PET BIRD HEALTH
Basic Care of Canaries
Canaries are popular pet birds that are loved for their beautiful singing and vibrant colors. These birds are relatively easy to care for, making them an excellent choice for first-time bird owners. However, like all pets, canaries require a certain level of attention and care to thrive. In this article, we will discuss the basic management of canaries as pet birds. Below are some of the basics of canary care: Housing Canaries are small birds that require a cage that is at least 18 inches wide, 14 inches deep, and 18 inches high. The cage should be made of
Basic Care of Doves
Doves are beautiful, gentle birds that make an amazing pet for novice bird owners. They don’t make a huge ruckus other than their soothing cooing calls and love socializing with humans as well as other doves. While many birds may try to bite their humans or pluck their flock mates, doves rarely exhibit these behaviors. Doves require daily socialization, and housing doves in pairs helps to meet their needs. If you're considering bringing a dove into your home, it's important to understand the basics of dove care. Here are some essential tips for caring for doves: Housing: Doves require
Preparing for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in SoCal: Tips and Resources for Backyard Owners
Our temperate winter climate is not only appealing to the estimated 39 million people that reside in California; it is also the perfect habitat for the approximately 6 million ducks and geese that migrate south in the fall and winter. This migration of waterfowl follows the “Pacific Flyway” which traverses Alaska to the southern tip of Chile. In addition to the birds, any diseases they may be infected with, including viruses, migrate south in the fall and north in the spring with them. One of the viruses that are endemic in waterfowl is Avian Influenza (AI). Unfortunately for our
Defending Your Pet Bird from Avian Influenza
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) is a highly contagious disease that rapidly spreads from bird to bird. Not only does this disease affect domestic poultry, but also ducks, geese, parrots, quail, pheasants, pigeons, guinea fowl, and many other birds. As you may know already, the United States has been hit hard with a widespread Avian Influenza epidemic this year, occurring from January 2022 to present day. Commercial and backyard flocks have been decimated across the country, and several wild bird populations have also taken a hit. The virus reached California this summer and has since spread into commercial poultry
Caring for Cockatiels
Having a pet bird can mean having a playful, dependent companion. Cockatiels, out of all the parrot breeds, are a great starting point for those who wish to have pet birds. They are the smallest of all cockatoo species, and are relatively easy to care for. Although they are simpler to care for, they still have specific diet and husbandry needs, as well as common problems that often arise. Here are a few of the specifics in reference to caring for cockatiels: Diet Cockatiels have a naturally diverse diet of grass seeds, grains, berries, and fruits, and therefore
Foods Toxic to Chickens
What NOT to Feed Your Bird Many backyard chicken owners will give their feathery friends a multitude of treats or table scraps without hesitation. Although some foods that we eat are also edible for chickens, it is important that you don’t mistakenly feed them any foods that are toxic to them but safe for humans. When considering if a food item is safe for chickens, you must consider the food item itself and the factors that may contribute to the toxicity of the food. Below is a list of toxins dangerous for all bird species, not just poultry.