Want to Keep Him Healthy? What Do Parrots Eat for a Long, Happy Life?

How many times have you gone into your local pet store looking for pet care items and you are greeted by a whistle or simple "Hello there." You look around to return the nice gesture but cannot find the person that it came from. What you see is this beautiful bird staring at you and again you hear "hello there!" It came from the beautiful parrot in the cage next to you. You tell yourself that you want to take him home. But what must you buy for him? What do parrots eat? So many questions!

You are so taken by this little fellow that you spend the next 10 minutes talking to him forgetting just why you are there in the first place. Sound familiar? Wondering how much he costs to take home with you? Now that you've spent the next half hour talking to the salesperson about him and finalizing the purchase, you think that you are done. Nope! Not yet! He will need to eat once you get him home. But there are so many different bird foods in that aisle. There are seeds, peanuts and many different colorful pellets.

Although your parrot would probably eat many of the wide selection there, you must think about the health and wellness of your new friend if you want him to live to his full life expectancy. As you may have heard, parrot species can live anywhere from 10-80 years depending on which parrot type you choose.

You will need to feed your parrot a variety of foods from the seed selections, pellet diet to fruits and vegetables. The different varieties of food available mostly have different ingredients that are essential to your parrot's good health. For example, a diet made up of only seeds does not give your parrot the proper nutrition needed to live long and healthy.

The pellet food available is a more balanced diet that when added to the fruits and vegetables you will provide him will give him what he needs to be happy and healthy. You will choose the food that best suits your parrot's size and weight requirements. A parrot is a wonderful friend that can be a lifelong companion for you if you know how to properly care for and feed him so he can live to his full life expectancy. Taking the time to educate yourself on the basics of companion bird care before you actually go out and purchase one will only set you up for success and give your new family friend a head start to good health and a happy life.

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Breeding Finches Information

If you plan on getting finches and having them breed you will need to first provide them with a nest. Many finch experts will tell you that store-bought nests are best for finches. Generally it is best to give your adult finches the same type of nest they were bred in although some finches will prefer to build their own nests. Once you provide a nest don't be surprised if it is rejected by your finches just get them a different one and see how they react to it. They will eventually take to a nest and you will be on your way to breeding finches!

During the winter months, most of our birds will be subjected to temperatures lower than they would experience in the wild. To survive this treatment the period when they cannot feed must be kept to no longer than ten hours. This means that artificial lighting to fourteen hours must extend natural daylight length. To save the inconvenience of switching the lights on and off manually, automatic time switches and dimming devices can be fitted in due course.

The beginner is best advised to treat his Finches as only semi-hardy and keep them in a temperature not lower than 10°C (50°F). Draughts and dampness must also be avoided. With experience, the balance between daylight hours available to the birds and the minimum night temperatures can be adjusted. Some form of electric heater is recommended, the warm air fan heaters sold for use in greenhouses are ideal. A thermostat, this being adjusted to achieve the desired temperature range, should control the heater. A maximum / minimum thermometer will indicate to the bird keeper the temperatures that are being experienced by the birds during the coldest part of the night. Clearly the absolute beginner may not be able to afford the outlay of such sophisticated equipment, however many well established breeders started by keeping a few pairs of birds in the house, sometimes utilizing a spare room. Here temperatures are reasonable and lighting is easily controlled.

Most Finches will thrive on two types of seed, plain canary seed and a mixture of the round seeded millets. Elaborate feeders are not necessary, small plant saucers are ideal and cost a few pence from garden shops. All seed eaters need grit to help grind their food, and calcium to build up bones and produce eggshell. A mineralized grit and small pieces of cuttlebone will provide these requirements. Finches will rear more and better young if fed an egg-based soft food. This can be fed to the birds on a regular basis; the adults then become accustomed to it and naturally give it to their chicks. A number of different manufacturers produce such foods and discussion with the breeder of your birds will indicate which type they use. Some Finches will not rear their own young without the provision of live rearing food. There are a number of ways of supplying these and most garden insect pests fit the bill very well. An outside aviary is a tremendous advantage to these species. Mini mealworms and well-cleaned pinkies or squats are a valuable source of animal protein.

