U.V lighting?

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U.V lighting?; (long - sorry)
Topic Started: May 19 2011, 06:35 PM (937 Views)
genie04	May 19 2011, 06:35 PM Post #1
Newbie Posts: 25 Group: Full Members Member #3,297 Joined: October 20, 2010 How many Parrotlets do you have one male What types celestial What colours green I live in UK	Hello all, Unfortunately, I lost my first parrotlet last Monday. I am still reeling from it. I bought him from a pet shop chain at ( allegedly ) 11 weeks of age. He was practically wild and took me and my daughter weeks and months of hand taming him ( mostly by clicker training ). He eventually came round and was the most wonderful character. He was just over three years old. The symptoms he had all pointed to calcium deficiency and I started giving him Vionate in his food, but alas it was all too late. He has always been a picky bird and the pet shop only advised us to feed him on cockatiel feed. I knew this couldn't be right, so always tried to vary his diet. Seed must have featured too much in his diet. He always had cuttlefish available but I've since learned parrots often just crumble this rather than ingest it. The pet shop did not advise us to use a U.V light. Because I've been resarching this for a couple of weeks I now fear that a lack of calcium plus not enough natural light ( bearing in mind the long dark winter we've just gone through too )...I've basically killed my beautiful bird and I'm finding it difficult to deal with. I may aquire another parrotlet....I'm not sure yet, this is all still raw. BUT, IF I do get another one, I will be making sure nothing will go wrong. I didn't realise that keeping captive birds was quite such the science that it is. I've kept animals all my life and I'm a dog trainer and have worked closely in animal welfare....so how I could have been so complacent about this little chap I shall never know ( not that I felt as if I was...I THOUGHT I was doing all the right things ).... I have been advised to get the Arcadia lighting system for any new parrotlet. What are everyone's thoughts on U.V lighting...Is there any possibility that extra lighting can be harmful? ( I have read about the flickering effect and the need to get the right ballast??) Also, can you say whether you need to be careful with supplements when using U.V light? I may be posting alot in other sections, so apologies in advance for 'pestering'. Many thanks Genie04 Edited by genie04, May 19 2011, 06:39 PM.



kevinp	May 20 2011, 10:43 AM Post #2
Administrator Posts: 6,909 Group: Admin Member #1 Joined: October 7, 2006 How many Parrotlets do you have I have one Parrotlet What types Celestials What colours One green Other Birds ? Budgeries four off I live in a mess of my own making !!! My name is I'll give you a clue	Sorry to hear of your loss but I doubt that that not having a uv light was an issue I dont have one and none of mine have been effected by this. The thing to remember is that sometimes these birds just die for no reason, they can mask an illness for a long time before it shows and by then it is too late. Mine is feed on cockatiel mix, millet and he likes the seeds out of peppers he has apple some times and broccoli



genie04	May 20 2011, 11:02 AM Post #3
Newbie Posts: 25 Group: Full Members Member #3,297 Joined: October 20, 2010 How many Parrotlets do you have one male What types celestial What colours green I live in UK	thanks for the reply Kevin. Have you had your parrotlet for long?........I can't get over the guilt because I feel it was all my fault....I didn't expect to lose him so early on. It's just that I've read so much about the importance of diet and lighting....and knowing both of those things weren't provided completely....he wouldnt always eat other things apart from seed and no light, so I can only imagine that there is a strong possibility this had something to do with it ( even though there is some chance it might not have done ).



bakewell	May 20 2011, 05:05 PM Post #4
staff member Posts: 2,243 Group: Staff Member #3,272 Joined: August 12, 2010 How many Parrotlets do you have 24 What types 14 green-rumps, 6 Spectacleds , 4 celestials What colours Greens, whites, blues Other Birds ? 1 Lorikeets, 2 Nyasa Lb's, 7 mountain parakeets, 2 plumheads, 2 crimson b'conure, 2 Maddies, finches I live in Wales <3 My name is Hayley	Aww it's so sad when we loose a loved one :( I know there is alot of debate about lighting, I have a green rump cock who I had valentines 2006 but all my others are younger than 2008. What symptoms did they bird show? Parrotlets are sooo fragile so many things can go wrong. I saw a light spectrum in this months parrot mag looked pretty cool! Also you could consider vitamin supliment? I give mine a water calcium mix ( has other vits too but cAn't remeber what it's called off the top of me head) because not all my birds will take the cuttlefish. And my breeding birds get breedmax, it's just to give them main nutrients when breeding, rearing etc etc. There are alot petshops don't do with birds, that's why I go to privte breeders ( plus petshops charge way too much!) and try to fob you off on any old junk. They make me laught when I go in there asking basic questions, like trying to convince me a blue parrotlet ( cometely bold head!) was a hen when the rump and underwings were a violet blue!! Sorry back to the lighting, Im not sure what I think of this one yet. Like I said I would like to learn more! But is it something basic vits could also help with? Ps always try and give p'lets more than seed! This could be a possibility. And how much sunflower seed. These can make the little critters overweight!



