Birds

Budgies make excellent pets, they are attractive, colourful and easy to tame.  They can be taught to mimic sounds and talk.  Their requirements are very simple. They can be kept alone but prefer the company of their own species.

Accommodation

The cage should be as large as possible and rectangular in shape as this will allow maximum space for flight.  If housed indoors a wire cage with a plastic base is required, the cage should have some horizontal bars on it to allow climbing, bars should be no wider than 12 mm apart to prevent escape. The cage should be located away from draughts and direct sunlight. Window sills should be avoided as they can become hot in the afternoon and cold at night.  Kitchens are generally unsuitable as they can become hot or smoky.  At night cover the cage with a cloth this will make the bird feel safe and will encourage them to settle down to sleep.

Bumblefoot is a bacterial infection that affects the birds’ footpads.  The condition can be painful and can be caused by inappropriate perches.  By providing several different types of perches of differing diameters, textures and surfaces, this will give their tiny feet a healthy work out and will prevent the condition occurring.  Natural perches are recommended.

Budgies need to preen to keep feathers in good condition.  A bath should be provided either fixed to the outside of the cage or a shallow bowl placed inside the cage. A bath should be given when the room is warm, preferably early in the day so that the bird will have time to dry off before nightfall.  Alternatively, the Budgie can be lightly sprayed.  Budgies can also be kept outdoors in a purpose-built aviary

Feeding

A good quality budgerigar mix makes a good basic diet. Grit must also be available to enable proper digestion of seed. Small pieces of fresh fruit and vegetables.   Always remove any fresh items from the cage after a few hours, to prevent the cage from becoming soiled.  A piece of cuttlefish should be made available which provides vital calcium and helps keep the beak well-trimmed and an iodine block will give necessary minerals. Millet spray may also be given as treats. Fresh drinking water should always be available.  Water bottles and feed bowls should be cleaned daily. 

Exercise

They should be let out of their cage daily to exercise, make sure all doors and windows are closed when you do this.  Ensure that fires and other hazards are covered, any poisonous plants removed, and dogs and cats excluded.  The cage should contain plenty of toys to keep your budgie stimulated especially if it is kept on its own.

Companionship

Budgies will live happily together in a pair or 2 males or 2 females can be kept together if introduced into the cage at the same time whilst young.

Kakarikis are small parrots with big personalities, who enjoy interacting with their environment and can be endlessly entertaining.  They are easily tamed and enjoy the company of humans.

Kakarikis can be housed indoors in a large wire cage with a plastic base or outdoors in an aviary.  The cage should be large enough for them to stretch out and flap their wings without them touching the sides of the cage.  The cage should be positioned away from draughts and direct sunlight.  If kept indoors they need to be let out of their cage daily to exercise, make sure you keep all doors and windows closed when you do this.   They enjoy bathing so a large bird bath should be provided.

Kakarikis eat a wide range of seeds, grains and vegetation.  A quality parrot food mix makes a good basic diet although supplements may also be required.  Small pieces of fruit and vegetables can be given as treats and fresh drinking water should always be available.  Apples, grapes and carrots are the usual favourites.

Kakarikis are climbers who are quite happy to climb up a cage with its beak and feet and can do so with considerable speed, attaching some horizontal climbing bars to the outside of the cage makes a good exercise area. Kakarikis are generally not the most playful with toys but they do enjoy different types of perches, swings and occasionally wooden or plastic balls.  They will chew whatever they have so be aware that toys may be destroyed.

Kakarikis can live up to 20 years

Finches are a group of several hundred different species of small gentle birds that come in a stunning variety of feather colours and patterns.  They are social birds who in nature live in large flocks, therefore they should always be housed with one or more other finch.  They are ideal pets for someone who enjoys watching, but not necessarily wanting to handle a bird.  They make frequent, pleasant chirping and chattering noises.

Accommodation

The cage should be as large as possible and rectangular in shape as this will allow maximum space for flight.  If housed indoors a wire cage with a plastic base is required, the cage should have some horizontal bars that should be no wider than 12 mm apart to prevent escape. Finches adapt well to average household temperatures that do not fall below 18°c or exceed 26°c. The cage should be located away from draughts and direct sunlight. Window sills should be avoided as they can become hot in the afternoon and cold at night.  Kitchens are generally unsuitable as they can become hot or smoky.  At night cover the cage with a cloth, this will make the bird feel safe and will encourage them to settle down to sleep.

