Mary Allen
Anyone who decides to have a bird as a housemate must be aware of some important aspects of keeping them. First, he chooses a sociable and intelligent creature that should never be kept alone if possible. It is – also due to its biological character – used to dealing with at least one conspecific. As a loner, it is just as lonely as a human being. Free flight is just as important. It can be done within an aviary or other larger space. A cage alone is not enough. The European Union and the respective individual states have now also taken on this topic.
Should it Be a Cage, Aviary, or Bird Room?
Minimum standards apply to cages, aviaries, or stables in the agricultural sector. These relate to the respective width, height, and depth of the accommodation to be set up.
How big does an aviary have to be?
The best way to keep birds is to build an aviary. It is a very large cage in which there are usually several birds. In it, the intelligent and sociable feathered animals can move freely. Aviaries thus correspond to a reduced image of nature in which the inhabitants would otherwise live. They are often built from a wooden or steel frame surrounded by a wire mesh. Inside there are numerous benches and higher branches. There are also bowls for food and water. In addition, a bathing area should not be missing. These free flight spaces often consist of outdoor and indoor areas. While the outside area is used in the warmer months, the birds retreat to the inside when it’s cold and raining. In the indoor aviary, UV lamps are usually installed today, which do not disturb the birds but provide warmth and light.
The aviaries for budgerigars, aquaponics, cockatiels, and canaries should each be designed for at least 2 to 3 pairs. They each have a height and base area of two meters. For each additional bird, the owner plans half a meter in height, width, and length.
This has to do with the innate way of life of these bird species, which live and fly in flocks. This makes it difficult for a raptor in the wild to focus on a single member of the flock.
Since not every bird owner can afford a luxury aviary, industry and trade have developed various offers that offer the best possible solutions for every budget. If no satisfactory product can be found, the bird owner can commission a specialist company to produce an individual one-off product. Bird lovers can find out which provider is best to contact at numerous institutes, including the Nature Conservation Union.
What should be considered with a cage?
The cage is the smallest form of housing one can choose for one’s bird. However, it should be chosen in such a way that the bird living in it feels comfortable. Since the feathered roommate always flies horizontally and not vertically, only elongated and medium-high cages are suitable for bird-friendly housing. High cages, on the other hand, are too narrow and offer very limited options for frequent flyers.
They are also not allowed to stand on the floor of the respective room. The place should be chosen so that the bird is protected from drafts and dry heating air at all times. Then there is the light. Many birds love the sunlight, which reminds them of the time of day. However, under no circumstances should neon lights, television, or computer monitors be activated in direct view of the birdcage. The bird perceives the respective representations as shaky images and is irritated.
If, after thorough consideration, the decision has been made in favor of a cage, the right size and equipment are important. Here the material is of great importance. It should definitely be made of smooth stainless steel. Plastic coatings are used by the bird for beak exercises and then end up in the stomach as an indigestible product. Here they have serious consequences and can affect the life of the bird. There are also important differences between an indoor and outdoor cage.
What is important in the bird room?
Cages should only be used when there are no options for an aviary. They are particularly suitable as an addition to a bird room. In this, however, the roommate needs enough space to be able to move freely. Since the birds should never be kept alone, but only in two or more pairs, a room of 15 to 20 square meters should be considered.
In order to rule out the risk of injury during free flight, the owner covers all windows with paint or covers. This also applies to a door with frosted glass in the apartment. The bird cannot see clear glass due to the navigation it uses. It flies against the obstacle at a constant speed. Furthermore, all spaces between the furniture or other objects are covered or closed. Of course, both windows and doors must remain closed during flight time so that the birds do not escape into the wild. If there are still dogs and cats in the household, they stay outside.
If there are poisonous plants or vases filled with water in the combination of the living room and bird room, these should also be cleared away.