Bird Products

The cage size depends on your bird’s species and size:

• Small birds (finches, canaries): Minimum
  18x18x24 inches
• Medium birds (cockatiels, conures): Minimum
  24x24x30 inches
• Large birds (African Greys, Amazons): Minimum
  36x36x48 inches
• Bar spacing: Should be appropriate to prevent
  head entrapment
• Flight space: Width is more important than
  height for most birds

Always choose the largest cage you can afford and accommodate in
your space. The cage should allow your bird to fully extend its
wings without touching the sides.

Understanding bird food types is crucial for proper nutrition:

• Seed mixes: Often nutritionally incomplete;
  birds may pick favorites
• Pellets: Formulated to provide balanced
  nutrition in every bite
• Fresh foods: Vegetables, fruits, and cooked
  grains as supplements
• Transitioning: Mix pellets with seeds
  gradually over several weeks
• Species-specific: Different birds have
  different nutritional requirements

Most avian veterinarians recommend a diet of 70-80% pellets,
20-25% fresh vegetables, and 5% seeds as treats.

Regular cage cleaning is essential for your bird’s health:

• Daily: Remove leftover food, clean food and
  water dishes
• Weekly: Thorough cleaning with bird-safe
  disinfectant
• Monthly: Deep clean including perches, toys,
  and grate
• Spot cleaning: Immediately clean droppings on
  perches and toys
• Seasonal: Complete disassembly and deep clean
  every 3-4 months

Always use bird-safe cleaners (vinegar-water solution or
commercial bird-safe products) and ensure the cage is completely
dry before returning your bird.

Safe bird toys should meet these criteria:

• Material safety: Untreated wood, stainless
  steel, natural fibers
• Size appropriate: No small parts that could
  be swallowed
• Construction: Securely assembled with
  bird-safe fasteners
• Variety: Different types for chewing,
  foraging, and preening
• Supervision: Always monitor with new toys,
  especially with aggressive chewers

Avoid toys with lead, zinc, or toxic paints. Regularly inspect
toys for wear and replace when damaged.

Signs of a healthy bird include:

• Bright, clear eyes: No discharge or swelling
• Clean nostrils: No discharge or crustiness
• Smooth feathers: Well-preened without bald
  patches
• Active behavior: Alert, responsive, and
  engaging with environment
• Normal droppings: Consistent color and
  consistency
• Good appetite: Regular eating and drinking

Birds often hide illness until they’re very sick. Regular vet
checkups (at least annually) are crucial for early detection of
health issues.

Proper perch introduction and placement:

• Variety: Different diameters and textures for
  foot health
• Placement: Avoid placing over food/water
  dishes to prevent contamination
• Height: Highest perch should be sleeping
  perch
• Material: Natural wood, rope, and cement
  perches for variety
• Introduction: Place new perch near existing
  favorite perch initially
• Cleaning: Regular cleaning and rotation to
  prevent foot problems

Birds should be able to move between perches without their tail
touching cage bars. Provide at least 3-4 different types of
perches in each cage.