Tips to make sure your getting a healthy bird!
If you have never owned a bird before it may be difficult to look at a cage full of birds and tell which are healthy and which are not. Obviously you want to choose the healthiest bird possible to ensure a long and healthy life for your pet. So how do you avoid getting a sick bird. First, you should always get your birds from someone you can trust and who is knowledgeable about birds and you need to know the warning signs of an ill bird.
When beginning your search for a pet bird the first thing you need to do is talk to other people who have birds. They can tell you where to find local breeders or bird rescues. Both of these places will provide an invaluable resource in your search for a healthy bird. By going to these places you can be sure that the people you are dealing with know a great deal about birds and neither would ever knowingly sell you a bird that is unhealthy. If they do not have the type of bird that you are looking for they can still be helpful by suggesting a reputable pet shop or perhaps another breeder or rescue that is likely to have a healthy bird.
If you end up going to a pet shop to purchase your bird it is important to be able to tell a healthy bird from a sick one. There are three main things to look at when judging the health of a bird.
- Eyes – A birds eyes should be bright and shiny and bulge slightly. If the eyes appear dull or sunken then this is a bird you want to avoid. Eyes that are crusty or appear stuck shut are not a good sign either.
- Feathers – The birds feathers should be clean and smooth and lay close to the skin. If the feathers are dirty or there are bald patches the bird may be ill. A bird that sits with his feathers all puffed up may also be unhealthy.
- Personality – Obviously different types of bird will show different personality traits but there are some general rules you can follow.. Any bird that separates himself from the rest of the birds in the cage or sits huddled on the floor of the cage is quite likely not feeling well. Watch for a few minutes, does the bird you are interested in behave more or less like the others in his cage? Does he interact with them? If the answers to these questions are no, then you should choose another bird.
Birds can make wonderful pets, even for one who does not know a great deal about them. If you start out with an unhealthy bird you are likely to be soured on the whole experience. Take a little time to be sure that the bird you get is healthy and you are well on your way to a happy relationship
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