Useful Tips

Everything for parrots

Parrots are always of great interest to children. They like to bring food to the birds, socialize, and keep the cage clean. Before you bring your feathered friend home, you need to decide on the choice of a cage for him and its location. This is one of the most important and responsible decisions. The best location for your cage is where your family most often gets together: a common room, a veranda, or a dining room. Place the cage with the parrot where it will not interfere with free movement around the room. The cage should not be placed in a draft; it should not be exposed to direct sunlight.

If you purchased a parrot for a baby, then the cage can be placed in the child's room. In this case, you need to monitor how the child performs his duties of caring for the bird.

You shouldn't put a parrot cage in the kitchen or next to the bathroom, because the damp fumes and vapors that form during cooking are bad for the health of your wavy friend.

Before going to bed, you can put a cape on the bird's cage, then the parrot will understand that it is already very late and it's time to sleep. This will have a beneficial effect on the mental state of your pet.

Most of the time the parrot is in his house - a cage, therefore it is important that the “house” is as comfortable as possible for the bird, and the owner of the parrot is convenient for cleaning. What should you look for when choosing a budgie cage?

Choosing a cage for a parrot

1. The cage should be large, but not gigantic. For one budgerigar, it is recommended to purchase a cage, the length of which is 60-80 cm, the height should be at least 30-40 cm, but the depth - 25-30 cm.If the cage is too large, the parrot can be shy for a long time, it is slower to tame ... In a small "house" he will sit in one place for a long time, as a result of which many diseases, for example, obesity, can earn. Perhaps even psychological problems.

2. When purchasing a cage, opt for an all-metal cage, because a cage that is made of wood is more difficult to clean.

3. Plastic cages look good, are easy to use, but they are afraid of high temperatures.

4. When choosing a pallet, pay attention to its shape and size.

Returning to the question of the size of the cage, make sure that your parrot has enough free space to access the feeder, drinker and bathing tank. If you decide to purchase a pair of parrots, it is better to purchase a larger cage so that your pets do not feel restricted in movement. Budgerigars, like small airplanes, soar low, horizontally. Therefore, it is better to purchase a long rectangular cage for them, which offers horizontal space for small flights.

Rectangular cells have several advantages:

  • In a round cage, the bird can become disoriented and restless.
  • If the parrot is stressed, he can go to the far corner in a rectangular cage.
  • In a round cage, it is difficult to fix toys and a swing for a bird.
  • It is also better to choose a roof in a cage as horizontal as possible. When the parrot is walking, you can use the space on the roof of the parrot's house to place play accessories or twigs to keep him entertained.

    If you do choose an all-metal cage, take a look at it. All rods of the cage should be cleaned without signs of deformation of the coating. Otherwise, the parrot, seeing the bubbles on the surface of the cage, will begin to pick them up; over time, the cage will lose its appearance. The distance between the rods in the cage should be no more than 10-12 mm.Choose a cage where the rods are not arranged in the form of an ornament or sharp curls, ornaments, because the parrot can cut or get stuck in them.

    Parrot cage door

    The door is the most traumatic item in a cage for your wavy friend. It should open easily, the hand could easily penetrate into the cage and easily come out back with a bird that will sit on a finger.

    There are several types of cage door openers:

    1) a door that opens from top to bottom,

    2) door opening from bottom to top,

    3) a door opening horizontally, to the side,

    4) door sliding up and down.

    The disadvantage of the first three doors is the elementary forgetting to close them. With a door (type 2), you need to be especially careful, because under its own weight it falls by itself, but does not lock. This is especially dangerous when you are cleaning the parrot in the cage and often open the door, and at the end of cleaning you may forget to close it with the lock.

