Pet Shop Haven

If you're thinking about a new feathered friend, there are a few things you should think about with regard to care. Of course, the specific care requirements will vary by age, species and variety. However, there are a couple of things that are accurate across the board when you adopt a pet bird. Here's how to get a pet that'll be an outstanding companion and how to care for it successfully.

First, make sure you are getting a healthy bird that has been well cared for. Avoid getting an ill or badly treated bird unless you have much experience with the species and its health problems. Rehabbing a sick bird is no easy task. Instead, if you encounter a pet store or breeder that seems to have a lot of unhealthy animals, consider calling a local animal welfare organization for help.

Sick birds may seem fluffy or ruffled. They may seem unresponsive, withdrawn, tired, or tend to hide their heads under their wings. Birds should not sneeze or have droppings on or around their tail feathers, and there should be no sign of discharge near the nostrils.

A pet bird that only sits at the bottom of its cage is seriously ill. These are all big warning symptoms. Healthy birds will have bright eyes, clean feathers with a good sheen, a healthy appetite and plenty of energy.

The degree to which your bird has been handled will also be important, as a poorly socialized or badly treated bird will never be a good pet. Look for birds that are loving and curious, not those that shy away from gentle handling. Remember that you should let the experts show you how to hold and touch your bird, however - most need relatively gentle care.

Reputable stores and breeders are the best place to look for a healthy, happy pet bird. Avoid chain pet stores or any place that looks like a bargain. Remember - you're purchasing a living creature, not a decoration.

Once you've found a bird you know you desire, you should take him or her to a vetinarian who is knowledgeable about birds well in order to get that first checkup. You ought to be allowed to exchange a bird which is unhealthy to any reliable pet store. It also helps your vet learn what your pet is like when he or she is in good health, and lets you build a relationship with them.

Your vet can tell you a lot about what to feed your new pet, how to care for him or her, what medical needs are likely and what training is appropriate. This could be different from what you heard at the store - trust the vet, as he or she has more training.

Your bird's new housing should be the largest you can manage in your home, but with bar spacing that your new pet can't fit through. It's fine to try and find cheap bird cages, but don't cut corners when it comes to your new pet. There are plenty of bird cages for sale at very reasonable prices.

The perch should be made from natural wood branches when possible, and out of safe woods. Remember to clean any branches gathered from outside. In addition, quarantine your new pet from other birds before introducing them, to prevent the spread of any problems you may not know about. Follow the veterinarian recommended diet closely, and don't try substituting cheap foods or different ratios, as this can make your bird sick.

Likewise, avoid cedar, pine, and walnut shell bedding, as they can be unhealthy for your bird. Change bedding regularly, and don't forget to socialize with your pet bird on a daily basis. Big birds like parrots need quite a bit of socialization, so think carefully about the one you get.

If you want to help birds who are having their natural environments disappear due to human encroachment, try helping to build bird houses for them to nest in. But what exactly makes for a good birdhouse?

The question is unanswerable in a sense. After all, a good bird house is different for each species of bird. What makes a good wren bird house is not necessarily what makes a good birdhouse for a robin and vice versa. A good birdhouse is built for the type of bird that you desire to inhabit it. But there is one primary trait that even the simplest bird house should have - even one as uncomplicated as a pop bottle bird house.

Of all the features that a good bird house can have, one of the most important is ventilation - both top and bottom. Every bird house should have holes at or close to the top of it in order to allow hot air an easy escape during hot weather. Without ventilation, birds can suffer from heat stress in birds as the interior temperature of the bird house rises to unbearable degrees. The lack of ventilation is particularly intense when the roof of the bird house is poorly insulated, a major cause of overheating. Birds have no sweat glands and can only get rid of excess heat by panting. In hot and humid atmosphere, however, it can be difficult for them to pant enough to lower their body temperature. Ventilation helps to keep the interior temperature stable by creating cross breezes in the bird house.

Floor ventilation is just as important as roof ventilation. Even the simplest of bird houses has at least one hole in it - the entry/exit hole. Thus in a heavy rain downpour even a well built one can have water blown into it. Holes or ventilation in the bottom of the bird house prevents water from building up and allows excess water to drain. These holes prevent water from collecting at the base of the bird house which can lead to dampness and mold and fungus build-up. Good drainage will also prevent baby birds from drowning during a heavy rain.