Why Bengalese Finches Are the Best Pets for You

For people in the USA, the name Bengalese finches may sound a bit strange, but it shouldn't make any confusion because it is a synonym for society finches. Unlike other types of finches, they cannot be found in nature. Are you wondering why? Probably a thought passed through your mind that they are totally extinct in their habitats; however things didn't go that way. These birds, that we know now, never lived in wild. They are considered as domesticated form of the white-rumped munia, although some ornithologists assume that the striated finch had also important role in the process of creating the finch of Bengalese type. They are believed to be a successful product of sturdy efforts of passionate breeders in Japan and China, more than three centuries ago.

Bengalese species of finch doesn't belong to the so-called true finches, but to the munias, that are members of Estrilididae family. These birds are among the most suitable pets and there are many reasons why beginners are very satisfied with keeping them.

They are very sociable and friendly creatures that show interest for interaction with other birds, no matter if they are of the same type or not. I have tried to mix six society finches with a pair of parakeets in a little home aviary for more than two mounts. I was very pleased to observe the development of friendly relationships in their little world. They accepted the parakeets shortly after I introduced them, and they all behaved like there is no difference between them at all. They ate the same food, played with the same toys, swung on the same swings. When I finally removed the parakeets, all six finches looked disappointed the whole day, and it was obvious that they miss their friends.

Finches of Bengalese type are not very noisy, they produce very pleasant soft songs and their chirping is joyful and meek. The singing is most interesting when the male is starting to show mating behavior to the female. If you separate them visually, the male and the female would make a sound contact: the female's answer would be longer than the males' one.

Society finches are wonderful parents and they are widely considered as one of the most reliable pet birds for breeding. They are very devoted parents, taking the best care for the little chicks. I will mention that they are excellent foster parents, which means they would accept eggs and chicks from other birds and rear them like their own offspring. It happens when some other species of finches mate prematurely and they are confused without knowing what to do exactly, so they abandon their eggs or even chicks. Finches of Bengalese type would be the best replacement for those unprepared parents.

These cute birds are usually ready to hybridize with many other species of finches. It is especially easy to mate Bengalese with other munias, and some of that crosses are only virtual hybrids due to their fertility. Society finches are ready to hybridize with finches that are not their close relatives, and hybrids from mating with zebra finches are very interesting.

I should mention that they are very hardy creatures, but if their diet is improper or their cages are dirty and exposed to draft, many diseases may occur. And see now, here is the key: you only need to exclude those negative possibilities and the risk of diseases would be minimized. Here I superficially mentioned some basic and interesting information about these little birds. I'm sure you are interested to find much more.

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Insuring Pet Birds' Health - 5 Best Gifts To Give Your Bird

Pet birds count on their owners to provide a happy and healthy life. Here are 5 essential things your bird needs in order to live a good life.

Clean Water---After visiting a pet shop recently and seeing 20 birds in a cage with no water, it's at the top of my essentials list. There were 10 beautiful blue and yellow parakeets in a cage that was way too small (we'll get to that in a minute) and no signs of water. I am still haunted by that.

Your bird should have access to fresh clean water all the time. This is an easy way to help maintain health, and increase your bird's life span. Imagine being thirsty and not knowing if or when you'll ever be given water. Providing fresh water means your bird never, ever has to go thirsty.

Properly Sized Cage---Your pet should have a cage that is big enough for it to fully expand its wings and tall enough for it to fly. This keeps their wings healthy and your bird emotionally happy.

The cage size will vary according to the type and number of birds. Asking the breeder or your veterinarian about the best cage for your bird will allow you to buy once and buy right. It will also insure that your bird is happy where it lives.

Healthy Diet---Your bird should be given a variety of sprouting seeds which offer the most nutrition. Also include fresh veggies and fruits (organic if possible), and an occasionally treat or two. Your bird's thoughts about your selections will be very obvious. And since birds, like us, eat with their eyes too, making the food visually interesting and colorful will keep them engaged at meal time.

