Birds - Page 10 - Recent Questions, Troubleshooting & Support

1) Yes, bird food can become rotten. It can clump up, become moldy, become infected with insects or rodents, sprout shoots or roots, and/or smell bad. If the food becomes too old, it loses nutritional value and birds may not find it appetizing.

1) Kitchen scraps are generally fed to larger birds such as ducks and gulls. Because birds who eat from birdfeeders are generally much smaller, you should tear the food scraps into very small pieces so they can fit into very small beaks. Monitor the birdfeeder after a couple of days, and if the food is still there, it means the birds don't like it.

Yes, birds can have food allergies. Usually the symptoms will be itchy skin, or possibly an increase in their drinking and urination habits

1) Different birds like different kinds of seeds. For example, almost all birds enjoy sunflower seeds. Other popular seeds include safflower, corn, Millet, Milo, Nyjer and Suet. If you know of a certain species of bird that lives near you, you can check the chart on this website to see what seeds that bird enjoys.

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw/AboutBirdsandFeeding/BirdFoods.htm

I recommend that you will post your question under the correct category (Aircraft Parts&Accesories) so it will be easier for Experts to understand the question and answer it.

Only recently people have become aware of certain dangers in these types of toys. There is concern that by chewing on these toys, certain toxic chemicals will be released into your birds mouth, causing potentially dangerous health concerns.

You do not want to give your bird toys with any of the following toxins - zinc, lead, PVC, glue, certain adhesives, or any chemically treated materials.

I came across a product that seems to be just what you are looking for. It is a toy kit complete with many fun things inside to help build your own bird toy. I will send you the link to the product below.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=5059+5648+8596+20990&pcatid=20990

As a species, Cockatiels are known to enjoy playing with various preening toys, mirrors and swings.

Yes. Most fabric toys can be dangerous. Loose threads can get caught up in your birds feet. Some other toys that can become dangerous for your bird include key rings, some rope toys (those that are not woven tightly), plastic chains and toys with small chains attached.

Swings are the most popular choice as far as exercise toys for birds. My birds can spend hours on their swing every day. Here are some great swing choices -

http://www.busybird.com/swingcatalog.html

http://www.superparrots.com/bird-swings-c-49.html

You want to try and buy your parrot a selection of toys, helping to distract your bird and keep it entertained for many hours a day. I recommend looking for a good chew toy, something for exercise, a long-lasting durable toy and perhaps a foraging toy. Below are some links of great parrot toys.

http://www.funtimebirdy.com/foragingtoys.html

http://www.funtimebirdy.com/ring-toss-trick-training-bird-toy-for-macaws.html

http://www.birdguys.com/bird-chew-toys.html

If you are looking for something around the house to use as a toy for your bird, my number one recommendation would be an empty paper towel roll. Birds can get a lot of enjoyment from this and the best part is that they are free. My friend also likes to give her birds plastic baby toys.

Size is a very important factor when it comes to toy choice. You need to pick a toy relative in size to your bird. For instance, if you have a large parrot, you would buy them larger toys to play with and vice versa for smaller bird types.

Destroy toys are meant to replicate natural nest behavior and preparation. Some popular types of destroy toys for birds include paper, straws, braches with the bark left on and cork. Although most of these toys are inexpensive, they can be destroyed rather easily; causing birds to quickly lose interest.

The most popular types of bird ladders are made from either wood or plastic. There are a few other varieties of ladders that are highly recommended, including both formable and swing styles.

The links below will give you examples of the former styles.

http://www.perchfactory.com/bird_cage_ladders/formable_bird_cage_ladders.htm

http://www.perchfactory.com/bird_cage_ladders/swinging_bird_cage_ladders.htm

There are three main safety concerns when it comes to selecting toys for your birds - toxicity, tangling and swallowing.

As long as you provide a variety of perches in your bird's cage, the choice of which to use for sleeping is up to your bird. Your bird most likely knows, instinctively, where they want to sleep. The only type of perch I would recommend not allowing your bird to sleep on is a sandpaper perch. My personal favorite perch style for sleeping is a Booda perch.

I found you a very informative video tutorial on making your own bird perches - I hope you find it helpful.

http://www.ehow.com/video_5361316_build-bird-perches.html

Yes, edible perches do exist, although they are fairly new. They are exactly what the name suggests - perches that your bird can chew and eat. They are a good way for your bird to obtain valuable nutrients into their diets.

Here a few examples of good quality edible bird perches:

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11147444

http://www.perchfactory.com/bird_cage_perches/calcium_perches.htm