There are various types of cages and bird housing available for all species and sizes of pet birds. Owners should purchase the best type of cage they can afford, and by paying careful attention to detail, should be able to develop a comfortable environment that their pet bird will enjoy for many years.
Cage Types for Pet Birds
There are several things to consider when buying a cage for a pet bird. Cost is usually the deciding factor on a cage purchase, however, safety should always be considered as well. Cage construction comes in a variety of materials such as steel, painted metals, and sometimes plexiglas for outdoor aviaries. However, there are some metals that have been proven to be dangerous to birds, and cages made of the following should be avoided:
- Galvanized steel cages
- Cages with lead or zinc coating or hardware
- Thrift store cages painted with spray paint
- Rusting cages
- Chrome plated cages that are flaking
The bars of the cage should be close enough together so that the bird cannot get its head stuck between them, and should be strong and sturdy. Stainless steel is the best material for pet bird housing, but it is also the most expensive. It is easy to clean, holds up to harsh cleaning agents and can be well worth the money in the long run.
Perches for Pet Birds
After choosing a cage for their pet bird, most owners enjoy picking out cage accessories and perches. Perches come in a variety of materials including wood, plastic, metal and concrete. To create as much of a natural environment as possible, owners may choose to provide their pet bird with several types of perches with varying degrees of thickness and texture to use.
Different species of birds require different sized perches. The majority of the perch should be wide enough around so that the bird can rest the entire foot on the perch, without any overlapping of toes. Perches should be of varying thicknesses so that the bird can exercise his feet and avoid arthritis which can result from being housed on single-thickness perches or perches that are too small.
Sandpaper perches work well for budgies and smaller birds that like to chew or forage for grit, but should not be the only type of perch available to them since it can irritate the feet over time. Heated perches work great for winter or for birds kept indoors. Owners should replace any zinc attachment pieces with stainless steel, which can be bought at the local hardware store.
Toys for Pet Birds
Toys come in a variety of colors and complex designs that are available to meet the needs of just about any species of bird from finches to parrots. Some birds love trinkets and shiny bells while others enjoy shredding wooden toys and playing with blocks. Bird owners should consider purchasing several different toys to change out periodically which will help keep their bird from getting bored and suffering from depression or anxiety disorders.
Homemade toys are fun and easy to make from cardboard and rope, and for large birds that enjoy foraging, little homemade piñatas filled with treats are an excellent way to encourage natural foraging behavior. Making homemade toys also provides a way for children to interact with the family pet bird and feel involved especially if the bird is new and isn’t used to being handled very often.
Heating, Lighting and Substrate for Pet Birds
Heating and lighting play an important role in the housing requirements of birds. Adult pet birds that are kept in cooler environments or in rooms within the house that are low light, will not thrive very well and be susceptible to disease and other disorders. If the owner is comfortable with light layers of clothing on within the bird’s room, then it is probably comfortable.
Birds need about 10 hours of natural light everyday and 14 hours of dark. Sunlight from a window is helpful, as long as the bird is protected from the direct glare. The best type of lighting to offer an indoor pet bird is full-spectrum fluorescent lighting. This type of light mimics natural sunlight and helps the bird in several ways from utilizing nutrients from food to alleviating boredom and self destructive habits.
Substrate should be restricted to newspaper or other types of plain paper that will not mold or mildew, or that carries an odor. Pet bird owners should strive to set up an environment for their bird that is functional, provides all of the necessary things for a bird to thrive, and should be easy for the owner to maintain. A healthy and happy bird will give the owner many years of companionship and enjoyment.
Wendi Gibson - Wendi is a Registered Veterinary Technician in the state of Texas with an Applied Science Degree in Veterinary Technology. She has ...