There are of course some foods that you should stay away from such as chocolate, caffeine, foods high in salt and sugar, macadamia nuts, avocado, and alcohol. Use your veterinarian as a sounding board for questions about dietary needs your specific individual avian friend may have.

Freedom To Fly---It is really important to allow your bird daily time outside of the cage. This gives them their much needed freedom to literally stretch their wings and fly. This time out insure both physical and emotional well-being.

The space where this happens needs to be safe from chandeliers, cords, mirrors, water (such as toilet bowls), hot pots and pans, windows, doors that lead to outside, and other pets that may cause harm. Children and birds should be mixed slowly and gently. This will keep every one safe.

Clean Air---One of the biggest health hazards for these pets is polluted air. Their airways are small that it doesn't take much to cause them to become blocked. Clogged air passages are often the start to disease and infection.

Since instinct causes them to hide symptoms of illness, they usually don't symptoms until the condition has progressed to a point where it often cannot be reversed.

Using a high efficiency particle arresting (HEPA) filter to continually clear the air of bird-related particles as well as more normal household irritants can increase your bird's quality and longevity of life. Clean air can also increase your longevity as well.

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Facts on Homemade Hummingbird Food

The most satisfying and amazing thing to see in our back yard is the hummingbird. The way they speed around, hover and then dart away have always fascinated people. The iridescent brilliant colors flashing around the yard is a thing to see.

The best way to attract these fascinating creatures is to put up some hummingbird feeders.

You can buy the nectar to put in these hummingbird feeders or you can make your own homemade hummingbird food. There are a lot of recipes and you may be confused on which is best to use. Here are some facts you should consider.

Never use artificial sweeteners Never use food coloring Never use honey or brown sugar

All these are not good for the hummingbird. They are toxic to the hummingbird and lack the nutrients that they need. Unrefined sugar may have minerals and high content of iron that is hard for the hummingbirds to digest.

Here is a simple recipe that will not harm the hummingbirds and this recipe resembles the nectar that flowers produce. One (1) part refined white granulated sugar and four (4) parts water. Boil the refined sugar with the water until all the sugar is dissolved. This formula can last 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator. Regular refined sugar is better to use then raw sugar that is unrefined. Because white refined sugar is pure sucrose that is commonly found in the nectar of flowers. With refined sugar all the impurities and contaminates are removed. Hummingbirds supplement their diet of proteins by eating small bugs and insects.

Most people think that once they hang their hummingbird feeders up, that their job is done. Well think again. Make sure that you maintain and clean out your feeders. Having a mixture of water and sugar in hot weather will quickly become a breeding ground for bacteria. So it's a good idea that you should sterilize the hummingbird feeders every 2 to 3 days with a fresh supply of nectar. All you need to do is boil the feeders like you would do when you boil baby bottles before reusing them.

With these simple safety steps you can be sure to have the hummingbirds come and visit your backyard year after year. For when they know where to find food they will always come back for more. Hummingbirds are migratory birds and they will migrate in the summer time every year coming as far away as the Amazon in South America.

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It's For The Birds - A Backyard Guide

To attract and maintain a bird population in your own back yard you must provide food, water, and shelter. Without these three items, a bird has no reason to hang around your garden. Food is what will initially attract your feathered friends, so let us look at what you need in your own personal oasis to feed the birds.

There are many different types of bird feeders and bird seed choices from which to choose. Not all birds will eat out of the same type of feeder or eat the same sort of seeds. Before you begin your bird feeding experience you need to learn what types of birds live in your area and what birds you want to attract. You can probably obtain this information by asking knowledgeable neighbors, parks and recreation staff, or just using a good reference book.

Ground-feeding birds will appreciate platform or table feeders. This sort of feeder is the easiest to maintain. They are simply a raised platform with a lip around the edge. They sit about a foot off the ground, and the raised lip keeps birds from pushing food off the table. Table feeders will draw a large variety of birds to your yard. One drawback for this feeder is that there can be a lot of wasted seed, and large, bossy birds might push out the small ones.

