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Conference 7.286::pet_birds

Title:Captive Breeding for Conservation--and FUN!
Notice:INTROS 6.X / FOR SALE 13.X / Buying a Bird 900.*
Moderator:VIDEO::PULSIFER
Created:Mon Oct 10 1988
Last Modified:Tue Jun 03 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:942
Total number of notes:6016

373.0. "Alcohol and birds" by TFH::CARLS () Wed Jun 20 1990 17:13

    
    
    I like to have a few drinks at home after a hard days work.  My
    Grey has been getting quite curious about my drinks.  Last night
    I caught him sipping on my wine cooler I unintentionally left 
    near him.  I took it away and he was very mellow.  
    
    He seems to like wine coolers and beer. Is an occasional sip of
    beer or wine bad for birds? 
    
    His name is Saul by the way!
    
      THanks,
    
     Carl
    
    
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373.1Don't drink and FLYABACUS::BOURGAULTWed Jun 20 1990 17:2910
    I really don't know if it is bad for them if it is just a sip or two.
    When I was growing up we had a green budgie that just loved beer and
    would drink from my father's glass.  He would then become 
    quite intoxicated and stagger around the table. He lived a good long
    time and never showed any ill signs from it.
    
    I suggest that you ask around and check with your vet though.
    
    Regards,
    Denise
373.2I Wouldn't Risk it!SWEETP::EAGERWed Jun 20 1990 18:139
    
    	Be very careful.  Since a bird doesn't weight much, he can easily
    drink too much and get alcohol poisoning. I think as long as you keep
    him down to a few sips, you will probably be OK.  My Grey likes
    everything I drink except for alcohol.  He's tried it a couple of times
    but spat it out each time and now won't even go near it once he
    realizes what it is.  Personally I wouldn't risk it.
    
    							Mark
373.3Well, they definitely seem to like it!JUMBLY::GEORGEFri Jun 22 1990 11:564
    Well, we had 2 budgies when I was a child and every night they would
    sit on the edge of my fathers glass and take sips of his gin and tonic.
    As far as I know they eventually died of old age - in any case, we
    certainly had them for a good many years.
373.4Greys drink in the wild!TFH::CARLSMon Jun 25 1990 10:5719
    
    Well folks,
    
      Thank you for your replies.  I took my bird to the vet Saturday and
    asked him about Saul drinking Beer.  The vet was a little hesitant,
    but told me the Greys did like to eat fruit in the wild that had been
    in the sun for a while and fermented, thereby having some alcoholic
    content and getting the Greys drunk. 
    Plus, beer is made from Barley and hops which I believe is appetizing
    and good for the bird.  
    
    So Saturday night while watching Stat Trek The Next Generation with
    Saul.  I had a few Heinekins and got a little shot glass full for the
    bird.  He really enjoyed it.  I noticed he was a real guzzuler.  
    Of course, I didn't give him a whole shot glass of heinekin, but he
    must have had a good 10 sips during the show.  
    
     Carl