Bird Product Review
Towards Balanced Bird Diets – That Pet Place Variety Treat Packs
Nov 24th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. The importance of dietary variety is a constant (annoyingly so, some say!) theme in my writing. In my own and zoo collections I have noticed improved health, color, vitality and breeding success when appropriate variety is introduced to most any type of bird. Providing foods in different forms, especially where birds must search or otherwise “work” for their food, is also a very useful means of improving the general quality of their lives.
I have found that even birds that are known to live long captive lives on somewhat limited diets show great improvements in their condition when variety is introduced. Be it frogs offered to fishing owls or fresh sprouts provided to red bishops and other finches, the vigorous reactions induced by novel foods leaves me with no doubt as to their value.
A Practical and Inexpensive Tool
Of course, life often intrudes on our abilities to provide our pets with diets comprised of dozens of ingredients, however noble our intentions. That Pet Place Variety Treat Packs offer an ideal solution by combining several types of difficult-to-find foods in one convenient package…and at a lower price than if the items were purchased individually.
Group-specific Products
There is a specially formulated Variety Pack for all types of popularly kept birds, including large macaws and large parrots, conures and small parrots, lovebirds, cockatiels, doves, finches, canaries and parakeets.
Each pack contains a wide variety of foods, with some in the form of toys that encourage natural foraging behaviors. Lafeber Nutri-Meals and Avi Cakes, which are helpful in introducing pelleted foods to bird diets, are included in some of the packs. Other ingredients include fruit, nut and berry treats, dried coconut, papaya and other tropical fruits and honey-dipped seed sticks.
Further Reading
For a look at what it was like to prepare bird diets for a collection numbering thousands of individuals, please see my article Alternative Bird Diets, Yesterday and Today.
Please write in with your questions and comments.
Thanks, until next time,
Frank Indiviglio
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Loading ...Keeping a Preventative and Emergency Health Care Kit for Birds
Oct 1st
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. In caring for birds at home and in zoos, I have found that having emergency care items 
on hand has often prevented minor mishaps from turning into disasters. Supplements that aid in preventative health care are also essential. Today I have assembled a list of products that parallel those used in public aviaries, and which should be every private bird keeper’s possession.
Bird First Aid Kit
The VSI Bird First Aid Kit is stocked with powdered styptic, bandages, antiseptic wipes, forceps and many other useful products, this kit has everything you need to deal with minor emergencies. The emergency card included in the kit is most helpful.
Nutritional Supplements
Lafeber Powdered Vitamins can be used on a daily basis, and are especially useful in that they can be applied to food or water.
Virbac Vita Flight Supplement is flavored with fruit and therefore well-accepted by many birds. It is designed for use during stressful times, such as when a bird has been re-located or is molting, breeding or recovering from an illness. Another of Virbac’s products, Ornabac, is fortified with extra Vitamin B, an important nutrient during especially stressful events.
Feather and Skin Care
Feather Glo Bird Bath helps to keep both skin and feathers in good shape, while Feather Brite Bird Bath Spray contains lanolin and aloe to assist in soothing irritated skin.
Scalex Mite and Lice Spray should always be on hand to address external parasites.
Bitter Apple has long been favored as a means of discouraging feather plucking. It is most effective when applied as soon as plucking commences, and therefore should always be on hand.
Beak Conditioning
Disguised as an attractive toy, the volcanic pumice in Four Paws’ Pumice Kabob is one of the most effective materials for keeping bird beaks naturally trimmed and in prime condition.
Further Reading
I’ve written a number of other articles addressing bird medicine and health. Please see The Diagnosis and Treatment of Ailments Afflicting Cage Birds and the articles referenced there for more information.
Please write in with your questions and comments.
Thanks, until next time,
Frank Indiviglio
Scarlet macau image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by VC-s.
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...The A&E Double Flight Cage – How Much Room Does a Finch Need – Part 2
Sep 16th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. In Part I of this article I introduced our largest finch cage and discussed some of the reasons that aviculturists should strive to provide even the smallest of birds with as much space as possible. To continue, another nice aspect of the room provided by the 5’ x 2’ x 5’ Double Flight Cage is that hanging live or artificial plants can be used to provide sight barriers and security to nervous birds. This will vastly improve their quality of life and may pave the way for captive reproduction.
A Complex Environment and Foraging Opportunities
The additional space provided by this cage also allows you to easily provide a stimulating captive environment for your pets. A variety of vine-style perches and toys can be used in this regard.
The provision of challenging and somewhat “natural” foraging opportunities is also important in keeping birds active and healthy. Installing sprout pots, hiding fruits and scattering small mealworms, crickets and other insects about a large cage are all time-tested techniques that will keep your birds alert and eager to explore their surroundings.
Further Reading
Just as many folks seem to believe that finches can get by in cramped quarters due to their diminutive size (please see Part I of this article for further discussion), so too it is sometimes assumed that only parrots have any use for toys. Please see my article Finches use “Parrot Toys” Too! for an alternative view.
Please write in with your questions and comments. Thanks, until next time, Frank Indiviglio.
Image referenced from Wikipedia and originally posted by William Kreijkes.
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...The A&E Double Flight Cage: How Much Room Does a Finch Need? Part I
Jul 6th
It seems to me that finches are often “short-changed” when it comes to cage space. Their small size, especially when compared to other pet birds, seems to pre-dispose hobbyists to providing equally tiny living quarters. But the facts that a bird “fits” in a cage, and can move about somewhat, does not necessarily mean that we are providing it with an ideal environment.
