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THE OTIS "ONE" FUND





Information presented on the QPSerc pages is gathered from avian articles, books, reference materials, and the result of extensive discussion with Quaker owners, breeders, researchers, behaviorists, and avian veterinarians . It is not intended to replace the valuable information which your personal avian veterinarian shares with you.

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Our companion Quakers are kept in our environment, which means they come in contact with dirt, dust, pollution, and a drier environment. All these environmental factors can affect their feathers adversely and may inhibit good preening results. One way to promote good feathering is to give your Quaker frequent showers or baths, as well as to provide plenty of pure and clean water for them to drink.


Tap water, well water, distilled water, filtered water....how is one to choose which is best for their Quaker?

If your water source is tap or well water, have your water tested to ensure its purity and to test for an abundance of coliform and iron. Coliform is a group of bacteria commonly found in the intestinal tract of mammals, that may cause disease in birds. If too much iron content is present, hemochromatosis, or iron storage disease, may be a concern for those birds who might be predisposed to the disease. (Read more about hemochromatosis and the OTIS ONE FUND). Remember, your bird will be drinking as well as bathing in the water you supply, ingesting any residue left on its feathers when preening after bathing.

Distilled water has all mineral content removed, leaving it very flat tasting. As an alternative to distilled water, or tap and well waters that may be suspect, water can be filtered, or bottled spring water, purchased.

Water cleanses a bird's system just as it does for humans. An abrupt change in water source may be shocking to a bird. When you are getting a new bird, bring a clean receptacle with you and ask the breeder, store, or previous owner to fill the receptacle with the water that the bird has been drinking to date, if the water is other than bottled. The water that the bird is used to can be mixed with the water that you will be supplying, proportionately, each day, slowly acclimating the bird to the new water.

WATER FILTERS, FAUCETS, & PIPES

There are a variety of water filters available. Filters can be placed in water tanks, on sinks, or might be small, pitcher-like units which you pour water into and it is then filtered. Price is determined by the type and size of the filtering system.

Brass tubing in older faucets may absorb lead. Although many faucet manufacturers are addressing this issue, it is suggested that you allow water to run through older faucets for several seconds before utilizing the water.

Elevated copper levels resulting from older copper piping can cause health concerns for both you and your bird. If your water source is filtered, but then lays in copper piping before use, elevated copper levels may be present by the time you drink it. Over time,Copper piping causes unsanitary buildup of scale. Although copper is an essential nutrient which is required by humans and animals in very small amounts, the EPA has found copper to potentially cause stomach and intestinal distress, liver and kidney damage and anemia effects when people are overexposed to it, even for relatively short periods of time. If your home is equipped with copper piping, (usually in older homes), you may want to consider a filtering system which filters the water at the faucet, or after it flows from the faucet.

WATER BOWLS/DISHES vs WATER BOTTLES

The choice to use a water bowl or water bottle for your Quaker's drinking water is up to you. Water offered in a water bowl or dish, must be changed frequently. Many Quakers enjoy dunking their food in water before eating, or like to make "birdie soup" just for the fun of it. Poop does land in open water bowls and dishes. Water bowls and dishes can be dumped or knocked over if your bird is inquisitive and clever. Many birds like to bathe in their drinking water. Another downside of using water bowls or dishes is that one of the most common health problems that veterinarians encounter in birds is bacterial infection. The most common source for infection is the water bowl. Doubling time for many bacteria is 2-3 hours. This means that when you put a clean water dish in the cage at 9:00 AM, by 1:00 PM there is enough bacteria growing in the water to potentially cause illness, even in a healthy bird. If your schedule does not allow time for frequent water checks and changes, and if you are concerned with sanitary issues, you may want to consider using a water bottle, rather than a water bowl or dish.

If you are purchasing a water bottle, there are some things to consider. The downside of water bottles is possible deprivation of water. The most common reason for this happening is due to a water bottle malfunctioning. If the delivery tube's ball sticks, or if a bird stuffs an object into the tube, effectively blocking it, a bird will be deprived of water.

Delivery tube size should be Quaker beak size appropriate. The bottle should be easy to remove from the outside of the cage and easily cleaned. A Quaker can chew through plastic, so a glass water bottle, located outside the cage, with the tubing in the cage, may be best. If you cannot easily clean a bottle, or you do not change the water in the bottle daily, there is little difference in sanitation between dish, bowl, or bottle.

Whether you choose to use water bottles, bowls, or dishes, all have to be cleaned and scrubbed frequently. Mineral deposits and buildup, particularly calcium and lime, can begin forming on bottoms and in corners of bowls and dishes, and can clog tubes and bottle balls. A good soak in vinegar, followed by a good rinse, will rid the receptacle of calcium and lime deposits.

When putting a bottle on your bird�s cage, mount it above a perch the height of your bird�s head. Be sure to fill the bottle completely to prevent leaking. One or two drops will escape to form the vacuum initially

THE SWITCH FROM BOWL TO BOTTLE

Quakers are very intelligent. Showing your Quaker where the bottle is in the cage will be enough to get them to switch. Tap the little ball on the end of the drinking tube while your bird is watching. The noise and bubbles will make your bird curious. When your bird beaks the ball, water will come out and that should be that! If you are concerned about their water intake until you can clearly see they are utilizing the bottle, repeat demonstrating the bottle to your bird often. Nearly all birds will drink during the first day.