Franklin fires his sling. If there is room for Balbo and Drogo to shoot arrows (without blocking other PCs from shooting) then Franklin will order them to do so.
January 7 The Hobbets return to dungeon level 3 to battle the fearsome cockatrice in its lair. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AMWts8Ct3_xdKDEl9Wo1vKbPOF59kA1PNIGBbNhDtZ-PTqZI6lhZo97I1vgr0pW5TWxPixbDG1rrtga38RSN7nz0Fmx3xXguC_infWuaCBO5_1dt5kNvnDQfp8Bj7CDHhkQC_lfH81xgFfBwYBFzwAza59Xl=w400-h273-...
Let's sat 5gp per silver sling bullet (same price as a silver arrow or quarrel).
No parrots for sale in town, but I know where Robur can find one on dungeon level 3! Robur can use the Animal Friendship spell to bond with a parrot (like Noh and his animal companion Carc the raven).
Franklin doesn't want to get roasted! Maybe come back later, when we have a fire-resistance magic item? (He is being uncharacteristically cautious lately.)