Bumblefoot is a bacterial infection that affects the birds’ footpads.  The condition can be painful and can be caused by inappropriate perches.  By providing several different types of perches of differing diameters, textures and surfaces, this will give their tiny feet a healthy work out and will prevent the condition occurring.  Natural perches are recommended.

Provide a birdbath or dish that is large enough for bathing and fill with lukewarm water.

Feeding

A good quality finch mix makes a good basic diet along with small quantities of fresh fruit and vegetables.  This can include peppers, leafy greens, carrots, and green beans as well as apple, melon, grapes, kiwi, banana and mango.  All fresh produce mush be shredded into small pieces.  Always remove any fresh items from the cage after a few hours, to prevent the cage from becoming soiled.  A piece of cuttlefish should be made available which provides vital calcium and helps keep the beak well-trimmed and an iodine block will give necessary minerals. Millet spray may also be given as treats. Fresh drinking water should always be available.  Water bottles and feed bowls should be cleaned daily. 

Enrichment

Whilst finches do not chew on toys in the same way as budgies and parrots do, they do require mental stimulation and enjoy certain types of toys. This can include mirrors, bells, rings and foraging toys. Finches need room to fly back and forth in their habitat.

Companionship

Finches need the company of other finches to thrive. Not all species of finches will live harmoniously with others.  Different types of birds should not be housed together.

Canaries originate from the Canary Islands and there are many popular varieties in the UK, such as Borders, Fifes, Glosters, Rollers, Norwich, Lizard and Red Factors. Colours vary from yellow, green, brown, variegated and red to various pastel shades.  Hens may twitter but cocks really sing.

Accommodation

The cage should be as large as possible and rectangular in shape as this will allow maximum space for flight.  If housed indoors a wire cage with a plastic base is required, the cage should have some horizontal bars that should be no wider than 12 mm apart to prevent escape. Canaries adapt well to average household temperatures that do not fall below 18°c or exceed 26°c. The cage should be located away from draughts and direct sunlight. Window sills should be avoided as they can become hot in the afternoon and cold at night.  Kitchens are generally unsuitable as they can become hot or smoky.  At night cover the cage with a cloth, this will make the bird feel safe and will encourage them to settle down to sleep.

Bumblefoot is a bacterial infection that affects the birds’ footpads.  The condition can be painful and can be caused by inappropriate perches.  By providing several different types of perches of differing diameters, textures and surfaces, this will give their tiny feet a healthy work out and will prevent the condition occurring.  Natural perches are recommended. Provide a birdbath or dish that is large enough for bathing and fill with lukewarm water.

Feeding

A good quality canary feed makes a good basic diet along with small quantities of fresh fruit and vegetables.  This can include lettuce, watercress and seeding grass, but be careful not to over feed. All fresh produce mush be shredded into small pieces.  Always remove any fresh items from the cage after a few hours, to prevent the cage from becoming soiled.  A piece of cuttlefish should be made available which provides vital calcium and helps keep the beak well-trimmed and an iodine block will give necessary minerals. Millet spray may also be given as treats. Fresh drinking water should always be available.  Water bottles and feed bowls should be cleaned daily. 

Enrichment

Whilst canaries do not chew on toys in the same way as budgies and parrots do, they do require mental stimulation and enjoy certain types of toys. This can include mirrors, bells, rings and foraging toys. Canaries need room to fly back and forth in their habitat.

Companionship

A single caged bird will require a lot of attention and stimulus if it is not to become bored and frustrated.  If the bird is to be left on its own for long periods it is better to give it a companion.  If kept in pairs it is best to have a male and female, two male canaries together will fight. If more than one canary is kept in the same habitat, the enclosure size must be increased accordingly.

Cockatiels are social birds that make interesting and intelligent pets.  The normal colour is grey but there are variations such as white, cinnamon, pied, silver or lutino (pale yellow).

Accommodation

The cage should be as large as possible and rectangular in shape as this will allow maximum space for flight. The bird should be able to stretch their wings and fly from perch to perch.  If housed indoors a wire cage with a plastic base is required, the cage should have some horizontal bars on it to allow climbing, bars should be no wider than 12 mm apart to prevent escape. Cockatiels can also be kept outdoors in a purpose-built aviary.

