Exotic Aquatics
Pet Supply & Service

3402 Kennedy Boulevard
Jersey City, NJ, 07307
201-420-1932

Birds

We stock the following birds:

A Full Line Of Bird Supplies

Bird Grooming Available By Appointment

 

BASIC BIRD CARE

(Courtesy of Washington State University, College of Veterinary Medicine)

SELECTING THE BIRD

Start with a healthy bird.  A reputable pet store or breeder may be the most reliable source for purchase.  Birds offered as bargains in newspapers or bulletin boards should be considered a risk.  Signs of good health include sustained activity, cleaned groomed feathers, uncompromised respiration, clear eyes, a good appetite and formed droppings.  Birds appearing sleepy with fluffed feathers and unwilling to perch should not be purchased.  All birds should be examined by a veterinarian before a binding purchase agreement.

NUTRITION

One of the most common problems veterinarians see in pet birds are nutritional deficiencies.  It would be ideal if we could duplicate the food resources of their native environment but for obvious reasons this can not be accomplished.  Many bird products on the market claim to be a "complete diet".  A birds diet should include the basic food requirements of all living creatures (proteins, minerals, carbohydrates, vitamins, fats and water).  A reasonably balanced diet can often be provided by the following:

FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

Birds should be offered a variety of fruits and vegetables daily.  This provides essential vitamins and minerals.  Emphasis should be placed on dark, leafy green and meaty yellow vegetables.  Mature, cooked legumes are a good protein source.  Do not feed your bird avocados, they are known to be toxic.  Like people, you will find that birds have their individual preferences, so just keep offering whatever you have on hand. (note: it is also advised to avoid strawberries, celery, iceberg lettuce, and parsley)

BREADS AND CEREALS

The seeds normally provided to pet birds are classified into this category.  There are differences in the composition of seeds but in general they have insufficient amounts of protein, vitamins and minerals.  Many are high in fat (like sunflower, safflower and peanut) which can lead to obesity, fatty liver disease, fat tumors and the binding of calcium.  the intake of seeds should be no greater than one third of the birds total diet. If other types of bread and cereal products can be supplied, seeds can be excluded from the diet and used only for treats.  Whole wheat bread or toast, nutritious breakfast cereals and commercially prepared pellet diets like Parrot Chow, Monkey Chow, Pretty Bird Pellets and Parakeet Chow all fall into this category and can be used.

MEATS AND MEAT PRODUCTS

These can be added to the birds diet occasionally to add protein, fat and variety.  Some good sources that birds often accept include: cooked lean beef and chicken, hardboiled and scrambled eggs.

MILK AND MILK PRODUCTS

Various cheeses, yogurt (plain or flavored) or cottage cheese may be offered on an intermittent basis in restricted quantities and are often consumed with relish.  These products contain many important nutrients including proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals (especially calcium).

SUPPLEMENTS - Vitamins and Grit

If a bird is eating a balanced diet, vitamin and mineral supplements are not needed.  Vitamins can lose their potency if stored improperly or too long.  Powdered supplements added to seeds may not be ingested since birds hull their seeds.  Extra calcium can be obtained from cuttle bone, ground oyster shells and bone meal.  Birds that hull their seeds do not need grit.  Some may over eat grit causing irritations or even obstructions in the birds digestive tract.

HOUSING YOUR PET BIRD

CAGES

Confinement is usually necessary to prevent escape and injury, and to protect the owners home.  However, most pet birds benefit from a degree of supervised freedom and exercise in the home.  A feather trim that restricts the flight might be appropriate.  Cage size has a direct effect of the well being of pet birds and birds confined to a cage should be given the biggest cage which can be suitably arranged in the home.  The cage should be large enough to provide full wing extension without contact of bars and should allow the bird to fly in confinement is 100%.  A "security area" (partially covered cage, hide box in cage, placement under a shelf or plants) is helpful to minimize stress of caged birds.  Cages with sharp edges, projections or converging bars should not be used.  Round cages are not recommended.

PERCHES

The primary purpose of perches is to supply a clean, comfortable place for a bird to stand.  Natural branches with a variety of diameters and textures are recommended to provide exercise and comfort for the feet.  Leaving some leaves and bark on the branch often stimulates the bird to chew on the perch giving the bird exercise and mental entertainment.  Avoid evergreen trees that have sticky sap.  be sure to wash branch perches with a mild soap before giving them to your bird.  Sandpaper on perches can cause abrasions and sore feet, and does not keep the nails worn down.

FOOD AND WATER DISHES

Dishes should be made of hard plastic or ceramic and should be big enough for the bird to easily use.  However, a large parrot can easily destroy a plastic dish and if any pieces are swallowed there could be problems.  Clean the dishes daily to minimize bacterial contamination.  Place the dishes in areas protected from droppings.  Fresh water must be supplied daily.

CAGE LINERS AND HYGIENE

Paper liners such as paper towel, newspaper, and commercial plain paper liners allow you to monitor the appearance and number of droppings.  They are preferred over corn cob bedding and kitty litter.  The number and consistency of the droppings is an excellent indicator of the health of your pet bird.  Daily cleaning of the cage floor prevents fecal and bacterial buildup and reduces bacterial infection from "fecal dust".

ENVIRONMENT

Birds are highly sensitive to their environment and sudden changes may elicit a negative response.  Giving the bird a feeling of security, trust and freedom will contribute substantially to its well being.  If you have a new bird, it's best to place their cage in an area of little traffic and in a part of the living area that will allow the bird to become familiar with you and your daily activities without feeling threatened.  Birds need exercise, play and work.  Encourage grooming by misting your bird with water or offering a bath.  Promote chewing and food gathering by providing different types of foods and natural branch perches.

TEMPERATURE

A healthy, well nourished bird can withstand a wide range of temperatures.  Healthy birds feel very comfortable at room temperature.  Drastic temperature fluctuations (up or down) are poorly tolerated by pet birds, especially if sick, and may be life threatening.

LIGHT AND FRESH AIR

Exposure to unfiltered sunlight in an open window, on a sun porch, or with partial tree shading on a still day is of great benefit to pet birds.  Care should be taken at all times to protect the cage from cats or other disturbances.  Prolonged exposure to sun on hot days must be avoided.  Good lighting during the dark months of the year by means of a "vita light" with a functional UV spectrum is recommended since many important physiological and metabolic functions of birds are regulated by light.  A resting period with dimmed or extinguished light for 8-12 hours is advisable for most pet birds.

SIGNS OF ILLNESS

Wild birds will hide any sign of illness as part of their natural defense.  Therefore, when a bird no longer masks it's illness, it is usually seriously ill.

HERE ARE SOME THINGS TO WATCH FOR:

When signs of illness are present, do not "wait to see" how the bird is going to be tomorrow.  Contact an avian veterinarian immediately.  If you don't know one, your small animal veterinarian should be able to refer you.  

Annual examinations are recommended for pet birds, to check for illnesses that may not be generally apparent and to get an overall assessment of the birds well being.

THINGS TO AVOID

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