror. I turned the A/C up... he was like

Surprised he didnt beak his way into bed with me but we have been working on that. No bed time for Baby. My ol'man is pretty cool but he draws the line at bird poo in his bed. I have to respect that

[Dani03]

Hrm...I figure Prinny knows what she is doing. Again...it's that whole 'new bird' thing...we tend to over worry

Dani

[xo Missi]

We over worry??


*raises hand* FOR SURE!!

Sue, Baby kinda shivers and trembles as well. Then I grab him and kiss and love on him and set him down to see if he's still trembling and he isn't. Sometimes I think they get so excited to see us or yearn to be held and loved on that they shak a lil in excitment. Maybe this is part of your situation?

[Bird crazy]

OK (hangs her head and blushes), I may admit I worry a little.
But just a little. He's still eating like a little "feathered pig" if
I can borrow a phrase I read here. His feet and beak are cool to touch.
But then again I am at the age (29 ha ha) when a woman is hot a lot
so maybe he's just cool to me because I'm always so hot.

Another question does anyone use a steam cleaner for their bird cages?
I'm allergic to cleaning solutions and I thought it would be a great way to
disinfect without chemicals. Yes/no I don't know. Small quarters here and I hate to buy something else I have to find storage room for if it won't work.

Sue and Nila

[xo Missi]

Some may have read that wrong, I was raising my hand because I, too, obviously am an over worrier! But I'm learning darnit!!

Hmm...I just use hot water and a scrubby for cleaning Baby's cage...maybe I should be using disinfectant as well! They sell a bird cage disinfectant at Petco but it's kinda expensive. Buuut I do get a 20% discount for working there so let me know if you want some Sue.

[Dani03]

Chemicals are a no-no...I use warm water and about a 1/8 (maybe more) of baking soda...man that stuff works! Try it

Dani

[Bird crazy]

I just use hot water and paper towels so far but I think you need more than baking soda to get rid of germs don't you? This cage cleans really easily on the bars and tray but Between the poop and food thats flung all over and in all the cracks, shouldn't you do a disinfecting clean at least once a month, I've read once a week actually. So I can clean the seed guard and tray but how do you get the corners clean without a major scrubbing?

Sue and Nila

[Cindy]

I have used a steam cleaner and they work great...However, I use vinegar and water 50/50...Vinegar is a great cleaner just about as good as Poop Off..It is totally natural 100% You don't need to rinse. In fact, I and several cockatiel breeders use couple drops (couple days a month) in water dishes for cockatiels. It helps keep bacteria down in the water and when breeding helps clean out bad bacteria from parent birds internal system..Help keep yeast down too...However, if you use in drinking water, you should give a probotic to replace good digestive bacteria..like yogurt (plain) or can get caps at health food store and sprinkle on fresh foods.. Just do search on internet for vinegar and birds..lots of info.....I even use vinegar/water mix to steam clean carpets, can't use regular cleaner due to fumes,,,Apple Cider vinegar for internal use and regular vinegar for cleaning.

[Mikaela]

I am such a worry nut that I just use pressure washer with super hot water.

Aint nothing going to stick to a pressure washing

It gleams! With no worries. The water is hot enough to kill anything that may be on it. Then I dont have to worry about, just water.

Then I air dry the cages for a day and set them back up.