All birds are very sensitive to toxins because of rapid metabolism, delicate skin and respiratory tract, small size, and digestive system of gizzard (pH 2.0 and 42C), which allows some non-food products sit extend time or releasing toxins causing obstruction, impaction, bleeding and death. Natural curiosity and talent that pushes parrots to reach, to chew and taste all the usual and unusual objects and the strength of its "parrots beak put even greater risk of being exposed to toxins, not only when ingested, but in contact with skin or inhalation. toxins (like heavy metals) are usually deposited in the brain, bones, feathers and some muscle, and can damage many different organs may cause nonspecific signs of illness.
Paint used on your bird's cage is the biggest concern. Powder coating is much stronger than the regularly used paint that flakes easily and can be consumed, and let the cage rust.
In short - to eat some paint or any kind of metal is never a good thing - no matter how safe it is, especially, there are no standards for safe of toxic metals set up for birds.
Lead and Zinc - very toxic to parrots. Exposure to paint or alloys in cage wires, which contain metals such as lead and zinc are the most dangerous to parrots, because they do not naturally only chew on everything, but also use their beaks to climb. If your cage material or hardware containing these metals are more likely to cause heavy metal poisoning in your parrot. Also, your family will be exposed to lead in dust from your parrot's activity around the cage. The most common symptoms of poisoning in birds besides subdued behavior and shut down - with lead poisoning - seizures and falls from the perch, with Zinc - falls from perch. If you suspect - please contact your bird avian veterinarian immediately. The bigger the parrot the greater danger - the large birds can easily scratch, shave or release by chewing up a few pieces of softer metal or paint.
Beyond Lead paint can be used in paint primers, in the soldering of metal - soldered joints in the cage (distinguished from welded joints), foil on wine bottles, champagne line, fishing weights, curtain weights, rifle bullets and pellets, stained glass windows, in PVC and Caulker .
Industry Standards for Lead refer to a certain set of federal government currently provides less than 600 ppm (parts per million parts, or 0.06% by weight) of lead in household paint.
Check with the manufacturers of Zinc, because there are federal rules for its content in paint.
Zinc is essential trace element, plays important role in enzymatic activity, but if eaten in uncontrolled amounts of non-food products can lead to excessive accumulation and toxicity. Zinc is used not only in painting but also can be used in plating - electroplating of cage wires, hardware and some metal parts of the bird toys (galvanization is expressed only for zinc coatings to protect metal cage or hardware from oxidation and make it look better). This is extremely toxic to parrots as described above.
Not to mention Zinc galvanized wire or mesh in outdoor aviaries. Does not address outdoor aviaries with vinegar to guard your parrot from zinc poisoning - what it actually does, will etch very accessible upper oxidized layer of zinc (dull white fur - zinc rust) and zinc coating underneath oxidized layer at one time or another -- not necessarily eliminate it all, but it is thin enough to make the underlying metal exposed to oxidation and rusting which is not good. This procedure may be sufficient to protect small birds from zinc poisoning, but it looks like the best bet to avoid zinc parrots around completely. Other zinc and its' relations applications: UV protection in plastics, Sun protective creams and lotions, fire retardants, preservatives and agricultural fungicides.
Copper is an essential trace element required for hemoglobin formation and is a part of several enzyme systems. Copper is soft metal that is commonly used for electroplating (not just U.S. Mint cents - copper-plated zinc 2.5% 97.5%, but also hardware and decorative items in your cage), kitchen utensils, copper wire welding. Copper is potentially toxic to birds - normally oxidized copper is causing problems - the storage of acidic foods in copper containers or slightly acidic water from copper pipes can contribute to elevated levels of this metal in your bird's diet, and it is easy to avoid. Copper is a popular algaecide and fungicide (used in commercial and residential pools, and spraying the vegetables and cereals to prevent fungus and algae growth).
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc and commonly used in padlocks - it's probably ok for the little birds that are unlikely to chew padlock, but should be avoided around parrots. You can find a few documented cases of metal toxicity in parrots to chew brass padlocks.
Nickel can be potentially toxic to your bird. Although there is little evidence can be found clarification nickel toxicity PET birds and parrots in particular, few articles clearly show that nickel is moderately toxic to wild birds and poultry (especially in the young actively growing birds - in the growth experiments chicks to 4 weeks of age was significantly depressed at 700 ppm nickel and above). Nickel is commonly known as human allergen (causing dermatitis by skin contact) and insoluble salts and soluble aerosols are highly toxic to all living things. Nickel, commonly used for electroplating, as it prevents metal corrosion (iron and copper usually). So even if you have decided it is OK to have nickel-plated stuff about your parrot check it often as it can chip and expose the underlying metal to oxidation.
Tin is soft metal is considered by many experts that are not toxic to birds, unless it is "galvanized tin" (which is abused concept of galvanized sheet metal (galvanized steel) or some small galvanized iron containers) - If you are in doubt - contact manufacturer itself is not toxic, but most of tin salts and some organic compounds - TBT (tributyltin), for example. TBT is extremely toxic - thin layer of this polymer can serve as a protective coating on non-food glass and ceramics. Tin resistant to corrosion from distilled sea and soft tap water, but can be attacked by strong acids, alkalis and salts. Tin is present in various alloys, such as soldering tin and bronze, tin, bell metal, Babbitt metal and amalgam. Organic compounds used as fungicides, insecticides and bactericides, and is known for animal and human toxicity. Moreover, these are used as PVC heat stabilizers and PCBs.