    About the cage tray

    Take a good look at the pallet. Is it easy to slide out or does it take some effort? Is the tray detachable? You need to clean a parrot in a cage at least once a day, so these seemingly little things are important. When buying a cage, you should think about what you will put on the bottom of the cage. For example, white paper (it is strictly forbidden to put newspapers, because printing ink for budgerigars is poisonous). Pet stores sell special filler sands that absorb possible odor and moisture. If you decide to use regular paper, remember to change it every day. Some parrot owners believe that the sand can be changed less often, because the dirt is not visible, which means that it is clean. However, this is not worth thinking. In the dirty sand, pathogens multiply, due to which the parrot can get sick.

    When cleaning the cage, it is not recommended to use household chemicals, it can harm your bird. Once a month, thoroughly clean the cage, moisten a cloth with an infusion of chamomile or wormwood, and wipe the bottom of the cage and rods well. This treatment is safe for your wavy friend.

    Experienced owners of parrots refuse from the trellised bottom of the cage. The parrot's legs are designed to grip and move along twigs, perches, but it will be inconvenient for him to move along the lattice.

    Accessories

    Choosing a bird feeder

    When choosing a drinker and feeder, remember that they are convenient and easy to use. Of course, the best material for a drinker or trough is porcelain, but plastic is the most commonly used material.

    In the "house" of the parrot, you need to have at least two feeders: one for food, the second for mineral feeding.

    Feeders are distinguished: internal hinged (they are made of plastic or metal), external hinged, floor and auto feeders.

    Internal hinged feeders

    Hanging feeders are attached to the inside of the cage. It is better to hang them at the level of the lowest perch or even lower. This will reduce the amount of litter that will pour out of the cage.

    The feeder should be located near the cage door in order to make it easier to change the feed.

    Hinged internal feeders can be made of non-toxic plastic, plastic and metal. They are meant for small birds because larger birds will break them.

    The feeders are attached to the cage with special plastic or metal hooks. However, this attachment is not suitable for all cages, because the distance between the hook and the rods may differ. But metal hooks do not have such a drawback, they can be bent in any direction. The feeder with such hooks is attached tightly, the bird will not throw it off.

    Small plastic feeders are used for mineral feeding.They are usually not used for feed, because then the bird will need to change the feed several times a day. If you have one parrot, then feed it in a medium trough. But large and wide feeders are suitable for those cages that contain several parrots at once. The main advantage of large feeders is that they have a partition that divides the feeder into several parts. This is to prevent the bird from eating food while sitting in the feeder.

    It is advisable to purchase metal hinged feeders for medium and large parrots. They are also suitable for budgerigars. The feeders are in the form of a metal bowl with a special attachment. The mount is presented in the form of a ring with hooks or is attached to the cage with clamps.

    Metal feeders should be made of stainless steel. Feeders made of galvanized iron, copper and brass should not be used for wavy friends, because these metals can oxidize under the influence of water.

    More recently, decorative feeders have begun to appear on the market. They are made of plastic or porcelain in the form of vegetables and fruits and are hung inside the cage.

    These feeders are easy to maintain, but rather bulky and take up a lot of space in the cage. From the outside, they are covered with paint, which, as practice shows, is rejected over time.

    External mounted feeders

    Closed feeders are plastic feeders that have a closure lid. They are suspended from the outside of the cage.

    Feeders are different in size and design. Each manufacturer makes their own feeders, which do not always fit other cage shapes. This must be taken into account in case of replacement of the feeder or part of its structure.

    Disadvantages of such feeders:

    Some models of feeders have an unreliable lid lock. A parrot, climbing into the feeder, may not get out of it back. If suddenly you were not around when such a situation arose, the bird may die.

    Such a sad outcome can also arise when using feeders that are narrow or have a small entrance. Other external feeders are not harmful to your parrot.

    Floor troughs

    In the retail network, unfortunately, floor feeders can be seen less and less. Other containers can be used as such feeders, the most important thing is that they are made of non-toxic materials.

    These feeders should be heavy and stable so that your parrot does not overturn them with its weight. The sides of the trough should be blunt, straight and not very high.

    Auto feeders

    Feeders are the same in design as auto drinkers, only the dimensions are slightly larger and the spout is wider.