genie04	May 20 2011, 07:23 PM Post #5
Newbie Posts: 25 Group: Full Members Member #3,297 Joined: October 20, 2010 How many Parrotlets do you have one male What types celestial What colours green I live in UK	thanks bakewell. I didn't give supplments until my little bird was already showing signs of being poorly. He was 'wobbling' and seemd un co-ordinated and he kept falling asleep alot ( I now know this was probably seizures ). The pet shop staff didn't say about supplements, but for th last few days my parrotlet got Vionate on soft food ( cous cous ). I'd like another bird, even though I can't stop crying about this one....but I'm terrified of losing another one and I cn't get over the fact that this was all my fault and my bird suffered because I didn't look into things sooner..... I would never buy from a pet shop again. I had never even heard of parrolets before I saw them in our local store...and we'd never owned a pet bird before ( though my grandad bred budgies, before I was born ). We were really taken with them...saw them, went away and slpet on it - then went and bought one the following day. They agreed to hold onto him for a few days and we went off and bought a big cage and loads of toys and other things he would need. But the pet shop staff really knew nothing about the birds at all. If I have another parrotlet I am hopefully having one from Tracy-Ann at Wildheart pets...( a blue one ). She did say there was no point giving supplments without lighting as they need the U.V light to synthesise the vitamins and minerals and I think I am going to go with this advice, so I will be purchasing a light unit from her at the same time as the bird.... thanks for your replies....it is helping me as I feel so rubbish about losing my poor bird...he has left a massive gap in our lives. Normally he'd be flying around now or sitting on my shoulder or on the arm of the chair trying to sneakily pull the buttons off the remote control ! I think because he had a 'voice' it made it so much harder...he knew several wors and phrases - it's worse than losing a cat or a dog somehow ( and I've lost a few of those from old age over the years ).



bakewell	May 20 2011, 08:44 PM Post #6
staff member Posts: 2,243 Group: Staff Member #3,272 Joined: August 12, 2010 How many Parrotlets do you have 24 What types 14 green-rumps, 6 Spectacleds , 4 celestials What colours Greens, whites, blues Other Birds ? 1 Lorikeets, 2 Nyasa Lb's, 7 mountain parakeets, 2 plumheads, 2 crimson b'conure, 2 Maddies, finches I live in Wales <3 My name is Hayley	So your from souh wales too!!?? To he honest Id by the light set up online, petshops will try and sell you loads of crap you don't really need ( anything to get some � � � in their tills lol!!) I'm gonna look on eBay! They have loads of good petshops on there! And alot cheaper than the shops!!!)



bakewell	May 20 2011, 08:47 PM Post #7
staff member Posts: 2,243 Group: Staff Member #3,272 Joined: August 12, 2010 How many Parrotlets do you have 24 What types 14 green-rumps, 6 Spectacleds , 4 celestials What colours Greens, whites, blues Other Birds ? 1 Lorikeets, 2 Nyasa Lb's, 7 mountain parakeets, 2 plumheads, 2 crimson b'conure, 2 Maddies, finches I live in Wales <3 My name is Hayley	Hope you feel :) soon! When will you be getting the Parrotlet.?



genie04	May 20 2011, 10:01 PM Post #8
Newbie Posts: 25 Group: Full Members Member #3,297 Joined: October 20, 2010 How many Parrotlets do you have one male What types celestial What colours green I live in UK	Not sure when, or if we'll get another parrotlet to be honest. Do you think that Wildheart pets wouls overcharge for the U.V light?. I thought it sounded reasonable (�70) for the whole unit ( Arcadia )...I wouldn't want to end up with a sub standard piece of equipment and I hear that Wildheart Pets have a very good reputation. The only thing is, I was thinking of maybe not even having a parrotlet...because there'll never be anoher Oscar. I have been looking today at the possibility of indian ring necked parrakeets...........not sure yet though? I'm not in south wlaes, but quite near....worcestershire.



LauraR	May 21 2011, 01:29 AM Post #9
Staff Member Posts: 6,504 Group: Staff Member #78 Joined: April 7, 2007 How many Parrotlets do you have 1 What types Pacific What colours Blue Pied Other Birds ? 2 Conures I live in California, USA	Indian Ringnecks are great birds but I've heard they're difficult to keep tame. Maybe someone else can weigh in on this...... What about a Conure? They're fun birds.



bakewell	May 21 2011, 10:02 AM Post #10
staff member Posts: 2,243 Group: Staff Member #3,272 Joined: August 12, 2010 How many Parrotlets do you have 24 What types 14 green-rumps, 6 Spectacleds , 4 celestials What colours Greens, whites, blues Other Birds ? 1 Lorikeets, 2 Nyasa Lb's, 7 mountain parakeets, 2 plumheads, 2 crimson b'conure, 2 Maddies, finches I live in Wales <3 My name is Hayley	You have had good experience with birds a conure would be ideal if you were sensetive about getting a parrotlet ( or you could get a parrotlet a different colour to the one you had) conures are adorable, I love my crimsies <3 there not tame but there are in my top 5 in parrots!



