Avian Care

Cage Cleaning and Hygiene

The hygiene of companion birds is an extremely important one.

Cages

Droppings often accumulate on cage parts, perches, and they also tend to foul food and water cups, resulting in spoilage (bacterial proliferation and overgrowth) and mold growth. We recommend that perches be kept scrupulously clean at all times. Soap, water, and sandpaper may be used to clean perches. Cage bottoms should be changed daily. Cages should be given a thorough scrubbing and cleaning at least once a month.

Food and Water Cups

These should be thoroughly cleaned once or twice daily before they are replenished. We suggest having 2 - 3 sets of water and food dishes that are changed on a daily rotating basis. When not in use they can be soaking in a "bird safe" disinfectant solution. Whenever possible, use a dishwasher to clean water and food containers as the extremely hot temperatures reached by these appliances aid in the disinfecting process.

Water

Water should be changed at least twice a day, if not more frequently. The water may look perfectly harmless to you, but large numbers of bacteria which can be fatal to your bird can grow in a matter of hours from food, saliva or feces. Let the tap water run for a couple of minutes before filling your bird's water dish as there is bacteria in the water lines that seems to be tolerated well by man, but can have devastating consequences for pet birds.

Diet Supplements

"You are what you eat," is a favorite saying but very true. In order for birds to be healthy, they must consume all of the necessary nutrients (protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water) and do so in the proper proportions. A number of reputable pet food manufacturers have recently developed and are currently marketing specialized processed foods for caged birds. These pelleted foods should be part of your birds diet along with seed and fresh fruits and vegetables.

Vitamin supplementation for birds is also recommended. Powdered vitamins can be sprinkled over table foods, fruits and vegetables to which the powder will adhere. The powder does not adhere to the seed and the bird usually discards the shell anyway so it doesn't get the benefit of the vitamins.

The vitamins and minerals supplements help in case your bird's diet is lacking in one or more types of nutrients. Bottom line, make sure to offer your bird a varied diet.

Grooming your Bird

Good grooming is essential to a happy and healthy pet bird. The decision to deny a bird free and unrestricted flight is unconsciously made by each bird owner at the time the bird is made a caged and captive pet in the home. Wing clipping is merely a procedure that makes this confinement safer for the bird. Besides the safety factor, this procedure often makes birds that would otherwise develop dominant, aggressive personalities more manageable within the home. Clipping both wings is perferred so that the bird's descent to the floor is balanced and relatively controlled.

Toenail trimming is extremely important. Since caged birds live in a human engineered environment, there is little irregularity in the surfaces with which they come in contact. Therefore, toenails have a tendency to overgrow and becoming rough. This can create perching problems in the long run. Most caged birds need their toenails trimmed periodically depending on the species and the season. Using sandpaper covered perches is NOT recommended. They do not prevent nail overgrowth, but instead cause irritation and excessive wear to the soles of the feet.

We highly recommend that a professionally trained person groom your pet bird for their safety as well as yours!

Diet and Nutrition

Improper feeding is the cheif cause of disease and death in pet birds. Poor diet is also linked to behavior issues. Birds cannot live on seed alone. Seed does not have all the nutrients they need. Fresh fruits and vegetables, pastas, grains, and sprouts should be a major part of the diet. Pellet can aslo be given but should not replace fresh fruits and vegetables.

Birds Need Light

Birds are very sensitive to light. Their health and behavior are affected by it. Ultraviolet light assista in the synthesis of vitamin D and in turn allows for proper utilization of calcium. Natural light is best, of course, but weather doesn't always allow it. Special UV avain lights are made for indoor use. These bulbs replicate natural sunlight. Mount or suspend these bulbs 12 to 18 inches above the cage to best simulate how light falls on the bird in nature.