Kris Ahlgrim, DVM

23/07/2025

All animals need enrichment, even humans!!!!!

Social enrichment is dynamic and rarely constant or completely predictable. This makes it one of the most effective forms of enrichment for many species, including birds!

21/07/2025

lol!

15/06/2025

Happy Father’s Day!!!!!!!

04/06/2025

Proven benefits of enrichment: Social

Social enrichment is one of the most effective forms of enrichment for flock animals like birds. Rearing social species with companions has been showed to reduce fearfulness and stereotypic behaviors. Social enrichment also increases activity levels!

1. Hughes BO. Selection of group size by individual laying hens.Br Poult Sci. 1977;18:9-18.
2. Meehan CL, Garner JP, Mench JA. Isosexual pair housing improves the welfare of young Amazon parrots. Appl Anim Behav Sci. 2003;81:73-88.
3. Polverino G, Manciocco A, Vitale A, Alleva E. Stereotypic behaviours in Melopsittacus undulatus: behavioural consequences of social and spatial limitations. Appl Anim Behav Sci. 2015;165:1430155.

Pictured: budgies Bucket and Peggy

31/03/2025

Listen closely Trump!

07/02/2025

Who else LOVES Ducks!!!!!!????? 💚💚💚

29/01/2025

Softer wood for smaller beaks!

Natural textures: Sola
Sola wood comes from Aeschynomene aspera, a flowering plant in the family Fabaceae. Sola is one of the lightest woods in the world. The wood has a corky texture and is typically bright white but can be dyed easily. It is often a favorite for small beaks!

21/01/2025

16/05/2024

Did you know????

09/04/2024

During positive reinforcement training, a clicker can be used to indicate that your bird performed the appropriate behavior, and a reward is coming. The clicker is often referred to as a “bridge,” because it connects the desired behavior with the reward. You can use a commercial clicker, the click of a ballpoint pen, or a verbal click noise for this purpose.

03/04/2024

My reinforcer is cheese! What is yours????

During training, make sure the reinforcer (eg: the reward) is valued highly by your bird. Food rewards are often great motivators for birds. For parrots, a small piece of fresh or dried fruit, single seed, almond sliver, or other small piece of nut often works well. For chickens, try offering a dried mealworm, piece of strawberry, or sunflower seed.

26/03/2024

You can never be too careful!!!!

Not every commercial or homemade enrichment item is 100% safe. Always supervise how your bird interacts with each toy or enrichment item.