Joyful Noise Aviary "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands"  Psalm 100:1 Fayetteville, NC www.joyfulnoiseaviary.com email: birdiva@nc.rr.com BIRD CARE We recommend this as good general care for your pet or breeder birds, however you may also seek out the advice of an avian vet in your area. Feeding Your birds should be given a variety of seeds ,millet sprays, pellets and fresh foods such as vegetables and fruits.  Keep in mind that hookbill birds (parakeets,budgies, larger parrots) can chew on whole carrot, apple, or other veggies, however it may be better for a younger bird or a softbilled bird (finches, canaries) to use a food processor to grind the veggies/fruits into a "birdie cole slaw" type dish. Foods NOT to feed your bird: Apple seeds, Avocado, Chocolate, Alcoholic beverages Foods your bird CAN eat: Apples, carrots, broccoli, celery, kale, romaine or leaf lettuce, sprouted seeds, whole grain bread, corn, peas, beans, beets, potato, sweet potato, rice, hard boiled eggs, chicken A Cuttlebone (finches, budgies), mineral block (parakeets and parrots) and mineral grit should also be given Watering: Provide fresh water every day.  If you wouldn't drink the water, don't ask your bird to drink it.  A glass or plastic water bottle will help keep the water cleaner, but it will still need to be cleaned at least every 24-48 hours.  If you have an open dish to allow your bird to bath in, remember they will drink that water also, so remove it once they have bathed. Housing: Your bird should have plenty of perch space and room to fly.  Even small birds prefer to be in a flight and need room.  A small cage should only be used for short periods of travel. Birds such as lineolated parakeets, parrotlets, and lovebirds like to have a snuggle hut type enclosure to hide in. NEVER PLACE THE CAGE IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT OR IN A DRAFTY AREA OVER NEAR DOORS, AIR CONDITIONING VENTS, ETC. Behavior: Baby budgies and breeding adults may "roost" on their bellies on the floor of the cage.  This is normal behavior, along with singing, preening of feathers and perching/climbing.  If your bird begins to sit on the floor of the cage/flight with it's feathers fluffed up, it might be sick or stressed.  Keep it near a source of heat like a heat lamp or light bulb and provide it with some millet to eat You may want to give some water with aloe vera juice or a drop of olive oil in the beak.   Birds in the wild prefer to travel in flocks for protection, therefore if your birds don't have a mate or friend, they will look to you for companionship and "protection" Breeding: Most birds will begin breeding with the presence of a nest box and some increased protein in their diet. Add some wheat germ or olive oil to their seed or veggie mixture, and keep plenty of calcium sources available like liquid calcium, cuttlebone, mineral block and mineral grit Talking: To teach a bird to talk, speak slowly and clearly starting with only one word or phrase until you notice the bird has mastered it. The bird will repeat the word faster and less clear then it hears you say the words.