Why Do Gouldian Finches Make for Great Pets?   Minimizing Your Cockatoo's Dust - 5 Things You Can Do To Reduce It   The Cardinal   

5 Interesting Facts About Parakeets

Parakeets or also known as Parrots can make a great pet which is why many people are interested in having one. These are very entertaining pets and the good thing about it is the fact that it does not require much maintenance. The lifespan of these pets can reach up to 14 years which is why it is a great choice if you have separation anxiety. To know more about these birds, here are 5 Interesting Facts about these pets:

Parrots really make great companions especially if you have a kid. These pets are not only colorful but these pets are also friendly and talk a lot too. If you have a kid who has problems communicating, then getting him or her a pet parrot would allow her to learn how to communicate. Parrots are very sociable so if you are looking for something to entertain you, then you just have to get your own parrot and you will certainly have fun with the entertainment that such pet could offer. These pets like to exercise a lot. If you want to have one, make sure that you have enough space for them so they would be able to exercise properly. They are also trainable so if you want to teach them some tricks, you no longer have to hire someone since you can do it yourself. These pets love to bathe so you might want to put a dish that is full of water or make sure that you spray water on them to keep them cool during hot days. Just like kids, these pets love playing with toys so to keep your pet happy and not bored, you might want to get them their own toys for them to have fun. These pets build nests in holes from trees so if you have them as a pet, you might want to get a small tree and make a hole so they would be able to lay their eggs on it. Make sure that you do not feed your pet chocolates because chocolates are known to be poisonous to these types of pets. Larger parrots can live for about 75 years and the small ones for about 15 years so if you want a pet that you can grow old with, then this is your best choice.

These are 5 interesting facts about Parakeets so if you are planning on getting a pet, you might want to give it a try. Make sure that you also make a research on how you could take care of these pets. Check out your local vet to find out more about how you can raise and provide proper care to these types of pets.

Why Do Gouldian Finches Make for Great Pets?   Minimizing Your Cockatoo's Dust - 5 Things You Can Do To Reduce It   The Cardinal   

A Short Note on 'Birds'

Things you need to know

There are about 10,000 different species of birds in the world, including more than 900 in North America north of Mexico, probably as many as 300-500 in your state or province, and 100 or more in a large park. How many different kinds of birds come to your backyard depends on where you live. But one thing is certain: If you pay attention to them and make your yard attractive by landscaping and adding feeders, nest boxes, or a bird bath, you will see more than you ever thought possible.

Besides the basic treasures of their beauty and behavior, your backyard birds can offer you a perennial treasure hunt: What new birds will I see today? Will there be a species that has not visited the yard since last winter, or-much more exciting-might there be a species I have never seen anywhere at all?

Watching birds?

People enjoy backyard birds for different reasons. Some seek relaxation in watching them; others focus intently on their visual and vocal beauty. Many learn to identify species. In a spirit of conservation, some help the birds thrive by providing food and shelter. Often, people become inspired to delve into natural history, reading books that deal with ornithology, the science of bird study.

Truly, any path you take in enjoying birds is the correct one. Whichever one you choose, a wonderful world of birding awaits you-starting right in your own backyard.

Birds live everywhere, even in the highest Arctic latitudes and in the hottest deserts-but which birds you'll find in your yard depends largely on where you live. Of the species described in this book, expect to see only those that occur where and when the range maps indicate. Each species has its special place and time.

Geography

Some birds, such as American Robins and House Finches, live in many regions, almost anywhere on the continent. Others can be found only in particular areas. Each bird's geographic distribution-it's "range"-is linked precisely to its tolerance for heat and cold, dryness or humidity, and other environmental conditions. For instance, an American Tree Sparrow is adapted to breed at the edge of Arctic tundra, while a Lesser Nighthawk lives only in arid deserts of the Southwest. They could not trade places and survive.

As a result, the list of birds you will easily see in your backyard depends largely on your local environment- how your surroundings, with their particular combination of food and vegetation, match that which each species prefers.

Birds bring us special ways to observe and celebrate the changing of the seasons. After a long winter with few birds on the bare branches and none in the dried-up grasses, plants blossom and the chorus of birdsong begins, even in the lingering chill of early spring mornings. Birds that vanished for the winter after traveling far southward return, adding their own sometimes dazzling colors to the greening forests and brightly budding trees. Even the backyard's birds that remained all through the winter are newly active and a joy to watch as they pair off for the summer breeding season.

Changing places

If you pay close attention throughout the year, you will see that most bird species follow strict seasonal patterns. Bullock's Orioles and Baltimore Orioles, for example, allow us to see their stunning beauty only during the summer months. By early fall they have departed on a long journey southward to spend their winter in the tropics. When fall arrives in the southern U.S., they will be replaced by less bright but still dapper species such as White-crowned Sparrows and White-throated Sparrows that remain all winter.

Be careful; Watching this lively annual panorama of birds' comings and goings can become addictive!

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Tips to Build a Chicken Coop

Several factors have to be taken into mind if you are going to build a chicken coop that is sturdy and safe. One of the factors you need to think about before you start your chicken coop is the design and size. Do you want a small chicken coop or a large one? Moveable chicken coops are popular as you can easily move the coop to fresh ground every other week. Decide how long with chickens will stay in their coop. If they will be in it full-time or able to roam on open land. Keeping the chickens ventilated for the changing weather is vital, you might want to think about how you want your doors and windows to operate, on a hinge or sliding? How will you lock them at night for proper protection?

