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Friday, July 20, 2012
10 Foods that Will Bring Different Wild Bird Species to Your Backyard
Different kinds of foods tend to attract different kinds of garden wildlife. However when it comes to wild birds, the choice of food narrows down to the specific wild bird species. Take the following as examples; Quail and pheasants love cracked corn. Humming birds prefer Plant nectar and small insects. Black oil seed is favored by many seed- eating wild bird species such as Finches which love Niger seed and sunflower.
But since you want to attract more variety of wild birds to your backyard, you should consider the following foods: • Millet: is a favorite cereal with birds like the Pigeons, Doves, Towhees, Juncos, Blackbirds and starlings.
• Meat scraps: Roadrunners, Woodpeckers, Crowns and Magpie are some of the wild birds you will be able to lure into your backyard with meat scraps. Be sure to place the food in a conspicuous place where the birds will easily spot it. You can set up bird tables out in the garden for this purpose.
• Suet: this is a high energy bird food mainly compromised of animal fat from the loins and kidneys. It is a quick source of heat and energy for insect eating birds whose metabolisms are set on fast forward. Birds which find suet to be a delicacy include: Woodpeckers, Crowns, Magpies, Creepers, Nuthatches, Wrens, Kinglets, Robins, Thrushes, and Bluebirds.
• Peanut: Some of the bird species you will be able to attract with peanuts include the Titmice, Chickadees and Jays which prefer also whole peanuts for bird food. Also, you can use the peanut kernels to attract sparrows.
• Halved Apples and other fruits such Berries: Some wild birds like the Mockingbirds and Thrashers love their daily ration of fruits and will probably thank you for readily proving it to them. Apart from these two, waxwings are also reported to love Berries aside from Raisins, Canned peas and Currants.
• Mealworms: Mealworms are a firm favorite with many wild bird species including Flycatchers, Phoebes, Robins, Bluebirds and Thrushes. You can also attract Tanagers into your garden using Mealworms.
• Safflower seed: Safflower seed is a very nutritious source of protein to seed eating birds like Cardinals, Grosbeaks, Buntings and nuthatches.
• Small mammals and small birds: If you are looking to attract some of the most magnificent, seldom seen birds like owls and raptors, then you will need bigger bait. Most of the huge birds are predators and enjoy eating meat. To attract them you will need to provide them with small birds and small mammals like mice and rats for them to feast on.
• Water: is an essential part of your backyard bird feeding activities. Wild birds need a continuous supply of fresh clean water at all times. The birds use this water to quench their thirst and to relax while taking a bath.
• Manufactured wild bird foods: Although these are readily available, you should consult with your food salesperson before purchasing to ensure that you get the right food which will attract the right species of birds you are targeting.
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Should I Clip A Bird’s Wings?
Should I clip a bird’s wings, well this is a question that many ask, including us. When we bought our pet bird, Charlie, our Quaker Parrot, nearly a year ago now, he had already had 1 wing clipped. The bird breeder suggested that one wing is all that is needed to be clipped and it would be much safer for him and that most pet birds have this done. We left Charlie with only one wing clipped for many months, it took quite a long time to grow, but in that time he would try to fly off quite often, especially when something startled him or if we weren’t paying him enough attention. He loves to sit on our shoulders on our bird bib, which is a clothes protector from bird droppings. If we didn’t put him on our shoulders enough he would fly off. He would always crash land and often hurt the side of his face, always the same side which happened to be the side that the wing had been cut. It would bleed and take awhile to heal. My son Luke, his girlfriend, Sarah and my self didn’t like this at all, we were worried that he would hurt himself permanently. We would panic every time he flew off. We thought maybe that we would let both wings grow as we thought that it would better for Charlie and safer. So we looked up different sites on the net and borrowed books from the library to find out more about clipping birds wings. We ended up being quite confused. There were so many different opinions.
We decided that letting both wings grow out completely wasn’t a good idea at all. We read stories like, people that had let their birds grow back both wings and then their bird flew away and was never to be seen again or flew into windows and onto the stove, into fish tanks, into toilets etc. Another story was that a bird owner let their bird grow back both wings because they felt it wasn’t right to clip them and then their bird flew over their fence into a neighbour’s back yard. They immediately ran over to their neighbours to collect the bird, but unfortunately the neighbour’s cat had got to the bird first. Imagine how that would have been. I felt so sad for that bird and the bird owner and thought that we can’t let Charlie grow both wings. So should I clip a bird’s wings, yes, we now believe that clipping both wings is the best thing for our pet bird. It is still probably an individual decision that every one has to make.
