Posh City Pets

21/11/2023

20/10/2023

Ken and his family have been helping keep bird lovers stocked with supplies for years. You might recognize him from Rolling Meadows, Joliet , Springfield and Madison, WI bird fairs (among others). He and his family could really use some kindness right about now, please donate and/or share if you are able. 🤍

This is being made by his daughters in hopes for some help. You never think… Kendra barnhart needs your support for Recovering expenses for Ken Spurbeck

18/07/2023

Zoopharmacognosy is the study of animals and their instinctual behavior of self-medicating with plant and mineral substances.

This fascinating field of study has gained popularity in recent years, as researchers seek to better understand the complex relationship between animals and the natural world.

In essence, zoopharmacognosy is the study of how animals use plants and other natural substances to maintain their health and treat various ailments. This behavior has been observed in a wide range of animal species, including primates, birds, rodents, and even insects.

One of the most interesting aspects of zoopharmacognosy is that animals seem to have an innate understanding of the medicinal properties of different plants and minerals. For example, chimpanzees have been observed using the leaves of the Vernonia amygdalina plant to treat gastrointestinal parasites, while wild elephants in Kenya have been seen digging up soil rich in kaolin to help alleviate symptoms of diarrhea.

This behavior is not limited to wild animals, either. Domesticated animals like dogs, cats, and horses have also been observed self-medicating with various plants and minerals. Dogs have been known to eat grass to help soothe upset stomachs, while horses will often seek out certain plants to help alleviate pain and inflammation.

So how do animals know which plants and minerals to use for different ailments? The answer lies in their sense of smell.

Animals have incredibly powerful noses, and they are able to detect the chemical compounds in plants and minerals that are responsible for their medicinal properties. This allows them to instinctively seek out the substances they need to maintain their health and treat illnesses.

Another interesting aspect of zoopharmacognosy is the role that cultural transmission plays in this behavior. Just like humans, animals can learn from each other and pass on knowledge from one generation to the next. Japanese macaques have been observed washing sweet potatoes in sea water before eating them, a behavior that is believed to have been passed down from older members of the troop.

Similarly, some species of birds have been observed using plant materials to help repel parasites and other insects from their nests. In these cases, the birds will often use specific plants that have been shown to be effective at repelling pests, indicating that this behavior is learned and passed down from one generation to the next.

By better understanding how animals use plants and other natural substances to maintain their health and treat various ailments, researchers can gain insights into the evolutionary processes that have shaped these behaviors over millions of years.

Zoopharmacognosy also has practical applications for animal welfare and conservation. By identifying the plants and minerals that animals use for medicinal purposes, researchers can work to protect these resources and ensure that they are available to wild populations. Similarly, zoopharmacognosy can inform the development of natural remedies for domesticated animals, reducing the need for synthetic drugs and improving the overall health and well-being of these animals.

The continued practice of zoopharmacognosy can improve animal welfare and conservation efforts, making it an important area of study for scientists and animal lovers alike.

The basics of zoopharmacognosy can be practiced at home with your own companions by offering a variety of pet-friendly herbs for them to choose from. Visit our Etsy shop to find a few of such herbs and check out some of our other offerings!

25/03/2023

Parrots are intelligent creatures and need a lot of mental and physical stimulation to keep them happy and healthy. Foraging activities are a great way to provide your pet parrot with the intellectual challenges they need while also allowing them to engage in natural behaviors.

Here are some ideas for offering your pet parrot foraging activities with items you might find in your own household:

1. Hide treats in paper bags: Take small paper bags and fill them with your parrot's favorite treats. Fold the bags closed and hide them around your bird's cage or play area. Your parrot will love hunting for the treats and tearing open the bags to get to them.

2. Create a foraging box: Take a cardboard box and cut a few holes in it. Place treats and toys inside the box and let your parrot explore it. You can also add shredded paper or other materials to make it more challenging for your parrot to find the treats.

3. Use unbleached coffee filters: Take a fresh, unbleached coffee filter and stuff it with treats or toys. Twist closed and let your parrot figure out how to get to the goodies inside. This can also work with paper cupcake wrappers!

4. Make a DIY foraging tub: Reuse a plastic container with a lid, like a yogurt or sour cream container. Cut holes in the sides (take care to file down sharp edges) and fill it with treats. Your parrot will have to figure out how to manipulate the container to get to the treats inside.

