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[Wolf]

Generally speaking nuts are high in fats and protein, eggs are high in protein, and most seed mixes and pellets are high in protein. Look on the bag of pellets and I an betting that it will say for protein not less than 25%. That will be under the daily allowances portion of the information.

The quivering that you just described to me is Charlie being excited at seeing you.

I did spend some time in Flagstaff, more in Prescott and Sedona and some in Tucson. Every time I was in Phoenix, I simply could not wait to get out of there, there is just something about that place that doesn't agree with me.

[Pajarita]

I also think you have done extraordinarily well, especially taking into consideration you had no prior experience with parrots - you must be very empathetic to animals and that works to both your advantages. I don't feed pellets but, if you feel you must, give him the pellets for dinner. I also don't like to feed my parrots animal protein (they are herbivores and, as such, have trouble digesting animal protein properly) but, again, if you feel you must, please do it only during breeding season (we are now in molt season).

I would not take him outside at all. Outdoor aviaries are not really a good idea for single birds, they feel very exposed and vulnerable, it's different when you have a number of them because social birds find safety in numbers.

I would also open the windows before sunrise because, as you are doing now, he is not been exposed to it and it's healthier for their endocrine system.

And do take him to an avian vet for a complete physical with blood work because although I don't think it likely that his shaking is a symptom, all birds need one just so we know exactly what we are dealing with.

[Newby]

Wolf,

I am with you on the Valley thing! I like the mountain and the cool weather it has to offer. I'm also not much of a city gal either.

Pajarita,

Thank you for being here for me too. I am an animal lover. I often feel bad that Charlie is in captivity, so I think it helps me to want to provide the best as possible for him. As I'm typing this he is on the chair next to me desperately trying to get to my chair. I think it's giving him some good exercise.

I will now do some reading on the protein thing, and the different times of seasons for specific feeding. I will also look on the package of pellets, although I think I'm sending these back as Charlie is not liking them at all, and start feeding more veggies. I heard one egg a week was good for them, so I break that into small portions with veggies at night, and he can't wait to get to his cage. Is that bad? I also only give him tiny tidbits of the nuts for training. I buy slivered almonds and then break one sliver into about five pieces, so he doesn't get a lot of nuts all at once. Although, I bought a package of shelled nuts: almonds, walnuts, brazil nuts, pecans, and on occasion through the day I give him one to crack on his own. I'm trying to help him forge too, so he doesn't just get the food given to him. He is finally figuring out that inside toys or rolled collard greens is yummy food. I will resist giving him to many nuts through the day!

Anyway, thank you both for your input. I will take heed and I'm positive I will back with another quandary. I am enjoying reading the other posts too. You two seem to be the experts for sure and I feel privileged to have your advice!

Newby

[Wolf]

When I was on the bird Tricks website trying to find the ingredients and nutritional information I noticed that they say to just send back the empty bag for a full refund.
By all means look up this information, I can't keep an animal of any kind without doing extensive research on everything that I can find that relates to them. Although I do this research, I am by no means an expert.

[Newby]

Well, I will say you have much more knowledge than me, and I'm thankful for your help!

I am aware of the refund, I just wished he liked it, the ingredients look good don't they? The bag says no more than 15% protein. I bought their cookbook too, and it talks about introducing the pellets through things like birdie bread, but so far I have not found a bread that he likes either.

Toady I gave him the center of the celery stalk, which is my favorite, and stood there and ate a piece with him. I'm going to start giving him good stuff, veggies, for treats while we are hanging out instead of the nuts. I'll let you know how he is doing with stepping onto my right hand. Hey, I wanted to ask you if there was something wrong with laddering? I remembered you asked why I would do that with him.

Newby

[Wolf]

Laddering him is a form of flooding him and is often used to punish a bird who is a little reluctant to respond to training, it for the most part a useless activity and most birds pick up on it and seen to resent it. Now I am not speaking of asking him to change hands periodically while doing other things or even just while sitting and letting him perch on your hand. I have to do that every so often with my Grey as she likes to perch on me fingertips for some reason, and she gets heavy on the tips of my fingers after a while.

[Pajarita]

Yes, they love egg for the high protein, same reason they love nuts and seeds. Birds are hard-wired by nature to gorge on protein when they find it because it's needed for breeding, growing and life in general, and, as it's not found in Nature in large quantities or high concentrations, when they find a source of it, they eat and eat and eat until they deplete it. I recommend feeding the high protein food at night and the 'healthy' one in the morning. This is because the body takes longer to digest it so the bird fills full a longer period of time (useful in the winter when the nights are long) and because birds are always hungriest in the morning which makes them more predisposed to trying new foods and, even if they don't stay full for many hours with produce, they can always pick a bit during the day - which they cannot do at night.

As to veggies, please take into consideration the ones that NEED to be organic. There is a list every year of the 'dirtiest' ones and it includes apples, pears, peaches, nectarines, cherries, blueberries, strawberries, peppers, celery, cucumbers, potatoes, cherry and grape tomatoes and lettuces (it also includes spinach but I don't recommend feeding it to parrots, anyway).

[Newby]

Wow, I didn't know that about laddering. I think I read it was a good form of exercise. I will be careful as my Charlie just teeters on my hand, or the top of my fingers, and does not "hold on". I feel like I'm having to balance him or he will fall. I'm sure he will learn, and as he starts to figure out the flying thing it'll be better.

Great to know about the protein and the veggies. We have a newer store, Sprouts, that sells organic everything. I will start doing my shopping for him, and us , there. My husband just said, "oh great you're talking about Charlie again", little does he know we will be eating organic vegetables from now on. I'm now a true parrot lover!

Thank you, Newby and Charlie

[Wolf]

Good for you and Charlie!!

[Pajarita]

LOL - In another couple of years, your husband will be saying "The bird, the bird, the bird! Everything in this house is about the bird!" like mine does.