Essential Guidance for Bird Owners

One of the most important purchases after your bird is the cage. As a general rule, bigger is better. A Powder Coated cage should be used. No rust or peeling paint should be present. A dome top or playpen can be provided though personally, I am a big advocate of dome cages. It is my belief that a bird should have as must interior room as possible. Once you add toys, the living space quickly disappears. Some people like to let their birds on top of the cage and prefer the play pen. In some species of bird, being on top of the cage could lead to a dominant attitude. I strongly recommend against it in the case of an already nippy bird or one that has tendencies to become that way if not properly handled.

Toys are generally an underrated item in a birds’ life. The truth of the matter is they serve a variety of functions. They act to stimulate a birds’ need to chew and help keep their beaks in good condition. It provides mental stimulate and will keep your bird happy. It will reduce stress from developing which can lead to problems such as feather plucking. Finally, it will help keep your bird from chewing other toys such as your wood cabinets and chairs.

We strongly recommend that a bird has at least four toys in it’s’ cage. These toys need to be rotated on a monthly basis, with a new one put in and an old one removed. Different type toys should also be offered. Toys that force a bird to forge for treats are a great way to keep them stimulated. Foot toys serve to exercise their feet while offering fun at the same time. Different texture type toys such as wood, plastic, leather and rubber should also be offered. In this situation, more is better.