    The disadvantage is that the owners put in a lot of food and it is impossible to track how much the parrot ate. You need to fill the feeder with the daily feed rate

    Disinfection of feeders

    The handling of feeders must be taken very seriously. The feeder in which you put mineral fertilizers should be cleaned once every one to two weeks, if it is not contaminated with droppings, husks or other debris. Feed troughs should be cleaned every day before changing feed.

    The feeders must first be rinsed under running water, then rinsed with boiling water or chamomile decoction. Before placing the feeder back in the cage, dry it thoroughly.

    Perches

    Perches are one of the important elements in the life of our wavy friends, because it is on them that the bird spends most of its time. And this should not be underestimated.

    The condition of the legs of the parrot depends on which perches you buy or make, therefore, the general health of the bird. Diseases of the legs of parrots are difficult to treat, it is better to prevent them, and for this you need to buy safe perches.

    If at the time of purchase the cage was equipped with plastic perches, they must be replaced.Avoid using smooth hardwood perches. The ideal option is to use perches from trees and shrubs, which you can make yourself.

    Types of perches

    1.Plastic perches.

    When using perches, which are made of plastic, parrots often have problems with their paws: namina, calluses. There are models of plastic perches in which there is a cavity in the lower part where various parasites can accumulate.

    2.Wooden factory perches.

    Wooden perches have a smooth and even surface, so pressure is applied to the same points on the sole of the parrot.

    3. Perches made of rubber.

    4. Stretchable perches with soft rubber cover.

    5.Flexible modular perches.

    This flexible system allows you to change the shape of the perch.

    6.Flexible cotton perches.

    The surface of such perches is soft, inside there is an iron rod. However, such perches have drawbacks: the parrot can gorge itself on cotton threads and clog its goiter. If the parrot gnaws through the perch, it can become entangled in the threads. Perches that are damaged cannot be used. Also, check that safe dyes have been used to make the perches before purchasing.

    7. Attachments on perches for grinding claws.

    These perches irritate the soles of your parrot's feet.

    8. Perches made of concrete (cement).

    This perch is attached in the place where the bird rarely sits. Compared to wooden perches, these perches are cold. Disadvantage: The parrot can swallow a piece of concrete that has fallen off.

    9. Perches, which are made of special volcanic pumice.

    10. Perches with minerals.

    These perches are made of or sprinkled with minerals.

    _11.Heated perches_.

    These perches are made of plastic and have a thermostat inside. Thanks to the thermostat, you can regulate the heating temperature of the perch. Powered by batteries or mains.

    What are the perches made of?

    Wavy friends love to gnaw wood, so when choosing a wooden perch, you need to know what material it is made of. Not all trees and shrubs are suitable for making perches.

    Trees from which perches can be made:

    birch, aspen, linden, maple, willow (willow), white alder, mountain ash, plum, cherry, apple, currant, ash, beech, hornbeam, hawthorn, viburnum, red chokeberry, raspberry, hazel.

    Trees that are not suitable for making perches:

  • coniferous branches - because they contain resins;
  • bird cherry, oak, pear - tannins are contained in large quantities;
  • lilac - the composition of the buds and bark includes the bitter-tasting glycoside syringin;
  • elderberry, poplar - these trees absorb toxic substances from the atmosphere;
  • acacia - Many types of acacia are poisonous.
  • Making perches

    The branches that you decide to use for the perches should be cut away from the road. Do not cut twigs in gardens or summer cottages because they may be sprayed with pest control. Make sure the branches are free of rot and parasite infestation. The branches that you brought from the street for making perches should be thoroughly washed with warm water using a brush. Then pour over boiling water and dry well.

    The twigs, from which you will make perches, are best used together with the bark, because the parrot will gnaw them, while getting some vitamins and macronutrients found in the bark.

    In the "house" of your parrot, it is worth placing perches, which are made of different types of trees.

    Location in the cage

    It is very important to correctly position the perches in the cage. There shouldn't be too many of them. If the cage is medium in size, you need to place no more than 2 perches, 3 is the maximum, and one of them is corner. The bird should move freely in the cage, fly from one perch to another.