The next factor is the location of your coop. Unfortunately many people tend to side step this step and they end up with flooded coops. Constructing your coop on higher ground near a drainage system will save you from hassle down the road. Building your coop with a slight slope towards the door will allow for built up water/waste to drain properly also. Litter collection is another design element to avoid diseases, pine shavings and saw dust seem to be the most popular as they are cheap and absorb odors quickly. Daily stir the mulch as a way of recycling used mulch for the more fresh much at the bottom. Build your coop 10 sq ft per chicken to avoid overcrowding this will make your litter control more controllable.

Many backyard chicken coops need heavy-duty chicken wire to keep harmful animals away from nesting chickens. Digging a hole one foot deep is the minimum depth required to build a chicken coop. This depth will ensure safety from snakes and other borrowing predators. To keep other animals such as dogs and foxes from getting under the fence, placing cement bricks at the base of the chicken wire is a good deterrent. Do not forget your roosting post that must be 4 feet off the ground and preferably dark, it makes it a calm environment for your hens to lay their eggs. The size of the box depends on the size of your hens, they should be able to stand up in the box with no effort.

Lastly if you reside in a climate that tend to change in seasons, insulating your coop is a must. To keep the cost low cardboard and a warming light is great for the winter months and straw in the warmer months to freshen the smell, and maintain the temperature. Recycling old structures works too if you are pressed for time and money. Have an old shed or baby gates? You can easily use them to build a chicken coop in one day using the same steps. Chicken coops tend to be easy to build so do not worry an expert hand is not needed, just patience, and the right tools.

Why Do Gouldian Finches Make for Great Pets?   Minimizing Your Cockatoo's Dust - 5 Things You Can Do To Reduce It   The Cardinal   

Portable Bird Air Purifiers - 5 Reasons It Can Help

The joy that a bird adds to your home is immeasurable. The increase is particles, dust, and dander can be overwhelming. Using a portable air cleaner is an effective solution to the problem. Here are 5 ways the right air purifier can help.

1. Removes Bird Related Particulates---Depending on the type of bird you have, the potential for particle accumulation can vary greatly. All birds shed dander (dead flakes of skin) and it is the protein in it that is such a potent allergen for those who suffer from allergies and asthma.

If you have a powder down bird such as an African Grey, Cockatoo, or Cockatiel you will be dealing with white wing dust in addition to the dander. The production of this dust is a healthy and ongoing process that will continue as long as you have your bird.

If the air that your bird breathes day in and day out is thick with these particles, they will eventually clogged their tiny air passages. Once these airways become clogged, it is often the beginning of disease and infection that is hard to reverse.

2. Removes Gases And Odors---Birds are so susceptible to gases and odors that many years ago, miners would take canaries into the mines as a monitor for air quality.

If the birds died, that was an indication to the miners that air quality was poor and they should leave. And even though birds are not taken into the mines any more, they are still extremely vulnerable to gases, odors and chemicals.

Choosing a cleaner that can remove odors is a huge benefit. Carbon-based filters are well known for their ability to remove gaseous chemicals.

A carbon cloth filter offers dual advantages. Because it is carbon based it can remove gaseous pollutants. And the fact that it is woven like a cloth allows it to eliminate additional airborne particles.

3. Removes Normal Indoor Pollutants---Even without a bird, every indoor space has particulates in the air. Things such as dust, dust mites, mold and mildew spores are present regardless of what kind of housekeeper you are.

An efficient filter for particles (high efficiency particle arresting or HEPA) doesn't care about the source of the particulates. So when it filter any airborne particles that are.3 microns or greater with 99.97% efficiency.

4. Keeps Air Quality Stable---When you have a filter associated with the central heating and air conditioning system, it is only cleaning the air each time it cycles on. Having a cleaner that can run all the time means that pollutants are being removed continually. That means that the air quality is more likely to be healthy all the time rather than just sometimes.

5. Can Fit In Easily---A portable air cleaner works by cleaning the air that is closest to it first. So if your main concern is the area where your bird spends most of its time, being able to move the unit close to the bird is a huge advantage.

Having a unit with sturdy wheels makes a change in the position of the unit as easy as a push of the finger.

And a unit that is able to pull air from all sides means that it can operate at maximum efficiency as long as there is about 6 inches of clearance from every side. The benefit to you is that it can work in a corner out of sight and without creating a draft on your bird.

Why Do Gouldian Finches Make for Great Pets?   Minimizing Your Cockatoo's Dust - 5 Things You Can Do To Reduce It   The Cardinal