Birds at home - what you should know if you want to breed a bird?

Decorative birds are wonderful companions of our home, delighting us with their singing or babble, and thanks to their colorful plumage, they are a beautiful showcase of the house. However, let's not forget that these are living beings with needs. What is worth knowing if we want to invite a bird to our home?

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Popular poultry farms

There are several species of birds that have permanently settled in our homes, also because of the ease of adaptation to the conditions that we can provide them, and their friendly disposition. They are also a great alternative if we can't afford a four-legged pet.

The most commonly kept birds are parrots - parakeets and nymphs predominate. These are birds that easily get used to the owner, are friendly and sociable, so they should be accompanied by another individual. Parrots and canaries are herd animals for which communication with other birds is vital - it is best to provide her with the company of another bird of the same species. In their natural environment, these animals often spend around the clock in their company. These birds need contacts and activities, so you need to find time in your schedule that we will devote to them. Parrots can respond with words or imitate household sounds (such as a phone ringing). You can find more information about parrots in our article “Exotic parrots - what you need to know about these birds? How to grow them at home?

Another bird that is often kept indoors is the canary. Known for beautiful singing that will be heard throughout the house. These are active and mobile birds, therefore, despite their small size, they need a spacious cage. They require special care because they are delicate and sensitive, prone to hypothermia and food poisoning. They also don't like to be left alone for a long time, so they are not the best choice for people who stay a lot and often stay away from home.

Lesser known companion birds are zebra finches and finches.. These are passerine birds, beautifully colored. They are very sociable and like to gather in large groups. They are jumpy - they like to jump between branches, so there should be a lot of poles in their cages.

What to feed poultry?

Bird food should mainly consist of grains and seeds. You can easily buy ready-made mixes for this species in stores. The diet of birds should be enriched with vegetables - depending on the species, they can be served raw, boiled or dried, which provides them with vitamins, water and activity. They also love fresh or dried herbs and will not shy away from apples or carrots. Some poultry also require fine sand to help them digest their food, but care is taken by breeders to carefully observe the bird's reaction to it, and in many cases the number of arguments for not providing sand seems to predominate.

Bird house - what kind of cage for poultry?

In order for decorative birds to feel comfortable and safe with us, other decent living conditions must be provided. This will help to properly match the needs of this type of cell and the number of individuals. Although the aforementioned birds adapt to life in captivity, let's not take the path of least resistance and create an apartment in which our pets will be happy.

The minimum size of a cage for one canary is 60x50x40 cm. Of course, the larger the cage or aviary, the better - the bird will have more freedom and more opportunities for flight. We will also install several poles, preferably made of natural wood, on which the bird will rub its claws. The birds will also appreciate the swings, bells and a water pool where they can cool off and wash up (birds wash up). The richer the environment, the better it is for bird welfare.

Access to fresh water must be constant. The water in the drinking bowls and pool should be changed daily. For food, use plastic bowls and feeders that are easy to clean (if we have several individuals, then there should also be several bowls). At the bottom of the cage, you can put a layer of sand that will absorb moisture and odors. Separately, it is worth paying attention to the fact that the cage has a retractable bottom, which will be easy to wash - food debris and bird droppings will collect there. Depending on the number and type of birds, the bottom of the cage must be washed daily. Budgerigars groom themselves every 15-20 minutes, and if there are few birds, the bottom will quickly become dirty. We clean the entire cage once a week on average.

The bird house should be located in a well-lit area. indoors, but not in direct sunlight. The cage also should not stand in a place prone to drafts.. Birds must be regularly released from the cage so that they can fly freely around the apartment, of course, after making sure that all ways outside are blocked.

Sensitive bird psyche

When accepting a companion bird, one must remember that this is the same living creature with its own needs and diseases, like popular dogs or cats. Let's not treat them like home decorations or plush charms. Let's take care of contact with the bird - they are very attached to their owner. If they are left alone for too long, they will feel miserable. During our trip or holiday, they must be provided with the daily care of a trusted person, who must spend up to several hours in the place where the birds live. Let's take this into account before deciding to get a bird.

The behavior of birds and the condition of their claws, beaks and feathers should also be closely monitored. Sick or upset birds may pluck feathers, and deteriorating claws or beak may indicate a vitamin deficiency or disease.

You can find more similar articles in the section I have a passion for animals.