Tube feeders are the best type of feeders for smaller birds. The tube feeder is a hollow tube, filled with bird seed. They have openings at the bottom edge for dispensing seed. This feeder also has small perches on which the feeding birds roost. Tube feeders waste a lot less seed than table feeders, plus they are easier to make squirrel-proof.

A hopper feeder holds a large quantity of seed and is the universal type of bird feeder. A hopper feeder has a bottom platform, supporting walls, and a roof. The roof is usually removable to allow refilling with seed. A hopper feeder is generally not weatherproof and should be checked every few days to ensure the seed is not rancid or moldy.

Suet feeders are an entirely different type of bird feeder than what we have already discussed. A suet feeder is a wire or mesh cage with a door on one end. Blocks of fat, or suet, often containing bird seed, are enclosed in the feeder, which is hung from a tree or pole. During winter and times of food scarcity, a suet feeder will help supply needy birds with energy.

Hummingbird feeders are in a class by themselves. Hummingbirds are fascinating little garden visitors that require a lot of food. Their diet consists of nectar, sap, and small insects. A simple hummingbird feeder is a plastic bottle with a feeding opening. Hummingbirds are attracted to the color red, so the feeder should incorporate a nice, bright red. The feeder bottle is filled with commercial hummingbird nectar or a homemade sugar syrup. One caveat concerning these feeders is that the syrup or nectar will quickly spoil, and should be changed frequently.

Once you have chosen the type or types of feeders you want, and have filled and placed them, the fun should soon begin. The neighborhood birds will discover there is a new source of food at hand and will make themselves at home right in your own back yard.

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Choosing Parrots As Pets

Most of the people believe that buying and having parrots as pets is a lifelong commitment. It is quite similar to bringing home a new-born baby who needs a lot of attention and care from almost every member of the house. And so, the owners need to attend to the parrot just like they would attend a new member of their family. Since most of the parrots have long lifespan, having them as pets is not easy. Moreover, understanding parrot behavior is quite difficult. Choosing your pet parrot from a whole lot of their species is another big task to be accomplished. However, it is believed that cockatoos, conures, lovebirds, parrotlets, cockatiels and budgies prove to be excellent as pets. The other options may also be the large birds such as the Amazons, the African grays and the macaws.

When choosing your pet parrot, you should thus, consider certain aspects. The first one would be keeping the members and the atmosphere of your house in mind. If you have children at home, buying big parrots such as the African grays, the macaws and the Amazons would not be advisable since these birds may prove to be harmful to the little ones. You must also remember that you must not buy a parrot if you have other pets at home that may harm your parrot. The second aspect would be considering the surroundings of your house, especially your neighbors. Birds which make a lot of noise and which are too loud, such as the cockatoos, the Amazons, the macaws and the African grays may disturb your neighbors. Thus, in this aspect, birds with little ability to scream such as the lovebirds, the budgies and the parrotlets must be considered. However, these large and loud birds may prove to be much more intelligent and entertaining than the others. They may also have better abilities to mimic, learn what they are taught and replicate it in their speech and behavior.

Nevertheless, parrots are quite sensitive birds that need to be maintained properly. Hence, if you are thinking of buying one, you must always consider learning a few tips so that you are able to maintain their good health. You must also learn the art of training parrots because even parrot training is not an easy task. However, once you buy a parrot, you will realize that it was the best decision that you ever made. Thus, parrots as pets prove to be very impressive, wonderful and affectionate.

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How To Buy Top Quality Pheasants and Quail

The first thing that somebody new to the hobby of raising game birds often asks me is this: Where can I find pheasants and quail available for sale? Here are some pointers that will prove useful in your search to buy quality birds, whether they are pheasants, quail, partridges, or even waterfowl.

