Casey's Bird Cage

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Birds For Life

By Bruce & Terry Casey

--Casey's Bird Cage--

F. A. Q. & Info on Birds

I would personally like to thank you for taking the time to be a responsible pet owner. This is very important in any decision making process. much success to you and enjoy the wonderful world of birds!

Whether thinking of becoming a first time bird owner or one who is an experienced aviculturist; a great deal of planning, preparation, and precise decisions must be made BEFORE bring your avian (bird) companion home. These next few pages will help get you off to a good start.

Sharing your life with an avian friend can be amusing, enjoyable, and extremely rewarding. However, it has its challenges.

Educating yourself about the species you have chosen is extremely important. Learn about the species pros and cons, longevity, environment requirement, diet, toys, playtime, personal interaction time, vet care and the affordability of all. This will guide you as to whether the species you have chosen is compatible with your personality, lifestyle, family (human & animal) and affordability. NEVER BE A COMPULSIVE BUYER, no matter how small or becoming the bird! Please, never purchase a bird solely for its color/beauty, talking ability, ‘cheap price’, or as a status statement. Remember that this is like having a child. It is a living, feeling creature. Please be responsible.

***BUYERS BEWARE*** IT IS NOT RECOMMENDED THAT BIRDS BE PURCHASED FROM A PET STORE or any other facility that sells birds! Disease and illness are at a peak in these types of stores. You are purchasing a bird at risk. Even though they give a ‘guarantee’ of some sort, there is no guarantee as to the health or length of life of that bird. I have witnessed many birds in these establishments suffer and die agonizing deaths. Some were starved to death; others had illnesses that could have been treated with antibiotics had they been examined by an avian vet. They were not beyond help. The logic of some pet store managers/owners is that the bird’s value lies in how much the bird is worth to save. An $80 bird, according to them not me, is not worth a $150 vet bill. Most will not even attempt to seek a vet to end a bird’s suffering. They believe in letting the bird die slowly verses spending any money on them. Please do not promote any stores that sell birds or other animals. Their business is best in pet supplies, cages, toys and such.

When the value of any life becomes only the amount of $$$$ it is worth, there is something wrong with that business. LOOK for breeders of the particular species you are looking to purchase. The internet is a great source to check. Your local avian veterinarian, Humane Society, Bird Talk magazine, etc are also good places to search.

BEFORE PURCHASE:

You may discover that the species you have chosen is not ‘right’ for you. That is okay. You are being responsible in you decision process. Continue your search for a compatible species. Once you have come to a decision on the ‘right’ species for you, and have found the bird that you want; find a reputable avian veterinarian in your area. Schedule a new bird health exam and work up. having the bird examined will give you peace of mind and the bird a healthy start. Purchase the appropriate size cage, food, and toys as well as an appropriate sized carrier for your new friend for in transit purposes. Have everything ready for your new friend BEFORE you bring him/her home. Hold off on placing the toys in the cage for a few days, allowing your new friend time to adjust to its new environment. Then gradually add one toy a week or two at a time. Do not overcrowd their space. Imagine yourself in their house. We all want room to ‘spread our wings’.

Most frequently given up birds are:

· Budgerigars, also known as parakeets. (However, parakeet is improper, as there are many species of Parakeet.)

· Cockatiels

· Lovebirds

· Conures

Most common reasons why the top 3 species are given up are:

· People get bored with them.

· They begin to bite and people do not want to correct the problem. Yes, a biting bird can be helped given the chance.

· Sometimes people get rid of birds because of being too noisy. This is a good reason why people should educate themselves about the species they have chosen.

· For the conures, it is their ‘vibrant’ voices and flamboyant, demanding personalities that get them ‘kicked out’ of a home.

People do not realize how loud the jungle really is. Conures and parrots in general need to have loud voices so they can keep in touch with others in their flock. It is a survival tactic. If you are not ready or willing to accept that parrots can and do get very loud, then please do not purchase one of any sort, for the sake of the bird. Thank you.

· I have also seen birds given up because they are sick. Sometimes it is because the owner does not know what to do. In most cases it is that the owner does not want to be bothered by the ‘inconvenience’. If you are reading this, there is no excuse for not knowing where to go for help with a sick bird.

DIET: For a long, healthy life, the proper diet is of utmost importance.

There are many misconceptions about what to feed your bird. Here are the facts:

Never feed seed as a sole source of food. As a treat, this is fine. An all seed diet is NOT natural. It can be fatal to your bird. A seed diet does not contain most of what the bird needs. Most birds will pick out what they like the most, leaving the rest, which further compromises their health. Imagine that you were on a diet of cakes and candy. How healthy and how long do you think you would survive? What kind of quality life would you have?

A pelleted diet on the other hand, is an excellent source of complete nutrition for your bird. There are many varieties on the market. Mazuri, Kaytee Exact products, Roudybush, Pretty Bird and Harrison’s are a few of the top pelleted diets recommended. Exact products, Roudybush, and Pretty Bird can be found at most pet stores. Harrison’s is available over the internet and at many veterinarian clinics.

