CAGE & STAND

The cage is one of the most important purchases you will make for your bird. Consider the breed and number of birds you are buying, where you are going to put the cage at home and how the bird would live in the wild. E.g. quails live on the ground so need large surface area but not too much height. A stand is a good idea if you would like to move your cage outside from time to time.

SEED OR NECTAR BASED FOOD

Most ornamental birds eat seed, however some birds like lorikeets are nectar eaters. Check with a staff member for the best type of food for your bird. And remember... not all seed is created equal. The quality of the seed is reflected in the price. A premium quality food is a building block to a super healthy bird.

SEED & WATER CUPS OR FEEDERS

Provide separate cups or feeders for seed, water, and fresh foods. Food and water should be changed daily so don’t overfill your seed cups so as not to waste too much. Covered or external feeders and waterers are a great way to prevent your bird from soiling their food and water supply.

FRESH VEGETABLES & FRUITS

Even the smallest of seed eating birds require a fresh component in their diet. Feed dark green leafy vegetables and hard fruits a couple of times a week. A great treat for your bird is live mealworms. These little wrigglers provide great protein in your birds’ diet and help promote natural feeding behaviours.

CONDITIONING FOOD

Conditioning food is a great idea for any bird but especially after a moult, when laying eggs or rearing young birds or for birds that are convalescing.

MULTI VITAMIN SUPPLEMENT

These are important if you are not able to feed fresh foods as often as you would like.

MILLET SPRAY & TREAT BELL

Millet spray and treat bells are a great way to treat your bird. They also help encourage your bird’s natural instinct to forage for their food.

CAGE CLIPS

Cage clips are a convenient and healthy way to hang millet spray and fresh fruits and vegetables in your cage so they don’t become soiled by droppings.

INTESTINAL WORMER

Birds are susceptible to intestinal worms, a bit like your cat and dog. Birds need worming every 3 months with a broad-spectrum wormer like Anthel or Avitrol Plus. This is generally administered via the drinking water.

MITE SPRAY OR PARASITE POWDER

Mites are responsible for the disfiguring and sometimes lethal condition known as Scaly Beak. Keep your bird free from these pests by using diluted Fido’s Flea Rinse every 3-4 months.

SHELL GRIT

Small amounts of grit should be offered to your bird every couple of weeks. The grit makes its way to the gizzard where it helps to grind your bird’s food, thus aiding in digestion.

IODINE BELL

Iodine is important to help maintain healthy thyroid function. An iodine deficiency can lead to goiter (swollen thyroid gland) which if untreated can cause seizures and sudden death due to compression of the heart and large blood vessels.

CUTTLEBONE

Cuttlebone is an excellent way of getting calcium into your birds diet. Your bird will also use it to sharpen and shape its beak thus preventing it from becoming overgrown.

SAND SHEETS

Sand sheets are a convenient way of covering the base of your cage. They also help keep your birds nails trimmed as it moves around the bottom of the cage.

CAGE DISINFECTANT

A safe spray on product to clean all parts of your cage with.

CAGE TIDY

A fabric or plastic cover for the bottom section of your cage that helps prevent seeds and water from falling out of the cage onto the floor.

VARIOUS PERCHES

Perches are essential for all non-ground dwelling birds. Provide multiple perches of varying shapes and sizes to promote good foot health and an interesting environment for your bird to live in. Trimmer perches are covered in sandy cement that helps to keep your birds toenails in check. Place perches in such a way that your bird can access food, treats and water.

SWINGS & LADDERS

Most birds love to swing and hang upside down and ladders provide an alternative form of exercise for your bird. Choose these in an appropriate size for your bird.

BIRD BATH

Most birds love to splash about in water! Birdbaths come in a variety of styles and sizes to suit your cage. Allow access to the bath about once a week and preferably in the warmer hours of the day so they don’t catch a chill.

TOYS

Have a variety of toys on hand that you can rotate to prevent boredom. Choose toys with different functions E.g. Toys for destroying, toys for mental stimulation.

NESTING BOX & NESTING MATERIAL

If you wish to breed your birds choose a nest box and nesting material suitable for your breed of bird. Ask a staff member for the equipment that will best suit.