Top Tips with Toll Barn Vets - Exotic Birds Housing

If you keep or are thinking of keeping birds at home you might find the following advice useful.

Most species of bird benefit from a large aviary, providing shelter from in summer as well as heating protection from poor weather conditions in winter, an indoor cage with access to an outdoor aviary can provide the best of both worlds

If you plan on taming your pet bird and keeping them in an indoor cage, at a minimum, your bird needs to be able to fully extend its wings in all directions, but the bigger the cage the better in most respects If housed indoors birds should, where possible, be allowed out of their cage to fly and exercise around the house but always under supervision

It’s not only great for their muscles but also great for their brains, providing much mental stimulation but a word of caution, also make sure house is secure, checking all doors and windows are closed before allowing your bird the freedom to explore

● Make sure all cage ornaments/toys are bird safe and zinc/lead free Having a selection so that you can change and rotate them can prevent boredom by adding some variation

Changing the cage lay out and varying perch options can also help keep them occupied and puzzle feeders can be a fun addition, either homemade or purchased

Access to natural light and/or plementary UV from a bird lamp ve the cage is essential for vitamin/ neral uptake UV bulbs should be anged every 6-12months as they ecome less effective with time

● Birds should have access to natural bird-safe wood for chewing and perches should be non-abrasive and vary in width to allow for comfortable foot grips to be selected and help prevent the development of pododermatitis

● Birds should have access to fresh water at all times

● Birds should be housed in appropriate groups; there are species that are solitary but some smaller species are gregarious and appreciate being house in pairs or groups

High Kelling Garden Club

On Monday 13th April, Julia Stafford-Allen talked to our club about the history of garden tourism and the National Garden Scheme

From Tudor times, the nobility created gardens to encourage a visit by the monarch Over the next two centuries, visiting large gardens both at home and abroad became more popular and, in 1744, the first garden guidebook was published, with 22 editions Garden visitors were not always well behaved, stealing souvenirs and leaving graffiti! The railways increased garden tourism, but few private gardens were open to the public

In 1859, wealthy Liverpool merchant William Rathbone employed a nurse to look after his ailing wife at home When she died, he paid for the nurse to care for the poor in his neighbourhood and went on to raise funds for community nursing in other deprived areas Patronised by Queen Victoria and, later, by Queen Alexandra, this developed into if the space is available.

● Their daylight hours should be consistent (between 8-12 hours daily) with an indoor cage covered to prevent our light cycles affecting them in the evening This reduces stress and can reduce unwanted mating or plucking behaviours

● Indoor cages should be positioned in areas that are well ventilated but not in draughty areas and always positioned away from aerial pollutants such as smoking and cooking (Teflon pans can release toxins when in use that harm a birds tender respiratory system)

● As already mentioned, birds have sensitive respiratory systems and can suffer from pollutants, keeping an air purifier nearby can help with this

● Cages should be cleaned weekly or more frequently if needed with an appropriate disinfectant such as F10 This reduces bacterial and faecal contamination and keeps the air rd and its sensitive lungs e the Queens Nursing Institute, a voluntary organisation setting standards and training and supporting nurses. In 1927, QNI council member, Elsie Wagg, came up with the idea of people opening their gardens to raise funds for the charity, charging visitors a shilling, under a National Garden Scheme In the first year, 609 gardens opened, including Sandringham, raising £8,000 Last year, 3,500 gardens opened, donating over £3 million to nursing and caring charities. After the war, the first annual “ Yellow Book” was published and the NGS became independent in 1980

Did you know birds can be ringed or microchipped to help identify them if they stray Talk to your vet about options for your pet.

Our club is planning a programme of garden visits throughout the summer in addition to our evening talks during the autumn and spring. New members are always welcome (not only High Kelling residents) For details contact Tanya, hkgcsecretary@gmail com, phone 07825 578321