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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