Herp Owners - Exotic Pets - Take a Stand!

Just in the United States, this figure does not include the rest of the world; 1.6 billion dollars is spent on exotic pets each year. I did not mistype that, that was a billion plus a whole lot more. One huge representation of the exotic pet industry is lizards, snakes, amphibians, frogs, and turtles. I don't spend a great deal of time discussing this very important part of the exotic pet industry because BellaOnline should have a reptile and amphibian editor. I am both the exotic pets editor and bird editor and I know how many thousands of people that come to me each month for advice. We need someone that cares enough for these beautiful creatures to do for reptiles and amphibians that I do for exotic pets and birds. Help educate and inform the public. Especially, before someone decides to acquire an animal they know little about. Read of the rest of the article Herp Owners - Exotic Pets - Take a Stand!My Ferret Book Guides and Exotic Pet Books Guides

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Guide to Cockatiels

Cockatiel Care

The endearing little cockatiel, the little heckler, which can tug at each and every one of your heartstrings! Once the cockatiel bird learns to wolf whistle, you will hear it all day.

A serious concern I have of cockatiel owners is if a cockatiel is capable of living for 30 years, why is the average lifespan of this companion pet so short? It seems like we all need to learn a great deal about nutrition and safety issues when it comes to the cockatiel. Breeders, as well as pet owners, need to become far more responsible in the care management of the cockatiel.

The coloration of wild cockatiels is the normal gray. There are many color mutations bred into the cockatiel, to name a few, Lutino, Fallow, Whiteface, Pastelface, Cinnamon, Pearl, Pied, Olive, and Silver.

Your New Cockatiel

If you are purchasing your first bird, have the equipment ready first. Make sure you have located an avian veterinarian before making a purchase. If you already own a bird, make sure you quarantine the new arrival for at least 8 weeks before you introduce the new bird to the existing birds. Birds have a strong tendency to hide illness since it makes them appear weak in the wild. Have your vet that deals with avian health look your pet over before introducing him to the other birds.

Find and locate several sources of cockatiel breeders. Check them all out. Make sure you are purchasing from healthy stock.

Look over your selection carefully as well as the surrounding birds. Are they chipper and responsive? Do they have bright clear eyes? Look at the vent area, is it clean? Are they all fluffed up and unhealthy looking? Look at the droppings at the bottom of the cage; do the feces look normal?

When you get your bird to its new house put it in the new cage and let it alone just softly speak and coo to the cockatiel, it will adjust to you and your voice helping the taming process. Use a calm voice. If you run out of things to say, you can always read stories or poetry to the cockatiel! Do not try to handle it for the first few days. Limit the initial play periods to 15 minutes with long intervals of rest in-between play periods. Obtain a book on taming and training. You will need to finger tame it and teach it the up command. Cockatiels are not great talkers but can learn a few words and phrases. Some cockatiels are better talkers than other cockatiels.

The pet cockatiel will live an average of 11-18 years with many cockatiels living to their 20's and 30'. Why the big difference for cockatiel age? How they are raised, genetics plays a small part, diet, and safety. Many cockatiels die from accidents that could have been avoided. The dangers we didn't see!

Cockatiel Food - Cockatiel Requirements

Cockatiel Housing: Cockatiel Cages and Cockatiel Accessories

The cage wires should be a thick wire and run horizontally. Cockatiels enjoy climbing up their cage. The wire should be spaced from 5/8th to 3/4 inch. Any bigger poses a safety risk. Their little heads can get stuck. Make sure the color coating is non-toxic.

The cockatiel will enjoy a playpen on top of its cage or a separate playpen.

Make sure the cage is not in a drafty area. Cockatiels need light but do not put the cage in direct sunlight, if no light is available from natural sunlight, supply a full-spectrum artificial light. They do need 12 hours of darkness so that their internal clock isn’t confused. They will stress, get sick, and possibly die. The cockatiel is in an area with the rest of the family, however, use a cage cover at night. (Cockatiels have a very advanced social structure and should be among their human family in the room they frequent the most.)