genie04	May 21 2011, 12:39 PM Post #11
Newbie Posts: 25 Group: Full Members Member #3,297 Joined: October 20, 2010 How many Parrotlets do you have one male What types celestial What colours green I live in UK	thanks, I'v looked at conures and they might fit the bill as they could go in the large cage we have which isn't a heavy one, but I rad somewhere they didn't need the heavvier cages that larger parrots need. Can two live together? Are the green cheeked ones quieter?...there is a breeder in cheshire I looked at his website and he said they were the 'quiet' conures. I've had a quick look and there seem to be loads of different types of conures. About how much would I expect to pay ( for a hand reared bird ) and could anyone recommend a breeder close to the Midlands?



scooby	May 21 2011, 12:54 PM Post #12
Admin Posts: 4,492 Group: Full Members Member #1,461 Joined: December 10, 2007 How many Parrotlets do you have 7 What types celestial What colours 3 green, 1 blue, 1 pastel blue,1 yellow, 1 albino Other Birds ? Meyers parrot, Gcc ,blue fischer lovebird,2 fischer lovebirds,2 mountain parakeet,2 budgies I live in York My name is Jacqueline ( jackie for short)	I have a gcc conure i got him from a breedeer he was hand reared and he is a darling so sweet he is a right clown i paid �175 for kermit



bakewell	May 21 2011, 01:21 PM Post #13
staff member Posts: 2,243 Group: Staff Member #3,272 Joined: August 12, 2010 How many Parrotlets do you have 24 What types 14 green-rumps, 6 Spectacleds , 4 celestials What colours Greens, whites, blues Other Birds ? 1 Lorikeets, 2 Nyasa Lb's, 7 mountain parakeets, 2 plumheads, 2 crimson b'conure, 2 Maddies, finches I live in Wales <3 My name is Hayley	If you want 'quieter' ... if there is such a word LOL! then don't go for the Aratinga, The Pyrrhura's are the not so offensive in the noise department! Green cheeks are readily available, I know a lady who Hand rears them and they are just adorable, and she loves them so much. It must be sad to part with them! Cost it just depends on what conure you want. I guess some examples Sun conure ( this is an aratinga BTW!!) �300-325 Patagonians anot �120-200 these too make great pets!!! Green cheeks �125-200 (depending on what mutation!) Blue crowned conure �250 (aratinga)



theexbrit	May 21 2011, 06:25 PM Post #14
Co Admin Posts: 4,144 Group: Co Admin Member #74 Joined: March 20, 2007 How many Parrotlets do you have 3 What types Pacifics What colours Green, pied Other Birds ? 2 Conures - Crimson Bellied & Green Cheeked I live in So. California My name is Andy	Conures are very social birds & can usually be put together & even with other birds, we have a green check female & crimson belly male that have separate cages but are usually together most of the day. They get on fine & are not even bothered by our parrotlets when they are around. We never actually put the p'lets with the conures, but the conures mostly ignore the p'lets when they are on our shoulder near the conures cages, etc. As Bakewell said, the symptoms can give a clue as to what happened to Dinky, it may not be the light or vitamins that were the problem so you shouldn't blame yourself. Can you describe in detail what was going on, I know you said he was lethargic & "wobbly", can you elaborate on that? Birds are very prone to fumes & toxic things they eat, this is partly why we keep our guys clipped, they just sit on our shoulders mostly when they're out & we can make sure they can't chew on anything that could be dangerous. With birds its often very difficult to figure out what the problem was, we've lost a couple of birds that probably had seizures but we'll never know for sure. The jury is still out on things like Teflon pots & pans being toxic so we take no chances. All our cookware is steel without "non-stick" surfaces, even our little portable heater has no Teflon, we made sure of that before we bought it.



KiwiFruit	Aug 16 2011, 05:25 PM Post #15
Newbie Posts: 2 Group: Full Members Member #3,447 Joined: August 10, 2011 Other Birds ? Yellow sided green cheek conure I live in South Wales My name is Michelle	genie04 May 20 2011, 10:01 PM Not sure when, or if we'll get another parrotlet to be honest. Do you think that Wildheart pets wouls overcharge for the U.V light?. I thought it sounded reasonable (�70) for the whole unit ( Arcadia )...I wouldn't want to end up with a sub standard piece of equipment and I hear that Wildheart Pets have a very good reputation. The only thing is, I was thinking of maybe not even having a parrotlet...because there'll never be anoher Oscar. I have been looking today at the possibility of indian ring necked parrakeets...........not sure yet though? I'm not in south wlaes, but quite near....worcestershire. Hi, you can get the Arcadia unit online for around �55, maybe cheaper if you look around or find a used lamp and just buy a new bulb. I've seen much cheaper lights and lamps online (other brands) too.



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