We have now cut both wings and have found that Charlie is much happier. He will still fly off now and then but no where near as often as he used to. When he does he is much more centred and only flies a short distance. He lands perfect every time, no more damage to his face. He doesn’t have enough lift to get over our fence, unless he is high up in one of our trees in the back yard, so we have to watch him all the time when he is outside.
We believe that clipping wings is the best thing for our Quaker Parrot, Charlie. I also believe that clipping wings is a personal decision that pet owners need to make for all pet birds, including Cockatiels, Budgies and Parrots etc. It is a decision that all bird owners need to make depending on their own circumstances, just like any decision we make for all of our pets. Our bird loves to get out of his bird cage all of the time and sit on our shoulders on a bird bib and also loves to get outside on his outdoor gym, as we call it. If we didn’t clip his wings he may not be with us today.
Monday, July 16, 2012
Parrots And Air Cleaners---7 Facts To Know
Keeping the air clean for your parrot is just as important as providing a healthy diet, and clean water. Although choosing the right air purifier can sometimes be daunting, knowing the answers to these 7 questions will help you make the best decision.
How important is 24 hour filtration? In a word it is crucial. The goal is to keep the level of air quality high all the time. And the only way to do this is not to ever allow a build-up of particles.
Having a motor that is able to run safely with high revolutions per minute is essential to constantly minimize pollutants in the air. This type of motor is called a split capacitor and should be listed in the technical specifications of the owner's manual.
What level of ozone is safe? This remains a controversial subject for many. Studies have shown that the level of ozone would have to be so high to effectively clean the air that it would be toxic to humans. Other studies conclude that trace amounts are acceptable.
The one thing that all can agree on is that fresh air is best. So using a technology that only produces fresh air is best for you and your bird. HEPA filtration is safe and is the most efficient at particle elimination.
Which is better, plastic or steel casing? Steel is the best option for a number of reasons. Many parrots have strong beaks and use them to explore things in their environment including the purifier. A unit made of steel is less likely to have pieces break off that cause injury, or worse.
When a unit runs continuously (as it should) the motor heat will cause the casing to get warm. Sometimes when the unit is made of plastic this can cause fumes to be released into the air when the plastic heats up. The last thing you want is to pay for a unit that causes problems rather eliminates them.
What type of filter is best? There should really be a canister of filters that contains multiple filters that are designed to remove various size particles. A HEPA or high efficiency particle arresting filter is designed to remove airborne particles that are .3 microns or greater in size. This filter is cable of removing airborne bacteria and viruses as well as the microscopic pieces of dander that all birds shed continually.
There should also be large and medium size pre-filters that can trap particles that you can see such as bird dust, feathers, and normal household dust. These filters save the more intricate HEPA from filling needlessly with particles that are easily trapped by these bigger and less expensive filters.
A filter for odor is also a good idea. Having a carbon cloth filter gives you 2 advantages. Because it is woven like a cloth it can also trap particles, and the fact that it is made of carbon means that it can remove gases, odors, and airborne chemicals to which birds are so vulnerable.
How big of a space should the unit be able to clean? It should be able to clean the area that is open to it. So if your birds are in a family room, the cleaner should be capable of cleaning not only that room but all the other space open to it. So if you leave all of your doors open and your space is 1500 square feet, that's the space your purifier should be sized to clean.
Where is the best placement for the unit? The cleaner should be placed so that it does not create a draft for the birds. Ideally, a unit should only need about 6 inches of clearance from any surface to function efficiently. This means it can be placed out of the way and in a way that keeps the chord from being a tripping or choking hazard.
What type of maintenance should be expected? Maintenance should be minimal and should be able to be done while the unit is running. Vacuuming the outside occasionally should be the most that is expected
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Is a bird the right pet for you
Should you be planning on getting a bird as a pet, there are several items that have to be taken into consideration prior to you get started buying. Nowadays, you’ve the potential to order a bird from a wide assortment of distinctive pet birds from the comfort of the personal household. But, being conscious from the responsibilities and complications involved with all the process.
Pet birds come in all shapes and sizes. The selection of pet birds must not be accomplished solely depending on their appearance but additionally on their size, lifespan and manageability for anyone who is to fetch the most effective outcomes. As an example, some pet birds such as parrots are effectively known to reside as much as 70 years of age. However, the bigger the bird, the greater the value along with the more money you may must devote and the extra time you are going to need to devote on the bird. In addition to all this, you might want to contemplate just what you anticipate from a pet bird prior to you in fact get a single.
