Keep your Pets Safe During the 4th of July Holiday

With 4th of July Independence Day celebrations this weekend, please remember you pets may not love all the people and sounds of the celebration.  The pops and bangs of fireworks can be quite unnerving to many furred and feathered friends.

The sound of fireworks make my own birds nervous.  Some get flighty, especially the cockatiels, and some get very quiet, usually the amazons.   Even my little dog is nervous and yappy at all the loud pops and sizzles and extra family and friends visiting for the holiday.

It's easier for me to calm my dog than it is to calm my birds.  I can snuggle the pup up to me and partially cover with her blanket, and walk outside with her when necessary.  However, some of my birds are not snugglers, and even the sweet ones may become nippy when unsettled by loud noises and extra people in their home.

I partially or fully cover the cage of any bird that gets very upset and that helps them feel more protected and they settle down better.  I include special treats in everyone's dish in the hope that getting a special treat helps distract them from the goings on.  I'm lucky that my birds are in their own bird sun room so it's easy to keep visitors out of their room.  If you bird is usually where people gather, you may want to consider moving the cage into a quiet bedroom until after the fireworks and visitors are gone.  If the cage is too big to move, a sleep cage or even a travel carrier can work just as well.

A little planning ahead of time for the feathered and furred family members will help make your July 4th weekend a fun celebration for all.

The Importance of Water

  

Water, refreshing, energizing, fun, and absolutely necessary for life.

A lack of water can quickly cause dehydration and can have serious and sometimes even fatal results for your bird.

How long a bird can live without water can vary greatly among the different species, and can actually be as short as only a few hours for very small birds such as finches and canaries.  Females often drink more water than males, and breeding females require even more water.  Older birds or birds with any health issues may require even more access to water.  Birds who eat more pellets than seed diets also usually drink more water.  

Using open water bowls have both pros and cons.  Many birds just love to splash around in their dishes and all that splashing and bathing can add needed moisture to their feathers, especially during molts.  Birds are also notorious for soaking their foods, especially pellets, in their water dishes preferring a softer food or creating that interesting birdie soup as we like to call it.   Unfortunately, the above fun activities also keep their humans busy trying hard to keep clean water in the dish.

Water bottles provide clean drinking water for our birds, but can also take away the fun baths and soup mixtures.  If you prefer to use a water bottle instead of an open water dish, always always be sure your bird is drinking from the bottle before removing the familiar open dish.  Placing the bottle over the regular water dish may help your bird discover the bottle tube easier and give it a try quicker.
    

However even using a water bottle for cleaner water can also present issues as some bird learn how fun it is to shower under the water bottle tube.  Some also discover how much fun it is to push seeds and other foods (and even a small toy part or two) up the tube.  Unfortunately, all these fun activities can result in an empty water bottle, or a tube that has been stopped up and unable to release water to your bird.

When using water bottles it is so very important to check at a minimum of once daily that the bottle is not stopped up, and contains plenty of water.  Never assume just because a bottle looks full, it is working properly.

Even in a water bottle, bacteria can also begin to grow within 24 hours so it also needs to be changed regularly for freshness.  Sometimes using both an open water dish, and a water bottle will provide both fun, and clean water for your bird.  

Don't forget about those refreshing baths and showers and how important water is for your bird's feather health.  Doesn't matter if your bird enjoys bathing in a dish, sink, shower, or fun water bottle spray bath.  Water helps soften new feather shafts, refreshes feathers, helps control dander, adds moisture to the skin and just plain makes those feathers gorgeous.

Overpreeners often do much less damage to wet feathers as can be done to dry feathers, so regular bathing lets them preen thoroughly without as much damage to the feathers.  Overpreening also seems to be less in birds who bathe on a regular basis.   Feathers are healthier and stronger and hold up better to a bird who is a little more aggressive in preening.  

Not to mention the sheer joy of a bathing bird.

Vacationing without your Bird

Planning a fun vacation or other trip this summer and can't take your bird with you?

If you take a little time to plan for your bird, he or she can be well taken care of while you are away.

First, decide where your bird will spend vacation time.  Most veterinarians  provide boarding facilities just make sure your vet boards birds as well as other animals.  If you are lucky enough to have an avian vet that boards, then your bird will be staying where people understand their special needs.  This might also be a good time to get a health checkup if it's been a while.