Make sure the cage is in a well-ventilated area. Fumes are especially hazardous to all birds. Teflon coated pans emit a deadly vapor when the pan gets too hot. Since it is not possible to know precisely where the overheating point is. I never have, nor would I ever use Teflon coated pans around my parrots. Many products are Teflon coated including, some varieties of heat lamps. Don't use sprays such as air fresheners or other contaminants in the air the bird can getting into their lungs. This includes scented candles.

There should be perches with varying diameters. The different sizes offered are beneficial to the health of the cockatiels feet. Natural tree branches work very well too. Be careful not to use any trees or plants that are toxic or poisonous. Branches that make safe perches are apple, ash, almond, apricot, peach, maple, and elm. If you live in a colder area as I do you may want to consider a Thermo Perch, at least for small birds.

Avian water bottles are significant in that the bird’s excrement does not contaminate the water. Make sure the bird has learned to use the bottle before removing the water dish. He or she will also need food dishes. One dish is for seed and one for fresh foods. Be sure to remove the fresh food after a short period so that the food doesn’t spoil. Keep the cage cleaned. It must be cleaned every day. The cage should be disinfected regularly (weekly). Make sure the cage it is dried and aired out before returning the bird to the cage. A drop through wire cage is the best. Make sure the food and water are changed daily (filtered water).

Dietary Requirements

Cockatiels need calcium. Provide the cockatiel with a cuttlefish bone (cuttlebone). At one time it was thought that just seed was good enough for birds. This is not true at all. Protein is important. Provide a good avian vitamin/mineral supplement. Please remember to follow the instructions. More is not better.

Some pet manufacturers have formulated well-balanced pellets. Many manufacturers have begun offering fortified seed mixes that include the other foods that they need. Dried fruits, vegetables, vitamins, and concentrated food supplements. You should supplement other foods for nutrition and variety after all the same old diet every day is boring for birds too. Supplement healthy people’s food. Serve your birds bean mixes and ready-made bird bread. A good diet helps the bird resist infection and they are stronger and healthier.

Health Management

You must take care of a bird’s wings and feet. Keep the toenails cut. If you cut too close use Clotisol - blood clotting agent.

Cockatiels are very strong flyers. You should trim their wings. Even trimming their wings only slows them down. When clipping the wings be careful to watch for new growth or blood feathers. If you do cut one, the remaining part of the feather will act as a straw and siphon blood. This can cause them to bleed to death. Grab a pair of pliers and pull the entire feather out quickly. If you are unconformable, clipping wings for the first time have your avian vet do so, showing you how to do the clipping. If you do decide against clipping wings make sure you cockatiel is in a safe location. Somewhere where he can't get outside, fly into a boiling pan of water, get a hold of a poisonous plant, get mutilated by a ceiling fan, and dozens of other possible dangers, the worst being, the ones we haven't thought of!

Birds will hide their illness. Birds that are ill in the wild become easy prey to predators. It is difficult without watching your bird very carefully, every day for any signs that something could be wrong.

Safety issues are a great concern for your pet. There are many hazards in your home you might not recognize as a hazard. Watch your pet's access to ceiling fans, hot boiling water, or oil on the stove, toxic houseplants, chocolate, and cedar. I have just mentioned a short sampling of the dangers in a common house.

Summary

Cockatiels are wonderful, entertaining, delightful animals. They are a wonderful choice for most families. People that do not have a great deal of space, a bird could be a perfect pet. Please research before purchasing. After all, we want these little birds to survive as much of the thirty years that they are capable of living. Learn all you can about the cockatiel before you venture into this friendship. Above all else enjoy your pet cockatiel.

