In my last column I discussed the factors to consider if you were thinking of getting a bird as a pet. These tips will complete our glimpse into the care of birds in captivity:
Perches
The best perches are the natural hard woods but PVC is also a popular material that is easy to clean. Rope perches are fine except they are easily destroyed by larger birds and need to be replaced often as the frayed strands may entangle your bird's feet. With any of the perching materials, varying diameter needs to be offered to prevent fatigue to the bird's feet and simulate more natural perching behaviours. Sandpaper covers should be avoided as they may irritate the skin on the bottom of the feet and lead to bumble foot, a seriously debilitating foot disease.
Bird-proof your home
Birds delight in the visual, audio, and olfactory stimulation that playtime outside the cage provides. But birds use their mouths to explore and want to taste everything at least once. Electrical cords and outlets, water sources, other pets, plants, toxic substances, chemical fumes, hot stoves and much more can all be harmful to your bird.
Toys
Some species become bored easily if not mentally stimulated. This can lead to feather picking or plucking, and can progress to self-mutilation. It is therefore important to keep parrots occupied with a variety of toys. Ready-made or bird-manufactured toys can be obtained from a pet store. Alternatively, a simple item such as a tree branch works just as well. Good toys include interlocking toys; puzzles; toys with an object (such as a nut) to be extracted; rope swings; chew toys; wooden blocks; structures constructed from ice-cream or Popsicle sticks and even empty cardboard boxes. The more colourful the item, the more attractive it will generally be to the bird. Piñatas can be fashioned and filled with treats like nuts or seeds. You should expect the toys to be destroyed so you must cater for replacing them. Variety is important and you can try placing all of the toys in a box and rotating them so the bird gets access to a "new" toy every week.
Diet
Most birds forage twice a day: early in the morning when they leave their roosts and in the evening. Birds are particularly attracted by bright colours so a wide variety of colourful fruits and vegetables can be used. Presenting the foods whole rather than chopped gives the bird an opportunity to hold and manipulate the item rather than simply pick up and swallow. This provides a form of entertainment; encourages them to use their brains, feet and beak; and takes up more time during a meal, thus reducing the amount of time spent in relative boredom. Vegetables can be raw or lightly cooked.
Protein and fat are incorporated in nuts, seeds, cooked peas and beans, goat's cheese, plain natural yogurt and cooked eggs. Food from the table can also be offered such as cooked pasta and rice, toast and cooked potatoes. Be careful that too much salt is not given in the cooked foods-small amounts are okay. The diet should be supplemented with cuttlebone and mineral blocks (available at most pet stores), to ensure that mineral intake is sufficient. A varied diet should ideally provide all essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals to maintain a healthy bird. Supplementation can be added to the diet by putting a few drops into the bird's drinking water. Foods to avoid include avocado, chocolate, alcohol, coffee and sweets.
Grooming
Most birds enjoy bathing a few times a week when the weather is dry and hot. Daily misting helps reduce the itchiness of dry skin. It is important to ensure that waterlogged feathers are dried quickly so the bird does not get cold and start to shiver. Bathing a bird in dry weather when the sun is out is therefore preferable. Bathing is important for the maintenance of optimal feather condition, as it removes built-up dust and grease.
Love
Social species thrive on attention and affection and it is important to incorporate your bird into your life by frequently interacting with him. You should not attempt to force a relationship with him by touching him unless he approaches you. But simply speaking to him or acknowledging him whenever you are near is beneficial.
This article is copyright to Best Pets Animal Behaviour Service. For further information contact Kristel-Marie Ramnath at 689-8113 or bestpetsbehave@ hotmail.com
