Outside

[sidech]

I took Zoulou outside today while I was mowing the lawn (in his cage) and then him and I sat in the yard. Well, I was sitting on a char, he was enjoying himself on a big rock. It was his first time ever outside, and he really enjoyed it.

I was wondering if it's okay to let him eat a little grass and leaves ? I think he mostly chews and spits, but maybe he ate a little. There is no fertilizer in the grass or on the trees, and no poisonous stuff.

Thanks

Here's a picture :

[Azure Hanyo]

Just be careful he doesn't get away...

I don't think him nibbling things outside is bad, but there are some plants toxic to birds so research the plants in your area and be aware.

[Kim S]

In light of the recent deworming topic: keep in mind that he can ingest worms by putting stuff in his mouth. So if you go outside often I would reccomend deworming him one or twice a year.

Be carefull of the wind. Even a slight breeze could be enough to get him high enough to go over the fence. My Kika has been clipped horribly short, but even he can fly in a straight line when there is barely a breeze.

AS for plants and stuff.Try to find out if the plants in your garden are toxic. If you want to encourage him to eat things, you can feed him dandelion, shepherd's purse or chamomille. Those are non toxic and even have medicinal properties.

[sidech]

Thanks, I'll be really careful.

But for now, he is still a baby and all he wants in life is to be near or on me...

I got him with wings cut really short, so he can't fly, just drop.

Also, our summer months are really short, here, so unfortunately, this won't take place at least 8 months of the year...

He is so cute, we went outside a little bit again today. I put him on the picnic table outside, put a paper down, and he did his business on it. He seems to be getting the idea, I'm happy about that. I hate getting pooped on.

[HyperD]

I got him with wings cut really short, so he can't fly, just drop.

Define drop?

1. Gentle glide down to the ground - a wind can carry the bird up so this is no guarantee that he cant fly away

2. Brick - Wind no longer a problem, but what happens if your bird falls somewhere?

you can feed him dandelion

I believe dandelion leaves are fine, but the actual flower is toxic?

[Kim S]

you can feed him dandelion

I believe dandelion leaves are fine, but the actual flower is toxic?

Really?
All I ever heard is that they love the flower as it is full of pollen.
I must be honoust with you and tell you that my birds never eat the flowers, just the leaves.

[sidech]

I got him with wings cut really short, so he can't fly, just drop.

Define drop?

1. Gentle glide down to the ground - a wind can carry the bird up so this is no guarantee that he cant fly away

2. Brick - Wind no longer a problem, but what happens if your bird falls somewhere?

you can feed him dandelion

I believe dandelion leaves are fine, but the actual flower is toxic?

Drop = almost like a brick. Even the wind won't lift him up.

Your right, he might fall somewhere, that is why I put him low on the ground or on me. The most he would fall is about 1 foot. And I stay besides him. I don't just put him in the yard like a dog and let him play ball...

[Marnie]

my birds always loved dandelions, flowers, buds and all. they did not like the stems though.
i would always pick some nice tall grasses, and ones with seeds to clip to the cage.
my keets loved that.

[sidech]

I'll try that. But I won't see any dandelions around here until may, june ?

People make salads out of this, so I can understand parrots like it.

[captwest]

Yes outside is great for your bird they need the sunshine to help with vitamin D absorption, however be very careful with cats, dogs and birds of prey, they are very sneeky!