Bird Ownership
By Dr. Randy H. Turek, DVM, MA, DACVPM, VCA – Desert Animal Hospital
song, and others talk up a storm, but how should we house and care for them? First, we need a place to put them. Some owners like to
B
cage their pets, while other bird owners like to build an aviary. In either case, you want to afford your pet as much room as possible. The space will have to be at least three times as large as the birds’ wingspan. Also, all materials used to build the cage or aviary will need to be non-toxic. Galvanized wire cages can’t be used unless they are prop- erly prepared because your birds will get zinc poisoning if they pick at the galvanized wire. Cage accessories: bowls should be sturdy and non-po- rous. I prefer covered bowls to prevent the food, water or grit from being contaminated by the pets’ droppings. No one wants to eat their food or drink water with urine and feces in it.
Perches: Perches should be made from various materials such
as wood, plastic or rope, and of differing diameters. This allows the birds to exercise their feet, preventing pressure sores from standing on the same type and same diameter of perch their entire lives. It also
gives them a place to exercise their beaks. Don’t use sandpaper perch covers because it causes foot damage and doesn’t keep the nails short.
We wouldn’t like standing around with sandpaper insoles in our shoes. Bird toys: You’ll need toys to prevent boredom and help your pet get exercise. I found that it’s best not to have all of the toys in the cage at the same time because the bird will get bored. Put just a few in the cage at a time and then rotate them out. This way, the bird will have new toys to play with and not become bored or stressed, which can lead to inappropriate behavior like feather picking. The toys must be sturdy and made of
irds make wonderful companions. Some enjoy close contact with their owners, some fill our homes with
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