As an example, when you are expecting your pet birds to be in a position to execute tricks including talking, you might want to take into account a parrot. For anyone who is seeking a bird that you won’t need to spend too much attention to, a canary will be an awesome alternative as they like to be left alone with their very own type. Moreover, you must look at your financial capability to handle the food, the grooming and also the occasional medical expenses to make sure that you’re really like for pet birds does not break the bank.
With regards to considering the upkeep of pet birds, smaller ones are the ideal choice should you be on a tight spending budget. On the other hand, pet birds for instance finches and canaries choose the business of other birds from the very same species and you’ll have to invest in at the least two birds to ensure that the birds are content.
You would like to think about the food before you choose on a bird. Not all birds will eat the typical bird seed mix out there at the local pet retailer. This indicates that you simply will do a bit of investigation so as to discover what your pet birds could possibly prefer to consume and what their actual dietary requirements are. In case you are buying a tropical bird, then you could possibly want to consider how that you are going to manage its diet program as they may have tropical fruits as a portion of their diet program. Additionally, it is also required to think about pet insurance coverage if you’re thinking about pet birds. This will let you be assured that you simply won’t be burdened with heavy costs inside the event your bird requires medical focus.
Pet birds come in all shapes and sizes. The selection of pet birds must not be accomplished solely depending on their appearance but additionally on their size, lifespan and manageability for anyone who is to fetch the most effective outcomes. As an example, some pet birds such as parrots are effectively known to reside as much as 70 years of age. However, the bigger the bird, the greater the value along with the more money you may must devote and the extra time you are going to need to devote on the bird. In addition to all this, you might want to contemplate just what you anticipate from a pet bird prior to you in fact get a single.
As an example, when you are expecting your pet birds to be in a position to execute tricks including talking, you might want to take into account a parrot. For anyone who is seeking a bird that you won’t need to spend too much attention to, a canary will be an awesome alternative as they like to be left alone with their very own type. Moreover, you must look at your financial capability to handle the food, the grooming and also the occasional medical expenses to make sure that you’re really like for pet birds does not break the bank.
With regards to considering the upkeep of pet birds, smaller ones are the ideal choice should you be on a tight spending budget. On the other hand, pet birds for instance finches and canaries choose the business of other birds from the very same species and you’ll have to invest in at the least two birds to ensure that the birds are content.
You would like to think about the food before you choose on a bird. Not all birds will eat the typical bird seed mix out there at the local pet retailer. This indicates that you simply will do a bit of investigation so as to discover what your pet birds could possibly prefer to consume and what their actual dietary requirements are. In case you are buying a tropical bird, then you could possibly want to consider how that you are going to manage its diet program as they may have tropical fruits as a portion of their diet program. Additionally, it is also required to think about pet insurance coverage if you’re thinking about pet birds. This will let you be assured that you simply won’t be burdened with heavy costs inside the event your bird requires medical focus.
8 Simple Tips For Keeping Your Pet Birds Health.
In order to have a long, healthy life, birds need a balanced diet. Improper feeding can lead to malnutrition and disease resulting in a shorter lifespan. Feed your bird well from the very beginning.
Parrots and birds of the parrot family can eat a variety of different kinds of foods. A parrot shouldn’t eat seeds alone. Unfortunately, that is what most new owners do, and that’s not good for the birds. Seeds have a high content of fat, and they don’t contain any other important nutrients such as vitamins and protein.
Birds are able to eat most foods humans eat, though it is best for them to eat whole grains, pretzels, pasta and bread. Foods high in fat should be avoided. Make sure that, of all fruits, you don’t feed birds avocados, since they are toxic to them.
Good sources of nutrition for your bird include beans and legumes as well as various vegetables and fruits. Just like people, some birds are more open than others to try new foods, and some of them will refuse to try anything that is not familiar. Even if your bird is stubborn, do your best to offer new foods for the bird to try at all times.
Introduce new things slowly. Offer fresh foods for about an hour twice a day. Fresh food left there for too long can develop bacteria and make the bird sick.
The bird should be fed twice a day. This will result in your bird getting hungry which will make it more active. Also, a good appetite can make it more likely that your bird will try new foods. Feeding at set times twice per day will also allow you to be able to monitor how much your bird is eating. If the bird appears sick or it is not eating well, seek medical attention as soon as possible.
If your bird is a picky eater and you cannot get it to eat a varied diet you can try warming or cooking the vegetables. Take away seeds except at meal time until your bird starts eating healthy foods on a regular basis.
