Birds are a popular pet among individuals who want a low-maintenance, self-sustainable pet. A pet bird can add ambiance to a home with its chirping and whistling.
After their initial purchase price, birds are relatively inexpensive pets, with a monthly feeding cost of less than $5 in many cases. Birds are less susceptible to parasites than other animals, and they require much less personal space than a dog. Birds also live long depending on the species. Large macaws can live up to 70 years.
But as soothing as a birds sounds can be and easy as such birds might be on the pocketbook, few people enjoy the cleanup required when a bird makes a mess in its cage. Birds tend to make a significant mess around their cages. But this factor neednt detract from the joy and companionship of having a bird. Understand that many species of birds play a role of distributing seeds in their native habitats. That means that they are prone to dispersing seeds through uneaten food supplies and droppings. While you cannot change natural habit, you can employ a few strategies for minimizing bird messes.
* Purchase a cage with ample room. Give your bird ample space to flutter around or hop from perch to perch. This may encourage him from sticking to the perimeter of a small cage, which could mean more errant spilled seeds or feather debris. A comfortable bird is less likely to suffer from stress and additional feather loss. Some people prefer creating a multi-room bird “apartment” for their birds. This is essentially one large and one smaller cage that the pet can travel between, providing a change in environment.
* Look for a cage with traps for messes. Some cages have metal skirts around the base and extend out to catch debris that escapes the bars of the cage. Its also possible to retrofit your birdcage with a few supplies from the hardware store. Clear plastic can be purchased and cut to size to cover the sides of the cage. Attach with a stainless steel S-hook or other hardware that will be nontoxic to the bird. These barriers will prevent a lot of mess but also allow plenty of visibility.
* Line the bottom of the cage. From newspapers to sandpaper-type liners, there are many materials to line the bottom of the cage. Stack several on top of one another, so you need only slip out the top sheet and eliminate a good portion of the mess. You also may want to consider a flexible, thin, plastic cutting board to put in the bottom. This liner can be rinsed off and even run through the dishwasher for sterilization.
* Protect the floor. Some of the debris will still escape the cage regardless of an owners preventive measures. Place a piece of vinyl carpet runner under the cage and include extra material around the perimeter. This way you can simply pick up the mat and clean off or sweep off the mess. They also can be hosed off outside and allowed to dry.
* Invest in a carpet sweeper. A nonmotorized carpet sweeper can pick up any seed hulls and feathers that are on the carpet. The noise wont frighten the bird into making an even bigger mess.
* Stock up on extra food and water dishes. This way you can simply take out the soiled dishes and replace with fresh food and water, so you can wash the dirty ones on your own time. The same concept can be applied to wooden perches, which may take a while to dry after washing. Rotate toys and wash them frequently, ensuring theyre sanitary and that the bird will not get bored with the same items.
* Look for a contained feeder. Buy a clear, acrylic box feeder that keeps hulls contained, eliminating seed scatter so you have less wasted seed and less mess to cleanup. De-hulled varieties of seed are also available.
Birds can make wonderful companion animals, especially when pet owners take the extra steps to minimize messes in and around the bird cage.
4. Line It Up
The majority of bird enthusiasts are adept at stacking multiple layers of newspaper or cage liner; thus, they only need to remove the most soiled layer to reveal a fresh layer that is ready for use. Having a trash can close by makes the “roll and go” even more effective because you are more likely to leave a small debris trail from the rolled-up liner the farther you have to walk to get to one.
* Purchase a cage with ample room. Allow enough room for your bird to fly around or hop between perches. This might deter him from staying inside a tiny cage, which might result in more misplaced feather crumbs or spilled seeds. A relaxed bird is less likely to experience stress and to lose more feathers. For their birds, some people would rather build a multi-room “apartment.” The pet can move between this essentially single, larger cage and another, smaller cage to provide a change of scenery.
Birds are comparatively cheap pets after their initial purchase price, often requiring less than $5 per month for food. Compared to other animals, birds are less prone to parasites and need far less personal space than dogs. Birds also live long depending on the species. Large macaws can live up to 70 years.
* Line the bottom of the cage. There are numerous materials to line the bottom of the cage, ranging from newspapers to liners similar to sandpaper. Place multiples on top of each other to minimize the amount of mess by simply removing the top sheet. Additionally, you might want to think about inserting a thin, flexible plastic cutting board in the bottom. This liner can be cleaned with water and even sterilized by running it through the dishwasher.
* Protect the floor. Despite an owner’s precautions, some of the debris will still escape the cage. Under the cage, place a piece of vinyl carpet runner, and add more material to the edges. In this manner, all you have to do is pick up the mat and sweep or clean up the mess. They can also be washed outside and given time to dry.
Birds can be excellent companion animals, particularly if their owners take extra care to keep their bird cage clean and clutter-free.
Tips To Manage Your Pet Bird’s Mess
It can be a daily struggle to control mess and maintain a clean cage if you live with a pet bird. There is no such thing as a tidy bird, after all. A bird’s mess can include molted feathers, droppings, chewed toys, empty seed hulls, and flung food. Fortunately, the fact that many modern cages are made with mess management in mind does provide companion bird enthusiasts with some assistance. Look closely at the cage; you’ll notice some features you may have taken for granted. (If your bird’s cage is stuck in the ’80s or ’90s, this is even more reason to update!)
For instance, the bottom panels’ slanting design facilitates waste rolling into the cage’s bottom tray rather than onto the ground. Additionally, don’t underestimate how fully detachable the bottom tray is; this is a good excuse to periodically give it a thorough cleaning.
Modern cages are made to lessen mess, but they can’t get rid of it entirely. But don’t worry, you can maintain a reasonably clean cage and surroundings with the appropriate accessories. (Isn’t everything with pet birds “relative!).
FAQ
How do you keep bird seeds from falling out of bird cages?
Do you leave bird food in cage?
Should I always keep food in my birds cage?