    If you have several parrots in the same cage, do not place the perches one higher than the other, because parrots can contaminate each other with droppings.

    The perches need to be placed at different levels. Birds usually sleep on the topmost ones, so you should place one perch higher towards the roof of the cage, but so that the bird does not touch the cage twigs with a tuft. Another perch should be placed at the bottom, but so that the bird does not touch its tail.

    In order for the parrot to get out of the cage more conveniently, one perch should be attached outside the cage at the entrance (exit). Many parrots love to spend time in a cage. Therefore, a perch can be attached to the roof of the cage.

    Fastening

    The perches must be firmly attached to the cage, they must not be wobbly, and must not fall under the weight of the parrot.

    If you made the perches yourself, you can make cuts in them on the sides.

    Replacing the perches

    The perch that you made yourself must be replaced as soon as the bird rips the bark off it. The rest - as they are destroyed by the bird.

    All perches should be washed and cleaned. It is better not to wash the perches that are made from fresh branches, but simply replace them with new ones.

    About toys

    Due to their cheerful and playful disposition, budgies need the obligatory presence of toys in the cage. When choosing a toy for your pet, there are a few tips to consider.

    1.Do not choose a toy that is too large, which may just scare the parrot. Choose toys of medium size relative to the parrot itself, preferably marked by the manufacturer for budgies.

    2. Do not buy toys painted with paint, it is better to buy wooden ones. This will be much safer for the bird, and you will be sure that the parrot will not be poisoned.

    3. If you buy rope toys, be sure to inspect them for sharp hooks, nails and all kinds of abrasions, make sure that the material from which the rope is made does not form hooks when it comes into contact with the parrot's claws - this is necessary in order to avoid paw injuries in a bird.

    4. Do not buy plastic toys that can be easily destroyed by the powerful beak of the budgerigar and cause injury.

    5. Be careful with different chains, as the chain link can get caught in the bird's claw or finger, causing injury.

    6. The safest thing is to make a toy for your wavy friend with your own hands. With love and care for his health and well-being. And he will certainly delight you with his merry acrobatic sketches and make you laugh with a merry game with a toy he likes.

    Mirror in a cage - to be or not to be?

    Parrots love mirrors. You can watch the scene of the "bird in front of the mirror" for a very long time.

    Mirror in a cage

    Many owners install a mirror in the cage on purpose. Some experts argue that a mirror can entertain a parrot, he will not feel lonely. He perceives his reflection in the mirror as a real parrot, with whom he tries to communicate. With all his intelligence and ingenuity, the parrot is not able to understand that this is just his own reflection. And there's nothing you can do about it.

    A caged mirror, some amateurs assure, entertains the parrot. Considering that he has an interlocutor, the parrot will talk to him using the words that he has mastered. And this will only strengthen his speaking skills.

    To the mirror - no!

    There is, however, the opposite opinion: the mirror hurts the parrot, and it should not be in the cage. And the point, again, in relation to the parrot to him. Birds probably believes that she is dealing with another parrot, and seeks to communicate with him, counting on reciprocity. Without waiting for a response, the parrot can become nervous, it can become aggressive or even get sick.

    Some lovers of parrots warn: the bird can be so carried away by its reflection that it loses interest in all the things around it. It so happens that even the owners are no longer interesting to her, the parrot tries its best to "talk" the mirror.

    Of course, live and real communication is irreplaceable. The home budgerigar is our friend, so whether or not you want to buy a mirror is, of course, up to you!

    Does a parrot need toys?

    Budgerigar toys are needed in order to somehow diversify his life. They can also be used in the process of learning and communicating with a bird. For example, play with a ball, pushing it towards a bird, etc. Ladders develop the agility, flexibility and strength of your bird's legs. Thanks to edible toys, the parrot can be taught to eat vegetables and fruits. On wooden toys, he will grind his beak and claws. Some parrots consider toys to be their partners, can feed them, even try to mate.

