Caring For A Bird
Housing
When buying a birdcage, talk to you local breeder or pet shop about the recommended size and specification. The size of cage will depend on the type of bird you choose, but it should be big enough for your bird to walk around comfortably, fully extend and flap his wings. Don’t forget that perches, toys, food and water bowls will all take away some of this space.
The cage will need to be kept out of windows and draughts, but he will need to be kept in a busy area of your home to help his social development and keep him active.
Some smaller birds are adept at squeezing through the bars of a cage and if a bird gets a head or leg caught through the bars they may panic! So make sure your bird can’t squeeze through the bars of his cage!
Nutrition
The easiest way to feed your pet is with a complete food specifically for your bird species. This will provide him with all the nutrients he requires in the correct amounts and proportions. Water must be accessible at all times. Most birds will use a bowl to drink from but they often spill food and defecate into the water so it must be cleaned regularly. If you can train your bird to use a water bottle it will reduce the chance of infection.
Company
Some bird species are happy with human companionship alone, however birds such as budgies need companionship from their own kind. Your pet shop or breeder can advise you on companionship requirements.
