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Birds are incredibly social by nature and thrive on company, frequent interaction and nurturing. Many birds are engaging pets, and they make fun. If anyone is planning to have bird ownership, the care necessities include providing proper housing, nutritious diet, and keeping an eye on the health of birds. However, it is also essential to offer them plenty of enrichment and interaction to keep the pet birds happy, active and alert.
HOUSING
GETTING A LARGER CAGE FOR BIRD HOUSING
Birds flourish in big cages, so opt for the giant cage according to the housing space. A general thumb rule for the bird’s cages is that the width of the enclosure should be at least double the wingspan of the bird. It is essential for some birds to fly short distance within the enclosures to ensure the healthy living area. Some other reasonably standard requirements for the birds include:
- The bars of the cage shouldn’t be too small as the bird’s talons might get trapped on or in them. Similarly, the bars should not be large enough that the head of the bird could get captured or the birds could press through and escape.
- The larger the space in the cage for the birds, the better. Although larger bird cages are difficult to clean and are more costly, small pens can cause behaviour problems.
Selecting a rectangular cage for your bird
It is vital to note that circular cages are harmful for the birds. There is hardly any roam in the circle cages for the birds, and no edge to feel safe in. Moreover, the circular enclosures may lead the bird to twist its head. There may be the development of behavioural problems in birds with constant turning. It is also not advisable to purchase the cage with the guillotine-style door, as the bird can escape from them quickly.
Ensure that space is more than sufficient when keeping more than one bird
Avoid keeping more than one bird in a small pen. Birds need area to fly, forage, retreat, and be at a distance from other birds. Therefore, for more birds, there should be a larger cage. Aviaries are more suitable for keeping numerous birds at the same time. However, to keep diverse species of the bird together, ensure that the birds are friendly when placed with each other.
PLACEMENT OF THE CAGE
The cages should be indoors, and in a room with frequent traffic. As birds are social animals, so they will become unhappy if they remain unhappy. It is also essential to clean the cage regularly, so hang the cage somewhere where it can be easily accessed.
Birds in hanging enclosures can often be carried outside to hang beneath a porch or alike place for fresh air. Always keep in mind to bring them back in prior to cool evening breezes and night air pull in.
The position of the birdcage will also affect the personality of the birds. A social bird would be happier to be in the centre of consideration and seeing human traffic regularly. Similarly, a nervous bird might more comfortable when kept at a place which is quieter and away from the sound.
It is not advisable to place the bird-cage in front of a window presistently. The bird will become nervous by looking out to the enemies. Placing the cage against a wall can provide the bird with a gap from nervousness about predators.
FEEDING
Give the bird different types of food daily
The general thumb for feeding bird a healthy diet that is 75% pellets and 25% human table food. However, the accurate dietary necessities depend on the species of the bird. It is better to discuss the feed of the bird with the veterinary doctor to see what sort of feed birds require.
Meanwhile, it is essential to ensure that the feed is correct for the species of the bird. Some birds are demanding, while others are strict to the dietary requirements. The crumbles, pellets, and nuggets are the right way to ensure the adequate nutrition of the bird. These tend to a misture of healthy vegetables, fruits, grains, and seeds that a bird can have a nutritionally balanced feed.
Fresh Vegetables And Fruits
Addition of greens will provide variety to the birds. A mixture or type of food is both fit and fun for the birds. Cut up and sever a mixture of fruits, veggies to the bird will make them have a nutritious diet. Some nuts and beans cooked for flavour will make the bird happier.
Provide fresh water
Availablility of fresh-water dish regularly in the cage is necessary. Providing fresh water regularly with normal temperature water will help the birds to avoid dehydration. It is advisable to locate the water dish at the opposite side of the bird-cage from the food bowl.
This placing of water and food dishes in the opposite direction will help to keep the birds active and move around eating and drinking. Birds can become dehydrated quickly so don’t miss placing water in the cages regularly.
Keep the feeding arrangements hygienic
The water and food bowls should be high enough for the birds as the birds often drop faeces into the food, which is not hygienic. The birds can become ill if they consume their own faeces matter. Therefore, ensure to clean the water and food dishes along with the cages of the birds.
Feeding the bird at about the same time
It is crucial to feed at the same time daily. If the owner wants to stick to the natural feeding time of birds, provide the feed approximate half an hour just before sunset and half hour after sunrise.
Providing The Bird with Perches and Toys
Before providing toys to the birds, make sure that toys are safe for the birds and that beaks or the toes of the bird doesn’t get trap in any part of the toys. Hanging bells and mirrors will make fun for the birds. However, better to ensure that the bells don’t have gaps in it as this can trap the bird’s feet in it.
Providing new types of toys to excite the birds
Birds usually become bored by playing with the same toys everyday. Therefore, it is better to increase the enjoyment of the birds by changing the toys and reducing the chances of feather plucking and other behaviours that stimulate the boredom. Birds typically like to have chewable products made out of things like rope, pines cones, rawhide chews etc.
Variable shaped and textured perches for the bird’s feet
Birds spent most of their life in cages. Therefore it is crucial to set up perches at variable heights. Set poles on the opposite of the cages as well, so that birds can fly and have some exercise. Inclusion of wooden perches, and some natural tree branches for variety. These branches will help to file the beak and nails of the bird. However, the natural wood perch should be scrubbed thoroughly before using with some cleaning products as it has some components that can be harmful to birds.
Placing food and improvement items in multiple places around the pens
Placement of different items in a different place will make the birds enjoy. Hiding food inside the toy or an enhancement device and drop the food from the top or side of cages is fun for the birds. These activities will help the birds to become satisfied as it is the instinct of the birds.
Care of Bird Health and Hygiene
Provide water in a large enough container
Birds have the capability of handling their grooming. Most likely, the bird will clean themselves in the water bowl, providing the container large enough for it to use for bath. The bird will bath to keep themselves fresh in hot condition. Therefore, ensure to provide the water for washing in when the temperature is on the higher side.
Clean the cage daily
Cleaning the cages regularly will reduce the chances for the fungal, bacterial or viral infection to occur in the birds. Removing the bird droppings daily is very vital for managing the bird’s health. The bird living in a clean environment will be more active and alert.
To keep the cage clean:
- Change the bedding daily.
- Daily removal of droppings from the perches and toys.
- Remove the uneaten food that has been sitting around on the bottom of the cage.
- If the bird is moulting (this is common with parrots, for example), there will be a need to vacuum up the moulted feathers daily; this tends to appear when there is a warm spell.
- Always clean the cages with non-toxic cleaning supplies. Birds are more prone poison, so find out if a product is safe for birds before using it.
Clipping of bird’s wings
Some birds like parrots may experience severe or fatal flight accidents in the indoor or caged environment. Mostly, birds don’t require trimming or clipping. Trimming is mainly for the primary flight feathers. Trimming is not to prevent the flight but jus to avoid accidents happen due to flights. The toenails also require trimming, especially the adult birds. Usually, baby birds don’t require trimming of toenails as they need to sit on the perches.
Signals of bird for cold and hot weather
Optimal temperature is a necessity for the birds. Too cold or too hot temperature can be deadly for the birds. Most of the birds prefer to have a cold indoor temperature of 70 o F. In warm weather, the birds will start panting, fluttering from the throat, red nasal opening, and hot breath. In cold and freezing weather, the bird will hunch in using it feathers to covers its feet and it will fluff out its feathers. Check for drafts and move the bird away from the cold room or area to a place that is a bit warmer. Windows can be a source of cold air during the winter months.
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