Still provide fresh fruits and veggies. Limit nuts as they can be fattening to your bird. Stay away from sugar and salt. Chocolate, soda pop, and fermented drinks, like wines and beer are a BIG NO NO !!! Absolutely NO avocados at any time. All these can cause death.

If you acquire a bird that has previously been on a total seed diet, there is hope. Converting a ‘food junkie’ to a healthy pelleted diet is a process that requires patience, consistency, and encouragement. Consult with your avian veterinarian before and during this process.

WATER: Always supply fresh water. If you are not using a water bottle, you will need to change the bird’s water several times a day i, if possible, once a day is a minimum to ensure cleanliness and sanitation. Many birds like to ‘dunk’ their food. Feces can also contaminate water. Bacteria build-up is a danger to your bird’s health. If your bird is not on a water bottle, we strongly recommend it. This type of watering system almost cancels out all possibility of contamination. You still need to change the water every day or at least every other day. Prevention is always the best cure. When adding a water bottle system to birds that are not used to it, do not take the bird’s other source of water away. You do not want to dehydrate your bird. Pay close attention as to whether it is using the water bottle. Once you are absolutely sure that the bird is drinking from the water bottle, then take away its other water supply. Most birds take to water bottles right away. Their curiosity leads to discovery.

GRIT / GRAVEL: This can be deadly to your parrot or parrotlet. DO NOT be fooled by false advertising; such as is on packages of grit/gravel.

Pigeons, doves, and/or chickens require grit/gravel to help their gizzards grind the food. This is because they do not hull their seeds. Grit/gravel is not recommended to feed to your parrot/parrotlet or to canaries and finches, unless YOUR AVIAN VETERINARIAN RECOMMENDS IT, and if it is recommended please question the motives behind it. Grit/gravel can cause serious problems, which can require surgery in order to save the bird’s life or even cause death. Parrots/parrotlets do not require grit/gravel to digest their food or for any other reason. Grit/gravel is not a supplement. All parrots, parrotlets, canaries and finches should be given a calcium supply of either cuttle bone or from a calcium/mineral treat WITHOUT grit. Watch the ingredients. Consult with your avian veterinarian for further advice and treatment. Please don’t confuse calcium, which they need, versus grit/gravel, which they can’t have.

NEVER smoke around your birds. Birds are extremely efficient in their breathing. (Consult with your avian veterinarian for detailed information on this topic. It is quite fascinating). This efficiency in breathing technique is part of their gift of flight. Smoking around your birds is extremely toxic to them, condemning them to certain death. We all know that smoking is not good for you, triple that threat for your bird(s). They become more susceptible to contracting disease and illness because it suppresses their immune system. Other hazards in your household INCLUDES: non-stick cookware and toxic plants. You can get a list from your local Poison Control Center or from your avian vet.

Wings and toenails should always be kept trimmed. Many owners have experienced losing their avian friend because they did not trim wings appropriately or at all. The saddest part is for the poor lost bird. If not retrieved, they become prey or worse, suffer an agonizingly slow death of starvation or freeze to death. The other hazard is to have the bird fly into a window and break its neck. So please, make sure that your winged friend is trimmed up. The exception to this rule is for breeders. When breeding pairs are mating it is best to let, at least the males, wings to grow longer so he can hold on to his mate better. Regular nail trimming is essential. Concrete perches do not always do the job appropriately. If you use concrete type perches please be sure to periodically check your birds nails to see if they may need additional trimming. Only an avian vet should do beak trimming unless you are a very experienced bird handler.

Birds require a sleep pattern for optimum health. Birds require 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness. They also require regular bathing. Everyday is ideal. However, every couple days at a minimum. Your bird will have a way that he/she prefers to bathe. Some like to shower with their ‘flock’, some in the sink, some like to be misted, some in a bowl of shallow water.

Keeping beaks and feet healthy are also important. Birds of all sorts need a variety of perch sizes and types for healthy feet. There are many products on the market to help aid in this. However, We have found through experience, natural perches work best. Maple and oak, weeping willow, manzanita, any of the fruitwoods (be sure they are pesticide free) there are others. Consult with your avian veterinarian for a listing of SAFE woods for your companion. Any of these, needs to be cleaned well before use. One part of bleach to one gallon of water makes a good sanitizer. We like natural perches because they are natural. Nature knows best. And they are free.

Cage size is very important. The bigger the better, within reason. Put yourself into their ‘wings’. Too small and they cannot move or exercise the way they need to in order to be healthy and happy. Remember that you will be placing toys into their home, so buy big to allow plenty of space for play and movement. Consult with someone with bird experience that can help direct you to the appropriate size cage you will need for your new bird.

