Bird Safe Home
| This article has many tips on preparing a Bird Safe Home for your parrotlet. It is very important that each and every aspect below ought to be addressed BEFORE introducing your parrotlet to the space it will co-inhabit with humans. The presence of other animals (e.g. dogs) will present a major risk in any case as parrotlets are both small enough to be easily injured and at the same time very likely to be a little overbearing to the point of provoking aggression. The combination with humans works, but all other animals need not apply. If ever, it is when introducing a bird to a new home that one should consider having the wings lightly clipped by an avian veterinarian. This practice is explained in the article ‘Training Your Parrotlet‘. Another HUGE factor in your parrotlet’s safety is ensuring NO OPEN EXTERNAL DOORS or UNCOVERED WINDOWS in the home. These are the main culprits in escapes and potentially fatal collisions respectively. Develop (in advance) good habits for all householders to keep doors and windows closed. Use drapes, blinds, or shades to cover windows to avoid flight into an uncovered windows when your parrotlet is out in the space. ALWAYS ensure you can 100% supervise out of cage time as parrotlets are very small and can be easily missed and subsequently injured if not seen underfoot or around tight spaces. Be aware of the risks posed by young children, animals and unfamiliar guests. Remember that your parrotlet will likely be afraid of new people, so taking your parrotlet out and showing him/her off to a guest is most likely stressful for the bird and may result in a fright. This is when birds can have accidents or collisions as they flee at great pace. Turn off all fans whenever the bird is out of the cage! Birds are HIGHLY susceptible to the fumes emitted from Teflon/non-stick cookware/appliances and self-cleaning ovens. This can prove fatal very quickly, usually when these are overheated, but even beforehand in some cases. The fumes can potentially travel beyond the kitchen, so it’s a case of just ditching the old Teflon cookware I’m afraid. Electrical cables, chemicals, heat sources, open toilets and other drowning hazards, pesticides, toxic plants, smoke, essential oils and candles are all potential hazards that must be eliminated and/or monitored. There’s a bit here to be aware of… Again, keep in mind that these issues need to be addressed BEFORE you welcome a parrotlet into your home. Wishing you many happy and safe times with your parrotlet! |
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