1-Join an area Club

My local organization, referred to as Utah Pheasant Society, is a group of hobbyists who get together to talk about their experiences raising game birds. They do this through monthly meetings, a yearly auction, a Christmas party, along with a show. If I hadn't had the opportunity to participate in the club before I started raising birds, I wouldn't have experienced nearly the success I did. In fact, I probably wouldn't have had any success at all.

Not merely is a local club a good place to meet breeders that you can buy your birds from, they are indispensable when it comes to understanding the particulars of the hobby. The aim of these clubs is to share information, so don't before afraid to ask as many questions as possible. A lot of clubs have monthly newsletters too, loaded with useful information for the beginner and expert alike.

2-Join a National Club

I would recommend a membership to the American Pheasant and Waterfowl Society (APWS). They have an excellent newsletter that is sent nine times each year, with articles and classified ads. Furthermore, they compile a breeders list of all members and the birds that they own. This is the perfect resource for finding quality breeders of all types of fowl.

3-Make Contacts

If you join any of the local or national clubs, you are sure to make new friends who raise birds. Many of these breeders don't advertise, so be sure to ask around. Some of the greatest birds I own I would never have found if I didn't build relationships with people in the hobby.

4-Ask for References

Always look for references from a few past customers before buying birds from anyone. Bigger companies depend on their reputations for success and will not hesitate to provide you with a thorough list of satisfied customers. Smaller breeders will also be happy to give you a few names of their past customers. If they don't, that's a red flag to head someplace else.

5-See Prior to Buying

If possible, see the birds before you purchase them. If you're buying birds from across the country, ask for pictures. Large companies might not be able to do this, but small-scale breeders will be able to accommodate your request.

Another component of "See Before You Buy" is to find out the quality of the facilities where the birds are kept. A good breeder often have certain areas that are off-limits to avoid disease transmission, but request a tour. Most are often more than happy to oblige. I get a kick out of flaunting my birds to any person who asks!

If you follow the five tips given above, I can promise that your experience with raising game birds is going to be successful and enjoyable. Should you have questions, please see http://www.pheasantsandquailforsale.com and blast me an e-mail. I wish you the best of success!

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Having Chickens As Pets - Is That Crazy?

When Stephen, my 5 years old grandson proudly handed me a shoe box with a grin and mumbled "Happy birthday, Nanna", I thought I was getting something alive and that worried me. I have enough dogs and cats to manage and anymore would be verging on neighbour references of that crazy old woman with all those cats and dogs.

Never, not in a thousand years, would I have expected a chicken. A chicken! You have to be kidding me! I looked at my daughter with a quick flash of frustration and she responded with a sheepish shrug, "Stephen wanted to give you a chicken. He wouldn't take no for an answer." I was left wondering about my daughters parenting skills and then feigned my pleasure as best I could with a big hug and thank you. I felt terribly guilty as I started to think about how to get rid of the chicken without hurting a little boys feelings.

Birthday complete and family gone, it was just me and the chicken (and some curious dogs and even more curious cats that had a devilish look in their eyes). Chicken could be dinner and not mine. Yes, I admit, I did consider the thought of cat prey - for a split second. But as the night went on and I heard the 'cheep cheep' in a shoe box I knew I had to find out more about chickens - at least what to feed it and how to look after it until I came up with a plan to say goodbye. So I went to the net and started researching.

Just like receiving a chicken from a 5 year old, what I learnt about chickens surprised me. I found out that these fowl are not just chickens...they have qualities I could never have imagined. I decided to make a go of keeping the chicken and I took the plunge of getting a chicken pen and a few more adult birds. I had a flock within two weeks and grandson Stephen was over the moon. I learnt more about keeping chickens in two weeks then I ever thought possible. I had 4 books and endless notes. I became a chicken expert! I told myself that this was for little Stephen but, in truth, as time went on, it became about me and MY chickens.

It wasn't smooth sailing, I have to tell you - I had run-ins with the local council about having livestock in a suburban area - important that you check that out, by the way - before you get the chickens! They eventually gave me the green light and I was well into the chicken mission.

