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Nutrition is probably the most important aspect of bird care. Birds should have a high nutrition diet formulated especially for birds, and/or a well balance table-food diet. My avian veterinarian strongly recommends a high quality pelleted diet supplemented with a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables daily. Especially important are vitamin A-containing vegetables (e.g. sweet potato, carrots, red pepper, apricots, papaya, mango, peaches, etc.) and dark green, leafy vegetables (spinach, broccoli, etc.). Birds like other veggies such as corn, peas and pea pods, green pepper (hot peppers are O.K.), green beans, apples, oranges, grapes, sprouts, etc. Pasta's, rice, bread and cooked chicken may also be given as long as the protein and nutritional requirements are met. Birds 2 Pet babies are weaned to a large variety of fruits and vegetables, and tend to be very good veggie eaters.
Caged birds do not get as much exercise as wild or flighted aviary birds and therefore should not have a high-fat seed (sunflower and safflower) diet. Rose-breasted cockatoos are prone to obesity and to fatty tumors, therefore should have dietary fats restricted. Some nuts and seeds may be given to birds, on a species basis, according to the dietary needs of the particular species.
Vitamins are not required with a pelleted food diet. Parrots do not require grit. Some species may have additional calcium requirements.
Adult birds may take a long time to become familiar with foods before they are willing to eat them. Give them an assortment of fruits and vegetables daily whether or not they eat them. Eventually they will pick out a few favorites (corn, oranges, cherries) and ultimately they will try other foods. Some foods have been given on a regular basis for over a year before the bird was willing eat the foods.
It is best to establish a relationship with a good avian veterinarian as soon as possible so you will have one available in case the bird should get sick. Read about signs of illness (lethargy, poor plumage, characteristics of droppings) in birds so that you will be able to recognize the very subtle early signs of illness, should they occur.
Birds prefer rectangular cages to round and they like to have one side against a wall, for protection. They should not be placed in direct sunlight or in drafty areas, but like to be able to see outside a window. The cage needs to be accessorized with adequate size food and water dishes, perches and toys. Cages and accessories must be kept clean in order to avoid illness of the bird.
Recently toxic levels of zinc in cages have been identified. Query your cage seller to determine whether he is knowledgeable and avoids stocking cages with high zinc. Generally, powder coated are better then painted (some whites have higher zinc), and both better than galvanized, especially the galvanized before welding cages.
Toys - Toys are required to avoid boredom. For safety reasons, toys must be chosen for the type and size of bird. Wood, rawhide, or chain may make good toys. Check that bell clappers are not lead! Some birds are prone to get their toenails caught in things. Watch your bird play with the toy, and to determine if he is able to play with it safely. Some birds love to chew wood and/or pine cones.
Cage Covering - Covering cages is not necessary for hookbills. However, if you have a recently weaned baby, and the weather is cold at night, it may need a cover for protection from cold.
Cage Bottom - Materials used on the bottom of the cage should be changed frequently so that fungus does not grow from dampness, and so that the bird droppings are removed to prevent bacterial growth. Newspaper or paper towel liners are probably as easy to deal with as any of the commercially available (and more expensive) products.
Discipline - Birds do not recognize physical abuse of any kind (no matter how minor) as discipline. It will only frighten them and cause them to misbehave more; they will never become submissive like some other animal species. The best approach is to avoid the bad behavior (give him attention before he has to demand it), and reward good behavior, but not bad behavior. Understand the nature of your bird, if he were to be in the wild (e.g. cockatoos call at dawn and dusk), and forgive some of his behaviors that are instinctive. Be calm and quiet in all situations. Birds react to your energy level. Understand that birds are creatures of habit and expect routine to be met, once it is set.
A method for dealing with a noisy bird is to cover its cage, but just briefly. After 2-5 minutes he won't remember why he was covered so remove the cover. It may take a few or hundreds of times before he understands the association. And when he thinks you are not around, he will vocalize all he likes. Birds feed off our energy level. If you get excited, the bird will get excited. When things quiet down the bird will quiet down.
Parrots have a short attention span and will only associate your actions with his action if they occur simultaneously. If a bird bites and you yell (or drop the arm he is perching on) while his beak is clamped down, he will be startled and might associate the cause with the reaction after it happens several times. But, if you continue to yell at him after he lets go, he has no idea what you are yelling at him about. After he lets go, he can again be praised for being a good bird.
Always try to leave your session with a bird on a friendly, loving note.
Identification - Bands are to identify the bird as import (open band) or domestic (closed band) and to trace the heritage if the bird should later become a breeder. Cages and toys should not have any projections on which the bands can be caught.
Birds may also be identified with a computer micro-chip which can be read with a special instrument by the veterinarian. Microchip implant identification should be registered so that your bird may be found if lost or stolen. Parentage can also be registered on the implant, so that the bird is not mated to a related bird.
Sunlight - Birds need sunlight on a regular basis. Glass blocks the beneficial rays. The cages can be moved outside regularly, to a place where the bird may get the sun, without becoming overly heated.
Toe Nail Clipping - Birds require toe nail clipping on a regular basis. The proper methods must be learned to avoid bleeding. Birds 2 Pet sells a " Manicure Perch " which wears the birds toenails while he perches, thus toe nail clipping is not required. This perch is not rough on the birds feet as are some other types of perches, sold for this purpose.
Toxic Substances - Lead (curtain weights), zinc in cage metal or toys, caffeine, Teflon fumes, other fumes (aerosol room fresheners), mold and some plants and foods (avocado) are toxic to birds. Read to identify substances toxic to birds. Expect that anything toxic to children may also be toxic to birds.
Wing Clipping - Birds who have their wings clipped are easier to train and are more protected from danger from flying into windows or from escaping outside. Even birds that seem to be well clipped in the house, may quickly grow a few new feathers, enough for flight outside, and they get tremendous lift from even the smallest breeze. Therefore, it is even difficult to protect clipped birds if they are taken outside.
Birds 2 Pet
is a small aviary that gives individual attention and socialization to each
and every bird. The birds are part of the family at day one. They are raised in
the kitchen and family room, played with frequently, and become excellent pet -
quality birds.
Birds 2 Pet is a closed aviary that is Model Aviculture Program (MAP) certified. All breeding stock has tested negative for PBFD and polyoma virus. Birds receive excellent veterinary care. All babies are DNA sexed, small birds are close-banded and large birds are microchipped for identification. Bird health is guaranteed.