5. Hang treats from perches: Tie your parrot's favorite treats to pieces of bird-safe leather cord or rope and hang them from your bird's perches. Your parrot will love swinging from the rope and trying to get to the treats.

6. Create a foraging mat: Take a piece of fleece fabric and cut it into strips. Tie the strips together to create a mat with knots throughout. Hide treats and toys in the knots and let your parrot forage for them.

7. Use a muffin tin: Take a muffin tin and fill each cup with treats or toys. Cover each cup with a piece of paper or cardboard and let your parrot figure out how to remove the covers to get to the goodies inside.

Remember to supervise your parrot while they are engaging in foraging activities, and only offer items that are safe for your bird to play with and consume. With these simple ideas, you can provide your pet parrot with hours of fun and engaging foraging activities while keeping their brains sharp and their hearts happy!

23/09/2022

One of our absolute favorite sources for hand-made, natural bird toys. If you’re in/around Illinois, be sure to visit KCtoys on Sunday at the Midwest Shows Joliet Bird Fair. Our babies love them!

17/04/2022

Veggie Muffins/Birdie Bread!

Did you know that our Veggie Mix makes a healthy addition to your favorite birdie bread recipe?! I was asked today about my recipe and I was inspired to make a batch but it just reiterated that my own recipe needed refining 🙃. Still, my guys know a good thing when they see it and they tore into it right away. Do you make birdie bread at home, too?

30/01/2022

See you there! 😊

Your number one destination for all things bird! Quality monthly bird fair & sales, specializing in owning & caring for your winged companion.

16/01/2022

Your number one destination for all things bird! Quality monthly bird fair & sales, specializing in owning & caring for your winged companion.

29/12/2021

I’m so excited about beginning a new year; we have such big plans for Posh City Pets!
We’re starting off with the launch of a new line of herbal teas that I, personally, can’t get enough of (especially the one pictured). It’s full of organic ingredients known to calm nerves and help with digestion while offering an antioxidant boost! Can you guess what’s inside?
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14/10/2021

Check it out - You could win a cage and lots of goodies from our friends at Feathered Family Aviary!

02/08/2021

Naturally, there is so much more to buckwheat than I can list here. One of the biggest benefits is the spectrum of amino acids that buckwheat provides! This little, pyramid-shaped wonder can be fed to birds as is or, even better, can be sprouted and added to fresh chop. If you haven’t tried sprouting before, you should definitely visit our website to see our post on sprouting seeds for birds. It’s easy to so and makes a wonderful way to spoil your feathered buddies! 🌱

10/07/2021

Come for a couple hours, take home a feathered friend for life!

Your place for all things bird. Get ready, it's almost time to GET YOUR BIRD ON!

NO capacity limits!
NO time limits!

Rolling Meadows Bird Fair & Sale
Saturday, July 10th 2021

10:00am to 3:00pm CST.

$4.00 General Admission

Rolling Meadows Community Center
3705 Pheasant Dr.
Rolling Meadows, IL 60008

18/06/2021

Time for a cage refresh with some goodies from & Seed Street Toys . Check out their account to see cool toy designs and enjoy some very funny bird posts!

08/06/2021

FYI 🙂

Our June Bird Fairs are right around the corner! With any luck, Illinois will be in Phase 5 and we'll have no restrictions!! Get Your Bird On Baby 🤩 🐦 ❤️

23/05/2021

See you there! 😊

JOLIET BIRD FAIR & SALE
VENDOR LIST

Joliet Bird Fair & Sale
Sunday, May 23rd
10am to 3pm

100 S 129th Infantry Dr.
Joliet, IL 60436

Amy's Baby Aviary (Amy Moore)
Amy raises Cockatiels, Lovebirds. Budgies & Linnies. She also sells Bird Toys & Playpens.

Feathered Family Aviary (Nathan Albrecht)
FFA breeds Indian Ringnecks, Conures (Green Cheek, Sun & Jenday), and Cockatiels! Availability always depends on current breeding. FFA also sells bird toys, treats, food mixes & nest boxes. Contact FFA on Facebook at Feathered Family Aviary or email at [email protected].

Edward Boyer
Edward will have Green Cheek Conures & Crimson Bellies!

Toby's Toys (Dale Rosso)
Awesome parrot toys for all sizes, claw toys, perches & swings. Specializing their own uniquely designed large bird toys, quality made & reasonably priced. All wood is sanded & colored with animal safe food coloring. Reach him at 574-607-7627, www.tobystoys.net, or email at [email protected].

