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Below is our care sheet for all birds. If you would like general information on a our growing species list click on the links below.

Cockatoos Toucanet Cockatiel Chickens/Ducks

Parrotlets Parakeet/Budgie Conures

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Caring For Your New Bird

Essential Care Items:

Bird Food
Cage
Perch
Food & Water Holders
Lining
Beak Conditioner
Toys
Vitamins

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Feeding - Feed your bird fortified seed mixes that are supplemented with vitamins and minerals. Birds are considered nibblers and should be fed enough seed to pick at all day. Fruits and vegetables are also important dietary supplements to be fed daily. Try apples, corn, peas, carrots, oranges, and bananas. Do not leave spoiled food in the cage! The key to a healthy diet is variety. Sunflower seeds should be avoided since these are addictive to birds and very high in fat. Try to buy seed mixes without sunflower seeds. Sunflower seeds can be given in small quantities as a treat. Clean fresh water is a must for a healthy bird. Most birds try to bathe in their water bowls. Therefore, be sure that you clean it often. Popular now is to use a water bottle...please be sure you check the ball daily to make sure it is not stuck and change the water ever other day.

Never feed your bird chocolate, caffeine or avocados as these are poisonous to birds.

Cage - Be sure to buy the largest cage you can afford and suitable for your bird type. Your bird will spend most of its time there and will need to stretch its wings and climb from perch to perch. Your bird's cage should be placed in a sunny room away from drafts. Birds prefer to be high up and against a wall. Birds are social creatures and do best when placed in a room with lots of family activity. Your cage can be lined with either newspaper or corn cob bedding. It should be cleaned daily of droppings by replacing the bedding. If you are providing a nesting box, eucalyptus leaves make great nesting material.

Perches - Perches are important for exercise. Your cage should have at least two perches of different thickness and textures allowing for your bird to exercise its feet. The perches should be cleaned monthly with warm water and soap. We recommend hardwood perches such as guavawood and manzanita. Other common woods used for perches include eucalyptus and pine.

Toys - Birds love to chew! Plenty of toys is a must for your bird's entertainment. Wood, acrylic, rope and leather toys are all suitable, as long as the parts are not small enough to swallow. Wood toys should be untreated and chemical free. Wood used in toys should be manzanita, guavawood, eucalyptus, cholla, ribbonwood, and pine. Rope toys should be made out of supreme cotton or sisal. To prevent boredom when you are away, provide toys that can be changed regularly. You can also leave a T.V. or radio on or just leave the cage near a window away from direct sunlight.

Bathing - Birds love to take a bath! Fill a spray bottle with warm water and spritz your bird at least weekly. Use fresh water each time you spritz your bird. Why not join in the fun and take your bird into the shower with you!

Feather Clipping - We recommend you have your bird's wings clipped for the safety of your bird. Please clip both sides so that your bird is balanced...if only one side is clipped your bird may fly out of control and get hurt. A bird can still fly with both clipped, however, cannot get much lift or much distance. This can prevent the escape of your bird and protects from free flight into fans, stoves, and other dangers. The first time you have your bird's wings clipped, we recommend you have it done by your veterinarian so you can be shown how to clip the wings properly. Check our Advanced Tips Page for tips on feather clipping. Some birds also need to have their beaks trimmed if they become to long. This should always be done by your veterinarian.

Grooming - A great way to bond with your bird is to help them preen their feathers. Birds have pin feathers which are new feathers that are covered by a thin sheath. These pin feathers need help coming loose from their sheath. This is what birds are doing when they preen each other. A bird is able to preen most of its feathers by itself, however, when a bird is without a partner, it will need help preening the feathers on its head and neck. This is done by gently squeezing the sheath and rubbing it between your fingers. Do not do this on a pin feather which is a blood feather not fully developed. Your bird's nails must also be trimmed regularly. Using a bird nail trimmer, gently wrap your bird in a towel and lay the bird on its back in your lap. Be sure to only trim the tips of the nail or bleeding will occur. If it does bleed, apply pressure. If the bleeding continues, contact your veterinarian.

DANGERS: : Stoves, ceiling fans, standing water and other pets.

Your birds droppings are a good indicator of whether or not your bird is healthy. Get to know what is normal for your bird. If they are off color (not green but whitish) or watery, contact your vet.

If your bird is picking its feathers, this is an indication of medical and nutritional problems or boredom. Check with your veterinarian to make sure there are no health problems. For tips on feather picking, check out our page on Advanced Tips

Enjoy your amazing journey into the world birds!

RESOURCES:

http://www.birdsnways.com/

http://www.birdtricks.com/