    The presence of toys in the cage prevents such problems in the behavior of the parrot as screaming, biting, and self-pinching.

    Materials used to make toys

    When choosing a toy, pay attention to the fact that the toys and their designs are safe for your feathered friend.

    Plastic toys

    The most common toys made of plastic today. In most cases, they are not harmful to birds, they are easy to clean and disinfect. Many parrots prefer plastic toys over wooden ones. The choice of such toys is varied. When purchasing plastic toys, pay attention to the manufacturer. If he is not familiar to you or is not indicated at all, you should not purchase such a toy.

    If the toy is not certified, it may be made of toxic plastic that contains poisonous substances. Such toys can harm your parrot, even death.

    Pay attention to the hardness of the plastic. Swallowing plastic pieces can be harmful to bird health. If the toy is damaged, it should be replaced.

    Metal.

    In toys, metal is usually used for fastening. Bells and chains are made of metal.

    It is important that toys are not made of zinc, copper and brass. The metal parts of toys (for example, rings, etc.) should be very small so that the parrot's paw, beak or himself cannot get stuck in them.

    Ropes, threads, ropes.

    What kind of material is often used to make toys? This can be rope ladders, flexible perches, and others. This material is made from the following fibers:

  • Jute is a fiber that is made from the plant of the same name of the genus of shrubs, dwarf shrubs and herbs of the malvaceous family. Sacks and ropes are made from these fibers.
  • Sisal is a tough natural fiber that is extracted from agave leaves. This material is used to make ropes, brushes, nets, and more.
  • Hemp is a fiber of hemp stalks.
  • Flax - fibers of flax stems.
  • Cotton is a fiber that is obtained from cotton bolls. Ropes made from this fiber do not need to be used, as there are known cases of thread eating.
  • Ropes made of synthetic fiber are not worth purchasing: your bird can damage it, tousle it, get tangled in it with its paw or head. Therefore, do not allow the parrot to have access to a spoiled toy. You cannot use it.

    The use of dyes in the manufacture of toys.

    Manufacturers use a variety of dyes in an effort to make toys beautiful and more attractive. It is best if food coloring is used in the manufacture of the toy. The manufacturer must indicate the type and presence of dyes in the product on the toy label. The best way to keep your budgie safe is to choose a toy without dye.

    Toys are usually hung from the roof of the cage, but not from the perch because the bird will spoil it with droppings. The toy must be attached so that it does not fall.

    Toys should be changed periodically, so the parrot will not lose interest in playing with them.

    Playground

    If you have a lot of toys and they do not fit in the cage, then you can decorate the playground with them. Such a platform is very useful for both parrots and their owners. After flying out of the cage, the parrot will be on the site, the likelihood that he will find himself in an unpleasant situation, will gnaw furniture, wallpaper or carpet, will decrease.

    Such a platform can be purchased in a store or made by hand. A regular branch that has different forks is fine for a playground.

    If you decide to make a playground yourself, consider all the steps:

  • how the site will look like, what materials you need. Make preliminary sketches on paper;
  • prepare branches of the required length and a certain thickness, or purchase bars, slats in the store;
  • how the prepared perches will be attached to each other on the site;
  • what the structure will be attached to to plywood or board. It is advisable to make the platform support in the form of a pallet, it can be covered with paper, it will be easier and easier to remove the pallet;
  • how the toys will be hung on the platform.
  • Do not put feeders on the site. The parrot should eat only in the cage, thanks to this you can close it in time when the pet returns to eat.

    The playing area must be stable and must not roll over or fall.

    Disinfection of toys

    The first time you need to disinfect a toy is after you purchased it and are going to hang it in the cage. Toys need to be cleaned from time to time. The areas that are contaminated should first be cleaned with a brush, then the toy should be doused with boiling water from chamomile infusion or a soda solution. The toy must dry well before you attach it to the cage or playground.

    Due to the fact that the parrot is provided with a variety of toys, it will always be cheerful and healthy. And it will be interesting for you to just watch how the parrot examines the toys you have purchased, plays with them.

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