Caring For Your Bird

Cage Placement - Be sure your bird has plenty of shade and is far enough away from any possible hazardous fumes. Always keep bird out of reach of other pets as well as small children
Add Toys - Keep your bird entertained and it will entertain you. After 2 weeks in the new cage, gradually add play-things. Prevent overcrowding by keeping to a minimum the number of toys in the cage at one time. Rotate the toys for variety.
Bathing - Birds enjoy bathing, do it often. It's also necessary to keep their feathers in good shape. Use a cage-mounted bird bath. It is also a good idea to "mist" your bird frequently using a hand-held, spray-pump applicator.
Provide Cuttlebones - By chewing and rubbing this helps keep the beak from overgrowing and provides essential calcium. Always keep a cuttlebone in the cage.
Cleaning Cage - Keeping the cage clean helps prevent disease as well as freeing your bird from dirt and oil. Wash water and food cups daily, using a mild dish-washing detergent applied with a soft cloth or soft bristle brush.
Help During Molting - Spring is generally molting season. As the bird loses its insulating feathers, keep the cage warm. Cover the cage for longer periods so your bird can sleep more during this stressful time.

PROPER FOOD

Add Grit to Food - Limited to pigeons and doves only. Grit helps grind up foot so it doesn't get lodged in the bird's gizzard. All other pet bird species utilize digestive minerals as supplementation. These are easily obtained through the addition of cuttlebone, mineral blocks, or prepared egg shell compound to the cage environment. Consult your veterinarian.
Ration the Portions - Provide only what your bird will eat in one sitting.
Treat Your Bird - Provide treats once or twice a week to add variety and stimulate appetite.
Food Supplement - Add fruit or vegetables to your bird's diet daily. Reference books will advise of the proper fruits and vegetables for the breed, or consult your veterinarian.
Add Water - Provide clean, fresh drinking water every day, in addition to the bath water. Do not take your water source for granted. The supply should be monitored on a regular basis for heavy metal contaminants which can affect your pet's health.