Care for your ornamental bird

 Care for your ornamental bird

Nutrition: seed vs. pellets

Seed feed needs to be nutritionally adequate for birds. Seed feed is high in fat and low in vitamins, minerals, and proteins that birds need to stay healthy. Birds may survive temporarily on seed, but over time, chronic malnutrition weakens their immune systems and they become sick.

Pelleted feeds are specially formulated to meet your bird's nutritional needs. They contain a balance of vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates, and fats that your bird needs for optimal health. There are several different pellets available for purchase at pet stores or veterinary clinics. It is best to avoid brightly colored pellets and opt for pellets that do not contain food coloring. Ask your veterinarian what type of pellets are best for your bird.

Table food

Some birds like to eat table foods in addition to their pellets. You can feed most healthy foods that are low in fat and salt to your bird. Fruits and vegetables high in vitamin A are essential for parrots. Foods that are toxic to your bird and must be avoided include chocolate, alcohol, caffeine, avocado, and highly salted foods. It is important to wash fruits and vegetables carefully before feeding them to your bird. Although food can provide variety at mealtimes, it should not make up more than 20% of your bird’s diet.

Water

Your bird must have access to clean water at all times. Water bowls must be washed daily with soap; simply rinsing the bowls with water is not enough to remove the bacteria that have settled. Do not use hoses or water bottles as they are difficult to clean thoroughly. Do not add vitamins, supplements, or juices to your bird’s water as this will encourage bacterial growth.

Housing: Cages

In general, we recommend giving your bird the largest cage you can afford and have room for. Cages made of powder-coated and stainless steel are safest for birds. Galvanized wire cages coated with zinc can make your bird sick. Ask your veterinarian which cage manufacturers they recommend.

Perches

Perches made of wood with a consistent diameter can cause painful wear on the bottom of the feet. Natural branches or perches with varying diameters are best.

Keep your bird’s environment clean

The health of your bird needs to keep its environment clean. Water bowls should be cleaned daily with soap and hot water. Cage papers should be changed daily, and the bottom of the cage should be washed thoroughly with soap as needed to remove all contaminants, then rinsed thoroughly and disinfected. A suitable disinfectant is a 1:32 dilution of bleach and water. Be sure to thoroughly rinse off all traces of the disinfectant before placing your bird back in its cage.

Bathing your bird

Birds are made for wind and rain. Regular baths or showers are important for the health of your bird’s feathers, skin, and sinuses. Some birds prefer baths, others are sprayed with mist, and still others prefer to shower with their owner. Experiment with your bird and find a solution that meets both of your needs. Birds should be bathed or showered at least three times a week, even during the winter months. Species such as cockatoos, cockatiels, and grey geese, very dusty birds, benefit from a daily bath.