Taking The Time to Bathe Your Parrot
December 10th, 2009Jamieleigh
Parrots need tons of baths, I can’t ever say that enough! As much as they’re willing to take them, you should offer them. While touring around and being on the road, it is hard to find time to jump out and bathe our birds. However, our tent set up has really simplified that. As well as our newer permanent aviary set up since they can get the natural rain from it should they choose to.
But when we didn’t have that set up, I was using our tent and would bring 4 birds at a time into it and bring out the spray bottle. If one bird got into it, the others would more than likely to join in which made the only problem… running out of water!
My camelot macaws, Comet and Tusa, were the first to take a bath once we joined the circus and parked at the Tampa fairgrounds for rehearsals.
Many birds like to drink out of the water/spray bottles and this helps them get into the mood of taking a bath. Not only is natural sunlight a big deal when keeping their plumage healthy, but regular bathing is JUST as important too. You have to make time to give your birds lots of baths to keep them as healthy as possible.
Here are some tips on bathing your bird:
- Birds are more likely to bathe when it’s warm out
- It can get a parrot in the mood to bathe when they hear water running (ie: rain)
- Try different temperatures of water; warm vs. cold as some birds have a specific preference
- I prefer bathing my birds outside when it’s sunny out so they can dry off naturally and in a warmer environment. The wind also helps take unneeded feathers away during the drying off/preening process
- Regular baths help reduce and even cure plucking in some parrots
Hi
I think You forgot to mention using a vaccumcleaner to trigger parrots to have a bath.
Mine does take a bath in their water bowl when I vaccum around their cages.
My cog loves bathing in a tray on the graining board, while the cold tap is running into it. if I turn the tap off she pecks at it until I put it back on.
That should have said draining board. Sorry I pressed the wrng key.
Kick-ass blogpost, great looking blog, added it to my favorites.
I have a 30 year old Blue front amazon Named Henry. He was given to me a year ago tomorrow. He has gone through a lot in the year I have had him. His momma (God rest her soul) was a chain smoker and was diagnosed with cancer so thats how I got him. I taimed him and now he is the biggest love. The only problem I have now is getting him to bathe. He is scared of a spray bottle and isnt very fond of being in the shower with me. I have tried letting him do it himself in the sink but he panicks and tries to climb out. Any suggestions?? Also, off topic, his hips are stuck out, I know its from lack of exercize any suggestions as well?? He is doing wonderful otherwise. He loves being in the car with us. He just had a 16 hour road trip with us and sat on my shoulder the whole time. I love my boy. Any help or suggestions will be greatly appreciated. My e mail is
xleafy_bugx@yahoo.com
Thanks all and merry christmas
Kati
I have a female Solomon Island Eclectus that takes a bath ONLY in her water bowl. No matter what size bowl or other special effects I put in the cage she only uses that. She will also bathe, when I do the first load of laundry in the morning. I read about using the washer when my husband first got her over 6 yrs ago. I used to have the routine of taking both her and my Moluccan in the shower with me in the morning, but I no longer do this cuz I shower at night now & am afraid it is not good to let them sit around wet at night. So now if I could stop the barbering and plucking I would be so happy!!