And, birds also need fresh water. Your bird’s water bowl should be full of fresh water at all times. The bird’s water bowl is going to be pretty dirty, so make sure you clean it every day with warm soapy water. Also, clean it every two weeks with a weak solution of bleach. Some water soluble vitamins that can be added to your bird’s water every day are also a wonderful addition.
Birds can be charming pets if you take proper care of them, and they can be long time companions. Taking good care of birds includes feeding them a balanced diet of seeds, fruit and vegetables.
Parrots and birds of the parrot family can eat a variety of different kinds of foods. A parrot shouldn’t eat seeds alone. Unfortunately, that is what most new owners do, and that’s not good for the birds. Seeds have a high content of fat, and they don’t contain any other important nutrients such as vitamins and protein.
Birds are able to eat most foods humans eat, though it is best for them to eat whole grains, pretzels, pasta and bread. Foods high in fat should be avoided. Make sure that, of all fruits, you don’t feed birds avocados, since they are toxic to them.
Good sources of nutrition for your bird include beans and legumes as well as various vegetables and fruits. Just like people, some birds are more open than others to try new foods, and some of them will refuse to try anything that is not familiar. Even if your bird is stubborn, do your best to offer new foods for the bird to try at all times.
Introduce new things slowly. Offer fresh foods for about an hour twice a day. Fresh food left there for too long can develop bacteria and make the bird sick.
The bird should be fed twice a day. This will result in your bird getting hungry which will make it more active. Also, a good appetite can make it more likely that your bird will try new foods. Feeding at set times twice per day will also allow you to be able to monitor how much your bird is eating. If the bird appears sick or it is not eating well, seek medical attention as soon as possible.
If your bird is a picky eater and you cannot get it to eat a varied diet you can try warming or cooking the vegetables. Take away seeds except at meal time until your bird starts eating healthy foods on a regular basis.
And, birds also need fresh water. Your bird’s water bowl should be full of fresh water at all times. The bird’s water bowl is going to be pretty dirty, so make sure you clean it every day with warm soapy water. Also, clean it every two weeks with a weak solution of bleach. Some water soluble vitamins that can be added to your bird’s water every day are also a wonderful addition.
Birds can be charming pets if you take proper care of them, and they can be long time companions. Taking good care of birds includes feeding them a balanced diet of seeds, fruit and vegetables.
Swan For Sale – Top 3 Sources Where You Can Find Swans Easily
Looking for swans for sale? Swans are elegant creatures and they look beautiful in any pond or lake. They are also easy to take care of and breeding is not difficult as well. In some countries, swans are protected by law as some of its species are already endangered. However, many people are still raising and feeding swans either as a pet, as a source of income especially for breeders or as a living ornament in their ponds or lakes. In buying one, experts recommend that you should buy in pairs since swan mate their partners permanently. There are many options where you can find swan for sale and the following are helpful to consider:
Local Breeders: It is advisable to start searching in your local area. This is helpful in finding the right swan specie that is appropriate for your place, as different swan species are unique into a specific place. The swans in local breeders are raised in farm settings, so they are not as wild as the cage-raised ones. Local breeders also provide some other necessary items that you may need upon raising your swan, so it is helpful to look for local breeders around your area.
Commercial: Breeders It is easy to find swan for sale among commercial breeders, as they are directed in breeding them for business purposes. You can readily find cygnets, mature swans and mating swans in these breeders, so you have many choices in buying one. These breeders also sell commercial items that are helpful in raising swans, such as breeding pens and accessory nests. Oftentimes, commercial breeders have their own farm or facility for breeding swans and other birds alike, so you can be assured with quality breeds of swan from them.
Online Shops: If you cannot find swan for sale in your local area then, the online market may be the right place for you. Commercial breeders usually have their own websites in order to reach a lot of consumers. Other independent breeders also sell swans and cygnets on online shopping sites, so you have many options to choose from.
Remember that in finding swan for sale, the specie of the swan that you must purchase should be appropriate for your place or otherwise, the swan may not live long in your area. Study every little detail in taking care of swans so you can be successful in raising and breeding your swans someday!
Local Breeders: It is advisable to start searching in your local area. This is helpful in finding the right swan specie that is appropriate for your place, as different swan species are unique into a specific place. The swans in local breeders are raised in farm settings, so they are not as wild as the cage-raised ones. Local breeders also provide some other necessary items that you may need upon raising your swan, so it is helpful to look for local breeders around your area.
