VET ADVICE

By Ron Woodhead
An article from Agapornis News, the Newsletter of: The African Lovebird and Foreign Parrot Society of Qld Inc.

Cockroach Control ...

There are several safe, effective ways to control cockroaches around aviaries. Pyrethrums are generally safe to use around birds. Remove birds and their food and water dishes before spraying. Do not return the birds to their aviary until the spray has thoroughly dried.

Boric acid is also an effective roach killer. Place lines of boric acid around the outside of the aviary. When the roaches crawl through the powder, they will die. It is safe and non-toxic around birds.

One of the newest products for controlling insects in the aviary is an ant bait containing Ivermectin. Sprinkle these bait granules outside the aviary and wait for the roaches to eat it, which will kill them. Ivermectin is safe for birds (veterinarians use it to treat internal and external parasites), but birds can overdose and die if they receive too much, so don't allow them direct access to the granules. Be sure to read the label and follow directions carefully, no matter which product you use.

Prevent Egg-Binding ...

Before and during the time the bird lays eggs, you must be sure to offer calcium other than just the usual cuttlebone and grit. Serve boiled, dried and crushed egg-shells, cuttlebone you have scraped on to a treat food, and a few drops of liquid calcium for added insurance against the dreaded soft-shelled eggs or egg-binding.

Food and Water Management ... Survey

Food and water bowls are exceptionally prone to contamination as the presence of moisture and organic material such as proteins, sugars and fats provide excellent media for bacteria and fungus cultivation. Warm weather will accelerate growth rates. It is a tribute to the average bird's immune system that it can tolerate the health challenges that field surveys have identified. Water is the number one source of aviary contamination identified to date. Even visibly clean water dishes can be found to carry heavy loads of Eschenchia coli, Klebsiella and Pseudo monas when cultured.

Large psittacines, especially Macaws, Amazons and Conures habitually dunk and leave food in water bowls. This accelerates microbe bloom and can be a persistent source of re-infection for pairs. The problem is further exacerbated if bowls are left under perches or near wire where birds congregate. Re-infection problems can be markedly reduced if water and food bowls are separated by several metres to minimize dunking and are placed either away from perches in recessed feeding chambers or hung above perch level, high on walls. Bowls under cover will also assist greatly in reducing water contamination.

Water sources should be cultured as PVC pipes tend to accumulate and propagate bacteria and algae. This is especially true where such pipes are warmed by the sun. Tap water should be allowed to run one or two minutes before filling bowls. All aspects of the water system should be tested for lead as lead traces can be deadly. Well water should be cultured before use is inaugurated. Sprinkler systems should always be installed above roof level, not inside, as airborne bacteria are a potential source of exposure, as are soaked nest boxes and feed.

Food items that can spoil should be prepared on a daily basis so that the food is fresh each day. Avoid the temptation to prepare large amounts in advance and never use food if you have even the slightest suspicion about its condition. Fruits, vegetables, soft mixes, soaked seed, biscuits and sprouted seeds are all food items that are highly recommended, especially during the breeding season. These foods should be offered as soon after dawn as possible for several reasons.

Birds usually eat as daylight arrives. (They also fill their babies' crops during the two prime periods of early morning and late afternoon.) Temperatures are coolest during these ideal feeding times. In a best case situation, food and water bowls would be emptied and scrubbed within two to four hours after feeding to prevent pathogen growth. This is not practical for most aviculturists, therefore, feeding amounts small enough so that soft foods are totally consumed is an excellent alternative.

Items that require greater caution include egg-food, fats and meat products. Babies receiving bacteria or toxin laden foods are always at high risk.

Food preparation areas and utensils, including blender blades, should be disinfected thoroughly after each use. Never use your hands or empty food bowls to portion out feed or water as this sort of sloppy behaviour can transmit any pathogens that are present. This will defeat the purpose of separate flights. Scoops and ladles should be used in place of your hands. Monitoring these areas via cultures is highly recommended. Used water or food should be disposed of into separate waste buckets.

The same guidelines apply to baby feeding except that even greater attention must be paid to all details to compensate for their poorly developed immune system.

All baby food should be freshly prepared at each meal. Ideally, formulas should be as rich as their gut systems can properly process. Of course, such food acts as an excellent culture medium and pathogens can flourish in it.