Birds kept as pets should have the proper treatment for it to live healthy. Lots of things are to be considered upon deciding to have birds as pets. Choosing the right type of bird for you is crucial and the type of environment you ought to build for the animal is also important. Pet birds are almost always kept in cages. The owner must make sure that the cage is not too small for the bird/s and accessories must be present for feeding and recreational purposes.
The first thing to consider about caring for birds would be its proper nutrition. In the wild, birds feed on nectar, insects, leaves and other available food that is fit for their kind. Birds in cages should be fed with a balance of commercial and natural diet. Bird seeds are most ideal for supplement and intake. Water is also important.
Bird cages should be placed in areas where the distribution of sunlight, fresh air and humidity is equal. An owner must also make sure that there is enough shade for the bird to rest. Sudden change of temperature may harm the bird since it needs to adapt before it can be considered to be ready for transfer.
It is recommended that the largest cage that can be accommodated by the house should be chosen. The cage must be durable enough to tolerate damage which will be done by the bird. It should not have toxic components because the bird will be sure to gnaw on the rails. The cage, if possible should be wider than higher to promote wing stretching.
Perches should also be pesticide free. Commercial perches made of wood are ideal. A perch's main function is to keep the bird away from their droppings, their tails from the water and other hygiene related issues to keep the bird healthy.
Food bowls should be wide and shallow rather than the deep and small cups. This type of food container makes the bird see what it will be eating and there are greater chances of it being attracted to the sight of food which may be beneficial to its health.
Newspapers, paper towels and plain cage liners should be used rather than wood chips or sand so that the droppings will be seen for monitoring and health purposes. A screen should separate the bird from the liners to prevent it from contamination. Daily cleaning routine of the bird cage and its accessories should be done to avoid food spoilage and disease.
Birds are intelligent animals. Their psychology needs an active attention. Therefore it would be advisable for the cage to be placed near family activity areas. Toys are also encouraged to promote play. One thing to be cautious about selecting bird toys is that the materials should be chewable to avoid choking.