Some local pet stores may also provide boarding, there again, don't wait until the last minute to book your reservations.  Don't be afraid to ask about safety and how they make sure your bird is not exposed to other boarders to prevent any illness or cross contamination.

As a safety precaution, many vets and pet stores require birds be feather clipped while boarding.  If you do not normally clip your bird's flight feathers, this may or may not be an issue for you.  You can ask if a junior clip is an option.  With a junior clip your bird will still have limited flight until the new flights grow back, but may still meet the safety requirements of the boarding facility.  Unless the facility can provide a safe room for your bird when out of the cage if fully flighted, your bird may not be able to come out of the cage while there, or may have limited time outside the cage.  These are things to consider and know beforehand.

Most places that board birds do so by appointment, so call early and make sure there is room, find out all costs, and be sure to ask if they provide a cage or if you will need a travel cage for your bird.  Also, ask if food is included, and if so what do they feed.  If it's the same diet you feed, great, if not, then you will need to plan on packing food to send with your bird.

Include at least a couple of bird toys your bird really likes, as well as a few fun new toys to occupy your bird's away time.  Don't forget some favorite treats too.

If you do not have a place to safely board your bird, or if you prefer your bird remain at home where he or she might feel the most comfortable, think about asking a neighbor, friend, or relative if they might be able to take care of your bird while you are away.  At least twice a day check-ins are best.

The person will need to be able to feed and water your bird, change any cage papers, turn lights on or off, turn on and off the tv or radio for your bird, and do a visual check of your bird daily.

Set up a few things near your bird before you leave for the caretaker in case of an emergency.  A towel large enough to scoop your bird up in if needed, carrier, first aid kit, and the name and phone number of your bird's vet, as well as the name and phone number of someone other than the vet they can call on for help if they are not experienced with birds.  Don't forget to leave a phone number where you can be reached as well.

There are professional pet sitters as well, just make sure to get references and then actually call the references and ask questions about the services they received and whether they felt their bird was well taken care of.  Pet sitters may also provide other services as well such as bringing in the mail or newspapers, watering plants if necessary, taking care of other pets, and checking to make sure your home is locked and secure.  Of course, your neighbor or friend might also do this if you ask very nicely.

If your bird does not like being alone, then consider asking that neighbor, relative, or friend, to let your bird come stay with them while you are away.  Just make sure they are ok with it, can handle all safety issues, and then be sure to provide all the items mentioned above.

There is no right or wrong way to vacation without your bird, just choose what works best for your bird and you.

Summer Travel Tips

Summertime and the living is easy.  

Well, that is unless you are planning a vacation or trip.  In that case, you may be busy planning, packing, and trying to figure out what to do about the bird.

Here are a few tips that might help you with the planning and packing.

It really is possible to vacation or travel with your bird in many circumstances.  Just do a little planning ahead and be as prepared as you can for just about anything.

If you will be driving on your trip, know that most birds travel well in cars.  You will need a travel carrier or small cage for the trip.  Some birds do experience motion sickness, either caused by the actual motion, or by the stress of what's happening, so if your bird is one that does, you may want to practice short drives around town in preparation for the longer trip.  A few trips around the block may be all you need to do.

Decide whether your bird travels best in a covered carrier where he or she cannot see any objects moving by the windows.  Lay down a small towel inside the carrier with some layers of paper towels on top for the trip.  If you feel you need a perch, a  free standing small perch, or a dowel type perch attached to the sides of the carrier are better.  Keep them low so if an unexpected quick brake happens, your bird won't fall causing injury or panic.  If you can use a seat belt with the carrier, even better.

Long trips are better without a water dish inside the carrier as that will probably just slosh around getting everything wet.  Better to provide juicy fruits such as orange, watermelon, cantaloupe, grapes, peach, even apple slices will provide moisture as needed.  Add some spray millet, a small dish of favorite seeds and/or pellets.  If you bird doesn't like juicy fruits, better get started training him or her to like them, or you will need to stop every couple of hours to offer a small dish of water.  Just remember every time you need to open the door to the carrier, a possible escape can occur, causing a bird to panic, fly into the window, or worst case scenario, escape through an open window or door.

