Heather will be here as usual with a range of quality parrot foods, toys and accessories
Avian Vets It is always worthwhile to know where and who is your local Avian vets are and keep their telephone number handy. Craig Hunt. Chine House in Sileby. Nr Loughborough 01509 812446 Jonathan Hadley. Vets4Pets, at Eastwood. NG16 3GR Yvette Rowntree, Ambivets, Ilkeston 01159 309729
Just In Case
Membership Fees The annual membership is: £20.00 Per Family £18.00 Per Couple £10.00 per Member Renewable Each February The Entrance Fee to Club Meetings will be: Members £1.00 per member Non Members £3.00 per person Parrots & Children under 14 FREE
Need to get in touch with the club? 01530 263399 - 01159 725965 E: - mail@emparrotclub.org or just contact Heather, Larry or myself
August 2017
Issue No 30
Last month was a little short on members, however we have the holidays etc. Which we appreciate. The kids are off school so you can of course bring them with you provided they are kept under control so as not to scare the parrots. We have included this month a letter from Lynda replying to a a letter in the Parrot Society Magazine. This of course is a very interesting subject and we would like your views on the matter. Has Social media caused the declined in the parrot clubs. We know that the internet has cause the decline in sales to high street shops, because we are now getting too lazy to go shopping, the big stores have seen a decline in sales because people are not making that impulse buy now. Time is always a big issue, everyone seems to be working longer hours and different shifts which means that some months they can attend a meeting the next they are unable to do so. Don’t forget in October we have Steve Brooks coming along to tell us about his recent adventures. You can follow Steve on wildparrotsupclose.com or even maybe go on one of his marvellous tours. Once again we ask that you talk to your friends and tell them about the parrot club, invite them along with their parrot. We always feel that “Hands On” is the key . There is nothing better than to see how other parrot owners treat and care for their birds. Members of the club have many years of experience between them and so much help and advice to share.
One of the group’s favourite activities is when we make parrot toys or when we make tempting parrot treats. Past speakers attending the club have been: John Hayward- keeper of the Lost and Found Register Rosemary Low- parrot nutrition Brian Stockdale- Health and feeding Harrisons pelleted food Malcom Green- from The Birdcare Company talking on vitamins and calcium Not only have the adults enjoyed these evenings but so have our birds as they come along to each meeting with their owners to learn socialising. WHAT A LOT OF FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh! I forgot to mention the trips we arrange. Annual visit to Tropical Birdland in Desford Manor Farm and woodlands to see the owls etc. And the parrot related DVD we watch. Many people in today’s society if they have a problem or need to know anything the first point of call is GOOGLE and other social media. Parrot sites are many. Posts are nearly always overwhelming and invariably give contradictory advice and if you offer an opinion you are”shot down in flames“or removed from the site. Groups like ours offer friendship, practical advice help and support when needed but more importantly we have a fun time along with our birds. In conclusion experience can take many forms, if you want to learn more come along to our club
Les’s article was all about writing down your experiences so others can learn from it. But surely bird clubs are a more practical way to gain experience? What’s your views?
A reply from Lynda Wesson of Leicestershire Parrot Club In response to an article in the parrot society’s magazine (June 2017 page 11) regarding the writing down of your experiences so other aviculturists may learn from this valuable knowledge. This is not the only way to gather experience The other answer is to become a member of one of the parrot society parrot /bird clubs. In recent years clubs have noticed a decline in memberships so much so that in some cases clubs have closed down. This recently happened to the Nottingham club run by world renowned aviculturist Rosemary Low, what a loss all this knowledge is to the bird keeper. Both the Leicestershire Parrot club and East Midlands Parrot club have seen a decline in membership over the last year. These clubs are also a vital source of information and provide help and support to the new or experienced bird owner. Leicestershire Parrot club has been in existence since June 2005 and has (and still do) support many parrot owners. Our club has covered many topics designed to educate the parrot owner in looking after their bird so that it is happy and healthy so you as an owner get the most from your bird. Topics that have been covered. First aid and what to do in an emergency (all members were given a parrot first aid kit) Plants and household items poisonous to birds Is your bird sick or asleep Parrot identification (we all completed the parrot passport) a copy is in June 2017 magazine Parrot diseases and illnesses We covered what everyone talks about diet and nutrition. They are just a few. The club also took part in trying out samples from Marriages when they were producing their new range of seeds. Other activities have included craft evenings where we have made parrot themed shopping bags.
Please put in your newsletter my thanks to everyone who came along last Thursday evening to Tropical Birdland. Everyone had a great time, all were chatting away to other members and even Reece had a brilliant time putting the birds away for bed. Just Fantastic!!!!! We need to organise another 2 club event. Lynda Wesson The next meeting will be on Thursday the 31st August when the meeting returns to the normal club venue at the Co-op Sports and Social club. You are welcome to go along to any of their monthly meetings , and of course you don’t need to be a member to attend any of the meetings. We have asked Ben Muddeman to come and talk to us about UV lighting and the importance of it to birds. Ben has now moved employment but still prepared to share his expertise with the members. The club meets on the last Thursday of each month at
The Co-Op Sports & Social Club, Birstall Road Birstall, Leicester. LE4 4DE
D O R T U P T S F V R D F I T D P B A P E U Q I A C K E D E T E L S O N B X F M U L V Q T P F E I R E O E H W A J G R U H R O S S E L L A D I N Y H U T H N U S Y X J K Y H K H E Q Q N R S U S C D I U I R I I C S Z R D E E S K D L Y E E T Z V E A R R P V Z U W S P R E M A B R Z U G A E I C L E H D N A I R X R L S B Q E Q P M A V T T M X D B T Y E O P E Y L L H I G Y T A I H B E A K B Z E E T A N Z R E A P H E B H V O B E N K F N I N T B E W G K W Z R O D Z C D M C N Q C Z W O A P Y C L P L O N O I D Q R S D G J J E L C P N P M B O L E I W K X X H A P J H Z C Y P C T C D S M S W I N G N E C E H AVIARY. BEAK. BITE. CAGE. CAIQUE. CITES. DERBYAN. DIET. DRINKER.FEEDER. FRUIT.LOVEBIRD. NEST. PERCH. PLAYSTAND. PREEN ROSSELLA. SEED. SWING.TOY
One of the most unanswered questions about parrots is. Why Does my Parrot Pluck his feathers? What have I done wrong? The chances are probably nothing at all. There are a number of reasons whey a parrot will feather pluck, the main cause we believe is stress, neglect and lack of attention can cause the bird behavioural problems which can lead to plucking. Early socialization can also be something to look at and we always advise people to pass the bird round when he is young so that he gets used to other people and of course ensure that he gets to see around the house rather than just his cage in the corner. Parrots sometimes don’t like change so when he is young we can help the bird to cope with stress. A well socialised parrot will understand that anti social behaviour will not bring him attention, because he has been taught to accept change. There are different types of plucking, from pulling the odd feather out to plucking, breaking and chewing and of course self mutilation. If he breaks the feather it will normally grow back , however of course when they gow back he may be inclined to break them again. So is he chewing the feather because he has something missing in his diet? Next month we will look a bit further into this subject