Parrots and other birds are animals that like to play. If you make a little effort to keep them entertained, they will remain healthy and happy for as long as you are together.
Steps
Step 1. Buy or build toys
Step 2. Provide your little birds with a variety of toys
Find something they can chew on, swing on, and maybe even something they can cuddle with. Change toys often so they won't get bored.
Step 3. When you are not at home, leave the TV or radio on to keep them busy
Step 4. Birds need at least one new toy every month
For them they are a necessity, not a luxury.
Step 5. When giving your feathered pet fresh fruit or vegetables, try to present it to him in an interesting way
If you just put it in his food bowl, he may not find it very appetizing.
Step 6. Spend quality time with your little bird every day
Read him a book, a newspaper or just chat with him and feed him some sweets.
Step 7. Make sure he rests adequately each day
The ideal is at least 10-12 hours of sleep in spring and summer and 12-14 hours in autumn and winter. Make sure he sleeps in a dark, quiet room.
Step 8. Watch him carefully for signs of disease (if he stays at the bottom of the cage, if he puffs up his feathers and doesn't eat)
Usually he does not show that he is ill until it is really serious.
Step 9. Play with your little bird
Many enjoy playing "bu-bu settete", but try to understand what they like and enjoy.
Step 10. Ensure a healthy diet
The best mix is given by 25% of pellets, 25% of seeds and 50% of fruit and vegetables.
Step 11. Get him a few different types of perches in the cage
Among these you should consider a regular dowel pole, a rope perch, natural wood perches and a "pedicure" pole. This helps to avoid pain in the paws.
Step 12. Make sure your vet specializes in poultry
Step 13. Always provide your bird with fresh food and water and wash its bowls with safe products
Step 14. Birds and mirrors don't always get along
Often they are led to think that on the other side there is a friend of theirs and they tend to bond with him more than with you, or they can become very territorial and attack the mirror.
Step 15. Get him a vertical game, so that he has something else to play with besides his cage
Step 16. Line the cage with black and white newspaper
It is cheap, safe, and the ink also helps slow the growth of microorganisms.
Step 17. Birds need to wash to keep their feathers clean
Their "bathtubs" can be a shallow bowl or cake pan filled with water, or you can fill a sink with 4-5cm of water for them to bathe in. Some birds also like to be sprayed with a spray bottle.
Warnings
- Always check the safety of the toys, make sure there is no chance that your little bird gets stuck or stuck in any of them.
- Don't give him coins or keys to play with. They contain zinc, which is toxic to them. Any metal except stainless steel is not safe, because it may contain zinc.
- Do not keep a tub or a smooth container in the same room where your feathered animal is. It may seem ridiculous to you, but it is actually extremely dangerous, because the bird can enter it and no longer be able to get out.
- Always check him when he is out of the cage, so that he cannot hurt himself.
- Parrots listen more than you think. If you don't want them to learn bad words, try to hold back and not say them when you are in their presence.
- Don't let your bird come into contact with saliva, whether it's your own, a dog, cat, ferret, or any other animal. The bacteria it contains could be deadly for him.
- Never give him metal wires, he could get hurt.
- Don't feed him avocado or honey cereal, they could kill him.
- If the cage is less than 60cm from the ground and you have cats, you should keep the two animals respectively in two separate rooms. The room with your bird should be a room you frequent a lot.
- Do not spray perfume, cologne, deodorants, hairspray or household cleaners near your feathered friend. Do not burn candles or incense and do not smoke near him. If you smoke, always wash your hands before touching it.
- Don't give him too much water-rich fruit or vegetables, they could cause diarrhea, which causes him dehydration and, if left untreated, can lead to death.
- Don't force him out of the cage if he doesn't want to. He may be tired or bored at that particular moment, so try another time.
- Never use cookware with non-stick coatings in the presence of the bird. When heated, they can release gases which, although harmless to humans, can instantly kill the animal.
- Make sure the toys are the right size for your little bird.
- Pay attention to some foods, such as caffeine, alcohol, fatty foods or those that are too sweet or salty. Human "junk food" is also harmful to birds. Never give a parrot chocolate or avocado - these foods are poisonous and can kill them.
