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How to keep a bird healthy

Submitted by Michael Adams on January 8, 2010

Birds can be great companions but they are delicate creatures that need to taken special care of. One of the most important aspects of taking care of bird’s health is its diet. It has been found that a diet constituted exclusively of seeds does not supply all the essential nutrients that the bird’s body requires.

This may lead to fatty liver disease in your bird and ultimately even cause premature death. Most of the commercially available dry mixes for birds contain cheap and non-nutritious fillers. Thus, it is better to feed the bird dried fruits, green vegetables, nuts and herbs alongside the seeds that it is regularly fed or in combination with the dry mix that your bird eats regularly.

It is a good idea to opt for fresh and organic foods instead of those that contain pesticides, as the harmful chemicals present in the latter may not suit the bird’s delicate constitution. Though birds can eat most fruits and vegetables, never feed them avocado as this has toxic effects on them. You should also avoid milk products, caffeine-based products, cereals, breads and grains. It is also advisable that you feed your bird sprouted or germinated seeds, as they have very low fat content and are rich in fibers, proteins, vitamins and minerals, especially when the bird is breeding or molting.

In addition to providing your bird proper nutrition, you should also let the creature bask in direct sunlight every day. This is because the ultraviolet radiation helps in the synthesis of vitamin D and keeps the bones of the bird strong. Being in the open air and light keeps your bird healthy and happy. You should also bathe your bird regularly, either by placing a shallow dish of water in its cage or spraying it with water using a small bottle with a nozzle. Birds usually take care of grooming themselves, which keeps off insects from their body. Protect your bird from extremes of temperature by providing moderate heating or air-conditioning in the room where its cage is kept. Make sure that the bird’s cage is spacious enough for it to move around and spread its wings. Also, clean its cage regularly as birds can be very messy creatures. You should let the bird out of its cage for some time every day and allow it to rest on wooden perches or be around the members of the family.

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Bird Health