2009-03-06 • by Administrator

Birds have been domesticated as pets by humans for their companionship and their sweet sounds. The ideal home for a bird in a home is a bird cage. The bird cage must be airy and should be strong enough to house the bird. As with any home, the bird cage must be maintained in proper condition by cleaning it on a daily basis. It is very important for the bird’s health. A pet owner must take good care of the bird pet and its surrounding.

Cleaning Schedule

A schedule for cleaning must be maintained and it must be strictly adhered to by the bird pet owner. Cleaning cycles for daily, weekly, monthly and yearly basis would also be helpful. This would provide a systematic approach to cleaning and will help you be more organized. Dirty cages lead to a host of health problems for the bird. They can pick up respiratory diseases and digestive problems.

Cleaning Tasks

Some of the main tasks that have to be carried out are changing the cage liner, providing clean food and water and cleaning the surface. The bird droppings must be cleaned out or they might lead to infection of the bird. The bowls and dishes for the birds must be clean and hygienic. Washing the dishes with a mild detergent is advisable. Drying the dishes in the sun will also help in killing pathogenic bacteria. Cleaning the surface, bars, perches and other parts of the cage with wet cloth is essential. This will enable the bird to live in a better environment. Make sure that the cage and toys are free of all disinfectants before letting your birds in them as well, you don’t want your birds tasting them!

Other Tasks To Do For Your Bird Cage

On a weekly basis, the tray of the cage must be removed, cleaned and rinsed. The tray might also be dried in the sun. This ensures that the tray is dry and germs are killed. Some cages have a grate for collecting bird droppings. This might contain dried droppings and stains. The best way to remove them is to immerse them in soap water or a bathtub and then scrub them off. Perches are also very important in a cage. The bird spends a quite amount of time on the perch. It must be in proper condition. Waste and germs get accumulated on them over time. Therefore, they must also be scrubbed properly and dried. Wooden perches may pose a problem since they take a long time to dry. A spare perch might solve the problem, in this case. Toys should also be maintained properly. They may also be rotated so that there is some variety for the birds as well. Birds get bored, just like we do!

Important Pointers To Be Followed

The whole exercise may be followed every month and may be done whenever the owner deems necessary. The diet habits and the volume of droppings may sometimes show signs of any disease. It should be monitored on a regular basis to keep track of the bird’s health. A good brush with durable bristles may be preferred. Cracks and joints of the cages should be scrubbed to prevent germs and bacteria to accumulate.  The cleaning schedule must be adhered to and the bird owner must take proper care of the cage for the bird to live happily in its home. A good home makes a happy pet bird!