CHEF'S SURPRISE!!

[michael]

Say, Does anybody know whether or not cooking onions in a small home is harmfull to my lovebird? I was introduced to this horror story recently and sparing the details I now have this concern....????....???...Might as well throw in garlic too....????....???

[bellarains]

Michael,

To my knowledge, no danger there, except of course if you are using a Teflon coated pan. Although, I have heard that you should not feed them onions.

Whatever you are cooking, sounds good. Onions and garlic? Must be Italian. YUMMMMMMMM:)

[Kathryn]

I cook with onions and garlic all the time and have not had trouble with the odor and my birds. Fried onion hamburgers...that sounds good for dinner tonight!!

One of my birds ate green onion shoots while I was cooking once. While it didn't make him sick, I don't think it's good for them.

[Janie]

Same thing here, when I cook (:D) I do use onions and garlic.

[Elle]

As per a previous post about onions and the answer given by Shy:

Onions can cause anemia or thin blood. This would only happen if birdie ate a lot or for a long time. Onions are not toxic, but it is not good for them.

Cooking with them should not be an issue. :)

[LauraO]

I cook with onion and garlic all the time and have never had any problems with my birds. I would think the horror story may have to do with the pan that was used. Teflon is extremely toxic to birds and those horror stories are too sad and too frequent.

[michael]

I had no idea about the teflon. How is it a danger to them, when you cook and feed them the food from it, or just the fumes from the pan?

[bellarains]

Michael,

The fumes are highly toxic to birds, but even we can get sick from things that are cooked a high temps with it. After I saw a 20/20 investigation, and some of the side effects, I got rid of mine. I sure do miss my omelet pan:rolleyes:

Anyway, birds small respiratory systems can not handle the fumes, and many poor fids have perished from it:cry:

[michael]

Thanks for the answers, my teflon pans are history! Although I was partial to the small one I cooked hot cereal in.......small sacrifice.

[Janie]

Michael, please take the time, when you have a chance, to read The Lovebird Resource Library. Here is that link: http://www.lovebirdsplus.com/resource.html There is a section that lists the top 10 things that can kill a parrot and a sticky has been added (by Shy) to that. If you'll google teflon, you'll find plenty more bad press on it, too.

[michael]

Thanks Janie. I don't usually pat myself on the back but I did pretty good with most issues regarding safety, teflon not included. One other thing was wing clipping. I've let Goofy fly since we got him. I even put tape on the windows so he would'nt think he could fly through. I never put high profile things in the house either, pain in the rear since we do auctions. I also know he can't fly in the dark. What a mistake that was! He ended up lodged behind a table after a panicked search effort. I'm afraid to clip his wings. but will take this up with vet soon. I'm sure I'll find something else to improve upon! ....Also read the poems at the end. You know, I feel guilty to tears sometimes because, birds especially, really should be free. Its a moral dilemma for me. I look at Goof, Goof for short, and I wish I could take him home where he belongs. I'm sorry for going this far, don't want to upset anybody, but had to get that off my chest. We are all Goofy's little flock leaders.....

[#1ThaiBoxer]

I heard that raw onions are more toxic to birds than cooked onions if eaten but I hear onions aren't good for to eat either way. Dont know aobut cooking though unless you cook it in something that could be toxic

[Janie]

.Also read the poems at the end. You know, I feel guilty to tears sometimes because, birds especially, really should be free. Its a moral dilemma for me. I look at Goof, Goof for short, and I wish I could take him home where he belongs. I'm sorry for going this far, don't want to upset anybody, but had to get that off my chest. We are all Goofy's little flock leaders.....

Michael, I hear you and I do understand and also feel the same way sometimes and especially when I watch my backyard wild birds. BUT, we have them and unless we can take them back to Africa, they really can't be free. Our lovies were born in captivity and the best we can do for them is....our best! Flight is great if it's great for your particular bird. I have one that is fully flighted and will be forever because I know it's safe for him. Jury is still out on the other two so for now, they are clipped. :)

[michael]

Yeah, I quess Africa is a bit of a distance. Good thing though because once we got there I'm sure I couldn't let go! Your right about being born in captivity. besides I feel this way about most animals except cats and dogs. As far as wing clipping, I'll learn anyways, just in case. I have worried about him running into something because he gets going pretty fast at times. The only time was when he crashed into the side of my head and landed on my shoulder. I've since put levelors on most windows and strips of tape on ones without, but still don't know if its a good idea to let him fly around so much. The exception was him to accidentally get out of the house. I'm definitely open to more thoughts on the subect to clip or not to clip. Or maybe its just a common sense judgement issue. Thanks again

[Janie]

Michael, I am 100% in favor of clipping any lovie that is in any way in danger w/o a clip. I used to take Oliver outside with me all the time, not a good idea I know but he is such a velcro bird and always stuck to me like glue plus he was clipped. Unfortunately, he was in bad need of a clip the day he got away. I made a sudden move, he lost his balance and flew. The only thing that saved the day was that he always answers my contact calls so I found him 30 minutes later sitting on a little bush at a house 2 streets away. I am positive that he had no idea how to get back to me. He could answer me, thank God, but had to be totally confused with his new found flight. I had him clipped the next day and have never taken him outside again and never will take him outside again unless he's in a cage. It was a full year after that that I decided he would be safe w/o a clip. He's older (around 10), not at all curious and has even learned to fly to my shoulder when I whistle and pat my shoulder. Taking him outside was a stupid thing to do, I know that, and even with a clip a hawk could have taken him right off my shoulder. There are also, as you know, many dangers inside your home and that is why my two younger lovebirds are clipped (mini clips) and probably always will be. I never gave a second thought to cooking while Oliver was on my shoulder but I won't even open the oven door with the other two in the same room. They are young, they are very curious about every thing and could get into serious trouble in the blink of an eye. So, that's my take on "to clip or not to clip!" :) My younger birds are confined to their bird room 90% of the time but when I do take them into other parts of the house, I never take my eyes off of them.

[michael]

Its ironic you mentioned him going outside with you. My daughter used to go to Giant Eagle where she worked with lovebird Jones on her shoulder, as well as frequent visits to see us, and he was loose! Fortunately he never flew away and she later quit taking him out. WHEW!!. Unfortunately, Jones met his demise in a toilet bowl with cleaner in it. A boyfriend mistake. She's hasn't really gotten over it yet even though its been over a year ago. Did get rid of the boyfriend though! Anyways thanks again. I'm leaning more towards to clip than not to clip....