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Fainting Goats

The television show MythBusters, from the Discovery Channel, were evidently skeptical that fainting goats were in fact real. Yes, the Tennessee Fainting Goats did prove to be real. Fainting goats aren't just from Tennessee. They are a smaller breed of goat that many people have as exotic pets or raise to harvest cashmere hair or raise as dairy or meat goats.

Believe me, plenty of people adore fainting goats or plain old run of the mill goats as exotic pets. I know that I have enjoyed goats as pets for many years. They are fun and have a delightful personality. I have found goats to be intelligent and friendly. Though, you can find a male or buck to be rather smelly and maybe not so friendly.

MythBusters took on to prove or disprove the myth when YouTube videos of the goat's fainting went viral. Just why are people so fascinated when goat legs (leg muscles) goes stiff, and the poor thing falls over? They don't, in fact, faint but they do have a disease called myotonia congenita. This disease affects the muscles. Myotonia congenita is a disease that can be passed down to other generations, or an inherited disease. If Myth Busters proved it to be true, it's got to be true! Truly, the condition has been studied a great deal, it is real, but there is much to be learned. Humans and many other animals can get myotonia congenita.

The goat can become startled, the muscle stiffens, and the goat falls over on its side. The effects are short-lived, and the little guy is up and moving around again. You'll get the general idea by watching this short YouTube video by National Geographic Fainting Goats Fainting Goat

Fainting Goat Video

Tennessee Fainting Goats are also known as Stiff-leg Goats, Myotonic Goats, Wooden-leg Goats, faint goats, or Nervous Goats. I am sure these critters have known a few other names.

I know for a fact, if you have enough space, knowledge, (money) goats can make great pets for the right people. Goats need to be protected from predators, fainting goats even more so. If you have a comment, I would love to hear from you.

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Bird Intelligence - Training Birds

Training Birds

The parrot - the bird is much more intelligent than many people suspected; numerous tests have recently been conducted to prove just that. These tests have also proven many birds are capable of communication, not just imitation. It is up to us to provide the tools to develop these abilities. Training your pet bird, developing bird intelligence, teaching your bird to talk also falls under the ever so important socialization.

Providing your bird with social interaction, activities, and play stimuli lead to a mentally healthy and happy bird. When a bird is not satisfied, they can develop unacceptable behaviors such as constant squawking. Some squawking is normal bird behavior. Unhappy and unhealthy birds may also resort to feather plucking, often because of boredom.

There should be no reason why your bird should have behavioral problems as long as they have enough socialization, are physically and mentally healthy, have plenty of time to spend outside of their cage, toys to engage their intellect, and toys that reduce stress.

Your birds don't need the anxiety of angry human drama. Keep arguments away from your birds. They can pick up on your emotions very easily, and it causes distress. Distress lowers the immune system, and you could ultimately end up with a very sick and unhappy bird.

If you are providing all these things, and they display behaviors such as feather plucking or constant squawking, it is time for a complete physical by an avian veterinarian.

If our human kids had nothing but educational toys they would become unhappy just as a parrot would. They need diversity and also something to help with over anxiousness. My birds will spend hours fiddling with blocks, pulling at the strings, and working at knots. These types of toys are some of the best for stress reduction.

Working with, instead of against your bird's natural instincts will go a long way to having a happy parrot. Birds spend a great deal of time working at seeds and nuts, trying to figure out the ultimate puzzle of obtaining their prize.

Look for toys that are non-toxic, with sturdy construction. Many of these toys are a puzzle with a nut or other goodie hidden inside. They have to go through quite of a bit of trial and error, to get at the treat inside the toy. Pick toys suitable for your bird's size and species.

You can also develop their skills and provide socialization by talking to them. Also, parrots love music and sound. Play music and movie DVDs. There will be times when your parrot is alone; it will help them pass the time until you come home. Refrain from loud music and heavy bass.

To allow your bird's intelligence to fully develop they need to use deduction, reason, and observation. They need a wide diversity of activities to keep them motivated. They need a variety of toys to play with, so rotate the toys frequently. Most importantly, they need frequent interaction with their owners and plenty of love.