If you bird does not willingly go into the carrier, start practicing now.  Set the carrier next to the cage on a table top or secure stool,  Place very special treats just inside the door and act like you don't know it's there.  As your bird gathers up courage to snatch the treat, move the next one a little farther into the carrier.  The goal is for your bird to associate the carrier with a fun place to visit that holds extra special treats.

I highly recommend you never ever leave your bird alone in the car.  Cars heat up fast and a bird can have a heat stroke within minutes if it reaches too high a temperature.  Not to mention, birds do get kidnapped from cars.  Someone should stay with the bird at all times.  If you are traveling alone, you will need to take the bird with you when you leave the car.

Make sure your hotel, condo, etc. allows pets when you call to make reservations.  As well as any friends or relatives you might be staying with.  Make sure they are ok with a feathered visitor too.  Double check your vacation spot and specifically ask if they spray pesticides inside the room in-between visitors.  Practice all safety regimens that you would naturally at home.  

Once settled in, set up a play area for your bird, whether it's a small travel cage with toys or a play gym set on top of the carrier, make it your bird's vacation area.

Wherever your bird will be spending time, cover all furniture surfaces where your bird's cage or play area will be with paper towels, newspapers, or bed sheets to help keep the area clean of food and poop.   Don't forget the floor area too.  Remember your bird is going to be just as messy on vacation as at home.

You may also want to remember to put out the do not disturb sign whenever you are not in the hotel room.  Just a precaution to make sure no one disturbs or scares your bird when you are not there to supervise.  In fact, you may even want to ask family members who your bird does not know to only interact with the bird when you are also present.

Here is a list of a few things to pack in your bird's suitcase.

Paper Towels (lots of them)
Newspappers (lots of them)
Bed Sheet
Wash cloth (for quick cleanups)
Wet ones (for even quicker cleanups)
Night or car cover (even if you only use it as a partial cover)
Container of food
Container of water brought from home
Bird First Aid Kit
extra set of dishes
A hand held vacuum or hand broom & dustpan
A few new fun toys
And lots of special treats
(If you plan to feed fresh foods you may also want to include a small cooler)

I hope this helps give you some ideas on planning and preparation for a fun family vacation that includes your bird.  Maybe next week we will discuss vacationing without your bird as many people just can't take their bird along.

Recycling Bird Cages in the Garden

Don't throw away those old bird cages, just roll them out into the garden or patio area, and repurpose as a beautiful new garden accessory.


Pictured left is a large wrought iron cage that was painted white and filled with large pots inside the cage, and smaller planters on top with wave petunias.






Here we used an old flight cage with small bar spacing as a great seed starter protection area.  With small bar spacing, it helped keep the chipmunks, squirrels, and birds from enjoying our tender plants before they had a chance to grow.

 Especially good for sunflower seedlings.

A small plastic lightweight cage was used here for a beautiful cage full of flowering Mandevilla vine.

 An old large amazon cage was used to grow hummingbird vines, trumpet vines, and honeysuckle along a fence line.

 An old large iron cage is used here as an arbor of sorts for Mandevilla, Alamanda, and Bogenvilla plants.

Notice in the left bottom area, an old Prevue 123 cage is used to place large planters on for varied heights of the plantings.

We also used a second prevue 125 cage as an umbrella stand with a hanging basket of potato vine inside to dress it up.

For more inspiration visit our Pinterest Board Bird Cages in the Garden

Big, small, or in-between, old recycled bird cages can add interest and great design to any garden area. 

Summer Bird Slaw

Summer Birdie Cabbage Slaw Recipe

1 small head of cabbage

1 pound fresh carrots

1 large bunch of fresh broccoli heads with partial stems

4 summer squash with the ends cut off

1 large green or red or yellow bell pepper

1 apples chopped (remove apple seeds)

1-2 Tablespoons Organic Apple Cider Vinegar

Remove outer leaves of cabbage and thoroughly rinse all fresh foods to remove any contaminants.

Cut cabbage into sections and finely chop. A food processor helps make this an easy task. Layer cabbage in large plastic container. I use a sheet cake container upside down so that the bottom becomes the lid, and it holds the slaw perfectly.

Next chop broccoli and spread evenly over the cabbage.

Then finely chop the carrots and spread evenly over the broccoli.

Next chop squash and layer on top of the broccoli.