Raising chickens as pets is fascinating. Chickens are easily tamed if time is spent handling them. In fact, chickens enjoy being stroked. You will also be surprised at their intelligence. Chickens can recognize up to 100 other chickens by their facial features and have over 30 different vocalizations to communicate with each other. People, myself included, who have kept chickens discover that every chicken has its own personality, just as dogs and cats do and I can attest to that. They respond to you when you call their name and ask for treats, like any other pet. Stephens' chicken is named Nemo (yes, I know that's a fish - but that's his favourite character) and Nemo knows its name.

Ok, so I do not eat chicken anymore - that's just a personal choice - you cannot connect with chickens and then eat them...well, I certainly cannot. My grandson threatened to buy another pet for my birthday. I politely refused and warned my daughter with a fate unmentionable should he arrive with anything that breathes. Nowadays, I think I might be known as that crazy old woman with all those cats and dogs and chickens. In fact I did overhear one of Stephens friends refer to me as the chicken lady to his mother.

Keeping chickens as pets is a wonderful past time and the bonus are the fresh organic eggs I get...oh, and the well-maintained back yard - but I will get to that another time...

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Do You Know How To Make Finch Cages Perfect For Your Finches?

The perfect finch cages give your pets the perfect home. You have probably found that your pet finches make lively, interesting, and cheerful companions. Caring for them is a pleasure, and when you make their cage perfect they love their home and make really great pets.

Finches aren't as demanding as parrots and don't require a lot of interaction. When you have a busy schedule, a finch bird is an ideal pet for someone who likes birds but doesn't have much time. Regardless, we as pet finch owners need to supply the right home for them.

These small, beautiful and active finch birds need a cage that is at least two and a half feet in length. Because finches are small birds, the bars of the cage need to be close enough together to prevent injury or their escape. Finches get their exercise by flying so it is recommended that the cages provide enough room for these extremely active birds. Short flights are the norm for the day. You might even want to actually have two cages. One to place the birds in while you are cleaning the other cage.

FINCH PROVISIONS: You'll need to provide separate finch feeders for food and water in the cage at all times, plus extra dishes that can be placed in the cage for short periods of time for things like treats and grit. The finches will need a small dish to bathe in several times a week, plus a nest box to sleep in. As you've probably seen in stores and catalogs, pet finches need perches of various sizes to rest on. The perches for the cage provide exercise for the birds' feet. Cement perches are good for keeping their toe nails trimmed, but they can be hard on their feet. Natural perches can be made from tree branches such as elm, poplar, maple, pear, or cherry. In the bottom of the cage should be paper sprinkled with grit, or you can actually buy grit paper. A completely optional item is a "bird protector" disk you put to the side of the cage that can prevent mites..

And, of course, finches need toys in the cage. They often like plastic rings, bells, and other shiny objects that they use for entertainment. You might want to consider other toys for birds that are available in pet stores and retail outlets like swings, ladders, beads and mirrors. You can start them out with a couple of toys at a time and then change them often to keep things interesting.

Clean the cages at least once a week. It is a fairly simple process where you use hot, soapy water to thoroughly clean the cage and accessories. Afterwards, they need to be rinsed and dried. Lining the bottom of the cage with paper towels, newspaper or brown paper bags, cut to size, makes cleaning Finch cages easy.

You have now learned how to make the perfect finch cages for your beautiful little Finches.

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Breeding Finches Made Easy

Why Should You Consider Breeding Finches

Finches are wonderful pets, and really do their part to add joy and life to any home. Because of these reasons, many a homeowner have found interest in acquiring these feathered friends for their abode. As it follows, you can only imagine how lucrative breeding finches may be.

Whether one decides to take on breeding finches, either for personal or commercial reasons, the task can be quite a challenge. It is not unusual to come into one or multiple problems when breeding, which is why every piece of available advice can actually be considered a great help. This is what we aim to provide here- simple tips that anyone who is interested in breeding these birds can look up and apply. If you are interested in getting advice on breeding them the right way, then you've come to the right place!

