It's a good idea to make a safe environment for your pet bird.
A pet bird can be a wonderful companion for years, but new bird owners should be aware that caring for a bird takes more than just a cage and birdseed.Birds are more delicate than cats or dogs, so even a seemingly trivial mistake, like boiling water in a non-stick pot, can potentially cost a bird its life.To keep your feathery little friend safe and healthy, you need to create a safe environment both inside and out of your home.
Step 1: Make sure the cage is big.
It should be at least 1.5 times your bird's adult wingspan in width, depth, and height to allow it to move freely.Bigger is better.Bird-cage.com has a list of suggested cage sizes.The minimum height should be three times the length from head to tail.There should be at least 2 wing beats.Without tail feathers hitting the cage, your bird should be able to turn around on his perch.Small birds need large cages.Two finches need 3-4 square feet of space so they can fly around.
Step 2: Escape or injury can be prevented by selecting a cage with bars the right distance apart.
The bird shouldn't be able to put its head between the bars.Under 12” is the appropriate bar width for small birds such as finches, canaries, parrotlets, parakeets, and lovebirds.
Step 3: The cage should be square or rectangular.
Adding more corners makes the cage less safe.A long low cage is better than a narrow high one because it allows the birds to fly and glide.
Step 4: There should be plenty of perches.
Your bird will spend most of its time standing, so having an adequate number of perches is vital to your bird's health and happiness.For most birds, you will want to provide a natural branch perch, one near the food and water, and another near toys, as well as a concrete perch elsewhere in the cage.Plastic perches can cause problems if eaten, as well as sandpaper perches, which can scratch your bird's feet.A good place for birds to groom is a concrete perch.They should not be near food, water or toys.The bird will put pressure on different parts of its feet when it perches on a natural branch perch.Choose branches from apples, plums, and pear, but not cherries.Cut the branch to fit the cage, scrub and clean it with detergent, and let it dry in the sun.If you want to kill insects, heat the branch for 45 minutes.Allow it to cool before putting it in the cage.Cotton rope is toxin free and can be washed easily, making it a good perch.
Step 5: Make sure your bird can't open the door.
The door to the cage should be escape-proof because your bird will spend a lot of time trying to open it.You can use a padlock, clip, or small carabiner to secure the door if you are worried that your bird will escape.
Step 6: Ensure your bird is well fed and hydrated.
If a child is in charge of caring for the bird, double-check the water and seed supply.If you use a water bottle, make sure it is working correctly.It's enough to kill most birds if you don't have water for three days.
Step 7: You can mist your bird or provide a birdbath.
Birds need to bathe frequently to keep their skin and feathers healthy.If you use hot water, it will remove essential oils from your bird's feathers.You should change the water daily if you put a birdbath in the cage.You can mist your bird with a spray bottle.Birds like to wash in the sink or shower.
Step 8: It's a good idea to make sure the toys are safe.
If you want your bird to chew on your toys, make sure they are not made from wood treated with toxic chemicals or soft plastic.It's important to keep your bird stimulated by rotating toys at least once a week, as boredom can lead to health problems.
Step 9: The birdcage should be covered at night.
An old sheet or pillowcase is fine if you want to use a cover designed for the cage.Even if you are up late with the lights on, covering your bird's cage will allow it to sleep.Birds need at least 10 hours of sleep a night, so providing a dark, quiet area for your bird at night is important to prevent sleep deprivation.
Step 10: There is a newspaper at the bottom of the cage.
Wood chips can irritate your bird's respiratory system.You should change the newspaper daily.
Step 11: The cage should be cleaned regularly.
Cleaning and sterilizing your bird's cage can help prevent the spread of germs and disease.Changing the liner, cleaning the dishes, and rinsing and refilling the birdbath daily is what this means.Weekly and monthly deep cleans are needed for large birds and groups of small birds.Remove the bird and all the toys from the cage.All seeds and droppings from the cage should be cleaned and scrubbed with hot soapy water and then sprayed with a disinfectant.Before replacing toys and perches, rinse the air and let it dry.The perches and toys need to be cleaned.It is necessary to clean the wooden perches and toys.You can wash and rinse by hand or in the dishwasher.Before returning items to the cage, rinse thoroughly and air dry or oven dry.If you want to save time, you should have two sets of toys and perches, as well as two cages, so that your bird can be comfortable in one while you clean the other.
Step 12: Always use a bird-safe disinfectant.
You can either buy one at your pet shop or make your own from one of the recipes.Take 1 cup of distilled vinegar and a gallon of water.
Step 13: Keep food and water dishes away from birds.
To clean your bird's dishes, use hot soapy water or the dishwasher.They will be contaminated with bird droppings if they are not located under perches.Food dishes should be completely dry before being returned to the cage.
Step 14: Don't put your bird's cage in the kitchen or bathroom.
Cooking fumes can be toxic to birds if the temperature fluctuates too much.Toxic chemicals from grooming products, as well as dangerous heat fluctuations, can be found in the bathroom.
Step 15: The level of human interaction is appropriate for your bird.
If you have a bird, you should avoid areas with a lot of traffic and noise.You need to find an area that fits your bird.If your bird likes attention, place it in an area with more activity.Quiet areas of your home will be happier for less social birds.More social birds include Amazon parrots, lovebirds, lorikeets, conures, African greys, cockatoos and macaws.