Steel / aka Wrought iron is heavy metal nontoxic (mostly because it's hard and very difficult for the parrot to detach and occupies some of it) for birds, but rust - is, so be careful as cage density decreases and the corrosion starts - considering powder coated cages vs. hurt. Powder coating is much stronger and textured surface of this coating provides better grip for birds.
Stainless steel (SS) - is very hard material that will not shave or scratch easily, will not rust under normal indoor conditions. It requires no coating, plating or paint, very easy to care for - you can power wash (just remove your beloved bird:) And dry cage dry - hardly anything to worry about. Few comments on stainless steel:
Some of stainless steel can stain and rust if left in moist acidic environment to extend the time or if the bird droppings accumulate in some places, which also contains moisture;
You can find many references to say that SS is not magnetic - this is not entirely correct. Stainless steel is an alloy containing 10.5% or more of chromium and iron in excess of 50% and other components. Its magnetic property depends on what other components of this alloy is - nickel, magnesium, carbon, nitrogen, molybdenum ... Any steel alloy with nickel is not magnetic (nickel stainless strength characteristic of iron and chromium alloy). Medical grade SS usually uses nickel and chromium, so it is not magnetic. Alloys only with chromium (no nickel) are magnetic. Different combinations of components defining the magnetic effect of the alloy.
Some parrot owners say that the bright super glossy SS cages (glittering almost glassy surfaces out) gave their parrots very exited (even excited) - it may be wise to look for SS cages, which are less shiny surface - polished surface with a subdued tone matt - electro-polishing usually do just that.
Aluminum is a soft metal and by many is considered safe for birds. However, few studies suggest that some birds' species in aluminum-laden habitats with high Aluminum diet increased the aluminum levels in bone and is deformed eggs with soft shells, leading to reduced hatchability. Other studies put the concerns of the bone grows, and body weight in growing chickens with increased aluminum in the diet. So it's probably safer not to let your parrot to its beak on aluminum things around the house and avoid it in the bird's toys (such a simple precaution - you know never know what the reaction just your bird will have)
Most of the parrot aluminum toxicity cases that were documented in a heated aluminum foil - which is mostly due to smoke from its non-stick polymer additives.
Selenium, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, thallium, and cobalt are potentially toxic to birds. Poisoning caused by these elements has been well documented in wild birds caused by environmental exposure and are rarely diagnosed in birds, but it is sensible to know the main sources of household exposure to these items.
Selenium is another required dietary element that can be toxic if ingested in large quantities. Selenium is used in electronic industry, glass and rubber production, photographic processing, pesticides and shampoos - your parrot to avoid contact with these chemicals. Interpretation of selenium toxicity is complicated by its interaction with other metals, particularly mercury and arsenic, which can reduce selenium toxicity.
Mercury is highly toxic heavy metal insubstantial. It affects the immune system, alter genetic and enzyme systems, and damage to the nervous system, including coordination and the senses, touch, taste and sight. Since most of the household hazards associated with mercury was recognized and eliminated long ago - until you feed your parrot fish and mercury thermometers, it is highly unlikely that your bird will have exposure to most toxic form of mercury - methyl mercury or elemental mercury.
Cadmium - found in some batteries, pigments, used in electroplating, soldering, alloy production and plastic production. Cadmium and its compounds are extremely toxic even in low concentration. If swallowed bird will accumulate in the liver and kidney, causing kidney damage, reduced egg production and changes in behavior.
Cadmium has long been known as carcinogens. Besides possible exposure to cadmium through the diet (most of the plants have a high degree of absorption and accumulation of environmental cadmium - yet another reason to feed your parrot organic food), the burning of fossil fuels like coal and oil and smoking are other unsafe sources of cadmium exposure - when lungs absorb cadmium is much more effective as guts. Do not smoke around your parrot and never let it reach your cigarette butts, do not burn charcoal or use oil lamps. Keep your paint artist (if it applies to you) out of reach of your parrot. Cadmium Yellow, Orange & Red pigment used in artistic colors in color plastics and some specialty products, paint, color, glass and ceramic glazes (Tiffany lamps, red stop lights) also contain cadmium.
Arsenic has been used to control agricultural pests that pressure treatment of wood for outdoor use (until 2003) and chemotherapeutic agents. Taking various organic and inorganic arsenic compounds accumulate in the kidneys and liver and can cause anemia, nervous disorders and immune system suppression. Hopefully your parrot exposed to this risk is very limited.
Thallium sulfate (salt of the heavy metal thallium) is used as a rodenticide (to control rats) and household insecticide (ants and cockroaches) - is highly toxic to mammals, birds and insects that are only used by the professional Exterminators - very unlikely your parrot will be exposed for any of this unless you save and use these chemicals in your house.
Cobalt and its salts are used in nuclear medicine, enamels and semiconductors, grinding stone, painting on glass and porcelain, hygrometers and electroplating, in vitamin B12 production, as a drier for paint, varnish and paint, and as a catalyst for organic chemical reactions.
1 comment:
Yes i agree, Other cages made with small wicker materials could be damaged by your parrot's beak which again would be a health risk. Be careful.
red bellied parrot
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