Easy Tips When Breeding Finches

1. Build a sound aviary- Your pets need a safe, secure and pleasant home so that they will be encouraged to breed. Do remember that the requirements for breeding may be highly different from merely keeping a finch. When you keep a single finch, perhaps a smaller space or enclosure can seem acceptable, but when they are in groups, it is best to note that these birds follow very particular courtship and mating rituals. A huge part of these mating and courtship rituals require ample space, so that is the first requirement that a finch breeder must look into.

Finches really thrive in warm and dry environments, which is why breeders are encouraged to keep finch aviaries in places that are such. It is also important to keep the floor of the cage dry. Other tips include the positioning of the aviary. So far, the best position seems to be in the north aspect.

2. Make preparations against possible predators of the birds- There are plenty of animals that can potentially prey on baby finches, and even your adult finches. If your aviary or enclosure is not protected against these, then all your hard work in breeding finches will be put to waste. Mice, especially, are known as notorious predators, and so are cats. Make sure than in constructing your bird aviary, there are protections to prevent both cats and mice from going in, squeezing in, or even clawing their way in. Use sturdy wires, and make sure that they are spaced close enough so that cats and mice do not find a way in.

3. Take care in your finch selection- Breeding finches successfully also has a lot to do with the kind of birds that you choose. For a first time finch breeder, it is advised that you steer clear off finches that are expensive or a notorious for being difficult to breed.

When selecting birds to breed, make sure that the pair or pairs that you select appear strong and healthy. Make sure that they look to be the right size, with no defects or abnormalities whatsoever. You don't want to be breeding finches that are not the best of the bunch. Another thing to look out for is the relationship of each finch to his or her potential mate. The pair should appear bonded. One finch should not seem violent or destructive to the other.

The three details mentioned are very important and can make or break any breeding process. This is why any breeder should get these factors right. When they do, they will find that breeding finches should be easier and simpler than ever.

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Where to Buy a Budgie Online

Budgies are very beautiful and fantastic birds. They can be fun, playful and good company when properly cared for. When allowed to exercise properly, is fed well and is vaccinated at the appropriate time, these beautiful birds can live for as long as 15-20 years. So if you have just recently acquired a taste for bird watching and owning birds as pests and are interested in buying a budgie online, then you should know that it is something you have to be in for the long haul. Thankfully though, even if you tire of the budgie or aren't interested anymore, you can always sell it or give it to someone who loves and properly cares for budgies. If you are looking for where to buy a budgie online, the following tips should help you:

Online Bird Stores

There are many bird stores online. These are often owned by big aviaries, a pool of aviaries or pet marts. These websites often serve as a "front door" for these offline businesses. When you find these big websites, the very first thing you should do is take a look at their listings to see if they truly have budgies in their aviary or pet mart.

Personal Bird Websites

There are some people who breed budgies all by themselves. These people are also commonly referred to as budgie breeders. Some of these individuals have a website where they list their budgies for sale. These budgie breeders are often the best places to buy your budgies from. This is because they take care of their budgies very well, are sensitive to their needs and get them vaccinated time and again. Budgies from these breeders are often the best in the market because of the personal care and attention they get.

Advertising Websites

You could also check out advertising and classified ads website if you are looking for where to buy budgies online. This is the very first place most budgie breeders place their budgies for sale ads. After clicking through their ads however, be sure to find out all you can about their budgies before purchase.

Online Aviaries

There are online aviary websites where you can find out all you can about budgies before you purchase them. These can serve as a good starting point particularly if you are new and are looking for where to buy budgies online. These websites are usually privately owned and contain a ton of information on all the birds available including the budgies you are interested in.

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The Essential Features of a Chicken Coop

The best chicken coop designs are the simple ones. First and foremost, the coop has to provide healthy and comfortable housing for your birds. Obvious, really, but I continue to be amazed by hen house plans that put human convenience and external appearance before the needs of the intended occupants.

