Mite Protector?

[brfussne]

I keep seeing these "mite protectors" around various pet/bird stores and was wondering if they are safe, and what are they for (besides killing mites obviously)? Does anyone use these? I've never seen one in any parrot's cage so I'm assuming it's just a ploy to spend more money on something that is not only useless but probably harmful to a parrot.

[GlassOnion]

NO! DOn't use them!!! They're often toxic and have no use for parrots whatsoever since I don't even know a single person who's had indoor parrots with mites.

[GlassOnion]

And what happened to your Grey?

[marie83]

Indoor birds very rarely get mites, I've heard of it happening rarely but don't know of a single example, its usually aviary birds that get them. It is possible but I don't think treatment should be given unless it is confirmed that they have mites and even then I would only use treatment from an avian vet. Definitely dont give treatment as a preventative in the same way you would worm, use flea/mite/lice/tick treatments or vaccinations for other animals, its really not needed.

[brfussne]

I had no intention of buying one, I was just curious as to what their use was for since I never saw any or even heard of any mite protectors being used.

Glass Onion, as for my Congo African Grey, I decided on a Black Headed Caique instead. Long story short, I've been visiting a bird store called Bird Crazy here in San Diego to try & build my confidence up with larger birds and to get some handling experience with some Greys before mine was to arrive since I've only owned Budgies (and that was at least 3 years ago). I've had done so much research before I chose a Grey that I was certain it was the right parrot for me, but after visiting the ones at Bird Crazy I realized I’m still too intimidated by medium/large size parrots. The Greys were friendly; I'm just still "uncertain" about them and fear their bite. I thought about transferring my deposit to a Red Belly because my Breeder had some available at the time but decided I would stick with my Grey, until last Saturday when I began to play with a Black Headed Caique. I fell in love with it instantly and I have no problems what so ever with smaller parrots and their bites. I knew it was the perfect bird. I have visited it several times in the last 3 months, it just so happen that I hadn't played with it enough until now, or maybe me being a regular there coming in literally every weekend the Caique has warmed up to me, that I realize a smaller parrot to begin with was best for me and then go for a larger parrot in the future. On Saturday I called my breeder up and asked her if she had any White Bellied Caiques still available and she did, but I decided I wanted the Black Head I had visited at Bird Crazy for the last 3 months. I feel like I know its personality and it appears to be very fond of me, at least I think anyway. I was holding it when a girl asked to hold it, I tried to let the Caique go to her, and it snapped at her! I'm really happy with my decision and I can't wait to take my little Caique home here soon. I know that I'm going to have this parrot for a very long time so I want to make sure I choose the right one. I was going to make a post about it and delete my old threads but I decided to just let it be. I know it's been a bit confusing starting out trying to save that poor plucked Macaw, to a deposit on a Grey and now a Caique but I’m 110% certain I’m sticking with the Caique. Sorry for all the confusion.

[GlassOnion]

Oh I see! I hope you know that Caiques are considered very difficult birds. They are notorious for going jekyll/Hyde and delivering very deep bites. Almost everyone I know with a caique attests for how serious their mood swings are, and also they're known to attack and kill other birds.

Also, baby birds are not how adults will act. They change immensely when they hit maturity.

[brfussne]

Oh I see! I hope you know that Caiques are considered very difficult birds. They are notorious for going jekyll/Hyde and delivering very deep bites. Almost everyone I know with a caique attests for how serious their mood swings are, and also they're known to attack and kill other birds.

Also, baby birds are not how adults will act. They change immensely when they hit maturity.

I've heard of Caiques' mood swings & I know they can be very aggressive to other birds, especially larger birds. And yes, I know babies act differently than a mature adult parrot. It has nothing to do with how Greys act. I chose a smaller parrot because I don't think I'm ready to own a larger/medium sized parrot yet, I'm still intimidated by them but I'm working on it.