Hazards Of Summer
Rosie - Owned by Zoe, Member of Parrot Passions UK
With warmer summer months comes hazards for your birds. Summer brings heat, the great outdoors, open windows, holidays, perhaps even more visitors. So, here are just some of the hazards and dangers to be wary of.
Sunlight and glass:- Birds often like to watch the activity outside of our windows as well as enjoy the sunlight during the summer days. If you wish to place your birds cage near a window, do bear in mind the need for shade too. It doesn't take long for a bird to overheat when a cage is placed directly infront of a window, be mindful to offer shade and always make sure fresh water is available.
Safety with Windows:- It's a hot summers day and we all open windows to allow some fresh air to circulate our rooms. Before you open any window do stop to check your bird is caged. This may sound very obvious but more birds are reported as missing and escaped during the summer than at any other time of the year.
Doors:- During the summer we often spend more time in the garden, or have visitors coming and going. Always make sure you shut each door firmly behind you, especially if the door leads to the outside, children coming running in and out of a home as they play, many parrots take just one split second to venture out of any opened door, even if your bird is clipped, this will not prevent him from escaping.
Air Conditioners:- Air conditioning is safe for birds, we ourselves have an air conditioner in the same room as our birds. Some form of cooling the atmosphere is required on very humid days, extra spraying will aid your bird in coping with the hot weather too. If you see your bird panting with his beak partially open and wings apart, he is already too hot. Never operate a ceiling fan when your bird is not caged, the consequences of doing so could prove fatal to your bird.
Food and Water:- Food spoils much faster and water grows more bacteria in hot weather. Remove soft foods from cages after a couple of hours and change the water frequently. Pay extra attention to the cage and dish cleaning, often a source of bacteria and mold growth.
Insects and Pests:- All kinds of Insects and pests take up residence in your home during the summer months, ants, bugs, rodents, flies and moths. Be careful as to the products you use to eliminate these pests, read all labels carefully as most products are toxic to birds. For ants try coating an area with lemon juice, use fly paper for insects, if you have any doubts about any products, do not use them. Check with your avian vet who will be happy to suggest a product that is safe to use.
Pesticides and Herbicides:- These products are very toxic to birds. Pay special attention using them outdoors on your lawns or trees. Always prevent exposure to your birds. Keep the windows shut whilst using these products. Better still find safe alternatives to use. If you have used any pesticides or herbicides in your garden do not feed your birds any food or plants that may have been sprayed.
Taking your bird outside:- Your bird may well enjoy a visit outside. To make certain it is a pleasant experience, set his cage where there is shade so the bird does not become overheated. Double check that your bird is secure in his cage, that he cannot open the cage door or other animals cannot gain access to your bird. Be wary of wild birds, they may attack the cage or just frighten your bird as they fly by. Short visits outside to begin with are a good idea, especially if the weather is very hot. Never leave him unsupervised.
Cars:- If you take your bird with you in a vehicle, never leave the bird alone with the windows shut. The temperature in a car can quickly become hot enough to kill your bird, take water and food with you for any journey and don't allow the bird to roam free, always make sure your bird is secure in a carrier or travel cage.
Holidays :- Summer is often the time we take our annual holidays. What do you do with your bird? Take them with you, board them with a friend or commercial parrot facility? The best option of course would be for us to take them with us, but this is not usually practical in most cases. If you have a trusted family member or friend this will be a good option for both your bird and you. If you can get your friend or family member to spend time with your bird beforehand, this will help build up trust between the bird and carer, explain about your birds routine, diet, anything and everything you feel is important. Make sure the telephone number of your avian vet is handy for emergencies. Whatever option you choose, do so wisely, and check all references of professional boarders.
Summer time can be a joy for many people, if you just take a few simple precautions and prepare for emergencies, it can be a joy for your birds too.
© Parrot Passions UK 2002