The Cost of Buying an African Grey Parrot
An investment of a significant amount, purchasing an African Grey Parrot is a significant purchase. The bird's lifespan can be as long as 50 years, so it's important to ensure that you're ready for the long-term commitment.
It is recommended to purchase an infant African Grey from a reputable breeder or pet store. You'll be able to tell that the parrot has been fully weaned.
Cage
A well-designed cage is among the most important purchases you make for your African Grey parrot. They are a very social animal and require plenty of space to be content. They require a space where they can play and exercise. A large cage is essential, and it must be easy to clean. It should be constructed of an extremely durable material, such as powder-coated or stainless steel wire. It should be designed in a way that the bird cannot escape, and it must have a secure latch and hinges.
The cage must be large enough to accommodate a variety of perches. Parrots like to spend time outside of their cages but they must be able to return to their homes. In addition the cage should be equipped with bar-spacing that is large enough to prevent your bird from becoming stuck. A cage with a playstand on top and that opens is a great option since it can be moved around.
Many people feed their African Grey Parrots a standard commercial mix of seeds. The mix is often high in fat and lacking in important nutrients. In the wild, African Grey Parrots are familiar with a diverse diet, which includes a variety of seeds as well as fruits. If you feed your African Grey parrot too much seed mix, they may become sick and even die prematurely.
A healthy african grey parrot requires a healthy diet, exercise and mental stimulation. They should also be taken to the veterinarian frequently for checkups and vaccinations. They are more affordable to have than a cat or dog. Furthermore, if you purchase exotic pet insurance for your bird it will significantly lower the cost of veterinary care.
Food
African grey parrots can live to 80+ years in the wild. Therefore, it is crucial to provide your pet with a healthy diet. A high-quality bird food can improve the health of your African grey, as well as other animals you might share your home with. Pet stores and online offer a wide variety of parrot foods. You can also give your African grey a variety of fruits, grains and vegetables. However, you should avoid foods rich in sugar and salt.
In the wild, African gray parrots often form large groups at night to roost before dispersing throughout the day into smaller groups to hunt and collect. They are social birds and they manage complex relationships within their flocks. Unfortunately, many domesticated African greys do not have the same level of social interaction they would encounter in the wild and can be stressed by their isolation. Stress can lead to self-harming behaviors, like taking out their feathers.
Parrots require a variety of nutrients to stay healthy and active. Ideally they should be fed a blend of seeds, grains and fruits, nuts, and fresh vegetables. Seeds like safflower seeds and sunflower seeds, as well as Linseed are excellent sources of protein and vitamins. african grey parrots for adoption lack micronutrients, and shouldn't constitute a significant portion of the African grey's food.
Beta-carotene rich vegetables should be part of the diet of any African grey living in captivity. Greens like kale, mustard greens, spinach, and dandelion greens are high in calcium and are an unnatural source of vitamin D. Other excellent vegetables include carrots, turnips and okra. Apricots, figs, as well as endive are also rich in calcium. Hazelnuts and Filberts are good sources of calcium. However, be sure to give them in moderation because they contain oxalic acids, which blocks the absorption of certain of the other minerals your pet needs.
Toys
Like all pets, African grey parrots need a lot of toys to keep their minds engaged and entertained. These toys can help to prevent boredom and other destructive behaviors like feather-picking chewing, biting and feather picking. These toys also allow birds to exercise outside of their cage. Parrots that don't receive enough stimulation for their brains may become anxious, depressed and withdrawn. They may even start to lose weight.
Toys used by an african grey parrot must be safe, durable and made from non-toxic materials. The toys must be appropriate to the bird's age and activity level. There are a variety of toys for African greys, ranging from foot toys to foraging games. Some of these toys are expensive, however the majority of chewing and shredding toys targeted towards parrots are quite budget friendly. It is important to remember that these toys will have to be replaced frequently, so there will also be an ongoing cost to this.
If you spot the sale of a bird at a cost that is unusually high or low, it could be a sign of a scam. Low prices could indicate an establishment for breeding or birds that were illegally obtained and high prices could be a result of genetic claims or a fake identity. If you encounter such a situation, you should request DNA test results prior to making an purchase.
You might consider adopting an african gray parrot that requires an appropriate home if you wish to save money on an animal. They are frequently abandoned by their previous owners due to a lack of time or resources. They can be found in parrot rescue centers and adoption agencies. Although they are cheaper than buying from a breeder, it is still a substantial investment be needed in terms of time and money, as well as energy.
Health care
The African grey parrot is a highly intelligent bird that is able to form strong bonds with humans. They have a natural ability to recognize and master human speech. This is what makes them so popular in the pet industry. These birds have been domesticated for a number of thousands of years and are wonderful pets if given the right care. However, these birds are extremely demanding and can cause stress to their owners if they don't get enough love and attention. Our Greeley vets explain that the birds require plenty of mental stimulation as well as environmental enrichment to avoid behavioral and health issues.
These birds need plenty of toys inside and outside their cage to keep them busy. They love playing with toys which require their beaks, like chewable leather toys, newspapers and cardboard to rip and foraging toys. They should also have several perches in their cage, preferably of varying widths and heights. Always keep water in the cage. It is best to use shallow saucers to decrease the risk of bacterial infection.
The African grey parrot, just like every other pet, requires regular veterinary exams to ensure their health. This includes a thorough physical exam as well as grooming (fingernail and toenail trimming as required), and lab tests (as required). These semi-annual checks help in preventing illness, and can also help identify potential health, nutrition and behavioral issues.
It is crucial to choose an avian veterinarian who is specialized in avian animals as they have special requirements. In addition to regular visits to the vet the pet's owner should have an Avian first aid kit available to treat common ailments. Maintaining a clean living space is essential to avoid fungal and bacterial infections. The cage should be cleaned frequently by removing all bedding and food waste and the perches must be cleaned as often as necessary.
Training
African greys are known for their intelligence, and they are able to learn quickly. They can live up to 50 years, and are referred to as the most joyful bird in the room. Some can even use basic phrases and words. They can be taught to label objects such as food, toys and even wood. Start training your african gray to speak when he's a infant. Teach him to use "yes" or "no" whenever you ask. This will help him comprehend your message and avoid repetition of negative phrases such as "shut up" or "no more".
Training sessions that are short but effective. They can be as simple as two five-minute training sessions per day. During these sessions, the bird should be acknowledged and rewarded for making progress. It is also recommended that he receive some downtime in his cage to relax and rest. Introduce him to family and visitors to get him used to hearing different voices. You can also help him to adjust to different the volume of noise and not be afraid of loud sounds or disturbances.
Before purchasing an african grey, take into consideration how many hours each day you can devote to him. They require lots of attention, regularly prepared meals, and a clean cage. You may need to employ a bird sitter to look after them while you are away. This is important to reduce stress and unnecessary costs. Many people purchase a parrot only to discover that it isn't the ideal pet for them and they end up having to re-home it. This is extremely stressful for the pet and can cause health problems.