A book detailing different means of building an aviary that will allow you to productively use your time while helping your birds live a healthy life. It will also help you save money by not having to pay for veterinary care.
Aviaries come in various designs, each giving room for creativity and space to suit your needs. Some of these designs include:
Bird Food
Birds require a variety of seeds and food to survive. The best seed type depends on the birds you want to attract to your yard. Black oil sunflower seeds are an excellent choice because many bird species enjoy them. Other popular choices include striped sunflower seeds and sunflower hearts. The joy of watching feathered friends flitting and singing in your backyard haven. But keeping those little chirpers happy and healthy requires a steady supply of nutritious food. Thankfully, bird lovers can rejoice! With a bit of savvy couponing, for instance, using Chewy coupons, you can stock your aviary essentials without breaking the bank.
Adding a suet feeder to your backyard can provide a high-energy treat for woodpeckers, nuthatches, and other large bird species. Suet, which consists of animal fat plus peanut butter, ground cornmeal, wheat flour, a variety of seeds, and chopped dried mealworms, is available at bird stores or can be made at home. The fat in suet provides the energy these birds need to survive harsh winter weather. Birders can buy suet in blocks, balls, cakes, or plugs and place them in specialized feeders such as metal cages, logs, or stumps.
While most wild birds eat seeds, some prefer fruit or insects. Feeding these types of food is an easy way to bring in migrating birds, such as robins and orioles, which are challenging to attract by offering only seeds. Providing jelly can also attract birds.
Bird Toys
Birds need toys to encourage their instincts and behaviors, such as chewing, climbing, playing, foraging, and exploring. Toys that are durable, made of non-toxic materials, and appropriately sized for your bird can provide them with the physical and mental stimulation they need to stay happy and healthy.
Many bird toys not made safely or adequately for birds can cause severe injuries and even death. Some common mistakes include flimsy rope and string that could be swallowed, broken or torn pieces that might get caught in a bird’s throat or claws, or even a toy that hangs from chains or clips that are dangerously easy for a parrot to tangle with. Another danger is metal poisoning from toxic toy coatings, such as lead, zinc, and copper.
Choose toys made from safe and sturdy materials such as stainless steel, acrylic, rigid plastic, or natural, vegetable-tanned leather. Avoid dyed leather that can be ingested, and avoid toys with split critical ring-type fasteners or snap-type hooks that your bird may get their tongue or toe caught on. Also, avoid toys with multiple rings looped together that your bird might get their head caught in as they play; this can be a fatal risk for smaller birds such as cockatoos and parakeets. Instead, choose quick links or C-clamps that are more secure.
Bird Accessories
A birdcage is only complete with the right accessories. Bird toys provide both entertainment and mental stimulation to keep your pet happy. A variety of toys is best, so your bird has something new to play with all the time. Be careful when buying toys – not all are safe for birds. Rope toys may have tiny fibers that can be chewed up and swallowed, causing blockages in the ventriculus or crop. Wooden and paper toys colored with vegetable dye are safer alternatives.
Other time-saving accessories include a perch or cage mount panel to give your bird a resting place. A heated perch can also ward off winter chills or help sick birds heal faster.
Bird swings, bungees, and exercise ladders are fun ways to encourage movement in the cage and help your bird get more exercise. Shoulder capes are great for keeping poop off your clothes when you’re handling your bird. Every pet owner should have a go bag and first aid kit for when their pet needs care. Talk to your veterinarian about what should be in this kit, but it should at least include nail trimmers, styptic powder (to stop minor bleeding), scissors, and a list of any vitamin supplements you feed your pet.
Bird Supplies
Aside from food, a pet bird requires other supplies to live its best life. These include a cage, a stand, a perch, a bird bath, and some toys.
A habitat liner is needed to absorb droppings and control odor. This can be a newspaper or a commercially available product. Both are safe for birds and cheap and easy to replace. The liner also lets you see your bird’s droppings, which can help you monitor his health.
Most birds love to play, so they must have plenty of toys in their habitat setup. Adding a few appropriately sized perches (depending on the bird’s size) also helps keep your bird busy. Perches should be made of various materials, including natural branches, PVC or plastic, wood, and rope. Providing your bird with a few different perches will prevent him from always standing in the same place, which can lead to foot disorders.
Another way to enrich your bird’s life is to use positive training and teach him fun bird tricks. You can even find some excellent clicker training for birds deals online. Every household with a bird should have a fully equipped “go bag” or emergency kit. This kit should contain your veterinarian’s contact information, a first aid kit with a styptic, and a pair of nail clippers.