Cockatiel Kingdom (Virginia Enriquez & Sue Jenkins)
Bird seed, Supplies, And Also Some Birds As Well. You'll Find A Little Bit Of Everything At Virginia's Bird Store! Contact them at [email protected].

Chris Dieter
Chris will have playstands, toys & Zebra Finches!

S&S Bird Supplies!! (Ken & Pam Spurbeck)
Higgins seed blends, Intune pellets & now new HARMONY pellet blends. Also Volkman's seed blends, Goldenfeast seed blends, Pretty Bird pellet blends, custom blends of Great Grains, as well as Soak & Sprout mixes. Bird harnesses, cleaning supplies, plus stimulating toys! For special requests, contact them at 815-713-1647 or [email protected].

Willie Vargas
Willie will have Rosy Bourkes, Canaries & Grass Parakeets. Reach him at [email protected].

KC Toys (Kim & Cindy)
KCtoys specialize in Handmade Bird Toys - Feather Friendly - At Affordable Prices! Large selection of all natural toys. Breeders of Parrotlets, Lovebirds, Sun Conures & Linnies. Reach them on Facebook .

Posh City Pets (Todd & Nina Ramos)
Posh City Pets offers a variety of birds, including English Zebra Finches, Canaries, Hand-fed Pacific Parrotlets & Green Cheek Conures. They also feature select wellness products such as the exclusive Whatcha Brewin’? Avian Tea Line, Herbal Mixes, Dried Fruit, Vegetables & Sprouting Seeds & Kits. Find them at www.PoshCityPets.com, Facebook & Instagram Posh City Pets, Etsy at www.PoshCityPets.Etsy.com, or email them at [email protected].

Andra's Birds (Andra Connor)
Andra usually sells a variety of birds. You can reach her at 309-258-7530.

Cecile Navarro
Cecile will have Timbrado Canaries.

Juan Medina
Love Birds, Conures, Parakeets, Green Cheeks, Doves, Pigeons, and Cages too! Reach him at [email protected].

Parrot Adventure (Mike & Becky Edwards)
Parrot Adventure has Cockatiels, American/Split/English Budgies, Rainbow Lorikeets, Lovebirds, Green Cheek & Sun Conures & Homemade Hardwood Perches & Nest Boxes. Contact their store at 414-477-8995, on Facebook Parrot Adventure, or email them at [email protected].

Beaks and Feathers (Paula Miranda)
Hand-fed Green Cheeks, Cockatiels, Peachface Lovebirds & Quakers. Also has Parakeets, Zebra & Java Finches. Products include Zupreem, seed, toys, water bottles & cages. Reach them at [email protected] or 773-550-0886.

Parrots In Leather (Floss Smith)
Blessings Lory Food, Powder & Nectar, Customized Toys of All Kinds For Your Avian Friends! Reach her at 815-764-4051 or [email protected].

Enrique Campuzano
Finches, including English Zebra, Regular Zebra, Masked Grass, Shaft-tail, Gouldian. He also has American Singer & Yorkshire Canaries. You can contact Enrique at 312-532-7388 or Facebook **e Campuzano.

Edmond Pilkati
Finches (Green Singers, Grey Singers, European Goldfinches, European Linnets), Canaries (Russians, Red Factors, Red Mosaic, American Singers). Reach Edmond at [email protected].

Jose Contreras
Canaries, Gouldian Finches, Green Singer Finches, English Zebra Finches.

4B-Bugs (Traci Tapehead)
4B-Bugs has been a vendor at Scott's All Animal Expo, so many of you may already be familiar with their products. Traci and her family believe strongly in their product, and they pride themselves on customer service and satisfaction. The main product offered is a selection of healthy tropical roaches. Before you utter the word...Ewwww! Please note, these roaches offer a good source of nutrition for many animals, such as parrots, chickens, ducks, parakeets, lizards, frogs, mantids, rats, pigs, and more! Many animals enjoy roaches! These tropical roaches are ovoviviparous (dependent on the mother to be born; no dropped egg cases), and are not the evil German or American roach that can take over! They don't stink like other feeder bugs, they won't infest your home, and they offer more protein and longevity than crickets. Traci also has a variety of small toys. Please stop by and meet them, you're going to be really impressed!