Best Water System For Pionus Parrot?

[Jan M]

Hi. I’m new to parrot parenthood. Can anyone comment on the Lixit’s water system? Is it the best one made or is there another, better brand? I am buying a baby White Cap Pionus who will be 12 -13 weeks when I acquire him. I want a reliable water bottle that does not leak. Will a 16 oz water bottle (as opposed to a 32 oz) bottle be big enough?

 

[T. gillii]

Why not a water dish?

 

[Shezbug]

I had a lixit for my boy but removed it and stick with a water bowl after I watched him empty the bottle for fun and also found out about the germs they can harbour. We now only use the bottle in the carrier but I always carry more water and a bowl.

SS bowls are hard to beat really.

 

[Jan M]

I have several reasons for wanting a water system over cups. First, if I ever have to travel and leave my parrot with a relative or a professional parrot sitter, I don’t want my parrot sitter to have to worry about the headache of spilling water and the cleanup that entails. More importantly, I want one less headache and a dry cage is easier for me to clean than a wet one. Also, dry habitats are less likely than wet ones to harbor bacteria and fungi, some of which are parrot life threatening. A dry cage is also less likely to rust and rust increases the chance of metals leaching out of the powder coated paint, which I am guessing might increase the chance of metal toxicity in my parrot. Can anyone tell me which brand of water system is best?

 

[Jan M]

Thanks for your reply. H’m, I hear ya. I guess I need to think more deeply about this water system thing.

 

[Shezbug]

Keep checking back here to see what others say, but I’m not too sure many of our members use the water bottles due to being unable to clean them properly and the issue of birds playing with them and emptying them.

 

[Jan M]

Hey, how about answering another question: I would like to get a couple of training perches—you know the metal stands 4’ to 5’ tall with a t-perch or L-perch on top. Who makes good ones? The Parrot Wizard’s training perches are so expensiv. Are they worth it?

 

[Jan M]

Ok I will keep checking back. But you’ve almost convinced me to stick with stainless steel bowls.

 

[Shezbug]

Hey, how about answering another question: I would like to get a couple of training perches—you know the metal stands 4’ to 5’ tall with a t-perch or L-perch on top. Who makes good ones? The Parrot Wizard’s training perches are so expensiv. Are they worth it?

I had a Stainless Steel t stand made for my bird.
Find yourself a welder to make you one and don’t get ripped off by YouTube stars

I can’t answer if his perches are worth it- I personally can’t and won’t watch him.

 

[T. gillii]

Here is an OK perch, https://www.chewy.com/kaytee-ez-care-t-bird-stand/dp/202602 for about half the price of the parrot wizard- I agree with Shez. I am not fond of any parrot youtubers personally, and his stand prices are OUTRAGEOUS for the product..


Also... never look past a little DIY!! You could do what this person did in this thread, buy a perch, some stainless steel screws, and a tripod Tripod/T stand for Parrot Training

 

[Macawnutz]

If you are dead set on using a water bottle even if just for traveling or during vacations Lixit is a good brand.

Welcome to AA Jan.

 

[tka]

Pionus also like to dunk their pellets. This makes a horrible soup BUT I believe it plays a role in keeping them hydrated. I think mine would be genuinely put out if I switched to a water bottle. One of mine has a ceramic bowl, the other has a stainless steel bowl. Both bowls get scrubbed with dish soap once a day, and their water changed at least once a day and more often if they make soup.

You can buy cages with swing feeders so it's easy to change water without opening the cage doors.

I use plain packing paper in their cages which is changed every day. Really easy to clean - I just bundle it up then hoover up the crumbs. It rarely gets wet and doesn't have the chance to harbour bacteria or fungi.

 

[Mizzely]

I have water bottles in my cages, as a backup system only. Only Ripley uses it really. Lixit is a good brand but I think my bottles are currently Kaytee or Oxbow brand. There used to be another brand called Water Butler I believe? Not sure if there are still around.

I'll say that a water bowl is a lot easier for me to change out than a water bottle plus my birds like to dunk pellets, take baths, etc, so I think there's a lot of enrichment that comes with a water bowl.

If you're cleaning often then fungus and bacteria aren't getting a chance to build up.

I can't comment on training stand because I've never had one.

 

[sunnysmom]

You can find some great stands on Etsy.

 

[Jan M]

Hey there! Thanks you so, so much!! You guys are really helping me.

 

[expressmailtome]

There is another concern here. Michael, my blue-throated macaw, would ALWAYS just hold the ball up and let the water pour out. Yes, it did make a mess, but even worse was that then he would be without water.