Just so you know...I'm here for advice..

[CluckyCharms]

Thank you for your expertise in this area! We don't have any parrots but we have 1 very happy female Ambudgie (parakeet).

I do have 1 question regarding birds in general.

I was told by more than one person that you should never have a bird IE: parrot, parakeet, budgie, cockatiel, cockatoo, etc - anywhere near the kitchen because the fumes from your cookware cause some sort of respiratory illness and shorten their lifespan. I've heard this from at least 10 different people in 10 different avenues.

Personally, I think it's a load of hooey, and I'll tell you why. A friend of mine has a conure that she's had in her family for 32 years now (yes, the bird is 32 years old and it was first her mother's bird, not hers). She "acquired" the bird when her mother passed away. Her mother kept this bird in its cage in the breakfast nook of their family home - right by the kitchen where alllll the cooking was done. My friend keeps the bird in the livingroom but that's beside the point, she's only had it for 2 years.

Since her mother had the bird for 30 years before she (the mother) passed away and this bird is older than dirt for a conure - wouldn't it lend to reason that the cookware does *not* affect the respiratory workings of birds and you can keep them near the kitchen just as she did for so very long?

If it depends on the type of cookware I guess that would make sense and nope - I don't know what her mother cooked with, I never had a chance to meet her.

 

[ladybirdb12]

Tefron(not spelled right) if used on high heat, and burning the, non stick pan, can put out fumes that is bad for humans and birds, birds could die quickly. But that is using high heat, or burning the pan. I use the stove fan, also I use low heat when I use those pans, my birds are close to my kitchen, the breakfast room.
I am sure the experts that are here would say the same thing, but I to would like to hear their answer, because if I am wrong I will trash all of my non stick pans, for the sake of my buddy's (parrots health)

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

Yep, ladybird is correct. Most fumes are not good for birds because they have very sensitive respiratory systems, but teflon can be deadly very quickly for a bird. Also, kitchen cleaners and anything with bleach is not great for birds either. It doesn't happen often, but I've heard of a few very tragic teflon stories where people's birds just dropped dead minutes after using the pan.

At the sanctuary, we use vinegar for cleaning. That is very mild, does a good job sanitizing, and can be used directly on the birds' cages.

Welcome to the group!