2009-02-19 • by Administrator

If food, clothing and shelter are the basic necessities for human beings, then food and shelter are the basic necessities for animals and birds. It is not just enough to have a pet at home. You should make sure they are comfortable and happy. Food is a basic entity and the kind of food consumed depends on the type of pet you have. The same applies to shelter. One might wonder why it is necessary to provide a separate shelter for these pet birds and why not just let them be inside the house. The answer to this question is the fact that, just like us human beings, animals and birds also like their privacy. We should provide them with an environment that is as close as possible to their natural habitat. And giving them a separate living space will ensure that they will not disturb us in anyway. Therefore, it is advisable to build a birdhouse when you have a pet bird. When you decide to build a birdhouse for your feathered companions, you need to consider these two factors:

1. Size of the birdhouse

This depends on the size and number of your pet birds.  You should know if your bird has any specific needs and should decide on the size of the entrance.  Secondly, make sure there is proper ventilation. Just like human beings, birds like fresh air. Give them what they want and provide good ventilation.  Then you need to make sure that there is a proper drainage. It is not fun living in a wet and soggy house. So provide the birdhouse with a proper drainage system. It is important to keep the house clean. Make sure that the birdhouse can be cleaned easily and do it often!

2. Type of material used

Avoid plastic or any toxic substance. Try to make your birdhouse as green as possible and as close as possible to the bird’s natural habitat. Never even think of a metal birdhouse! Choose a material that will protect your bird from the adverse climatic conditions.  While choosing the type of wood, stick to plain lumber.  The roofs of the birdhouse must be slanted. This is to ensure that the rainwater will drain off and not percolate through the roof.  It is a common misconception that it is necessary to provide a perch outside the house. However, this should be avoided as a perch only invites predators. It is always advisable to provide the insides of the birdhouse with a number of grooves as this will help small birds to climb up as they grow. Also, remember never to paint or stain the insides of the birdhouse.

Keeping all this in mind one can build a birdhouse for their beloved pets and make sure they have a happy life! A nice birdhouse, will give you happy birds!