AVIAN HOUSING + HUSBANDRY

• Housing for large parrot species

  • Large space
  • Can fully extend wings
  • Free flight
  • Climbers with inch between spaces in wire/bars (horizontal better than vertical)
  • Metre cubed or bigger
  • Door openings large enough for entry and exit
  • Parrots can pick locks or take keys
  • Require enrichment (toys, feeders, move them about)
  • Different sized and types perches to prevent bumblefoot
  • Proper sturdy parrot cage not chewable or breakable
• Parrots are prone to feather plucking due to boredom
• Environmental stressors for parrots

  • Noise
  • Smoking
  • Kitchen and teflon fumes
  • Scented candles
• Proper photoperiod


  14-16 hours to replicate natural environment with adequate light during the day and darkness at night
• Poor husbandry impacts parrot health
• Lack of enrichment causes behavioural problems in parrots
• Radio or TV can provide comforting noise for parrots
• Causes of feather plucking in parrots

  • Boredom
  • Neurosis, affected by environment (family strife)
  • Poorly lit environment
  • Smokey atmosphere
  • Poor husbandry, malnutrition
  • Bacterial, viral or fungal disease
• Remedies for feather plucking in parrots

  • Improve mental stimulation (toys, exercise, radio)
  • Stable family relationships, avoid stress
  • Proper lighting (14-16 hour photoperiod)
  • Avoid smoke
  • Improve nutrition and husbandry
  • Treat any conditions with appropriate medication
• Feathers coated in powder due to keratin breakdown, beware of asthma and COPD
• Parrot noise can cause disruptions to life and community (noise complaint)
• Ideal parrot cage features

  • Sturdy stainless steel (not plastic or zinc)
  • Rectangular shape
  • Bars no more than half inch apart
  • Doors that open outwards
  • Readily removable tray and base
  • On wheels if large
• Parrots should be caged when unsupervised to prevent injury and household damage
• Household hazards for parrots

  • Mirrors
  • Houseplants
  • Electrical cords
  • Harmful chemicals
  • Drinking from toilet bowls or dirty sinks
• Recommended parrot toys

  • Toys that simulate grooming
  • Puzzle toys to obtain food
  • Wood toys
  • Tennis balls
  • Wood blocks
  • Rope
  • PVC pipes
  • Paper bags
  • Bottle caps
  • Kitchen utensils
  • Nutshells
  • Ladders
  • Swings
  • Dangling toys
• Parrot toys will eventually be destroyed and need to be replaced
• Toys provide distraction and stimulation for parrots to prevent obsessive compulsive behaviours
• Covering parrot cage at night is recommended to mimic natural light/dark cycle
• Disturbing roosted parrots at night should be avoided
• Importance of good parrot hygiene

  • Droppings accumulate and contaminate food/water
  • Bacterial proliferation and mold growth
  • Perches need regular cleaning
  • Cage bottom changed daily
  • Thorough monthly cage scrubbing
  • Food/water containers cleaned 1-2 times daily
  • Use of disinfectants and hot water for cleaning
• General husbandry for pet birds

  • Damage to enclosure checked
  • Daily visual health checks
  • Change water 1-2 times a day
  • Check and replace food, remove soiling
  • Spot clean substrate/newspaper
  • Use safe disinfectant
  • Rinse dishes with soapy water
  • Change bath water daily
  • Clean or replace soiled perches
  • Deep clean weekly
• Outdoor aviary positioning

  • Near house in view of window
  • Protected from predators
  • Avoid trees that block sunlight or shed leaves
  • Away from wild birds overhead, smoke/fumes, street lighting and roads
  • Enclose at night due to noise
• Outdoor aviary design

  • 1/3 area has internal shed to enclose birds at night
  • Accessible for cleaning
  • Safety door to prevent escape
  • Big enough for natural behaviour
  • Concrete flooring with drainage
  • Heating and UV lighting in enclosed area
• No painted cages

  No plastic cages

  No zinc cages (toxic)

  No round cages

  No guillotine sliding doors
• Sturdy stainless steel cage

  Rectangular shape

  Easy to clean

  Wheels beneficial

  Appropriate size for species

  Bars are not too far apart (half an inch is ideal for most parrots)

  Doors which open outwards 
• The minimum size of cage required for a large Cockatoo, African Grey or Amazon Parrot should be at least a cubic metre.

  The bird should be able to stretch its wings to their full extent.

  Cages with a top which opens out to from a landing platform is an ideal way to offer freedom to roam.
• TOYS

  for mental and physical stimulation

  wild birds spend most of the time searching for food but pet birds do not so need stimulate

  social: toys can simulate grooming other birds

  nutritional and mental: puzzle feeder toys