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Warning Exotic Pet Owners - You're being Watched

Exotic pets in the news! Websites such as Craigslist are being observed by authorities for illegal exotic pets and sales. Not only illegal sales but also people posting pictures of themselves with their exotic pets. I don't endorse illegal exotic animal sales it brings nothing but heartache. Animals are confiscated and usually destroyed.

I certainly don't approve of people making money off of exotic animals using illegal sales. Using internet sites to sell illegally to people, People that have no knowledge of how to care for these unusual animals. These animals end up suffering, dying, being mishandled, abused, or being abandoned; released into the environment creating extreme situations of throwing off nature's balance. If you make a stupid mistake by buying an exotic pet or exotic pets and you suddenly find out their not the cute little infant you expected them to be. Feeding them is much more expensive than you expected and they smell. These animals are not to be "released into the wild" it's wrong. The animal has little chance of survival the exotic pet was born domestically. It endangers the native wildlife, can endanger children, adults, other pets which are seen as a food source. Find a rescue that will care for the animal! Rescues are filling to capacity because of people that don't think before they purchase! Merchants that want the almighty dollar instead of having the animals welfare at heart.

Face it, these illegal sales are only for people to profit and has nothing to do with the love of animals. If you do legally sell exotic pets, make sure you educate your customer on proper animal care in advance of handing the animal to the potential owner.

Potential customers - if you are looking for an exotic pet that you saw on TV, or at a friend's house, wherever - learn every possible thing you can about this animal before you purchase or acquire the animal. Find a veterinarian to take care of the animal's medical needs before acquiring the animals. Make sure you can afford to provide for this animal's needs, including veterinarian needs! Make sure you have everything the animal will need in advance of bringing the animal home.

I hate to see exotic pet laws growing more limiting or stopping the sales entirely, but if everyone would be responsible exotic pet owners, the laws would never be necessary - would they? For 100 people that take good care of their pets, there is one person that abuses their pet. I am certainly for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, but not if it means that animals are going to suffer.

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Goji Berry - Super Food

Most Nutritious Food for your Exotic Pets or Birds

The Goji berry or Wolfberry a highly nutritious plant where everything is edible. There is no waste in this very healthy food; both the berry and the leaves can be eaten raw, cooked or brewed as a tea. The berries can be eaten fresh or dehydrated. The berries and the edible leaves are an excellent source of nutrition for humans, exotic pets that are herbivores or omnivores. The Goji is also great for birds. The Goji berry is a Lycium fruit. The newer leaves and tender shoots make a wonderful salad, more nutritious than any other green you can grow or buy.

The Goji has been a huge part of traditional Asian medicine since ancient times. The Chinese call it Gouqizi. The first known publications were as early as 100 A.D. The Goji is also known as the wolfberry, matrimony vine, Duke of Argyll's Tea Tree or Lycium barbarum. I began experimenting with the Goji plants at the beginning of this growing season. They are easily ten feet high and are branching out all over the place. Though I hadn't expected berries until early fall it began fruiting a couple of months ago. It is a beautiful plant. My concern at this point will be overwintering in South Dakota. I am hoping it survives that harsh winter and fruits next year. I will be supplying both dehydrated berries and leaves next year if the little fellows survive the winter. I would love to be picking and dehydrating this year except I can't bend or twist because of my very recent spine surgery.

"The Goji berry is over 15% protein, has 21 essential minerals and 18 amino acids as well as Lycium barbarum polysaccharides as well as more antioxidants carotenoids than found in any other food." http://www.phoenixforagingrolls.com/Organic-Goji-Berries-020.htm.

They have essential fatty acids, carotenoids, six essential vitamins including a very high amount of vitamin C, calcium, riboflavin, potassium, selenium, Beta Carotene, and many other nutritional values. Lycii Fructus or Lycium fruit is the pharmacological name or reference.

