bird help?

[lovespunaround]

My wife and I are looking at peachface lovebirds and Quaker parrots. I've been reading up on all the different things that apparently can make parrots drop dead more or less out of the middle of nowhere. But our pots and pans are some nonstick aluminum or something, not teflon, and we don't spray crap in the air or smoke or anything.

But we do have a cat, and I'm worried we'll get a parrot and I'll find it dead two days later of Pasteurella infection. We've had a female zebra finch for a couple weeks that is doing fine; the male died suddenly but I think it was stress-related because he'd escaped in the closet the day before and catching birds can't be very relaxing for them. So since our female has been alright even with exposure to our cat, can I assume the cat doesn't have Pasteurella?

 

[Vicious_Fish]

Just thought you should know, Quaker Parakets are illegal in most states. If they get loose they can survive most winters in the US and they're considered agricultral pests.

I work with a lady who raises love birds. If you have any questions I'd be happy to ask her.

 

[Miguel]

just don«t put them in the kitchen. Oven cleaning sprays are killers.

 

[AttackFish]

If it is infact legal in your state to own Quakers, that would be my bird of choice. Lots of info on the net about Quakers that will help you alot.

I also have a cat, aswell as two dogs and my Macaw is just fine. The dogs really dont bother him as the three times they got to close, he bit there noses... HARD. Enough to make them run very fast, and after that they really just watch him from a distance. My cat likes to try and sneak up to the birds cage and stare at him, but the bird spots him from all the way across the rooms and squawks him, and about 99% of the time the cat go's running out of the room.

Just keep a close watch on the bird and he/she should be fine with the cat in the house.

When I ever I cook using telfon cookware, I open the kitchen door and open the window and run a fan in there, and I also put a little bit of butter in the pan as it supposedly helps lower teflon odor fumes. And so far my bird is fine.

I dont truely know if your cat does or doesnt have Pastuerella, just keep a close watch on the bird and you'll have to see. Bit I doubt your cat does have it if your female finch is thriving.

Goodluck, and post pictures once you get the bird, and speaking of pics, I need to take somemore of my Macaw!

 

[Vicious_Fish]

I just asked the lady at my work who breeds lovebirds about Pasteurella infections. She says the only way your bird can get it is if an infected dog or cat bites the bird. So I think you're pretty safe.

 

[lovespunaround]

okay thanks...that's good because I came home from work today and she'd bought a little yellow peachface. It's two weeks from weaning and it's the runt of the clutch, but Amanda got all the stuff she needs to take care of it, so I think it'll be fine. cute little bird

 

[mlowe22]

Lovebirds are adorable! Just make sure both you and your wife handle it because they do tend to take to one person.