Please, do not DOOM your bird to an existence solely within its cage. Parrots/parrotlets of all sizes need a life outside of ‘prison’. A cage bound bird becomes very aggressive and protective of its space. Mentally it is not doing well. Some birds find vices to amuse themselves, such as feather plucking and/or self-mutilation. They become very depressed and agitated by just about everything. A bird that is experiencing this kind of mental distress will bite you. If you are having problems with this type of behavior or any other problem behaviors, consult with your avian vet and/or a parrot/parrotlet behavior consultant. Most bad behavior, with time and patience, can be corrected with the appropriate guidance. However, consulting with your avian vet can determine if any physical problems may be contributing to the bird’s problem behavior. Spending time with your bird is very important. It needs you because you are its flock. Birds are very social creatures. They depend on each other for everything. However, please do not rush out to purchase another bird based on that. If you want to get a companion for the bird, check out the pros and cons, and go through all the same ‘hoops’ that you did for the first one. Adding another bird is not always the right thing to do. Again, consult with your avian veterinarian with any concerns of physical and/or mental health. He or she should be able to help you and/or refer you to a parrot/parrotlet behavior consultant.

Bedding: Bird Country brand is excellent bedding to use. Newspaper is inexpensive, antibacterial, easy to remove for cleanliness, and a way of recycling. There are types of bedding to AVOID: corn cob bedding and walnut shell bedding. Both of these can be ingested by your bird, which can cause crop impactions requiring surgery to save the birds life and/or causing death of your pet. Change the bedding often. In most cases daily. Once you get in a normal routine it takes very little time to do it, and your bird will love you for it.

Toys: When purchasing toys, make sure that you are buying the right size for the type of bird that you have. Strong beaks can make short work of small parts and the bird may eat those small parts. this could lead to the possibility of needing surgery because that small part is inside the bird. Toys are very important for mental stimulation and health. Chewing is an essential behavior and toys to allow this behavior must be provided. Interchange toys on a regular basis, about every two to three weeks. You never can have too many. (Do not place all of the toys in the cage at the same time.) Purchase toys that a bird can destroy. There are some new game toys on the market now for those really smart birds. Keep busy beaks busy. No time for boredom, no time to pluck or create vices. Buy only BIRD SAFE toys.

Average Longevity of species:

· Budgerigars 4-8 years

· Cockatiels 6-14 years

· Parrotlets 15-20 years

· Conures 6-14 years

· African Greys & Amazons 30-50 years

· Macaws & Cockatoos 40-80 years

There have been reports of birds from all these species living longer. Genetics play a part in longevity. However, with a good diet and good health care, a long healthy life is very possible. TRUE FACT: There was a Yellow Napped Amazon parrot with a creditable, accurately, recorded history of at least 135 years old!

Birds with talking ability:

All parrots/parrotlets and a few unrelated species have the ability to learn speech. However, some learn and speak better than others, even within their own genus. Others never speak at all. Remember that birds are as individual and unique as you and I.

· African Greys top the list for best speaking. They have the uncanny ability to sound just like your own voice. They are impeccably intelligent and talented creatures.

· Budgerigars are also very intelligent and gifted. They can acquire a vocabulary of more than 200 words and phrases. These jolly little birds are bold, bright, playful little clowns worthy of a loving human.

· Cockatiels, males more than females, are the best talkers. However, the most intriguing characteristics of these birds are their unsurpassed loyalty and unlimited flow of compassion towards their humans and their mates.

UNWANTED BIRDS:

This is an ever-increasing problem and one not to be taken lightly. This information is written with the intent of getting people to think before they purchase a bird. Bring a bird into your home should be a commitment for ‘life’. PLEASE, DO NOT give your bird up to a pet store. There are other options. There are networks out there to help you. I would first contact your avian veterinarian for sources. Contact your local Humane Society for sources. For a listing of Humane Societies follow this link. http://www.hsus.org/pets/ If you know of a breeder or someone who has birds, ask them as well. Do not leave a stone unturned. Please feel free to e-mail us if we can be of any help at help@CaseysBirdCage.com.

Good Books To Read

Guide to Companion Parrot Behavior The Parrotlet Handbook

Guide to A Well Behaved Parrot Birds for Dummies

Both by Howell Publishing My Parrot / My Friend

All By Barron’s Publishing

Bringing Up Positive Parrotlets, By Sherry Lucciola

WEST NILE VIRUS

This disease is FATAL to all birds!

If you are one of those people who enjoy taking your bird outdoors when the weather is nice, please reconsider. With West Nile Virus finally here, it is strongly recommended that you do not. This virus has no cure. It is 100% fatal to all birds that contract it. Watch that mosquitoes do not enter your home via doors, windows or on your person. For the safety of your feathered friend, please avoid taking him/her out unless you absolutely need to, such as a trip to the vet etc. Watch those avenues of entrance into your home. Contact your avian vet for more information. You can also check out the following link for more information on this topic. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/

All Original Materials Protected by Copyright: Please Read
Revised: 02/10/12 12:50:48 -0800.