Finely chop the peppers and layer next.

When finished layering the slaw, add 1 or 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar sprinkled over the top of the slaw. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

To serve, take a large serving spoon and scoop out ever how much you need to feed your flock, 

and place into a bowl. Stir mixture thoroughly and add a fresh chopped apple to the mixture. 

This birdie slaw can be fed to all birds, from finches and canaries to the large macaws.
A great recipe for adding Vitamin A and calcium to your bird's diet, and a fun favorite.

Safe Tree Branches for your Bird

Now that we have all the spring cleaning out of the way, why not take advantage of adding some natural tree branches to your bird's cage or play area.

Natural tree branches can provide foot exercise, simulate movement, and provide lots of chewing fun.  I leave the bark and even leaves of my weeping willow whenever possible.  The birds love peeling off tender new shoots of green from the branches.  Stripping every inch of bark off is a fun activity especially for my large parrots.

Try to choose branches with no visible wild bird poop or other stuff.  Make sure anything you choose you know for certain has not been sprayed with any kind of pesticide or fertilizer.

Small branches can be washed with soapy water or a mixture of vinegar and water in the shower, tub or a sink, rinsed well, then placed on baking sheet and baked in over at 250 for a couple of hours to kill bugs and germs.

Larger branches can be washed off outside with a hose or power washer, rinsed well, then laid in a safe location in the sun for a day.  The sun is amazing at killing bacteria and mold and can be as effective as bleach without the toxicity.

Branches can be stuck between bars in the cage at any angle that fits.  Birds are not particular that their perches be straight or aligned.  Birds also don't care if the branch is of the appropriate size.  I have watched my hefty male Amazon Ronnie walk along a small branch that actually seemed to give a little under this weight.  He treated it as a vine to maneuver across exercising his toes as he gripped.  I've watched my smaller conures sit atop a large branch as if it were a resting platform for them.

If the branch is large and heavy, you can insert large screws into the ends that will fit between the bars of the cage.  If you are handy with tools or have a helper that is, the ends of the branches can be shaped into slats that will fit better into the cage.  If nothing else, pile some branches securely on top of the cage or play area and watch your bird have fun.

Here is a list of a few tree branches that are considered safe to help you get started.

APPLE
ASH
ASPEN
BAMBOO
WHITE BIRCH
BEECH
BOTTLEBRUSH
BUTTERFLY BUSH
CAMELIA
CRABAPPLE
CRAPE MYRTLE
DATE
DOGWOOD
DOUGLAS FIR
ELM
MAGNOLIA
MAPLE  (DO NOT USE Red Maple)
MANZANITA
MIMOSA
WEEPING WILLOW

**Pine is often listed as a safe tree but beware of any sap as that could be a problem for your bird.

Growing Safe Flowers and Herbs for your Bird

People who love birds often love flower gardens also.  Did you know some flowers and most herbs are safe, nutritious, and quite yummy to feed your bird?

To be sure the plants and flowers are edible make sure they are grown without the use of pesticides and other harmful additives.  Even better, you can grow a few for yourself in pots or any garden area.

Although all of the plants and flowers we have listed are considered edible, it's always a good idea to only feed a small portion initially to your bird.  For example, parsley is considered safe and edible, yet I had a budgie named BlueBell who loved it, but it always made her throw up.  No other bird in our home had that reaction.  So although a flower or plant is considered safe, a bird may still have a sensitivity that is not common.

Here is a few healthy, yummy, easy flowers and herbs to start with.  You might find you enjoy them as much as your bird.

Basil is highly fragrant herb with a pungent and peppery taste.  Easy to grow in containers.

Bee Balm tastes like a mixture of peppermint and spearmint with a touch of oregano.  Interesting and quite lovely to grow.  Bees and butterflies love it too.

Borage leaves and flowers smell and taste kind of like cucumber and can be added to salads.  The lovely blue flowers are neat.  Not the prettiest plant, but a good one to 

try.  

Chamomile leaves and flowers have an apple or pineapple taste, and are great also in a salad as well as in tea.  The flowers are pretty and daisy-like and make a great addition.  Chamomile is known for its calming influence, and you might notice it helps calm your parrot a little too.

Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) have lovely pink pom-pom like flowers and the flowers do have a mild onion flower.  Easy to grow in containers.

