Summertime Safety

Birds do not have sweat glands, but evaporate water directly through the skin.

Signs of over heating

* Panting or open mouth breathing

* Drooping wings

* Holding wings away from body

* General weakness

* Red Nares

* Hot Feet and Beak

Birds with simple panting can be gently sprayed with cool or tepid water. Offering a large pan of water may be helpful. The feet may be cooled off with wet towels or by standing the bird in a shallow dish of cool water. The beak may also be moistened. Remove them from the sun to a cooler shaded area. If symptoms persist call your veterinarian IMMEDIATELY.

If a bird is discovered overheated and unconscious, it is most likely suffering from heat stroke. This is a life-threatening situation. It is vitally important to immediately place the bird in a bath of tepid water, to lower the body temperature, making sure to not let the bird inhale any water. The water should not be too cold, or it will shock the system. CALL YOUR VETERINARIAN IMMEDIATELY!

Precautions to ensure the safety of your bird when traveling by automobile

* Always make sure you have a spray bottle handy for misting your bird.

* Use an ice pack, frozen water bottle or a package of frozen vegetables in a ziploc bag wrapped in a towel as birdie coolers in the cage.

* NEVER leave your bird in the car, even with the windows down. Over heating can occur in a matter of minutes.

* When traveling, clip wet pieces of romaine lettuce, a slice of melon, a juicy piece of pear or dripping broccoli in the carrying cage so your bird will have an extra water source.

Door & Window Precautions

* Opened doors and windows increase the possibility of escape and injury.

* Birds can be killed or severely injured if they are perching on an open door or in an open screened window that suddenly slams shut from a breeze or a person that didn’t see the bird.

* Monitor your bird at all times if it is flighted or has access to an open screened window. In a blink of the eye that beak or an outside predator could rip open the screening.

* When it's hot outside keep your birds cages and play stands away from direct sunlight and windows. Pull the blinds or drapes if you are going to be out for the day and are unsure how hot it will be.

Fans

Serious injuries have occurred when birds fly into them or get their feet caught up in the blades. Birds tend to be nervous with things moving above them so they may be stressed out by a ceiling fan running near their cage.

* If you have flighted birds do not use ceiling fans when they have access to the area.

* Table top fans should not be on when a bird has access to the area as small feet can reach into the wired area and be injured from the blades.

Environmental Dangers

Be aware of is things going on in your neighborhood. Is someone painting or grilling out…..is there is a lawn chemical company spraying yards? Lawn spray is probably the number one killer of wild birds in most residential areas and can be just as deadly to parrots. Wind drift can carry its deadly effects for an amazing distance.

* Make sure windows and doors are closed. Check any units which can draw outside unfiltered air into the indoor air circulation systems.

Holidays and neighborhood picnics can also stress and harm parrots.

* Close your windows and doors to bonfires, loud music, screaming people, loud screeching cars and fireworks.

* Turn on soft music and air filters to muffle outside sounds that could stress your bird or cause night frights.


Food and Water

Food and water dishes should be cleaned everyday to help prevent bacteria growth.

* Fresh foods should be removed after a period of time as it will start growing bacteria and can make your birds sick.

* Fresh raw foods are a better choice to leave in the cage during the day as cooked foods spoil much quicker. Cooked foods can spoil within an hour or two in hot weather.

* If your bird has fresh food as a main component of their diet, replace it two to three times a day. This decreases bacteria growth significantly and will prevent possible gastro-intestinal tract disruptions.

Water may be the most important nutrient your Parrot will need. Your Parrot will need clean, fresh water at all times.

* Change your Parrots water at least 2 times a day. Some people add a drop of Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE) to the water if they are gone for long periods of time. This can retard the growth of bacteria. Apple Cider Vinegar & Lemon/Lime juice are also good for this.

Air Conditioners

Air conditioning is safe for birds. Just be sure that your birds are not directly in front of the air conditioning outlets where they may get a chill.

Pools

Chlorine is found in bleaches, hot tub and pool chemicals.

* If you have a swimming pool near your birds keep your chlorine level at a minimum.

* If you need to shock your pool, remove your birds to a distant location first. Consider ozone purification instead of chlorine. It’s much safer and more effective.



Feel free to add to our Summertime Safety list.

Thank you! I notice that when it gets really hot here in Houston, my outdoor birds sit with their beaks open. I have a little sprinkler that I turn on low for a little while and they LOVE it! Cools them off a bit.

Wanted to mention that I have noticed Air Conditioning seems to dry the air considerably. So when I use it I always run a Humidifier so the birds don't get the sneezies from too much dry air.

They also make misters that you can attach to your hose.