Commercial: Breeders It is easy to find swan for sale among commercial breeders, as they are directed in breeding them for business purposes. You can readily find cygnets, mature swans and mating swans in these breeders, so you have many choices in buying one. These breeders also sell commercial items that are helpful in raising swans, such as breeding pens and accessory nests. Oftentimes, commercial breeders have their own farm or facility for breeding swans and other birds alike, so you can be assured with quality breeds of swan from them.
Online Shops: If you cannot find swan for sale in your local area then, the online market may be the right place for you. Commercial breeders usually have their own websites in order to reach a lot of consumers. Other independent breeders also sell swans and cygnets on online shopping sites, so you have many options to choose from.
Remember that in finding swan for sale, the specie of the swan that you must purchase should be appropriate for your place or otherwise, the swan may not live long in your area. Study every little detail in taking care of swans so you can be successful in raising and breeding your swans someday!
Rearing Chickens In Your Backyard – Perks And Glitches You Need To Realize Before Raising Chickens
Home is where the heart is, as to how people would have put it. But when it comes to raising chickens at home, there will be some advantages and disadvantages you have to know before you decide to keep them somewhere around your home.
Perks:
One of the best perks you can enjoy when keeping chickens at home is the fact that you don’t have to dress up just to go to the farm. Keeping track of your flock is also easier when done at home because driving downtown is not necessary. You can directly go to your backyard at any time of the day with your pyjamas on or a simple tee and shorts. Your hen’s eggs are in good hands because you can visit them at any time you like.
Next perk on the list is your assurance on the quality of your chicken meat and eggs. Because you grew them yourself, you are sure what the chicken ate and all the medications it took. All of the chicken’s bits and pieces like their poop, meat, and eggs can all be sold in the market. Their droppings will also be a good fertilizer for all of your growing plants in your garden.
Glitches:
As for the glitches, the very first glitch you will encounter in rearing chickens would be your neighbor’s out of control grumbles. You will hear them rant about the smell of your chicken’s poop, the clucking sounds your hens and roosters make and maybe, some plain old jealousy. The second glitch in rearing chickens at home is the extra effort you have to invest in keeping your house’s ambiance fresh, without a strain of chicken stench. So, it takes a lot of effort to keep your atmosphere free from chicken stench. This is quite impossible especially if you keep a flock in your backyard. And finally, you have to clean your backyard regularly to maintain your bird’s health and the overall condition of your house.
Free-range chickens unwittingly perform various tasks in a small-farm setting. They feed on pests, insects and food scraps; loosen up the soil and pull out weeds by scratching; making the soil fertile and of course laying eggs. Before you delve in to rearing chickens at your own home, prepare yourself for all the problems you might face. In this way, you will only have to enjoy the whole process of taking care chickens and nothing else.
Perks:
One of the best perks you can enjoy when keeping chickens at home is the fact that you don’t have to dress up just to go to the farm. Keeping track of your flock is also easier when done at home because driving downtown is not necessary. You can directly go to your backyard at any time of the day with your pyjamas on or a simple tee and shorts. Your hen’s eggs are in good hands because you can visit them at any time you like.
Next perk on the list is your assurance on the quality of your chicken meat and eggs. Because you grew them yourself, you are sure what the chicken ate and all the medications it took. All of the chicken’s bits and pieces like their poop, meat, and eggs can all be sold in the market. Their droppings will also be a good fertilizer for all of your growing plants in your garden.
Glitches:
As for the glitches, the very first glitch you will encounter in rearing chickens would be your neighbor’s out of control grumbles. You will hear them rant about the smell of your chicken’s poop, the clucking sounds your hens and roosters make and maybe, some plain old jealousy. The second glitch in rearing chickens at home is the extra effort you have to invest in keeping your house’s ambiance fresh, without a strain of chicken stench. So, it takes a lot of effort to keep your atmosphere free from chicken stench. This is quite impossible especially if you keep a flock in your backyard. And finally, you have to clean your backyard regularly to maintain your bird’s health and the overall condition of your house.
Free-range chickens unwittingly perform various tasks in a small-farm setting. They feed on pests, insects and food scraps; loosen up the soil and pull out weeds by scratching; making the soil fertile and of course laying eggs. Before you delve in to rearing chickens at your own home, prepare yourself for all the problems you might face. In this way, you will only have to enjoy the whole process of taking care chickens and nothing else.
Duck House Plans – How to Select the Best Plans and What You Need to Know
Ducks may not be typical pets; but they are as good as dogs and cats. They can also be kept for business. Raising ducks for profit can be lucrative. It is not expensive either.They can serve as sources of meats and eggs for you to sell. However, just like people and common pets, ducks need houses too. If you buy commercial houses for ducks, you will be shedding off a lot of money. The prices of most branded duck houses are not practical. They can even cost more than two hundred dollars. So, the better and more practical solution would be to purchase some duck house plans and build the duck houses yourself.