Daisies (Bellis perennis) have yellow and white flowers that have a mint or clover flavor and are so pretty growing in the garden.

Although dandelion flowers are considered unwanted weeds by many, they are a super nutritious addition when picked young.  The yellow blossoms have a honey flavor and are very nutritional.  

Fully mature flowers turn white and are bitter and not recommended.

White fragrant gardenias are a great addition to the garden with a delicate taste and a fabulous aroma.  

Tropical Hibiscus flowers are not only beautiful but fun for your bird to eat.  Although the flowers tend to have an acidy taste, most parrots seem to love them.

Honeysuckle flowers are small white or yellow trumpet shaped blossoms and they are sweet and as delicious as they smell.  Lories in particular love these flowers.  

NOTE:  Only the blooms should be fed to your bird, not the leaves and absolutely none of the berries they produce.  

Impatiens (Impatiens wallerana) are found in many colors and the blooms have a mild sweet flavor.  Add them to your salads and drinks too.

Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) has purple flowers that are edible as well as the leaves as well as the milk thistle seeds produced.  

Milk Thistle is known for its benefits to the liver and can be a great healing flower for a bird with liver problems.  The leaves taste similar to spinach, just a little bitter and with an earthy taste.

Nasturtiums (Tropaelum majus) have red, yellow, and orange flowers and both flowers and leaves can be eaten.  They tend to taste a little sweet at first, then the taste blends into a rather hot and peppery radish flavor.  Birds tend to love them.

Pansies (Viola X Wittrockiana) come in many colors such as purples, whites, yellows, blue, etc., and have a sweet yet tart flavor. Although I haven't personally tried one, I'm told the blue flowers have a mild wintergreen flavor.

 

Petunias (Petunia hybrida) have flowers in many many colors these days.  The flowers have a mild flavor.

 

Roses (Rosa spp) are some of the tastiest flowers and can have a slightly fruity flavor as well as an awesome fragrance.

Rosemary has tiny flowering blooms and makes a really cool looking container plant.  Rosemary is great to add to many grilled dishes also.

Sage can have lavender blue flower spikes on some varieties.  The flowers definitely have a strong sage flavor.

Sunflowers (Helianthus) have yellow black-eyed centers.  If you let them mature, they will contain those seeds that many parrots just find so yummy. 

Thyme has a slight minty flavor and is often used in many cooking dishes as well.

In Summary:  There are many more plants, herbs, flowers, and such that can be safe for your bird.  Start with a few, then do some research and experiment with flavors and colors, and find what you and your bird enjoy the most.  Just remember to always use caution with new foods to make sure both you and your bird are not sensitive to it.

Spring Painting and your Bird

Got the spring cleaning bug?  Having the urge to do some freshening up which might include painting a wall or a room?

Plan carefully to avoid any dangers to your bird.  To understand why birds are so sensitive to anything in the air including odors of cleaners and paint, let's take a quick look into how a bird's unique respiratory system works.

Birds are very different than us and their respiratory system is much more complex.  Air enters through the bird's nares, then passes through the sinuses, and then into the throat.  There is a small slit in the roof of a parrot's mouth called the choana which helps clean and warm the air taken in.  Then the air passes on through the larynx and trachea and into the bronchi, then the lungs, and onto the air sacs.  Now these air sacs reach all the way into the bones of the bird which helps with flight, but also means that anything the parrot breaths in, reaches far into the bird's body.

Dr. Greg Harrison, an Avian Veterinarian, explains that when a bird breathes in, some of the air is sent from the lungs to the air sacs.  When the bird breathes out, air passes from the air sacs back through the lungs a second time.  This means that each breath is basically sent through the bird's body twice so they take in twice as much of any toxin as we would.

According to Dr. Gregory Burket, an Avian Veterinarian, a parrot's respiratory system means the inhaled air stays in the bird's respiratory system longer, therefore making any toxin inhaled stay longer and cause more damage more quickly to the bird.

So, if you are planning on doing some painting this spring, removing your bird from the home before you begin and for a minimum of 48 hours after completion is the best idea.  If that's simply not possible, make sure your bird is as far away from the area being painted as possible.  Make sure windows in the painted room are open and the area is well ventilated.  Closing the room door and even laying a towel at the bottom of the doorway for extra containment helps.


