A story of FATE

This post is really not mine, but one of our special customers, Willie. He can say it best in his own words. What I can say is that Jeremy and I are thrilled to have been a part of God's plan. You will see what I mean...

FATE: "December 8, 2011 was a terrible day, Logan my Yellow Nape died after 31 years together almost to the day. Needles to say the silence in my heart and in my house was deafening! Coming home and seeing an empty cage was more than I could stand. Not wanting to "recreate" my Logan, by Saturday I was researching Eclectus and in my search I found, or was led by fate to Beakers. On Dec. 11 I made the trek from Bellingham to Beakers and found Ruby a beautiful 4mo old Eclectus. Their philosophy and approach to hand raising birds in a home environment is genus, and I would encourage anyone who is looking for a parrot to give them serious consideration since you won't be disappointed!!!!! Thank you Breakers my house and my heart are once again filled! The memory of Logan is now one of love & laughter as the bond between Ruby and me grows stronger every day!"

Here are a couple of pictures of Willie and Ruby, as she is so appropriately named.


We sure cannot take credit for making this match :-)

Elena
Beaker's co-flock Leader

Check your birds feet for Pododermatitis

Do you offer your bird a good selection of perches to rest their pretty feet on? Here's why I am asking.

In addition to a high quality diet, one of our recommendations to new parents is to outfit their birds cages with a variety of perches to keep their feathered companion's feet in good health. Pododermatitis, or "bumblefoot" as it is more commonly known is a condition of the bottom of the feet defined in varying grades of severity from 1 - 7. (Hari Institute has a great article on Pododermatitis that's worth reading, Grooming and Health Assessment. Besides good nutrition (with sufficient Vitamin A & E) and appropriate perches, lack of exercise, and exposure to cigarette smoke can be the cause of bumblefoot.

In an article on Bumblefoot, Dr. Petra M Burgmann states, "Variety in perch diameter is essential, and can be provided by using natural branches from non-toxic insecticide-free trees. Sandpaper perches are like walking barefoot on a rough gravel road. The new abrasive perches intended to keep the bird's nails short should never be positioned so that they are the perch on which the bird spends the majority of its time. Instead, they should only be located where the bird will use them occasionally, such as where the treat dish is located." (Parrot Life; Volume 1, Number 1; page 46).

Do your birds a favor and check the bottom of their feet. They will thank you for it :-)

Elena