It is very important to have well-built, predator-proof duck housing in place before you even consider getting or adopting these fine aquatic creatures. There are several important points to consider. Ducks need protection from predators and other elements.
Well, you can find a lot of duck house plans online. There are online stores that sell items like these. You can type in keywords such as “duck house plans” on a search engine and you will be lead to various websites. If you are lucky enough, you may find duck house plans that are easy to follow and fit your budget. You just have to search diligently because there are some sellers who charge huge amounts for shipping. There are also sellers who sell incomplete yet expensive plans.Most of these plans are sold by reputable companies selling duck houses for several years already. They aim to help duck breeders by offering their plans to the public.
There are actually plenty of house styles and designs. Obviously, if you only have a duck or two, you will just need a small one. When you search for a house plan meant for ducks, you have to consider the number of ducks you have. On the other hand, if duck breeding is your means of livelihood, you will need to get plans that detail on how to make larger houses.
You also have to consider if you have a pond or stream near your home, especially if you are going to house Mallard ducks. Nonetheless, you can also search for a free plan online. Most free plans have downsides, though, such as no written instructions. However, if you are really lucky, you may find a house plan for ducks that includes both pictures and written instructions.
It is very important to have well-built, predator-proof duck housing in place before you even consider getting or adopting these fine aquatic creatures. There are several important points to consider. Ducks need protection from predators and other elements.
Well, you can find a lot of duck house plans online. There are online stores that sell items like these. You can type in keywords such as “duck house plans” on a search engine and you will be lead to various websites. If you are lucky enough, you may find duck house plans that are easy to follow and fit your budget. You just have to search diligently because there are some sellers who charge huge amounts for shipping. There are also sellers who sell incomplete yet expensive plans.Most of these plans are sold by reputable companies selling duck houses for several years already. They aim to help duck breeders by offering their plans to the public.
There are actually plenty of house styles and designs. Obviously, if you only have a duck or two, you will just need a small one. When you search for a house plan meant for ducks, you have to consider the number of ducks you have. On the other hand, if duck breeding is your means of livelihood, you will need to get plans that detail on how to make larger houses.
You also have to consider if you have a pond or stream near your home, especially if you are going to house Mallard ducks. Nonetheless, you can also search for a free plan online. Most free plans have downsides, though, such as no written instructions. However, if you are really lucky, you may find a house plan for ducks that includes both pictures and written instructions.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Allergic To Your Bird? - 7 Ways to Manage Your Allergies And Keep Your Bird
If you've just adopted a beautiful bird only to find that your are allergies rev up when you come into close contact with the bird for prolonged periods of time, you may be allergic to your bird.
Don't despair because as scary as this discovery can be, here are 7 things you can do as well as changes you can make to enjoy your bird while keeping your allergies under control.
Keep the Bird's Room and Cage Clean-This cannot be stressed enough. Keep the cage clear of dropping and feathers, vacuum regularly, mop the floor daily, and change its drinking water as often as needed to keep it fresh. This is of course healthy for your bird, and it also prevents mold growth.
If you feed your bird fresh foods (and it will love you for this), be sure to throw them away after several hours to avoid mold growth.
Shower with Your Bird-This is convenient way to give your bird a bath, and spend time with it in an environment where the dander is low.
Bird perches are relatively inexpensive and are easily installed. Make sure they are placed away from direct spray, and turn the nozzle to a super gentle spray setting.
You'll know immediately whether your bird likes the water. And if it does, it will do the rest for you. Always check with your vet about what products to use and how often to use them.
Wear a Mask-If you are the one doing the daily cleaning, be sure to wear a mask when you are performing task that are likely stir up dander and feathers. Your local hardware store is sure to carry a variety.
Experiment until you find one that allows you to be most comfortable when cleaning up after your bird.
Keep Your Hands Clean--Wearing gloves is best, but if you choose not to, wash your hands immediately after you finish to minimize contact with skin and eyes. This will greatly reduce the number of allergens that have direct contact.
Remove Fabrics and Upholstery-This process may have to be a gradual one, but it is well worth the time, money, and effort in terms of the significant improvement you will see in your allergies.
