As a novice bird keeper and breeder, you will make many mistakes along the way, some of which are sadly fatal for your birds. Fortunately, you can avoid these mistakes by following the advice of others who have made them before you.
As a long-time pet bird breeder, I have prepared for you the ten commandments of bird keeping. If you follow them, they will reward you, and if you ignore them, they will impoverish you. So, don’t blame, oh dear breeder, birds whose fate is in your hands, for your ignorance is their killer, and your knowledge is their savior.
# 1 Maintain hygiene regularly (e.g. weekly). Not only should you clean the cage floor and its wires but also the drinkers, feeders, and perches.
# 2 Don’t limit diet to seeds only. Always maintain a balanced diet that also includes fruits and vegetables and hard-boiled eggs, depending on the bird species.
# 3 Quarantine new birds for a minimum of one month before introducing them to your flock. (this is a common mistake)
# 4 Separate sick birds from healthy ones.
# 5 Don’t enter used cages into the aviary before washing every corner and hole with boiling water. Used cages are often infested with red mites.
# 6 Prevent red mites from getting into your aviary and take control measures if they are present.
# 7 Control mosquitoes, especially during the fall and middle of summer because they can transmit the poxvirus. Canaries are the most susceptible to this virus.
# 8 Don’t buy bird food, such as seeds from places that don’t properly store them.
# 9 Don’t allow birds to raise more than 3 successful broods during the breeding season.
# 10 Let the birds wake up at dawn and sleep at dusk.
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