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10 FACTS ON CARING FOR PET BIRDS

First broadcast on www.provet.co.uk  


This information is provided by Provet for educational purposes only.

You should seek the advice of your veterinarian if your pet is ill as only he or she can correctly advise on the diagnosis and recommend the treatment that is most appropriate for your pet.

Birds have certain basic requirements which need to be met by the owner

Here are 10 basic tips on keeping pet birds safe, fit and healthy :

  • Provide an enclosed environment (cage or aviary) that is secure enough to prevent predators from attacking the bird (eg cats, small wild mammals such as stoats or weasels, or birds of prey). Provide an environment which is secure enough to prevent the bird from escaping and flying off
  • Provide an environment that is large enough for the bird to fly, as an inability to exercise will increase the likelihood of obesity occurring. 
  • Provide a "private" nesting area eg a wicker nest (finches), or a box with a perch (canaries, budgerigars, love birds etc) in which the bird can hide and sleep. A separate box may be provided for egg laying and rearing fledglings.
  • The environment should provide protection from adverse weather conditions (wind, cold, frost) and loud noises. It should contain an enclosed or sheltered area area in which the bird can shelter. Remember that birds are very susceptible to sudden temperature changes and in some cases artificial heating may need to be provided during winter months.
  • Provide at least one perch for roosting- which can be man made or natural eg a branch. If branches are introduced they should be pre-treated so that they are free of parasites such as mites. Avoid the branches from trees that may be toxic if the bird eats the bark (eg laburnum). The perch should be the right size for the birds feet - not too broad and not too narrow
  • Provide access to a supply of fresh, clean, water which is suitable for human consumption in an open-topped feeder. This "golden rule" applies even for birds which can survive for long periods without water (eg Budgerigars). Many birds (eg finches) like to bathe several times a day, so a shallow water bath should also be provided.
  • Birds have a very high metabolic rate and use up energy quickly, so for most species kept as pets (eg seed-eaters such as Budgerigars, Canaries and many Parrots) a supply of fresh food should be available at all times. Birds of prey are fed fresh meat at regular intervals.
  • Make sure that the food that you give contains everything that the bird needs. The types of food required varies from one species of bird to another, and it is important to find out exactly what you should give to your bird.
  • Cage birds kept indoors should be kept out of draughts and away from potential hazards such as gas heaters or boilers which can give of noxious fumes such as carbon monoxide. Remember that birds are very susceptible to gases, which is why canaries were used in Davy lamps to detect gases for miners working underground.
  • Birds are good at hiding the fact that they are ill, and they can deteriorate and die very quickly from many diseases unless they are treated, so seek veterinary attention as soon as you notice something is wrong, including the following :
    • The bird stops eating
    • The bird stops passing droppings
    • The bird starts drinking a lot more water than usual
    • The bird looks unwell or weak - fluffed up feathers, reluctant to move
    • The birds breathing rate increases, it starts sneezing or coughing
    • A discharge appears in the eyes or down the nose
    • The bird develops watery diarrhoea
    • The bird loses weight
    • The bird gains weight or develops a lump
    • The bird starts losing feathers

Last updated : September  2013