Draperies, carpet, upholstered furniture make great place for dander to hide, and sitting, dusting, and even vacuuming can send a ton of dander airborne. This makes it easy for it to invade your eyes, nose, and throat triggering the symptoms that can make you so miserable
Change Your House Filters Often-Get the smallest particulate size filter that they make for your central system. Start by changing them once a month. Take note of whether you find less dust on the furniture and floor. If this does decrease the dust, go to 2 months.
Gradually lengthen the frequency of filter changes until you have found the least number of changes that produce the desired result. Mark the dates on you calendar, and stay regular with replacing them.
Use a HEPA Air Purifier-Cleaning the air with a high efficiency particle arresting (abbreviated as HEPA) air purifier assures you that for every 10,000 particulates greater than .3 microns, it will remove 99,997 of them leaving only 3 out of 10,000.
Providing clean, filtered air all day every day is good for both you and your bird. Increase the rate of air exchange when cleaning the room and cage to keep the dander count low and the air quality high. And remember, clean air also cuts down on the spread of airborne disease and infections for both you and your bird.
Choosing A Bird Cage - Size Does Matter
Having a pet bird certainly provides a great deal of enjoyment in our daily lives. Listening to them chirp and sing is a lot of fun for those who love birds. Along with having a pet bird comes the need in having a good quality bird cage.
While you will find all types of bird cages made from everything from plastic to bamboo, the most important aspect will always be having the right size of cage for your pet bird. Here are some tips to help in selecting the best bird cage.
1. Where will you keep the bird cage?
Knowing where you will be keeping the cage in your home will help in knowing how big it should be. You shouldn't keep it in direct sunlight throughout the day or right next to an ac/heating vent.
2. What size is your bird?
Knowing where your bird cage will be in your home will let you know how big it can be. Now you can select a pet bird. Parakeets, finches and canary's can all be housed in smaller bird cages without concern over space.
Larger birds such as parrots will require much larger cages to have the extra room they need to move around.
Why is size so important? Birds do not like to be in small, restricted spaces. They become unhappy when they can not at least be able to spread their wings out and walk around. No different than how you would feel being cooped up.
3. Buy a good quality bird cage
Instead of cheap plastic, buy a good steel or wooden bird cage. Keep in mind that steel is much easier to maintain than wood, but both can provide durability and life.
Add some toys in the cage to let your bird play and have fun. Don't forget perches and food trays.
Keep these tips in mind when purchasing your bird cage and you both will be very happy with the results.
How To Build A Bird House
How To Build A Bird House - If you enjoy spending time around birds then you may want to build a birdhouse. Building a birdhouse is a great way to become a companion of birds. Birdhouses add attractiveness to any landscape. Crafting, designing and building birdhouses is a in-expensive hobby.
You need to construct a birdhouse that is easy to clean. It should be sturdy, cool, and rainproof as well. Remember, this is your birdhouse, so use your imagination; you will have something unique and all your own when your project is completed..
It is important not to use metal to build your birdhouse, not even nails; use non-toxic outdoor wood glue. Metal can become very hot when the sun is beating down on it, plus it can have very sharp edges. Wood is the best material to build a birdhouse. To keep water out of the entrance of the birdhouse you need the roof to pitch enough to shed water.
Add a couple small holes near the top of the birdhouse for ventilation on hot days. The bottom of the birdhouse should be constructed with screws, so it will be easy to take apart when you clean it.
When your bird house is built it is time to mount it. When mounting your birdhouse it is important to keep in mind predators, such as squirrels, cats and snakes. Place your bird house mount out of the range of jumping and climbing animals. The best mount for a birdhouse is PVC pipe which can be purchased inexpensively at your local home hardware supply store. Get an 8' long piece of PVC that is 3 or 4" in diameter. Also be sure and buy a "flange" that will fit into the PVC. When looking at a 'flange' from the side it has the shape of a man's dress hat, as one would also look at the dress hat from from it's side view. The round part of the 'hat' - or 'flange' slips down, about 2" into one end of the PVC pipe. The flat part of the 'hat' - or 'flange' should have a small hole pre-drilled in each corner. A large, approx. 12" x 12" piece of plywood is attached, to the flat part of the 'hat' or 'flange' with screws via the pre-drilled holes. Be sure this is placed in the middle of the 12" x 12 plywood. This will serve as your birdhouse base. Now turn this over and simply slide the round part of the 'hat' - or 'flange' into the end of your PVC pipe. On top of this securely mount your bird house. When you have moved your PVC to an upright mounting position, you would be looking upward, and see the screws that attached flange to your 12" x 12" base.
