Bird Cage Supplies

In our last article, we talked about the various bird cages supplies to consider when having a pet bird in an indoor cage situation. We started by discussing two of the four needs that birds have in their homegrown habitat: food/water, and health concerns. In this post, we’ll look at the other two basic needs of your caged animal: sleep/rest and enrichment.

Yes, birds do sleep. And it’s proper to give them somewhere to put their feet on. This is usually what’s termed a “perch”, and it’s somewhere to stand/sit, or in bird lingo—–to perch. Many large cages have more than one perch to give a variety of positions to perch. A lot of perching real estate is good, but be careful not to make the cage so congested that there be no room to stretch out and play for your pet. One way to solve crowded space is to buy more cage if you can afford it; the more space the bird has, the less likely it is to have anxiety over cramped quarters. Perches come in different material and strength. Natural material if you can find it aremanzanita branches; they are both strong and good for pecking entertainment. I use a hand-picked fruit branch from the yard in my cage; it’s lasted for years with acockatiel . Of course, you can purchase man-made devices as well. Many sell rope perches that are great for birds. Some twirl or bend in different directions, giving your pet lots of variety for perching and resting. Many bird species will just go to sleep on a perch, but if you want to treat your pet like a VIP then consider what is termed a “bird hut”. These “condos” offer a place to sleep as well as privacy and play space. They can be attached to the top or side of a cage.

Well, after you’ve acquired the necessities of food, water, health, sleep and rest accommodations, it’s time to consider the fun factor. That is, how do we give our pet(s) enjoyment and purpose in their cages; especially when they have to fend for themselves while we work or are otherwise detained elsewhere? Fortunately, the marketplace has come up with a significant variety of toys, gyms, ladders, and swings to keep your feathered friend from getting bored and grumpy. Because birds are social animals, they depend upon other birds or owner involvement for purpose and fulfillment. But in addition to all this, they are intelligent and creative, so these enrichment tools give your pet the chance to play, learn, grow in understanding, and exercise within the confines of a cage. Again, remember not to get so many toys that together with all the other accessories they don’t give your bird enough space to live inside the cage. But don’t overlook the tools you can use to make your bird’s life a more purposeful and meaningful one. With these basic bird cage supplies, you will be well-equipped to provide your bird a great and happy life within your home or office.

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At first glance, it would appear that there is not much to know about bird cage supplies to compliment the cage for your bird. However, depending on the type of bird, there are a number of supplies that are “must-haves” for the pet you are going to relate with for years to come. It is wise to categorize whatever bird you intend to have as a pet (we are excluding wild birds in this article) by these four needs: food/water, health, sleep/rest, and enrichment. This way, we can focus on meeting the basic needs of your bird and not get confused with all the various accessories that are out in the marketplace for sale. We will talk about the first two needs in this article, and tackle the other needs in a subsequent piece.

It is quite obvious that without food and water, no living thing will survive for very long; pet birds are definitely no exception. So, the first consideration is: how do I deliver these essentials to my pet efficiently and effectively? Fortunately, whether you own a small bird or a large one (like a Macaw), there are feeders and waterers available that usually attachment to the cage and deliver food and water automatically without much maintenance. If you prefer to manually feed and water your bird, you’ll have to consider bowls, cups together with how to hold them to the cage (usually hooks and clamps). A good pet store or supply store will give you plenty of choices in this regard.

So, after taking care of the main avian need of a bird in a cage, we look to the health considerations. Why not toys or perches? Don’t worry, we’ll get to those soon enough. But, we want a healthy, happy bird, as well as an “alive” bird. So, what about “poop”? We can’t have the bird eating it’s own poop; something to look into would be what is termed “litter bedding”. This can be put on the bottom of the cage (separate from the bird) to make clean-up easier. Another overlooked item that falls under “health” is the famous cuttlebone (a mineral-enriched device that allows birds to peck at, thus giving your pet both supplements for healthy bone structure, and a healthier beak as he/she pecks away). This is a very inexpensive way to give your bird entertainment while delivering extra health and exercise. One more thing: what about bathing? This would fall under “health”. Birds love to clean and refresh themselves. Good way to stay cool too. Whether you purchase a bird bath or just throw an old kitchen bowl on the cage floor, don’t forget this accessory for your winged friend.

As you can see, there are some important factors to plan in housing your avian in a cage. And we’re just getting started! In the next article, we’ll finish up with the balance of bird cage supplies to think about to make your ownership of that bird a happy and fulfilling one.

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