The Cage

• Wider is better, but the majority of cages are not made this way.
• No matter what cage you buy, 1/2" bar spacing is the maximum.
• Try to find a cage with horizontal and verticle bars to make it easier to attach and hang accessories.
• Avoid round cages. Flat tops work better.
• Large front opening doors are a must for maintenance.
• A small cage is not appropriate for our small birds. They are extremely active and need lots of room for cage accessories to keep them entertained. Our pet is in a floor cage and she uses every square inch!

For the cage

• Perches of varying dimensions and materials - this will exercise the feet (i.e. hardwood branches, cloth, spiral, boing, cement or sandy perches).
• Ladder - some cage are tall and the bird may require a ladder to get from the top to the bottom (assume your bird will use every inch of the cage).
• Various sized cups for feed, treats, morning food and water (the water dish should be large enough for the bird to bathe in). Seed and water dishes should remain in the cage 24/7.
• Toys, toys and more toys to keep your bird entertained.
• Cuttlebone and mineral block.

Travel Carrier

• Wire carrier (If the carrier has handles you may need to add plastic ties to keep them in place).
• Carrier should have at least one perch. Hamster carriers can be fitted with a small branch perch or sandy perch.
• Food and water cups for the carrier. These can hang or ceramic crocks can be placed on the bottom.
• Always add millet to the carrier. Some birds use millet as a stress releiver.

Base the size of your carrier on future needs. Will it only be used for transport of short durations or vet visits? Do you often take road trips and will now include the bird in your travels? The longer the travel duration, the larger the carrier should be.

We require that you bring an appropriate carrier before we will release the bird to your care. DO NOT bring a bird cage. DO NOT hang toys in the carrier that may hit the bird during transport. DO NOT bring a clear/hard plastic critter carrier. The carrier must have wire and you must have food and water cups and millet available to the bird during transport. Please bring a water bottle to replenish the dish in case it spills. We will fill the food dish and add millet so you only need additional water.
Appropriate carriers can be viewed in our store.

Feed, Seed and Treats

• Quality Seed Mix: similar to Kaytee Fiesta. Always check the expiration on the package and NEVER buy from bulk bins.All babies can begin with parakeet-sized seed. Depending on the mix, Pacifics may be able to move up to cockatiel size, but Green-rumpeds may find this size too large. Your individual bird will dictate mix and size. Look or ask for a Higgins brand product.
• Higgins Snack Attack - Small Fruit & Veggie Treat. This is so much more than a typical treat. It is a quality mix of seed with fruit and vegetable pieces. Every cage we have has a dish of this mix available 24/7.
• Higgins Snack Attack - Protein 25. This is a must before, during and after molts. It provides your bird with the necessary protein during feather loss.
• Cooked foods: there is a wide range of products available in this category...ProGrow Cajun Bird Bread, Beak Appetit, Crazy Corn, etc. We suggest you stay away from Kaytee Kitchen Creations. We were not thrilled with the cooked result and our birds did not eat it. The Crazy Corn is okay if you can find a mix your bird likes. Our favorite is Beak Appetit; our birds LOVE this food and the flavor variety can't be beat. They even have instant mixes, which require little prep.
• Small treats simlar to nutriberries or ecotriton. These can be given by hand and you will be able to monitor exactly how much they eat. We don't recommend leaving treats in the cage.
• Millet
• Food toppings are an option. We have seen many new products of this nature on the market recently. They can also be offered by hand. We offer a few varieties in our store to give you some options.

Cleaning and Disinfecting

• A solution of Apple Cider Vinegar (with or without The Mother) and water can used to clean anything from the cage to toys.
• If you are pressed for time or have replacement items for rotation you can use Vanodine to soak your dishes. This product is safe for any material and there is no need to wash the item first. Just soak. A solution can also be made up to clean the cage and is safe to use around your bird (in a diluted solution).
• If you use bleach, you MUST wash the item first. It will not kill all pathogens and is not safe to use around your bird even in a diluted solution.

Note: we do not use Apple Cider Vinegar so can not tell you if the items should be washed first, similar to using bleach.

Vitamins and Supplements

• We suggest the use of a multi-vitamin powder sprinkled LIGHTLY on soft food every week or two. If your bird is eating a wide variety of foods this is plenty and there is no need to overdose the bird with additional nutrients. If your bird is picky or refuses fresh foods, use at least one each week
• There are supplements for most anything. Use them with caution. A pet bird that is eating right won't need a lot of extra nutrients.

Miscellaneous Items

• Wooden clothespins or similar to hang millet and food treats. They make plastic clips, but if you already have wooden clothespins these will work just fine.
• Basket or playgym. Your bird should be able to entertain themselves no matter where they are.
• Emergency kit: hand warmers, gauze, corn starch (stop bleeding --- apply pressure with a cloth and hold until the bleeding stops), cloths to hold bird, scissors, phone number for your avian vet, after hours vet phone number and information. We suggest placing all these items in your clean carrier so that it is ready to go should the need arise.