What, then, are the essential features of a chicken coop, from the perspective of the birds that will occupy it?

Construction

First and foremost, the hen house must be large enough to house the birds safely and comfortably. Many people use a rule of thumb that allocates 4 square feet per bird. This is probably about right for average sized hens, giving them plenty of room to move around inside the coop. For bantam varieties you could provide less space, and perhaps 5 or 6 square feet for larger breeds.

The coop must be strongly constructed and weather-proof. Most are made of wood. If your climate is usually wet you might want to use treated wood to reduce the threat of rot but remember that this material is poisonous to animals, so paint at least the interior of the coop properly to protect the chickens and thoroughly seal all joins.

You probably want your new coop to look good and be an attractive addition to your garden or yard. The key is finding good chicken coop plans that achieve this without sacrificing any features essential for the hens and their welfare.

Access

The hens' access door needs to be large enough for them but no more, and it needs to be predator-proof. Remember that racoons are very capable of opening doors with conventional handles! It is a good idea to position this door a few inches above floor level, to stop the chickens kicking bedding out of the coop. Most good chicken house plans can be adapted to allow this.

The other door is for you! This is where you will enter the coop to clean it out, change bedding, refill the water and feed trays, all the usual upkeep and maintenance chores. A good idea is to mount the feeders on the inside of the door, so that they are easy to reach when you open it.

Nesting Boxes

Allow one box for every 4 or 5 hens. These should be mounted lower than the roosting perches, and it makes sense to design them as attachments to the outside of the coop and at a height that makes egg collection easy for you. Check that your hen house plans include, or can be modified for, this feature.

Ventilation and Light

Fresh air is super important for chickens. Don't worry about them getting cold - they have feathers to keep them warm! But they must have fresh air, otherwise they will get sick and fail to lay those lovely free range eggs that you crave. Many chicken coop designs have wire mesh floors, with the coop mounted a foot to 18 inches above ground, to ensure a flow of air in to the coop.

This is also true for the lighting conditions inside the coop. Hens do not like the dark. They simply fade away and die. Make sure they have plenty of light.

Location

Beware of predators! Although most operate at night, when your hens should be safely shut up in their coop, there are some such as dogs and birds of prey that can attack by day. If possible, place the coop within sight of your kitchen so that you can keep an eye on it.

The chances are that you will decide that your birds would be safer with a pen or hen run attached to the coop. Chicken pens allow them the exercise and foraging that they need without exposing them to danger from predators. Even so, pens need to be able to withstand diggers like rodents, foxes and dogs. Bury the wire mesh sides in at least 12 inches of soil if possible. If raptors are around you will need to cover pens as well.

Best Chicken Coop Design

All of the above features will be included in the best chicken coop design layouts. Get the construction right; make the coop airy, light and comfortable for the hens; keep predators at arm's length; and give the birds plenty of exercise room during the day.

That way your hens will be healthy and happy. This is a good basis for productive egg laying and smiles all round!

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Sun Conure Bird Rooms - Top 3 Supplies To Have

The Sun Conure is one of the most popular pet birds around. Their energy, intelligence, and beauty make them a great addition to the family. The following 3 supplies are essential for making your home a healthy and happy environment for them.

A Steel Cage - The right cage can make a huge difference in how happy, safe, and engaged your bird is day in and day out. Steel is the preferred material. It is easy to clean and there are no worries about toxicity if and when your pet tries to chew on the bars.

Its size should allow your Conure to fly without fear of damaging its wings, and tall enough for it to move from one level to another. The minimum height should be about twice as high as their length or 24 inches. The minimum width and depth should be approximately 20 inches. However, the bigger the cage you provide the better life your avian friend will have.

At first it might appear that the cage is an area where you can cut costs. This is so not true. These features in a cage will make for a happier pet because it has space to move naturally. This will help your bird stay physically and emotionally healthy.

