FEATHERED FUN - SAFETY FIRST

Toys, toys toys! Birds need them for stimulation and independent play. There are so many bird toys available, it's difficult to make a decision about which and how many to buy. Toys are expensive. Not all are safe, or, some that might be safe for one bird, may not be safe for another.

If your Quaker is very young, it will take some time for you to discover how he or she plays. You may even have to teach your bird how to play with toys. Toys should be size appropriate. The toy fit for a Macaw, may not be suited to a Quaker, or the size might be intimidating. Do you have a bird that likes to chew? Subdued? An acrobat? Certain toys may not be suited for your bird, or only appropriate outside of the cage, under supervision. All in all, you need to know your bird and at the same time, anticipate that your bird can surprise you with behavior outside the ordinary at any time.

Pay particular attention to rope and string toys for fraying. Necks, toes and wings can quickly get caught up in loose and dangling threads and strings. Hanging is one of the greatest dangers and common occurences with bird toys which have rope and/or string and chains as part of their make up. Make sure any possible problem toy hangs next to a perch or close to the ground so the bird has a chance to get his footing and extricate himself if you aren't right there. It's always a good idea to have a towel in a handy location for wrapping a bird that might become hung up in a toy, along with a pair of scissors for freeing up tangles.

What is used to hang or attach a toy, is as important as the toy. Some links, like the one pictured to the left, can be pretty scary if your bird is adept at unscrewing them, or, the screw becomes loosen with play. The curve of the link makes it a perfect fit in the hole under a bird's lower mandible. Make sure the screw is secure and made of stainless steel, or substitute with a more appropriate way to hang or attach the toy. Key rings are known to catch and pinch birds as well. Goofy or plastic links may be safer. If your preference is to use a plastic link, make sure the link is larger than the birds head.

There are lots of toys on the market which target the plucking bird, or the owner who fears their bird might begin to pluck. Many of these toys have hidden dangers, such as feathers which cover filment and thin wiring, or, they may contain hundreds of strings. Strips of clean, white paper woven in cage bars, unwaxed bathroom, or dixie cups, and rolls of white adding machine tape, can offer hours of preening and chewing alternatives. Acrylic and vegatable dyed foot toys, which are easy for Quakers to pick up with beak or foot, are wonderful toys. Any dyed leather should be vegetable dyed as well. Popcicle sticks, the old fashioned wooden clothespins, without the wire "snap" feature, are fun. Untreated, uncoated, natural woven baskets make a great toy holder and play spot.

Avian related products are manufactured and sold for the maufacturer and the seller to make a profit. That does not mean all are necessary or safe for your bird. Impulse buying, be it bird or product, does not allow the buyer to make adequate choices. Taking the time to do some homework first, understanding and recognizing what is healthful and what is harmful, what is necessary and what is unnecessary, allows you to make the best choices for your bird and still remain within a budget you may have set. Make a list of avian supplies you need or want to purchase beforehand. If you are purchasing a bird for the first time, or a specific species for the first time, speak to experienced owners first. Ask them which products and equipment they find essential, useful, and safe. If you are serious about adding a bird to your household, try to purchase and set up the cage well in advance of bringing home the bird. This eliminates being pushed to purchses items that you might not really need. If you already have one or more birds at home and are adding another, setting up the new bird's cage will help prepare your birds for the new arrival.

Some products you may not want to spend your money on:

Sandy and cement perches placed improperly in the cage where they might be overused, may cause sores and orthopedic problems. Some birds tend to chew them, once again, running the risk of crop and digestive impaction. If you must use a sandy or cement perch, it should be used in a location that the bird does not stay in for prolonged persiods. Natural branches or perches of varied size and shape, will work just as well to keep nails trimmed.

Cotton rope perches give cushioning to birdie feet, but must be watched for fraying.

ZINC

All birds require certain amounts of zinc for health. An excess of zinc produces toxicity in birds, which can lead to degeneration in the liver, kidney and pancreas and even death. Zinc is a cumulative poison, not easily eliminated from the body.

There are two types of zinc poisoning: acute and chronic. Acute toxicity is caused when a bird ingests a metallic object containing zinc or flakes of paint which contain zinc pigments.

Chronic toxicity usually occurs when small amounts of zinc are consistently consumed.

Often times, unsafe bird toys, or things used to secure toys, like non stainless steel Quik Links, and metal chains, are the culprit. Or a bird might come in contact with common household objects, such as metal twist ties inadvertantly. Metal twist ties should never be used to secure objects in a cage. Galvanized dishes can also be a cause of zinc poisoning because zinc is soluble in soft water and in acids. Zinc can contaminate water or food and be consumed. In this case, the amount of zinc ingested is constantly being resupplied and causing internal damage to the bird's organs. Zinc rust from galvanized wire can be another cause of zinc poisoning.Examine all toys, dishes, dish holders, and things you might buy to secure objects in cages or on play stands and gyms, carefully, before purchase.

CAGES

Birds can injest flakes of paint. Most cage manufacturers use safe paints and powder coating, but it is very important to ask questions when buying a cage. If you have a cage with chipping paint, you should get the paint flakes tested for toxicity. If it is toxic, then either strip and repaint the cage or replace it. If you choose to repaint a cage, be sure to use paints which are both lead and zinc free. Many anti-rust paints contain zinc.

Hardware cloth is a very poorly made form of galvanized wire and should never be used. Some cages are made with galvanized wire. Galvanized metal which has been electroplated is safe, but galvanized wire (hot dipped) is not. Again, you need to ask plenty of questions when you are purchasing a cage. Toxicity can be reduced, (but NOT eliminated), by scrubbing the wire with a brush and vinegar or a mild acidic solution. This removes any loose pieces and the white rust (zinc oxide) which forms on the wire. Over time more white rust which is also poisonous will form, so enclosures must be re-treated periodically. It's best to avoid purchasing galvanized cages. The above should be seriously considered if you are toying with the idea of constructing your own cage.

OTHER SOURCES OF ZINC

SYMPTOMS OF ZINC POISONING

Common signs of zinc poisoning include: excessive urine in feces (polyuria), gastrointestinal problems, polydipsia, weight loss, weakness, anemia, cyanosis, hyperglycemia and seizures. Feather plucking has also been a reported symptom.

Birds with Acute zinc toxicity usually demonstate lethargy, weight loss, greenish diarrhia, loss of balance. Chronic zinc toxicity symptoms include intermittent lethargy, dysphagia and depression.

If you suspect your bird may have zinc poisioning, take the bird immediately to a veterinarian. The vet should perform a blood serum test which measures the level of zinc in the blood. Treatment will vary according to the degree of poisoning and vet.