Bird Scale

[Amanda]

Does anyone know where I can buy a bird scale? I've seen a few online stores that sell them but they are quite expensive. At first I was planning on taking Rio to the pet store to get weighed, but then I'm not sure how many birds have used the scale. So, I thought I should just buy one -- that way I won't have to worry about cross-contamination of bacteria, viruses, etc. (The vet is 45 minutes away and I just don't want to drive that far to get her weighed).

[Joshiesmama]

Sorry, I'm new here and I can't figure out how to post a question, I'd like to ask one about my Gizmo, could someone tell me how to do this?? Thanks, Deanna

[Amanda]

Hi Deanna and welcome to the board. To post a question, choose which forum you would like to post at (General Discussion, Question & Answer, Health Chat, etc.) and once you are inside that forum, look at the top right hand corner. You should see a button that says "new thread". Click on that and you should be all set to post your question.

[Jenny]

Sorry Amanda-I don't know of any under $90 that are any good. Sometimes vets can get stuff wholesale so maybe they could order one for you that'd be cheaper- I'm not sure. Anyhow, good luck finding one!

[Amanda]

Jenny, you are brilliant! :) Thanks for that suggestion. I didn't even think of that. I'll phone the vet's office on monday and see if they can order one for me. Thanks again.

[featherluver]

I bought a gram scale at Wal- Mart. It is digital, and accurate, It uses batteries. It is the same as the one at the Vet's office. It was only around 20.00 I think that is the way to go. THey are in the kitchen dept. used for measuring food.

[Amanda]

Thanks Featherluver! As it turns out, I have to do a Wal-mart run today to buy some cleaning supplies so I'll definitely check that digital scale! For $20.00 that's a bargain ... I don't think that price can be beat! Thanks again! :D

[Jenny]

Wow- only $20?! I'll have to look next time. Has anyone noticed how it seems that all bird supplies are way more expensive than other pet supplies or anything else?

[sleeepy2]

Bird supplies are very expensive. I've been making a ton of toys for Cleo. Soft wood, plastic chains, and colorful plastic baby toys (from Toys R Us ) are much cheaper than the bird aisle at Pet Smart. Now if only I could get Cleo to play when I'm not home...

[birdygirl]

Windy City parrot has some good toy parts. They sell them in bulk for cheap.

[Jenny]

Do they have a website?

[birdygirl]

http://www.windycityparrot.com/

[Mrs.Birdy]

Amanda: Let me know how the scale at Wal-mart works out. I think that's a great idea form featherluver. If you think it's good, I will check it out too.

:)

[Amanda]

Ok, I went to Wal-mart today but didn't see a good scale ... atleast not like the one featherluver got. The ones they had wasn't digital and it had a cup on top of the scale (where you can place your food in). The cup is removable so you can have a bird standing on top of the scale and the scale comes in 2 sizes ... the smaller scale (which is good for small birds because it weighs in grams) cost $7.00 and the larger scale (maybe good for larger birds because it weighs in lbs.) is $10.00. I didn't buy the scale because I want to go to another Wal-mart and see if they'll have a digital one. I think the digital one will work better with a bird as far as getting an accurate reading, because I just can't see Rio or Bijou standing still on top of the scale until I finally read how much they weigh.

[dlaura]

Hi Amanda,
If you fail to find a scale at Walmart - you might try a local Weight Watchers, as they also sell scales to weigh food and I thing I paid between 15 - 20 dollars for mine. It was the first thought I had when I read your post.

[JSimko]

My blue and gold lets me wrap him in a towel. If you can do this to your bird(s), put just the towel you will use on the scale and set it to 0. Then take the towel and wrap the bird in it. Place the bird on the scale while wrapped up. This will give you an accurate reading. I have done this with my large bird using a regular scale. For small birds you can get a cooking scale. It has a plastic bowl on top that you can put the bird in. I considered doing this with my parakeet, but there is no reason to do this because she maintains her weight well.

[Amanda]

That's a good idea about wrapping them in a towel, Jason. I saw a food scale at Wal-mart for $7.00 and I think it is the same kind you're talking about (it has a bowl on top of the scale where you can place your food for weighing). I didn't buy it because I couldn't think of a way to get Bijou & Rio to sit inside the cup. The cup does come off the scale but I didn't think my birds will stand still. With your towelling idea, I think it might just work.

[crazeemama]

I think i paind about 29.00 about a year and 1/2 ago at target. same deal, battery op. grams/ounces/pounds/tare

[sleeepy2]

Try to find a scale that you can "zero out". You can put a small perch on the scale, zero it out (so the weight of the perch is subtracted) then put your bird on the perch. The scale will only record your birds weight, and he's more comfortable on a perch than on a metal tray.

[crazeemama]

that is what is called 'tare' weight

[retret]

I got mine in Office Depot, its the one you use to weigh envelopes, $29, it converts selectable oz and grams..

[JSimko]

I found one on ebay today 7/29/03. It is on ebay for $40.00 and the shipping is free. Here is a direct link.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2337420012&category=20685

[Love Bird B]

Birdygirl,

I just bought a whole bunch of stuff from WindycityParrot.com. Thanks for that tip, you're a doll!

Lovey B

[dlaura]

OK - I love to hear what people got when they go on a shopping spree. So, spill it B - what did you get from the above site?

[schavon2]

why would you need a scale anyway? do birds need to be weighed on a regular basis?

[Love Bird B]

Diane,

You crack me up!! Okay, I got all the following for Perky's new cage-

Two colorful bird perches that attach at the side of the cage.
Fabric preener with bells - everyone needs one of those.
Wreath swing- for that natural look.
Pinwheel - a mighty cute thing that also attaches to the side of the cage.
Retro alarm clock with (yet) another perch attached-
AND a Coil Millet holder with bells - very colorful! I SO needed a millet holder!

I didn't get a scale.

It all came to only $40.00 which included shipping.

[JSimko]

Only if you feel it is not eating enough to maintain it's own weight. Someone had posted a question about their bird not eating enough a while ago. I forget who it was.

[JSimko]

When did your vet tell you to do this? If it right after you got the birds then he was right at the time.

[crazeemama]

Many of the books, internet info and various other sources i have read,tend to recommend birds be weighed weekly unless ill. The thinking is that an illness may not be detectable in your bird until it is a major event, wieght checking is used as a 'benchmark' for health. If the bird has lost a significant amount of weight, then there is probably an illness and the bird needs checked. just my 2 cents worth.