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Birds 101
Do's and Dont's when you get your new bird home
So you want to own a bird? pdf 147kb
First and foremost, you the HUMAN must remember this bird has been removed from it's home and placed into a unfamiliar setting.
As the new keeper of the bird you must allow several days for the bird to adjust to it's new surroundings.
Once your both home place the bird in it's cage with food and water and allow it to acclimate itself to it's new surroundings, this could take a few days. You might not observe it eat, drink ore make a Chirp sound, not to worry.DO NOT place the bird and cage by any heating or air conditioner vent or window or in the middle of the house's traffic flow. Drafts are harmful and fatal to our feathered friends, and with all sorts of movement they will find it hard to adjust. Place them in a spot where they can observe the familys daily comings and goings.
As your bird adjusts to it's new environment you will see more activity for the bird, eating and drinking will occur and soon the Chirp Chirp you've been waiting for.
Like people birds need exercise too, and while flying is the best for of exercise for a bird, it's best in a new environment to have it's wings clipped until it's really becomes acclimated to it's surroundings. Clipped wings will grow back in a few months. With the birds wings clipped you can allow the bird to come out of the cage and into a social family setting with a reduced worry. Birds and Cockatiels have the curiosity of say a 7 year old child; Where there is a will, they will find a way!
As you've noticed I have a lot of toys for my birds to play and stoke their curiosity. My toys are either home built with wood and nails using natural lumber (not treated) birds like to chew on wood (toothpicks, popsicle sticks) or inexpensive store bought toys or string, they love string. With their wings clipped you should allow your bird to come out for a minimum of two hours a day to play, be it socially with family, friends, or by itself. Now is also a good time to take your bird for tours of your residence.
Because my birds are FREE RANGE -NOT CAGED, to prevent accidential deaths I keep the toilet seats down, with the bathroom doors shut. In the rooms they are allowed to play in, I place inexpensive colored bath towels at the windows ledges. The bath towels I find allow the birds to sit or land at the windows ledge without smashing head first into the window risking accidential death. I'm happy to say no head bangings in this household.
Another thing you the HUMAN need to mindful of is opening windows and doors that lead to the outside. The bird does not know any better, and even with wings clipped, they can gain lift and vamoose. You the human need to be mindful of where your bird is at all times like when house cleaning, if your using a wash bucket, and you become distracted, you could find your birdy floating in the bucket of water - not good! If your in the kitchen cooking be aware of the stove top, frying pans, oven or if the kitchen sick is filled with water. Just ask Kermit she was missing one day for several hours, after an exhaustive search I located her inside the kitchen freezer, just chillin, needless to say she does not come with me to get ice cubes anymore.
MUST HAVE
It's a good thing to invest in NIK-STOP or some sort of powdered Styptic Powder, in case of injury, you can slow or stop the bleeding and get your birdy to the VET!!!!Also find yourself a knowledgeable birdy veterinarian, or call a local vet and see if they can recommend for you, or try your local State Licensing Board
Just remember to be mindful of your bird and it's surroundings, and where you are in relationship of the bird, espically when your walking or opening and closing doors and windows.
Common Sense and a Double Check will go a long way it keeping you and your bird together for a long time.
***TOXIC*** DO NOT FEED YOUR BIRD ***TOXIC***
Apple Seeds, Alcohol, Avocado, Caffeine (Coffee, Soda and Tea), Chocolate, Candy, Milk, Onions, Tomato Leaves, or Salt. You must also take precaution with house plants, since the list is so extensive I suggest you do a Google search for “toxic houseplants for birds” or visit Exotic Pet Vet.
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