How to Set One Up For Your Parrot

Are you considering an aviary for your pet parrot or parrots? Many parrot owners like to have their parrots nearby and will have cages for them set up in the house or on balconies but in some circumstances the parrot parents prefer to set up an aviary.

Parrots come in small and large sizes and some parrot owners like to have several and other parrot owners like to have just one large parrot. With the different requirements in mind some owners will need an aviary.

Here are some of the reasons why a parrot owner may opt for an aviary:

· It could be that the owner wishes the bird to have more room to fly around when in its cage

· The owner may wish to breed the parrots and therefore require a larger cage

· The aim might be to have a number of parrots, either large or small and a larger cage is required so that they can have their own space within an aviary

Whatever the reason, an aviary needs to be set up correctly. Not only are we talking about valuable birds here but we are talking about the health of these lovely creatures.

Here is a list of things to consider before setting up an aviary:

· Parrots do not go well being exposed to cold winds so if the aviary is going to be a stand-alone one it would pay to make sure that the side to the prevailing wind is enclosed.

· When using wire mesh make sure it is small enough so that the parrot cannot get its head stuck in it by trying to reach through.

· Have a door through which you can access the aviary - if you are worried about birds flying out as you go in you can hang thick plastic curtain strips on the inside which will deter the birds from flying out. Care would need to be taken that the plastic is not eaten and swallowed by the birds.

· Depending on the size of the aviary it would be good to have a tray on the bottom, under a grill base, which could be pulled out for cleaning.

· Feeding bowls and water bottles which need regular cleaning so that the birds do not get bacteria from them and affect the health of the bird. Some owners prefer to use water bowls rather than water bottles.

· Bathing bowls if the birds are not going to get a misted spray from the owner.

· Some sort of base on the aviary - straw is good, so is sand and fine bark.

· Perches need to be the right thickness for the parrot that is going to be housed

· Breeding boxes if breeding is going to be carried out

There are various types of aviaries but these are suggestions for setting up an aviary that covers the basic needs of your parrot. Parrots also love to have some green leaved branches, some toys and mirrors to play with.

A large parrot does need plenty of room and an aviary might just be the answer, although if a parrot has not been used to an aviary they might need to be gradually introduce to it through using a cage to help with adjustment. A parrot being moved quickly into a large space that it is not used to can become very frightened. Gradual introduction is the key.