Cage Size…an Alternative View
Rather than using your pet’s size as a factor in cage choice, I propose instead that you carefully consider its habits and natural history. For example, finches do not climb about as do parrots, and hence cages offer to them much less “useable space”. Whereas a parrot might clamber over every inch of its home – roof included – finches use mainly flying and ground space.
Also, finches explore and will utilize toys, but not to the extent seen in most parrots. They spend more time foraging and otherwise moving about, and hence have little to “occupy themselves” in a small cage… space therefore is key to their well-being.
Then too, many finches tend to be high strung, and are ill at ease when closely confined. It is very hard to hand-tame finches, or to induce breeding in tight quarters. As most finches are not given outside flight time, cage size and complexity are important factors in their husbandry.
A Finch Mansion
At just over 5 feet x 2 feet x 5 feet, the A&E Double Flight Bird Cage is the ultimate in luxury housing for finches. Available in 6 colors, it can also be divided to allow for introductions or when separate facilities are otherwise needed.
The .5 inch bar spacing renders this cage ideal for even the smallest of finches, but its design also permits the accommodation of cockatiels, parrotlets, lovebirds and parakeets.
Large Finches and Mixed Species Groups
The Double Flight Cage is an excellent choice for those seeking to provide finches of any kind with additional room, and is perfect for housing larger species such as Gouldian finches, bull finches and Java rice birds.
You can also use this cage to create a striking mixed-species display for compatible birds such as cordon bleus, golden-breasts and painted finches.
Nesting and Breeding
Additional space always improves ones chances of breeding captive birds. Ample room is particularly important for shy finches, and for those that become lethargic in small cages and reproduce most reliably in group situations (i.e. yellow-rumped and gray-headed munias).
For many of the more sensitive finches, a large flight cage is the only reasonable alternative to an outdoor aviary if breeding efforts are to be successful.
The Double Flight Cage is equipped with 2 doors that allow for the installation of nest boxes. Nesting sites so situated are outside of the cage and therefore will not restrict available flight space.
My most memorable observations of captive finches have taken place before large cages and outdoor aviaries. If you are serious about your birds, please consider providing them with as much space as possible.
Next time we’ll take a look at some other favorable aspects of finch flight cages. Until then, please write in with your questions and comments. Thanks, Frank Indiviglio.
Further Reading
Working with mixed species collections is a favorite pastime of mine, and one that hooks most who give it a try. Click here for more information concerning finch species that forage together in the wild.
Image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by Jason L. Buberel.
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Bird Cage Overview…Time to Give Your Pet More Space? – Part 2
Jun 17th
Please see Part I of this article for general consideration regarding cage size.
Canaries, Finches, Parakeets and other Small Birds
As mentioned in Part I of this article, the exercise needs of smaller birds are often overlooked…many are quite high strung, and need comparatively more space than do large, calm birds.
A&E Aviary Cages and Double Stacked Bird Cages are true mansions for smaller birds, and the absolute best choice for those that require flying room. The provision of flying space is especially important for birds that do not climb about in the manner of parrots, and for those which cannot be given out-of-the-cage exercise time.
The Blue Ribbon Tall Cage is great for parakeets, lovebirds and other climbers. It can be provisioned with vine and rope perches to increase its usable space and create a very unique effect.
A useful new concept – the second floor – is included in the Blue Ribbon Series 1418 Cage.
The additional height is very much appreciated by shyer finches.
Small Parrots
Cockatiels, lovebirds, conures and other small parrots make use of both flying and climbing space…their ultimate housing option is the A&E Flight/Aviary Bird Cage .
Our Victorian Style Cage opens at the top, allowing your pet access to an open-air perch site. You might also wish to check out our cages for medium-sized birds (please see below).
Medium Parrots
African gray parrots, Goffin’s cockatoos, Amazons and similarly-sized birds are often tricky to accommodate – not quite as large as macaws, they are still hefty and active, and are cramped in typical parrot cages. Our wide selection of Victorian, Dometop and Playtop Cages offer a great many options for all of the most commonly-kept parrots.
Large Parrots and Cockatoos
A&E Split Level House Cage, which provides ample height, width and length for even the largest avian pets. It also allows for cage-top play areas, an important consideration for large, intelligent birds.
For something a bit different, consider the A&E Mahogany Cage which is both a fine piece of furniture and a functional, spacious cage.
Shama Thrushes, Pekin Robins, Quail and other Exotics
Cages for less-commonly kept birds must be chosen with careful consideration to the species’ lifestyle- toucans need to hop from branch to branch, white-eyes must have flying room, painted quail require ample floor space – and so on.
Cage size and shape is particularly important for birds which tend to be shy and for those that will not be handled, and thus will spend most of their time confined. Please write in for advice concerning individual species.
Outdoor Aviaries
Our outdoor aviaries are the ultimate in bird homes, allowing your pets the benefits of space, sun and natural light. Ranging from 3.5×4 to 9×5 feet, there is an outdoor aviary for any bird you may keep.
Playpens and Gyms
A larger cage is the most effective means of providing your bird with additional space. You can, however, increase exercise options for tame birds by providing them with one of our unique cage top or free-standing play areas.
Further Reading
Please see my article on Outdoor Aviaries for further information on these ultimate bird environments.
Please write in with your questions and comments. Thanks, until next time, Frank Indiviglio.
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