Now it's time to mount your bird house. Dig about an 18" hole and drop it in! Be sure and pack the dirt solidly back around the base to secure it. For added security you could pick up an inexpensive bag of ready mix cement. Just mix it with water, set the PVC in the middle of the hole and pour the cement evenly around it. It is a good idea if you could put your hands on a level to make sure your PVC stays vertically straight while working. That's all there is to it!
When you are ready to clean your bird house simple unscrew the 12" x 12" base mounting screws, slide off the base with it's attached birdhouse and clean it! When cleaned, replace the 12" x 12" base and reinsert your screws. Now wasn't that easy!
I Received An Email From A Bird Lover, Who’s Bird Suddenly Died
I received an email from a bird lover, who’s bird suddenly died. This is how I pictured their life changing day eventuated. Their 15 year old African Grey Congo bird was sitting happily whistling on his perch in his bird cage. As the day went on they started to prepare dinner. His owners put a roast into a Teflon non stick roasting dish, eagerly waiting for the roast to be cooked. Unaware as to the devastation that this would cause their whole family went about their normal daily routines.
The smell of the roast meat cooking soon filled the kitchen and the rest of the house, a smell we are all familiar with. Very mouth watering to say the least. They then prepared the vegetables to compliment the roast meal, looking forward to a healthy dinner.
It wasn’t long, about 2 hours before they noticed that their cherished pet bird had passed away. Unknowingly they had poisoned their beloved family pet bird. How devastating. If only we could take back time, a saying that may people can relate to in many different situations. The toxins from the non stick pans are extremely deadly to birds. Birds are far more sensitive than many to this deadly poison.
The owners not only had to bury their wonderful pet bird and console their children, but also had to deal with the guilt of them unknowingly poisoning their family pet. It was a very heart wrenching lesson that these bird owners had to learn. Imagine having to bury that precious bird.
Most people, including myself are so unaware that this can happen and it can happen so quickly, when you least expect it. Yes, toxins kill birds. Not only is it that Teflon and non stick cookware can kill a bird, you must keep all poisonous sprays and perfumes well away from them. In fact, wouldn’t it be best to keep anything that is not organic away from them, just as you would do for your children.
There are also many toys for birds that are available today that are just as toxic, some contain metal toxins. They may not kill a bird in a couple of hours but they will take years off your pet’s life. You really have to check out what these toys or play equipment are made from before you give them to your bird to play with. There are many toys on the market today that are safe for your bird, you need to check them out thoroughly before you buy them and introduce them to your pet bird, whether your bird is an African Grey, Quaker Parrot, Budgerigar, Parrot, Parakeet, Cockatiel, Canary etc. No one wants to go through the painful, heartache that this family went through.
We can always replace a bird, pet, animal etc with another, but it will never take the place of the one that passed away and who wants to lessen any living life.
Please don’t learn the hard way, keep all toxic products away from your birds, in fact keep them away from any pet that you have.
I thank the bird lover that sent this email, it would have been a very difficult email to write, but hopefully it will save many a bird’s life. It has totally opened my eyes.
Buy a Bird Cage
There isn’t a more important purchase to be made for your new bird, then your bird’s cage. Well-made cages of high quality materials are expensive but are often safer and will be worth it over the life span of your bird.
We may have the best intentions to let our bird spend most of his time out of the cage. But there will still be times when he needs to be in his cage. If you make the right choice right from the start, you will allow your bird as much freedom of movement and exercise as possible. The birds tail will not touch either the back or the bottom of the cage while sitting on the perch.
The most important dimension in a cage is width. A guideline is to choose a width at least 1 ½ times your bird’s wingspan. Tall and narrow cages may look nice, but it doesn´t make it possible for birds to fly and move in their natural style, which is side to side not up and down. But for large parrots, taller cages are fine since the extra height does provide exercise by climbing although they still need to be wide to allow stretching and room to play.
Bar spacing is also important because inappropriate bar spacing can result in injury to your bird. Avoid cages with fancy scroll work or intricate designs, and beware of doors, latches and other cage parts that could trap your bird.
Once you have selected the appropriate size, you will want to make sure you have selected all the options necessary to give your pet a healthy environment as soon as you receive it.
Let's face it--birds are slobs. They don't care if their seeds are scattered far and wide. They don't mind if there's something floating in their water. And they have no qualms about relieving themselves whenever and wherever the mood strikes! Without consistent cleaning, your bird's area can look like a disaster.
The most important factor to having a bird is to always clean out it's cage. Try to obtain a birdcage that is conveniently easy to clean and disinfect too.
Friday, July 6, 2012
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
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