This document provides information on keeping pet birds. It discusses the history of pet birds, popular pet bird species like parakeets, finches and parrots, and their care requirements. Some key points covered include: - Egyptians were the first to keep pet birds over 3500 years ago. Alexander's army brought back ring-necked and Alexandrine parakeets to Europe. - Popular pet birds include parakeets, budgerigars, finches, cockatiels and parrots. - Proper care involves providing a sufficiently sized cage, clean food and water, regular bathing/misting, nail and feather trimming, perches, and toys. Sanitation and preventing drafts

1. 2020-VMK-17
Dr Rajsekhar Sapcota

2.  Egyptians were the first to keep pet birds at
3500years ago/1500BC.
 Alexander’s army took ring neck and
Alexandrine parakeets back to Europe during
their retreat.(hence the name)

3.  Canaries
 Budgerigars
 Finches
 Mynahs
 Parrots or parrot like birds
◦ Cockatiel
◦ Parakeets
◦ Macaw
◦ Cockatoo
 Mules & hybrids

4.  Cage should be large enough for the bird to take
small flights.
 Best is an outdoor aviary
 Cage should be placed in an area of the house
which is free from drafts and is warm and dry
 Has constant temperature more or less
 Free from hazards
 Away from bathroom or kitchen, from direct
sunlight and other pets
 Should not be exposed to noise
 Quarantine for 3-4 weeks before introducing new
bird

5. • Proper sanitation and hygiene
• Provide fresh food and water in separate
containers (steel for large birds and strong
plastic for small birds)
• Regular bathing/ spraying such as for small
birds, by keeping one bowl of sand and one bowl
of water and changing contents in regular
intervals. Spray large birds with water mist
indirectly 2-3times a week
• Trim feathers, break and nails as per need- those
that overgrow
• Provide multiple perching places inside cage at
different heights and replace them if bird
destroys them
• Provide toys- large- steel chains with bells;
small- mirrors, chains with bells, ladders

6. Some Pet Bird Accessories

7. •The cock and hen should be placed conveniently in a double breeding
cage divided by a partition
•Nest pan should be provided and an aerosol should be provided there
to protect from mites infection
•Suitable nest materials should be provided to the hen
•Eggs laid are immediately and carefully taken away and replaced with
pot eggs and the former is stored. Then they are replaced after the last
of the clutch is laid (4-5nos) to ensure maximum survivability of the
chicks.
•Incubation Period: 13-14 days
•Cock should be separated after hatching of eggs.
•Separate chicks into different cage after 5 weeks.

8. Double breeding cage

9.  They do not require nesting materials and can
lay on bare wooden surface of nest box.
 They are reliable breeders but pairing is
unsuccessful due to fighting
 Lays upto 6 eggs in alternate days. Before
laying droppings get larger
 Cock may join hen to feed her during nesting
and incubation
 Chicks are ready to leave to new cage by 6
weeks old and hen may start to lay eggs
before chicks leave

11.  They are very quick on the wing and are not
tameable like the ones aforementioned
 Breed well in larger horizontal cages
 I/P: 12-13 days
 Both parents needed for upbringing of young
ones
 Young fledge can be separated from parents
at 5 weeks old
 Thrive well when housed with other finches

13.  They are quite wild hence taming at early age
after capturing is necessary
 Captive breeding is mostly unsuccessful due
to high animal protein needs
 Not available legally nor popular here

15.  Cage- 24”W x 24”D x 30”H with spacing
between bars ½”
 Perches 5” or longer and ½” diameter.
Minimum 3 perches
 Keep Water and food containers above
perches
 3% bleach solution for daily disinfection
 Provide water baths and change water 2 times
daily at least or when its done bathing
 Trim nails and feathers when necessary

17.  They need very high attention, interaction, affection and
time from owner
 Don’t need to be bathed regularly as they are very clean.
Weekly misting is good enough. A bath pan may be
placed.
 Unpartnered birds must be groomed by owner such as by
scratching from the head to various areas, especially those
that they cannot themselves reach.
 Trim feathers, beak and claws when necessary
 Dimensions minimum of 70x70x100cm cage necessary.
Place it a room which has visitors most frequently.
 Outside time should be enough for exercise
 Provide ladder toys and 1-2 perches of ¾” D
 Provide grit, feed and water in handing containers above
and away from perches. Use strong steel.

18.  Wash and disinfect
◦ cage monthly
◦ Dish/containers daily
◦ Perches weekly
◦ Bottom litter tray twice weekly
◦ Toys weekly

20.  They require high socialization
 Regular water bath necessary with spray
 Regulat triming of wings, beak and claws/nails
 Provide largest bird cage possible. If not, a one
where it can fly from one perch to another
 Perches made of fresh fruit tree branches.
Replace regularly. ¾” D
 Perches within the room outside cage with water
and food bowls along with toys(ropes, ladders,
swings etc). They like wooden destructible toys.

22.  Same as cockatiels