Step 16: Put your bird away from windows.
Having at least one side of your bird's cage against a wall will give it a sense of security.Dogs, hawks, and storms can frighten your bird if it is put in front of a window.
Step 17: You should put your bird's cage at your chest level.
Birds become anxious when placed too low.Birds are more likely to have behavior problems if they are placed too high.
Step 18: It's a good idea to avoid heat or air conditioning vents.
Birds are sensitive to sudden temperature changes, so keep your home at a constant temperature and be sure your bird's cage is not in the draft of a heat or air conditioning vent.
Step 19: Plants that are poisonous should not be near your bird's cage.
Plants like azaleas, philodendron, ivy, African violets and tulips are toxic to birds and should not be near a bird's cage.There is a complete list of safe and toxic plants.
Step 20: Protect your bird from other pets.
If you have a cat or dog, make sure your bird's cage is strong.Your cat can't fit its paw through the bars.Birds can be stressed out by living with a cat.
Step 21: Use care when cooking with non-stick cookware.
Bird's lungs are designed to be very efficient at absorbing oxygen, but they also quickly absorb toxins.With their small size and high metabolism, only a small amount of toxin can kill a bird.Polytetrafluoroethylene can be deadly to birds and is found in non-stick cookware.The pans are safe at cooking temperatures of up to 450F with a vent fan on.Toxic fumes can be released when a pan is boiled dry or heated.The water should not be boiled in a pan.The pan was used under the burners.Toxic chemicals can be released starting at 536F, and drip pans can reach 600 F or hotter.It was scratched.Toxic chemicals can be released from damaged non-stick pans.Throw them away.
Step 22: You should be aware of other sources.
Teflon is used in many products that have high temperatures.Call the manufacturer to find out if the product is safe for use around your bird.
Step 23: There are other toxic gases that you should watch out for.
The most common source of toxicity for birds is PTFE coated products.Carbon monoxide can be fatal to your bird if it is produced by fires, automobile exhaust, and central heating units.If you don't own a bird, you should have a carbon monoxide detector in your home to protect you and your family.If you use gas for heat or cooking, a leak in the line or an unlit pilot light can cause high levels of natural gas that can prove fatal for birds.Put your bird's cage away from sources of natural gas like fireplaces or heaters.The cooking surfaces are hot.It is best to not heat oil or butter on high.If you use the self clean mode on your oven, take your bird out of the house.There are sprays on cooking oil.Aerosols can release chemicals that are dangerous to your bird.Before using these products, move your bird to aventilated room.Bug bombs or insect sprays are pesticides.There are organic solvent found in nail polish remover.
Step 24: Don't use household cleaners that contain ammonia.
Ammonia can cause respiratory difficulty in birds and can be found in many household cleaners.Chloramine gas is highly toxic when combined with bleach in cleaning products.If you don't want to use fabric softener on fabrics your bird will touch, try using these cleaners instead.Baking soda can be used for an effective Disinfectant.
Step 25: When using candles, be careful.
Plug-in or spray air fresheners contain essential oils that are toxic to birds and should not be used in a well-ventilated room.Many scented candles contain essential oils and are dangerous.If you are going to burn candles, make sure they are 100% beeswax.
Step 26: Don't smoke around your bird.
Exposure to second hand smoke has been shown to cause respiratory and circulatory problems in birds, as well as eye and skin problems.Smoke outside to protect your bird.
Step 27: You can choose new furniture and household products.
Particleboard, plywood, and drywall use glue to hold them together.The glue that holds down carpets can be toxic.New construction, new carpeting, and many types of furniture need time to "off-gas" before they cease releasing formaldehyde, so do not place your bird in a room with new furniture built with particle board or plywood.
Step 28: Allow your bird some time out of their cage.
It is important for your bird to have some time to fly outside of its cage.You need to create a safe environment for it to do that.
Step 29: Do not leave your bird alone.
Cats will often try to kill birds if given the chance.Dogs will do their best to kill birds.When other pets are in the room, you should not let your bird out.To keep your bird safe, make sure you are there as well.
Step 30: Plants that are toxic should be kept out of the room.
Before you let your bird out of its cage, make sure you remove all the toxic plants.There is a list of toxic plants.
Step 31: Put away food that is dangerous.
If it is out, your bird will probably give it a try, and many human foods are toxic to birds.
Step 32: Don't leave the water open.
Birds can drown in a glass of water.If you aren't going to keep an eye on your bird the entire time it is out of its cage, you'll need to remove all access to open water.
Step 33: Hide your antiques.
Birds like to chew on things they can get their beaks on.Put away antiques that may be coated with heavy-metal based paints that can cause led-poisoning, and Hide electrical cords and wires to avoid electrocution.
Step 34: You should keep an eye on doors, windows, and cabinets.
Doors and windows to the outside should be closed to keep your pet from flying away.If you accidentally crush the legs of your pet, you will need to make sure your bird is not on the hinge area or the top of a door or cupboard.
Step 35: The blinds should be kept behind the strings.
Birds can choke themselves if they get their heads caught in the strings.
Step 36: All fans should be turned off.
Ceiling fans can cause serious injury to your bird.Before you let your bird out of its cage, make sure they are off.
Step 37: There are decals on windows and mirrors.
The bird doesn't understand glass.It can hurt itself by flying into a mirror.If you want to prevent this, you can either lower the shades or cover the mirrors.