October 21, 2009
Housing For Your Pet Bird
Make life in the bird house good for your feathered friend
Adopt your bird(s)!
Birds such as parakeets, lovebirds, doves and cockatiels are frequently placed for adoption at local shelters and humane societies. Instead of creating demand for more birds by buying one from a pet store, please visit your shelter to rescue a bird(s) in need. In fact, all the above species enjoy company, so we recommend adopting two!
Location
Before bringing home a bird or buying supplies, find an ideal location in your home for the bird's cage. This space must be indoors, provide appropriate temperature and light, and allow for regular interaction between you and the bird. Window drapes to close out street lights and drafts are recommended, but must be opened each day and closed each night. Alternatively, you can drape the bird’s cage itself at night, using a dark cloth to keep out light and drafts. This method, however, requires that you faithfully remove the cloth at dawn.
The location should accommodate a cage big enough to allow the bird to spread its wings and fly. The width of a cage should accomodate the bird’s wingspan by at least three times the span. The length of the cage is more crucial and should allow the bird to fly from perch to perch. Flying should be encouraged so that birds keep in shape and don't get bored. Round cages are generally not conducive to flight and not recommended.
The cage can be hung, or it can be placed on a table or stand. Most birds feel safest when they can perch at shoulder height, but don’t place the cage so high that you can't reach the food and water cups. You need to see the bottom of the cage daily to determine how your bird is eating and eliminating as well as change the papers at the bottom of the cage.
Do not keep birds in the kitchen because Teflon-coated pans, aerosol cooking and cleaning sprays, hot water, and gas stoves can pose serious health threats, including death, to birds. The location should receive strong natural light, but not subject the bird to full sun through a window.
Also guard against drafts from windows or doors, especially in winter. Although you want the bird to be around you and your family, be aware that birds need a quiet, dark room for sleep at night.
Go big and simple
Once you have chosen a space and are ready to select a cage, get the largest cage that you can afford to buy. This may cost hundreds of dollars, but keep in mind that this is a one-time purchase, and it is where your bird will be spending a majority..or all.. of her time.
Look for cages made of metal that are designed to be easy to clean, and will withstand scrubbing and periodic disinfection. Likewise, look for cages equipped with a removable tray in the bottom and feed and water bowls that can be serviced from outside the cage.
Avoid purchasing cages that are excessively fancy or have lots of decorative detail. Also, avoid cages made of wood or wicker, that are round or cylindrical, and that do not allow for freedom of movement for the bird.
Nest boxes: Cavity nesters, those birds which build nests in tree cavities or other enclosed areas, often feel more comfortable with a wooden box affixed to or inside of their cage. Lovebirds especially appreciate a nest box, and usually sleep in the box. Provide nesting materials such as clean, shredded paper which the birds will carry inside the box to make a soft surface on which to sleep. Nest boxes can be purchased at most pet stores.
Wider equals better
Keep in mind that you are looking for a wide cage with room for a bird to move horizontally, not vertically. The width of a bird's cage is significantly more important than its height. The size of the bird housed will dictate the size and spacing of the cage bars. You'll want bars that are close enough together to keep your bird from escaping.
Temperature and ventilation
Most birds prefer warmer temperatures between 70-85 degrees. Temperatures lower than this may cause the bird to burn more calories to stay comfortably warm, so you may need to provide additional food. The placement of the bird’s cage needs to be well away from heat and air conditioning vents. You may need to provide supplemental heat with a small portable heater during cold months, but be sure to keep it away from carpet and anything flammable.
Perches
The cage should have perches of an appropriate size for your bird to sit on and climb. Perch placement should encourage the bird to move from one end of the cage to another by flying.Do not fill a cage with too many perches and structures that will only reduce the space available for movement. Also, using perches of various circumferences will allow the bird more comfort and choice of where to sleep. Birds usually want to be as high up off the floor as possible to sleep, so be sure to place a perch in the top 1/3 of the cage. Perches and food/water bowls need to be near each other.
Bowls
There should be a minimum of one food bowl, one water bowl for drinking, and one bowl for bathing. Make sure that the bowls are durable and made of materials that will allow for thorough a cleaning and disinfecting, such as stainless steel. Also, ensure that birds can reach the bowls comfortably from a perch, and that bowls are not placed directly under perches where they will be fouled by bird droppings.
For fun
Every bird cage needs toys. Although finches and canaries are less likely to use them, objects that the birds can manipulate or climb on, or chew up or hide in, are critical for parakeets, lovebirds, and cockatiels. There is an assortment of wooden and plastic bird toys available. Some birds also enjoy seeing themselves in small mirrors. One word of caution: wicker nests can ensnare a bird's nail and prevent the bird from eating and drinking; we recommend against these.