The cage should be located away from draughts and direct sunlight. Window sills should be avoided as they can become hot in the afternoon and cold at night.  Kitchens are generally unsuitable as they can become hot or smoky.  At night cover the cage with a cloth this will make the bird feel safe and will encourage them to settle down to sleep.

Bumblefoot is a bacterial infection that can affect a bird’s footpads.  The condition can be painful and can be caused by inappropriate perches.  By providing several different types of perches of differing diameters, textures and surfaces, this will give their tiny feet a healthy work out and will prevent the condition occurring.  Natural perches are recommended.

Birds need to preen to keep feathers in good condition.  A bath should be provided either fixed to the outside of the cage or a shallow bowl placed inside the cage. A bath should be given when the room is warm, preferably early in the day so that the bird will have time to dry off before nightfall.  Alternatively, the Birds can be lightly sprayed. 

Sand sheets or cage bird sand should be placed in the bottom of the cage and replaced regularly.  The cage and furnishings should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected with a pet safe disinfectant weekly, droppings should be removed daily.  A removeable tray will make cleaning easier.

Feeding

A good quality Cockatiel food and millet makes a good basic diet. Grit must also be available to enable proper digestion of seed. Small pieces of fresh fruit and vegetables.   Always remove any fresh items from the cage after a few hours, to prevent the cage from becoming soiled.  A piece of cuttlefish should be made available which provides vital calcium and helps keep the beak well-trimmed and an iodine block will give necessary minerals. Millet spray may also be given as treats. Fresh drinking water should always be available.  Water bottles and feed bowls should be cleaned daily. 

Exercise

They should be let out of their cage daily to exercise, make sure all doors and windows are closed when you do this.  Ensure that fires and other hazards are covered, any poisonous plants removed, and dogs and cats excluded.  The cage should contain plenty of toys to keep your Cockatiel stimulated especially if it is kept on its own.

Companionship

A single caged bird will require a lot of attention and stimulus if it is not to become bored and frustrated.  If the bird is to be left on its own for long periods of time it may be better to a pair.  In an aviary cockatiel can be mixed with canaries, budgies and some small parrots.

Lovebirds make excellent pets, they are attractive, colourful and have busy personalities.  They enjoy to make lots of chirping sounds.  They are easy to keep and their requirements are very simple. They prefer the company of their own species and are usually kept in pairs.

Accommodation

The cage should be as large as possible and rectangular in shape is best as this will allow maximum space for flight.  If housed indoors a wire cage with a plastic base is required, the cage should have some horizontal bars on it to allow climbing, bars should be no wider than 15 mm apart to prevent escape. The cage should be located away from draughts and direct sunlight. Window sills should be avoided as they can become hot in the afternoon and cold at night.  Kitchens are generally unsuitable as they can become hot or smoky.  At night cover the cage with a cloth this will make the bird feel safe and will encourage them to settle down to sleep. Use perches covered with sandpaper or natural fruit tree branches as this will file their nails and avoid clipping, which can be stressful for your bird

Lovebirds need to preen to keep feathers in good condition.  A bath should be provided either fixed to the outside of the cage or a shallow bowl placed inside the cage. A bath should be given when the room is warm, preferably early in the day so that the bird will have time to dry off before nightfall.  Alternatively, the bird can be lightly sprayed.  Lovebirds can also be kept outdoors in a purpose-built aviary.

Feeding

A good quality lovebird or parakeet seed mix makes a good basic diet. Grit must also be available to enable proper digestion of seed. Small pieces of fresh fruit and vegetables are also enjoyed. Always remove any fresh food items from the cage after a few hours, to prevent the cage from becoming soiled.  A piece of cuttlefish should be made available which provides vital calcium and helps keep the beak well-trimmed and an iodine block will give necessary minerals. Millet spray may also be given as treats. Fresh drinking water should always be available.  Water bottles and feed bowls should be cleaned daily. 

Exercise

They can be trained to return to their cage after daily exercise, make sure all doors and windows are closed when you do this.  Ensure that fires and other hazards are covered, any poisonous plants removed, and dogs and cats excluded.  The cage should contain plenty of toys to keep your lovebird stimulated especially if it is kept on its own.