There are more and more paints that say 0% VOC (volatile organic compounds) or low VOC.  When searching for the safest paints, try to find both “Zero-VOC” and “Non-Toxic”, using a “Zero-VOC” tinting system for adding colorant.  Labels that clearly state safe for babies, safe for people with asthma or respiratory problems are better to use.  Doing your homework before you begin, will help everyone stay healthy and happy.

Organic, Natural, Holistic, Gourmet, Human Grade, Confused?

The labeling of bird food products can be over the top confusing for many of us.

Here are the label Buzz words 

Organic, that's supposed to be the best right?

All Natural, well of course I want natural foods because unnatural sounds, well, unnatural right?

Holistic, now that sounds like something I need for my bird to help stay healthy right?

Gourmet, that sounds yummy and nutritious and top-of-the-line right?

Human Grade Ingredients, oh my, if it's not human grade then whatever is it?

So let's break down these magical common words on labels and what they really mean for our birds.

Organic or Certified Organic:

Organic refers to the way ingredients are grown, harvested, and processed. Organic ingredients must be free of synthetic additives like pesticides, chemical fertilizers, and dyes, and cannot be processed using industrial solvents, irradiation, or genetic engineering.

If a bird food is 100% organic, the bird food may display the USDA Organic seal.

If a bird food is at least 95% content organic, the bird food may also display the USDA Organic seal.

If a bird food is at least 70% content organic, then “Made with Organic Ingredients” can be used on their label, but they cannot use the USDA Organic Seal anywhere on the product.

If a bird food is made up of less than 70% organic ingredients, then only those organic ingredients may be listed as organic on the ingredients listing, and no mention of ‘organic’ anywhere else on the product; the organic seal cannot be anywhere on the packaging.

All Natural:

To be considered all natural the bird food's ingredients must be derived solely from plant, animal, or mined sources (your guess is as good as mine on that last one).  However once gathered, the manufacturer can put the food through any type of manufacturing process that the company wants to, as long as they don't add anything synthetic to the food unless of course it's necessary to add it because it's being processed.  Right, like that's not really confusing.  So some all natural foods may not be quite as all natural as we would like. 

However the FDA does give us a little bit of a definition of natural: "For the most part, 'natural' can be construed as equivalent to a lack of artificial flavors, artificial colors, or artificial preservatives in the products."

Holistic: 

Sadly as far as bird foods go, there is no real legal definition for holistic foods.  So you need to thoroughly read the labels to find out what holistic means for that particular food.  What most of us want in Holistic bird food is a food with natural ingredients, no added chemicals or artificial anything, no antibiotics, hormones, pesticides, or dyes.  

I would want to see an ingredient listing of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and healthy safe plant herbs, with no processed by-products.  It's okay if it contains some enhanced vitamins and minerals, but overall should have great ingredients and be good for my bird.

Human Grade Ingredients:

Means the bird food must be of a high enough quality to be consumed by humans and approved by the government  powers that oversee.

To truly contain All Human Grade ingredients the food would have to meet both requirements from the USDA for pet food, and the FDA for human food.  Although it can be done, there are probably not many bird food manufacturers able to fully meet these requirements.  Only bird food made in human grade facilities, subject to the inspections and approval necessary to have human grade status by the government, can be legally considered 100 percent human grade.

Gourmet: 

FDA labeling guidelines say: "Products labeled as premium or gourmet are not required to contain any different or higher quality ingredients, nor are they held up to any higher nutritional standards than are any other complete and balanced products."

So what that really means is that 'Gourmet' is a fancy word that sounds really healthy and super important, but doesn't guarantee the food actually is.  Thoroughly reading the ingredient listing will tell you how 'Gourmet' it truly is.

Non-GMO:

One last label distinction that is showing up more often is the use of Non-GMO on labels.  Non-GMO means "non-genetically modified organisms".  GMOs are created in laboratories by genetic modification/engineering techniques.  Doesn't sound very good, and it probably isn't, but I'm not getting into that debate in this article.  Some bird food manufacturers are now getting approval by the government to add this to their labels and I think that's a plus for all of us trying hard to feed the healthiest foods to our birds.

