Hints

Freezing green seed
Being on a farm, I have access to plenty of fresh seeding grass, but the seeds mature long before the breeding season is over. Now, with the help of my children, I harvest as much green seed as I want and place the seed in freezer bags, squeezing out as much air as I can, and then seal the bags.  Later in the season, when fresh seed is no longer available, I simply defrost the amount my birds will eat every day. The birds love it, even after six months in the freezer.. Take care that it is fully defrosted, - my method is to spread it out on a plate, and I find it does not take long to thaw out.

Poser
Another indication of excessive inbreeding is that at the end of the season you have raised more than 60% cocks. An infusion of new blood through line-breeding is the best remedy for this problem. If you lose chicks in the egg or nest without an indication of disease, the problem could well be that your birds are too highly inbred.

Handy Pest Killer! ANTS
Add 3 TBS sugar to 1/2 pint warm water, and stir until dissolved. Leave to cool. Add 1 TBS bi-carbonate soda - mix well into the sugar/water.  Keep mixture in frig and put a few capfuls on ant nests and trails. (Cover if weather is wet)  (Ant killer works using body heat, hence a bit slower than commercial pest killers - but as the insects feed on it (and each other) the body warmth makes them literally BLOW APART!) 

Coconuts - Are coconuts poisonous to parrots?
Coconuts are suitable for parrots provided they are fresh and not contaminated with mould or bacteria in any way.

 

Help me...
When you go, won't you please put a paper on my cage that tells my new owner what you feed me? Do you give me things other than seed, such as fruit? Are they extra treats, or an integral part of my diet? Do you regularly medicate, or give vitamins etc?  Yes, it takes maybe two minute to make such a note, but am I not worth it? I am your bird. You've cared for me and raised me. Now you are going to sell me or donate me for a raffle or auction. You are pleased with my appearance and health.. Won't you please help keep me that way? 

Cockroach Control
One of the newest products for controlling insects in the aviary is an ant bait containing ivermectin. Sprinkle these bait granules outside the aviary, and wait for the roaches to eat it, which will kill them. Ivermectin is safe for birds (veterinarians use it to treat internal and external parasites), but birds can overdose and die if they receive too much, so don't allow them direct access to the granules.  Be sure to read the label and follow directions carefully, no matter which product you use.

There are several safe, effective ways to control cockroaches around your aviaries. Pyrethrins are generally safe to use around birds. Remove birds and their food and water dishes before spraying. Do not return the birds to their aviary until the spray has thoroughly dried. Boric acid is also an effective roach killer. Place lines of boric acid round the outside of the aviary. When the roaches crawl through the powder, they will die. It is safe and nontoxic around birds. 

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