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From: gbell@sdcc13.ucsd.edu (Gregory Bell)
Newsgroups: rec.birds
Subject: INDOOR:  Feather problems & Heating needs
Message-ID: <13364@sdcc6.ucsd.edu>
Date: 18 Oct 90 23:42:39 GMT
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A few questions:

1)  A friend of mine has a miniature conure who has nothing but down
    its chest.  A local bird store owner (I know, not the best
    source) told her that the bird is plucking the new feathers out
    of either boredom or sexual frustration.  Is this right?  Is
    there any cure?

2)  I own a parakeet.  I'm a Southern Cal. resident (and so's he :)
    should I worry about heating during the winter?  It often gets
    below 50 degrees, and we don't heat our house (electric heating
    costs!).  Last winter I had a contraption in his cage consisting
    of an aquarium heater in a jar of water.  It seemed to work
    (he's not dead).  But, I never felt it was very safe, and the
    heater itself recently died so I'm wondering:  Is there a better
    way to heat a bird cage??

3)  I understand fresh fruits and veggies are important to health.
    My 'keet however only seems to like broccolli.  What are some
    favorites I should try?


Many thanks for all replies!

Greg Bell