SUMMARY

Best advice is to always read the complete ingredients on every label.  Not every bird needs the same food ingredients so look for what is best for your particular bird.  Although higher priced doesn't always mean higher quality, it often can be, and as they say, sometimes you get what you pay for.  

Introducing your bird to fresh, cooked, as well as packaged foods, often makes for the healthiest diet, and lots of fun time foraging through it all.

Don't Let Moths Drive You Crazy

Those Pesky Moths

There are two basic categories of household moths, the ones who invade your closet and chew holes in your clothing, and the ones that come from grain foods such as bird seed, as well as many other foods you bring home from the grocery store.  Have you ever walked down an aisle at a grocery store and spotted some moths flying around?  I have, as they can be found also in flour, corn meals, and such, and are not always brought home in the bird seed (although it usually is).

Bird seed is harvested and cleaned by the bird food manufacturers using machinery to sift and clean the food before packaging.  This does help catch and remove pests/bugs in the seed mix, and some companies do a better job than others. Since the food is going to be eaten by your bird, there are no pesticides used, so quite naturally there are going to be some bugs every once in a while no matter who the company is.  Shrink wrapping does help, but does not guarantee you will never see a moth.  

When the weather gets really warm, those little moth larvae seem to hatch out at an alarming rate and appear everywhere.  Freezing your bird seed for at least 48 hours as soon as you purchase it will help kill some of the pests in the seed mix.  Don't forget to do this also with wild bird seed if feed the outside birds as wild bird seed mixes are usually not cleaned thoroughly at all.  Keeping the seed in the freezer and only taking out what you need each week helps.  Keep the food in a sealed bag or plastic container during the week as you use it.

If you do have a moth outbreak, don't panic, simply control it to eliminate it with a few easy steps.

First, go on the hunt to vacuum as many moths as you can find.  Then thoroughly check your ceilings.  Yes those sneaky moths lay their larvae on the ceiling and you will find tiny while larvae or small worms (yes I know yuck) hanging out ready to hatch and start the cycle all over again.  Vacuum them off the ceiling wherever you find them.  Vacuuming may be a daily chore for a while until you can get things under control.  

The moth pest traps you can purchase from stores like the Nature Chest, do in fact attract and catch the adult flying moths.  They use a pheromone that attracts the moths into a sticky trap.  These moth traps are completely safe to use around your birds but you will want to make sure your bird cannot reach the sticky trap because they are really really sticky.

Do not make the mistake of thinking one little trap is going to handle a multitude of moths.  If you have a lot of moths to eradicate, you may need to place traps in several locations and check daily.  If the trap is not catching anything, then move it to a different location.  Depending on how many moths are flying around your home, the traps can fill within a month, or may last up to 6 months.

I have heard of the use of homemade moth-repelling sachets made up of some of the following: bay leaves, cinnamon sticks, cloves, eucalyptus leaves, lavender, pepper corns, or dried lemon peel.  I believe these remedies would work better for closet moths, more than preventing or chasing away kitchen/aviary type moths.  However, they would make your home smell really good.

Just remember moths and other bugs found in seed mixes are high in protein, so if your bird eats one, it's okay, and no they don't bite, and yes they are annoying.

Protecting Floors from the Poop

Choose your Flooring

If you have hardwood floors, protecting the finish is very important.  Using an abrasive cleaner or scrubbing too hard, may damage the finish and even the wood itself.

Tile or concrete floors can be very hard to clean, especially if the poop has been left for a while and now seems to be permanently 'stuck'.

Carpeting can become stained and can be very hard to clean and brought back to it's original no stained look.  Some poops seem to have a permanent dye in them.

Although vinyl or linoleum flooring may be a little easier to clean off the dried-on poop, it is still may take a lot of scrubbing; not fun at all.

Here are a few ideas that might be helpful.

1. Place newspapers under the cage and play area and anywhere the poop might go.  For some messy birds, this might be a pretty wide area.

2.  If you don't like the look of printed newspaper, you can also go to your local newspaper's business location and ask for plain white paper.  Sometimes they will give it freely, or they might charge a small fee for this printing paper.  It may come in flat sheets, or in big rolls, and will probably last quite a while.  Just cut to the size you need, and then throw away as needed.