For those watching or restricting their salt or sodium intake, the Goji only has 75 milligrams in 28 grams of dried goji and it is a natural salt like a tomato would have.

One concern is the high amount of iron, please use in moderation especially for birds. Don't go overboard with the iron content. But, as with most anything moderation is the key. Nine mg of iron per 100 grams of dried berries.

Humans can add the berries and leaves to most anything. They taste wonderful, and the nutritional quality is beyond anything else. Consider loads of protein for a plant type food!!!

The taste of the fresh berry is said to be a cross between a strawberry, raspberry, and cranberry. I personally haven't decided what it tastes like yet, though it does taste good! It is not overly sweet (not a ton of natural sugar like many fruits) so blends well with most anything.

Add it to your bird or parrots food as well as your herbivores or omnivores exotic pets.

Keep the Veterinarian and the doctor away! Get your immune system ready for winter.

Goji berry image or goji berry picture (our plants)

Goji blossom, goji plant (beautiful purple blossoms)

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Broken Hearts - Death and Dying - Exotic Pets

The last couple of weeks were weeks of broken hearts. People I love dearly that have lost their companions. My charming cousin lost his dog of many years, his companion, his compadre, in this case, the meaning of the word compadre being a special relationship between two good friends. Another close relative who came very close to losing a pet; going through the frightening process of a serious infection needing immediate surgery. I also lost Cedramoon. She was one of the sweetest ferrets I have ever had. I knew the day would come that they would all continue on to where sweet souls go but I didn't expect them to go so close together. Many of my friends on Facebook lost their dear sweet pets in the last couple of weeks. These are the people I know personally, each loss has left a crack in my heart. I wonder about the billions of people I don't know that are hurting. I know these pets were loved.

One of the dear people that lost their dog is a relative that I was finally fortunate to meet in person. I have a tremendous amount of respect for this person. He lost his companion; a beautiful and sweet dog that was his buddy through thousands of miles of travel. Through our one personal meeting at my folk's house many years ago, and online correspondence I grew to love this special soul.

Another relative had adopted a tripod dog, While they were on a short vacation the dog developed an infection in his stump (where the fourth leg had been). There were many terrifying moments turning to days until they knew the dog was going to survive the infection. The dog is recovering nicely. This beautiful dog also demonstrates the ability to overcome the serious obstacle of not having one limb. The situation also shows the devotion she was willing to give to a living being while others would of either never adopted this marvelous dogs, to begin with, or ever considered paying the expense to save the dog.

As I have clarified in the past I have had several "groups" of ferrets. They lived to ripe old ages. My last three ferrets were no doubt in their golden years. Not long ago Missy, the oldest ferret past away. A week or so ago Cedramoon passed away. We had just brought the ferrets back to their cage. They had been in their playroom. Suddenly she seems to lose all strength and she just died. I don't even mean in a few minutes it was very sudden.

Now all that is left is Quinn. Quinn is the ferret that is on the cover of my ferret book, Ferrets: A Complete Guide. She is watching me now, and I know she is lonely. When I finish my work we will go play. She is getting up there in years. It wouldn't be right to bring a kit in just to keep Quinn company. I am going through major surgery after surgery, three major spine surgeries in less than two years. It isn't easy for me to properly take care of the animals. The cage scrubbing and disinfecting. It would be wrong of me to bring more animals into our family at this time. I am not physically able to care for more animals or am I financially able to care for more animals.

The loss of these sweet gentle souls is difficult, painful beyond belief. However, I couldn't imagine having the experience. The love and joy they have given me. They have enriched my life beyond any descriptive word I could use. I know in my heart I will see my animals again someday. For I know that our life force is within and then upon death goes back home, home to all the living beings that once lived as a physical being.

My sweet niece and grandniece I am so thankful Cooper came through with flying colors. My love and thoughts are always with you.

Rest in peace dear sweet souls you will be greatly missed.

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