If you are a new bird owner, bringing your flying pets to your house is a thrilling experience and the start of a beautiful journey. Birds are brilliant creatures who generally get along well with children and form strong bonds with owners, making them great family pets.
Yet, to make your birds stay peaceful and healthy in your home and strengthen your bond with them, you may want to look at some of the best first-time bird owner tips. Here are seven of them,
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Let Your Bird Travel Home Quietly
While you may have the urge to take the bird out of the carrier as you carry them home, do avoid it by any means. This is because unfamiliar surroundings, over-handling and too much noise can make them stressed and anxious. You don’t want to introduce your birds to your home in a scared state. By keeping the birds in the carrier, they will feel more safe and peaceful in their space.
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Choose a Peaceful Zone For Them
When creating a safe place for your birds to stay in your house, choose a place that is free of potential stressors. This includes animals like dogs or cats, which can scare them and also impact their health as well. Relocate your birds to an area that is away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, which will make them feel peaceful and relaxed.
Also, ensure that the bird’s nest is well-ventilated and consists of amenities like bird food, perch, water bowl and toys to keep them entertained.
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Introduce Your Bird to Its New Space Gently
Set up your bird’s habitat well in advance before you bring them home. Then slowly allow them to come out of their carrier and explore their new habitat at their own pace. Creating hiding spots like branches or small shelters can significantly help you in making them feel relaxed. A slow introduction is important since birds are highly patient and take their own time to get settled in a place.
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Create a Schedule For the Birds
Birds are creatures who thrive on routine. This is why it is important to set up a consistent feeding and lighting schedule for them. When it comes to turning off lights for them, their “nighttime may not necessarily align with ours. This is why you should be well aware of their natural rhythms. Just pay attention to when they rest regularly and turn off the lights at that time. Keeping a routine prevents anxiety in birds and helps them to stay healthy.
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Start Interacting and Socializing With Your Bird.
Firstly, give your bird enough time to adjust to their new environment before you handle them. Once your bird gets comfortable in their surroundings, you can start interacting with them. Start with short, relaxed sessions to gain their trust and slowly introduce toys to them. If you have other pets in your house, introduce them only after your bird has settled into their new environment completely.
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Make the Switch to a New Diet Slowly
If you are deciding to change your bird’s diet, do it gradually over several weeks to prevent digestive upset in them. Mix a small amount of their new diet with their current food, and gradually increase the amount of their new diet while decreasing the old one. Also, be mindful of your bird’s appetite and weight throughout this transition phase. Consult a vet, if necessary.
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Learn Which Substances Are Toxic to Birds.
Some common household items you use can be highly toxic to birds. This includes avocado, chocolate, caffeine, dairy, onions, garlic, salt and more. Strictly avoid feeding these items to your birds and keep them out of their reach if possible. Also, if you want to clean or disinfect your bird’s cage, use only bird-safe cleansing agents like Dawn Dish Soap, Distilled Vinegar, Hydrogen Peroxide, Isopropyl Alcohol etc.
As your birds slowly become comfortable in their new house, monitor their eating, drinking and bathroom habits closely. Watch out for signs of distress like excessive vocalization, loss of appetite, unusual tiredness or irregular droppings. If you notice these signs, contact your vet without any delay. Regular monitoring of your bird’s behaviour helps you detect any potential illnesses, to prevent it from advancing further.
In a Nutshell,
Being a pet bird parent, especially for the first time can be a thrilling and fulfilling experience. Having said that, there are chances that you won’t get to see your bird’s personality till the first couple of weeks, since they are slowly adjusting themselves to their new environment. Be patient through this phase, and you will eventually see them becoming a great family companion.
