So you've picked out your new baby bird, or maybe you're still shopping? Or maybe baby is already home and you just don't quite feel like he or she has everything a good birdie might need...

you've come to the right place.

Birdfarm.com has everything available to make your new bird's life enjoyable, healthy, happy, and content! We know birds, because all we do is birds, and we're available seven days a week to answer any questions or concerns you might have before, during, and even AFTER your purchase!

So here's a check list of necessary things, as well as just plain fun things, to consider for your new bird's home.

And, as always, phone us TOLL FREE SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, if you have any questions about the items suggested.

• An appropriate sized cage for your bird's species. Something that still has plenty of room for flapping wings even after you hang toys and perches inside.


• A name brand pelleted diet for your bird's daily consumption. Two or more different sized perches -- We always suggest rope or sisal for the young birds, it's easier to grip and hang on to.


• Some type of mineral/calcium block for the cage.


• A dark colored cage cover to help your bird feel safe and secure while sleeping at night, as well as protect him from drafts.


• Several different toys, especially wooden ones, to chew and keep his beak in good condition. Rotate toys regularly so he's not bored.


• A stand of some type for your bird to be placed on when he's out of his cage spending time with you.


• Some type of secure carrying container. These can be a simple pet crate to an acrylic case that is not only comfy, but not scary to your bird because it's clear and your bird can see where it is going.


• An emergency kit in case of a broken blood feather, injury, etc.

And just for fun, you might consider purchasing some of the following suggestions:

• A thermo perch for cool weather and even in hot weather with air conditioning running. You won't need to worry so much about keeping your bird's room warm or having it too cool.


• A shower perch so that your bird can accompany you for those necessary bath times. These perches also work great in a window or in the car!


• A play stand. With wheels, a play stand can go anywhere you might want to take your bird. Family room, patio, sunny Florida room, etc.


• A harness or flight suit. These are wonderful for your bird to travel with. A flight suit allows for a "diaper" system for your bird.


• Food treats. Things like peanuts, almonds, pumpkin seeds, fruit, or any of the many, many packaged treats available for birds. But remember, these things are TREATS only and should not replace a healthy pelleted diet or good people food like veggies in your bird's diet.


• A good book about parrot health and caring for your bird.

And don't forget MORE toys!
Probably one of the most important things in your birds world to keep him happy, stimulated, and entertained!

Our first response to that question is always, "It doesn't matter." And that's because when picking out a bird, it's an individual decision for each person, according to their own situation. (See "Choosing an Exotic Pet Bird")

But because so many of you ask, and because we do like to brag, we do own birds ourselves that we'll tell you about.

David's nest is stuffed with a Yellow Crowned Amazon named "Stubby". Stub lost several toes as a baby, and stayed with David rather than being sold, because David fell in love with her when she would fly to wherever he was hand feeding baby birds, to get some formula, even when she was almost a year old!

He also proudly owns a Blue Crown Conure which we all affectionately call "Step Up". She has a huge vocabulary and entertains anyone who will listen! In addition to "Step Up", there's a little Blue Crown Conure male, named "Rudy" who worked his way into the nest at David's house. Rudy is a little shy, loves toys, adores "Step Up" and talks almost as much as she does!

He loves to ride on the food cart during feeding time and yell "Weeee", as David pushes him around the room! Perhaps one day Step Up and "Weeee" will fall in love and we'll have our own baby Blue Crowns to tell you about !



If you visit the BIRDFARM SUPERSTORE, you can meet "Uie", I bet you'll figure out how she got her name if you visit her in person!

So that's our own clutch, and now you all know what we have at home! Ask us anytime about our birdie family, and we'll be glad to tell you lots of stories!

HERE's THE BEST BIRDIE CARE HINT YET! I've owned birds all my life, and just recently tried something new, that has made cage cleaning SO MUCH EASIER! Everyone run, quickly to your cage! Look at your cage's design and determine if the grid can be removed WITHOUT allowing the bird to then fit between the cage and the tray.

If your cage is so designed, that the bird cannot get out without the grid in the cage, then here's the tricky part: Do you have a bird that stays above his lowest perch? Doesn't go to the bottom of the cage to pick things up or try to tear up the paper? Then you are in business with this hint!

Pull that grid out now! It serves no purpose if your bird doesn't go to the bottom of his cage! It's just one more very difficult thing to keep clean! Some cages, (Island Cages) can even fit the grid under the cage, between the legs, and it will act as a shelf for you to keep things on! David and I have both done this with our Amazons and it works perfectly! (Can't do it with my Cockatoo, because he's at the bottom getting into everything!) Take a look at your cage, see if it works for you!

Many of you who own birds may be saying to yourself in the upcoming weeks, "What is going on?" It's breeding season! The days are getting longer, and more sunshine is telling our beloved pets that it's that time of year again!

I've noticed my Goffin's Cockatoo acting like a teenage boy this week, and it's sometimes hard to deal with, but there is advise out there. Don't encourage breeding behavior in your bird. When you pet him, stay around his head, never stroke him all the way down to his tail. If he or she exhibits things you don't care for, ie: regurgitating on you or rubbing against you, quickly put them back in their cage and try to convey that their behavior is not acceptable so they go back in their cage when they do it.

But above all, try to remember that they are birds, and we must let birds be birds sometimes. That means perhaps having to just deal as best we can with screaming, a bite now and then, and even breeding season! Love them for what they are, and know that "this too shall pass"!

Although it is a pretty short list, it is important to never feed your bird these things if you want it to live a happy long life.

Salty Food
Processed Food
Avocados
Caffeine
Candy or Sweet Sugary Items
Fried Food
Garlic/Onions
Rhubarb
Uncooked or Undercooked Eggs
Uncooked or Undercooked Meat
Milk (birds cannot process lactose)
Alcohol (yes, sadly we have to tell people this as if it isn't obvious)