AVIARY CARE
Before you even start cleaning, here is a brief intro on how to even enter the aviary. Enter the aviary with awareness! Wear comfortable clothes like old T-shits and shorts as you will be getting your hands dirty. Make sure you remove all jewellery/necklace/watches as the birds especially the conures will have a go at them!
When entering, make sure you open the aviary door quickly yet gently without creating too much commotion to stress the birds. Then when you've entered, latch/pad lock your self from the inside (this is especially in the Sun Conure small aviary as the Conure have learnt how to unlatch the door and fly out.). There are plastic sheets placed in front of each aviary door, this helps to prevent the birds from seeing an open way to escape and flying off. Move through it gently but swiftly. Always look around before you enter or leave the aviary to ensure the birds are not near the doors so they will not fly out. Be aware!
A) Daily Cleaning
B) Supplements
A) Daily Cleaning
Aviary care for beginners: A Step by Step Guide
STEP 1: Check all food trays - remove old food/seeds. Wash the food containers if they are damp/dirty with poop.
STEP 2: Change all water in containers. Ensure there is no algae and sliminess. Use a sponge to wash and clean the containers. Do NOT ever use any type of detergent to wash anything in the aviary!
STEP 3: Add the multi-vitamins in the containers: Big container 1/2 teaspoon & Small container 1/3 teaspoon(or until the water turns to a colour like tea).
STEP 4: Use a nylon broom to sweep up the food/seeds that are all over the floor.
STEP 5: Spray water on the rubber floor mat to soften the bird poop. Then use the nylon broom/brush to scrub away the poop on the floor. Wash the Buddha in the aviary with water as well as the perches/bird cages that have poop.
STEP 6: Remove each and every floor mat and put them aside (near its original location is advisable so you won't forget or get mixed up as you will need to place them back) and wash all dirt/seeds under the floor mat towards the drain.
STEP 7: Sweep all excess water/food towards the drain. Excess food must be picked up by hand and thrown in a rubbish bag. Do not wash it down the drain as it will clog up!
STEP 8: Check and ensure drainage cover is placed properly and plastic wire mash secured.
This is to prevent rats from coming in and possibly harming the birds.
STEP 9: Place the floor mats to their original placement.
Reason why we have place mats in our aviary is to help soften the bird's landing and fall in case they do fight and some birds do fall.
STEP 10: Top up fresh seeds, fruits and vegetables in to its respective containers and trays. See types of food section.
Big Aviary Food (Drolka, Dechog, Aki and the Gentler Bird's Aviary):
- Sunflower Seeds
- Millet
- Fresh Corn x 3 1/2 (to hang and 1/2 for African Grey, Aki)
- Long Beans x 15 (peeled and place in food containers together with seeds)
Small Aviary Food (Sun Conure's Aviary):
- Sunflower Seeds
- Fresh Corn x 2 (to hang or place in food containers together with seeds)
- Long Beans x 6 (to hang along the fence as something fun for them to do)
STEP 11: Bird Bath (only applicable in the Big Aviary as small aviary does not have one.)
Clean the bird bath and then fill it full with water. A bird bath is used by the birds when it is a hot day.
STEP 12: Before you leave the aviary...
1. Check if all perches, bird houses are intact and not falling apart.
2. Check if toys are in good condition or should be changed or added. If they are more than 50% damaged and have splinters that can hurt the birds, remove them immediately and replace another day.
3. Count how many Birds there are in the aviary. Please see Types of Birds section with a Bird count chart.
General Check list anyone can use as a guide when cleaning the aviary:-
GENERAL CHECKS |
Check that all birds are active and healthy |
Things to observed: |
Check if toys are still usable and in good condition; replace if necessary |
Check if bird houses are in a good condition; replace if necessary |
Check all perches and bird houses are intact |
Check drainage cover is secure so rats can get in |
Check if toys are still usable and in good condition (no splinters/more then 50% damaged); replace if necessary. |
Check if Radio is working, music not too loud that neighbour will complain, should be at a comfortable level enough for the birds to hear. |
Check if Spot Lights are working at night (after 7pm). On timer, hence it should come on, on its own. Otherwise to go to the switch and turn it on. |
|
CLEANING |
Wash green floor mats with water and brushing |
Remove floor mats and wash underside; rinse with water |
Put back floor mats |
Change newspaper in the smaller cage (e.g. Aki's) |
Wash down Buddhas to ensure no poo or bird feed on them |
Wash and scrub perches that has feces on it |
Big Aviary: Wash Bird bath and refill with fresh water |
|
FEEDING |
Take out old corn and re-tie new pieces of corn |
Refill bird millet and sunflower seeds |
Big Aviary: Divide 10 pieces of long beans into small pieces and place on the food trays with millet and sunflowers |
Small Aviary: Hang 5-6 pieces of long beans on the wire fence in the aviary. |
Clean water containers - use a sponge to remove algae/sliminess around it. |
Top up with fresh water |
Add vitamins in water containers and stir (1/2 teaspoon in big containers and 1/4 in small containers or until water is the colour of tea - see pix in Food & Supplement) |
