Bird Care Guide

Bird Care Guide to Keeping Budgies, Cockatiels, Canaries, Zebra Finches and Parrots

Bird Housing

When you are considering housing your pet bird it is essential that you select a cage that has adequate room and the ability for your bird to move around and excercise. The actual size of the cage will greatly depend on the type of bird you have selected as larger birds such as parrots eill require much more room than a zebra finch. If you are housing a larger species of bird it is important that you do not purchse the wrong type of cage, for instance if you have a cockatiel and purchase a specialized budgie cage this will not be strong enough or for that matter large enough to house the cockatiel correctly. Make sure you consult one of our members of staff at Prestwood Petzone if you are looking to purchase a bird cage. Another factor that you should take into account when purchasing a new bird cage is to selct a cage that has horizontal bars as this will promote climbing from your pet as many species of birds will climb around their cage as a form of excercise. It is also advised that you place a sandsheet or bird sand at the bottom of the bird cage along with sand perches so that the birds nails will remain trim. When you are considering housing your pet bird you should also think about the location of the cage with regards to the room as you should not place the cage in direct sunlight or where there are any draughts as this can affect the health of your bird.

Bird Feeding

When purchasing food for your pet bird make sure you select the correct type of seed in order to provide the correct nutrients for your pet as there are different types of seed for each bird. In order to select the correct food for your pet bird please come and visit us at Prestwood Petzone where our bird department can advise you on any queries you may have regarding the correct bird food needed for your pet. To provide treats for your bird you can offer millet spray but do not overfeed this to your pet, you may also provide a honey bell or seed bar as a treat. When feeding your bird you will also want to make sure that you are providing enough calcium and minerals in the diet of your bird and a good way to promote this is to include a cuttlefish bone and a mineral block in the bird's cage. You may also provide your bird with a selection of green vegetables that should be washed thoroughly before being provide as an alternative food for your bird. It is also a good idea to check your birds food container and remove any husks that you may find in the container. Fresh water will also need to be supplied for your pet bird and be placed in a position where it cannot become contamintaed by the bird's droppings.

Bird Handling

After your bird has settled into its new surroundings and has become tame you can let the bird out of the cage for a period of time during the day, providing the bird is under supervision. Before letting the bird out of the cage a few safety checks should take place to prevent the bird from injuring itself. The safety checks that should be done include closing any windows or doors, covering any open fires, removing any other animals from the room and also taking any house plants you may have into another room. One of the main reasons for letting your pet bird out of the cage is to make sure your bird can use his wings and the earlier you start this in your birds life the more the bird will learn to trust you and settle on you. This will help to make the return of your pet into its cage a much easier process. It is not advised to chase your pet bird around the room in order to make it return to the cage as this will cause a lose in trust between you and the bird.

Bird Toys & Decor

There are a range of toys availabe for your bird and they will be appreciated by your pet as it will give them something to play with. If you have just purchased your bird and cage it would be a good idea for you to introduce any of the toys slowly to provide as little stress as possible to the animal. Excellent toys for your pet bird include a mirror and a ladder, however take care in making sure you do not overcrowd tha cage.

Bird Bathing

Most birds will enjoy having a daily bath as this helps to provide them with a way of toning up and keeping their feathers in good condition. It is a good idea to give a bath early in the day so that this gives your animal plenty of time to dry off before roosting for the night. To provide a bath for your bird either use a shallow dish of water or a commercial bird bath that can be attached to the open door of your birds cage, once or twice a week will be enough to keep your birds feathers clean.

More Bird Information

If you would like to discover any more information on caring for your bird then please come and visit us at Prestwood Petzone where our staff will be pleased to advise you on choosing the most suitable bird for you, plus answer any queries you may have. For a detailed map and directions on how to find Prestwood Petzone please click How to find us.

Suggested shopping list for your bird

Cage
Cage Stand
Cage Cover
Perches
Food
Seed Treats
Cuttlefish
Mineral Block
Bath
Sand Sheets
Water Pots
Toys

The information contained in this bird care guide is intended to provide basic guidance only and is no substitute for a good book. Recommended titles include “The Pet Owners Guide to Bird's” and “The Cage Bird Question And Answer Manual” published by Interpet. Please contact us if you would like further information regarding any of the books or products that we stock. You can contact us by phone, e-mail or letter. You can find all of our contact details by clicking Contact Us.

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