Toys - The more types of entertainment you can provide the more engaged and stimulated your sun-colored flyer will be. Toys are designed to emulate things it would attract their attention while flying about in the wild.

Nooks or soft fuzzy objects are great for the single bird. Brightly colored hanging contraptions with bells and mirrors will peak their curiosity. Sleep tents are great to provide for cozy nights. Perches and swings will also keep them active. Objects that require them to find food inside are favorites and can keep them occupied for hours.

There is no shortage of interesting toys. Try a few things to see what your pet responds to and take it from there. Toys should be rotated in and out of the cage frequently before boredom sets in. Remove damaged toys from the cage so they don't cause injury.

A HEPA Air Purifier - If your bird can't breathe, nothing else matters. Every home has indoor pollutants like dust, dust mites, mold and mildew spores, seasonal pollen, and possibly dander from other pets. In the wild these would not be a problem. They would simply dissipate into the atmosphere or the birds would fly away.

In captivity unless you take steps to actively and continually remove particles the additional particles and odors that your pet will generate will literally make the air thick. Birds' air passages are incredibly small and so it does not take much to cause them to become clogged.

A purifier that contains a high efficiency particle arresting (HEPA) filter as well as additional filters for particles and odors can potentially add years to your bird's life... and its owners' lives as well.

Having your bird room contain these 3 products is the best start you can make towards responsible ownership. And your bird will love you for it.

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African Grey Air Purifier - 5 Things Your Bird Needs In An Air Cleaner

African Greys are fabulous birds and companions; but the white dust they produce is not fabulous at all. Keeping the air clear of these particles is crucial and an air purifier is essential. Here are 5 features that will help you bring home a cleaner that will work.

Constant Filtration---The white wing dust that Greys constantly produce can become nearly impossible to control, and hazardous to the health of both you and your bird. This dust helps keeps the bird's wings healthy, but can be daunting to try to keep under control.

Not only is it unsightly, but allowing your bird to breathe air that is clogged with dust, dander, feathers and other household pollutants can clog its air passages. And clogged airways often allow disease and infection to gain control. Birds instinctively hide symptoms of illness. So by the time the problem is uncovered it is often to late to save its life.

Having a cleaner that can send 250 cubic feet of fresh clean air into the room every 60 seconds gives you and your Grey a huge advantage towards staying healthy. And this type of cleaning, although thorough, requires none of your time.

Fresh Air Is The Only By-Product---For your sake and your bird's steer clear of filtration methods that produce ozone or ionized particles.. These filtration methods often cause more problems than they cure. In order for ozone to be effective, the levels would need to be so high that they would be deadly for humans and birds. And ionized particles can sometimes stick to air passages rather than be eliminated. By contrast, there is no down side to just plain old fresh air.

HEPA Filter---By definition this type of filter is designed to eliminate particles that are.3 microns in size or greater. This includes the invisible bird dander that is often forgotten because of the dust problems. HEPA filters can also eliminate airborne viruses and bacteria because they often attach to bigger particles to move from one host to the next.

Carbon Filter---All creatures have their own unique scent, and birds are no different. Being able to take out the smells that produce makes your environment a pleasant place for birds and people.

A carbon cloth filter offers the best of both worlds. Designed by the British Military as a defense against chemical warfare, it is quite capable of removing gaseous pollutants. But because it is woven, it has the ability to eliminate airborne particulates too.

Rugged Construction---The beaks of African Greys are pretty powerful. And because they are such intelligent birds, they will explore new things in their environment such as the air purifier, and they tend to explore with their beaks.

Having a unit that is made of steel gives you peace of mind because you know that as tough as their bite can be, steel is tougher. This greatly reduces the chances of your bird being injured by or choking on a piece of the cleaner that they have been able to remove.

Humming Birds Don't Make Very Good Pets, But They Are Fun To Watch   Buying A Baby African Grey Parrot   Parrot Illness Symptoms   4 Questions to Ask a Budgie Breeder