3.  If you do not like something that hides your nice pretty flooring, you can also purchase the large chair mats at office supply stores. They do usually have little grippies on the underside so be sure they don't damage your flooring defeating the whole purpose of using them.  They are made of tough material and are usually clear in color and much easier to spray with bird poop cleaner and wipe away, or mop with safe cleaning solutions.  They can also be cut with a little muscle, to fit the shape you need.

4.  If you need something with a smooth underside so as to not mar your floor, you can also purchase clear rubber or plastic runners in the carpet section of most big box stores.  They usually come in rolls and can be easily cut into the sizes you need.  Pretty easy to clean, and can be thrown out and replaced as needed.

5.  Check your local carpet stores for remnants that you can cut and use.  Often they will give them to you as they can't be used by the store any longer.  Sizes may vary a lot, so you may have to take what you can get, and shape to your area.  If you don't have to spend any money to get them, they are easy to throw out as needed and replaced with new squares or scrap pieces.

6.  Flat sheets can also be used to protect flooring.  Check out local thrift stores for less expensive pricing.  Lay flat, put cage or play area on top, and then when need wash sheet, or throw away and replace. With sheets you can go solid color, or liven up the area with the stylish print and color you and your bird like.

Hopefully, one or more of these ideas will help you keep the mess to an easier size job to clean, help protect your floor, and deal with the challenge of bird poop, scattered food particles, and other debris of Birdland. 

Gardening for Parrots

If you are lucky enough to live where warm weather is springing upon you, you may already be planning some gardening.   If not, hopefully you will be enjoying the warmth of spring soon. Don't forget to include some vegetables and fruits in your garden for your birds.  Nothing beats fresh organic home-grown food for your bird.  

You don't need a large garden plot to garden for your parrot, a big flower pot, bucket, or plastic storage tub will all work just fine.  Add some drainage holes if necessary, and some good garden soil to get things started.  Plant some seeds or get a few plants already started, and let your green thumb and imagination shine.  

Visit our Pinterest Board "Gardening For Parrots" for some great plant suggestions and container gardening ideas.  

Click Here to Visit

Spring Cleaning 101

Spring is a great time to thoroughly clean your Bird's Cage Here are a few tips to help you out. Tip 1 - Remember to remove bird from cage to fun play area with lots of things  to keep your bird occupied before beginning. Some birds simply do not like  anyone messing with their stuff. Respect the bird if you value fingers and such. Tip 2 - Remove all bird toys and perches from cage prior to cleaning. This is a  great time to thoroughly inspect all toys for wear and tear and throw out anything  that might not still be safe. Check for strings, shredded cloth or rope, bird poop that can't be cleaned away, chewed wood that has any sharp places, and so on. When in doubt, throw it out. Tip 3 - Wooden and trimming perches can be soaked  in a sink or bathtub in gentle  dish detergent and water but be sure to thoroughly rinse and dry before returning  to the cage. Rope and Sisal or other material perches can be brushed with a stiff  bristle brush to help remove dried on poop, or food.  Although some people may  gasp, both wood and rope or cotton perches  can be run through a dishwasher cycle  once brushed, to better clean.  Make sure they are dry before returning to cage.  Throw out any perches that look like they might trap tiny toes or toenails.  Good  time to add new perches and throw out the old, using different sizes for foot exercise. Tip 4 - Cages can be washed with vinegar  and water, or a mixture of gentle dish  detergent and water.  Always rinse well after cleaning.  Our bird store also carries  products specifically made to clean cages, perches, and toys, that are bird safe.  NEVER use cleaners such as  Mr. Clean, Lysol, Soft Scrub, Windex, 409, etc. to clean  anything your bird can come in contact with.  Almost all household cleaners  can be deadly to your bird. Bleach is not recommended for cleaning as it is toxic if  inhaled by your bird  (or you for that matter), is very caustic to cage finishes, and can burn skin if splashed accidentally.  If your cage is small enough, try putting it  in the shower or bath tub  for cleaning.  Be sure to put down a towel or bath mat  to prevent scratching tub or shower finishes.  You can also roll larger cages outdoors and use a garden hose to clean.  If using a power washer, you will probably need to set to a low pressure setting to prevent paint damage to cage. Tip 5 - Once everything is nice and clean, add a couple of new toys as a reward before returning your bird to his or her home.  After all, your bird is going to now you   have been messing with his or her stuff, and new toys may help soothe things  over for you.