Animal Science II-Small Animal

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Animal Science II-Small Animal

• Birds-Unit H

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Competency 19.00

• Summarize the use of birds as pets.

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Objective 19.01

• Summarize the characteristics of major birds used
  for pets.

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Parrot Family

• Contains some of the smartest birds.
• Many species can be taught to talk, are
  affectionate, and make excellent pets.
• Members of the parrot family are known for their
  large beaks, especially the Macaws.
• Includes Cockatoos, Cockatiels, Conures, Macaws,
  Parrots, Parakeets, Lovebirds, Hanging Parakeets

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Lories and Lorikeets (Parrot Family)

• Brush-like tongues used to lap up nectar and
  pollen from flowers

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Cockatoos (Parrot Family)

• Crest or tuft of feathers on the top of the head
• Ability to mimic words and sounds
• Intelligent
• Range in length from 13-30
• Popular birds that make excellent pets
• Tame easily

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Cockatoos (Parrot Family)
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Cockatiel (Parrot Family)

• One of the most popular pet birds
• About 12 long (the size of a small cockatoo)
• Commonly found in pet stores at a reasonable
  price
• Gray cockatiels are mostly available.
• Ideal for beginners and youngsters
• Easy to raise and affectionate

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Cockatiel (Parrot Family)
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Blue and Gold Macaw (Parrot Family)

• Up to 30 long
• Most alert and intelligent of all macaws
• Very curious and mischievous
• Prices usually range from 600-1000
• This species is one of the more popular macaws
  and most commonly seen

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Blue and Gold Macaw (Parrot Family)
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Petz Conure (Parrot Family)

• Sold as a dwarf parrot in the US
• Primary color is green
• Becomes very tame
• Excellent pet

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African Gray Parrot (Parrot Family)

• 13 long
• Primary color is gray
• Very alert, intelligent and affectionate
• Considered to be the best talker of all birds
• Voice closely resembles a human voice

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African Gray Parrot (Parrot Family)
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Budgerigar-budgie (Parrot Family)

• Most popular pet bird in the world
• Australian bird that gets its name, which means
  good bird or good food, from the Aborigines
• About 7 long with a primary color of
  yellowish-green
• Can be taught to talk with proper training
• Easy to care for, inexpensive pet
• Eats food from floor of cage

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Budgerigar-budgie (Parrot Family)
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Indian Ringneck Parakeet (Parrot Family)

• 17 long with tapering tail making up about half
  of its length
• Pastel green color
• Excellent pet and good talker
• Price range from 150-500

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Lovebirds (Parrot Family)

• Hardy and long-lived birds that make excellent
  pets if obtained when very young
• Sometimes have a harsh voice
• Most common pet species is the Peach Faced
  Lovebird (Rosy-faced lovebird)

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Lovebirds (Parrot Family)
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Toucans (Woodpecker Family)

• Fairly rare as pets
• May cost 2500 or more
• Very noisy birds
• About the size of a macaw
• Extremely large bill, which can be almost as long
  as the birds body

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Toucans (Woodpecker Family)
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Perching Birds

• Largest family of birds
• Almost 60 of all birds (5,100 of 9,000 bird
  species)
• Good singers known as song birds

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Starlings (Perching Family)

• Talking Mynah bird is in this group. It is a
  black bird with an orange bill
• Has the ability to mimic the human voice and
  other sounds
• Require lots of care
• Cages must be cleaned daily because Mynah birds
  have a diet of fruit
• Prices range from 300 to 500

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Starlings (Perching Family)
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Canary (Perching Family)

• Very important pet
• Some are bred for their color
• Others are bred for their singing ability
• Some are bred to have a crested top (feathering
  on the top of the head)

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Canary (Perching Family)
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Whydah birds (Perching Family)

• Pronounced Widow
• Have bright colors for 6-8 months and then fade
  to dull colors

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Finches (Perching Family)

• Small birds that are sociable in nature
• Bengalese Finch is the most social of all birds
• Zebra Finch is the most widely kept and bred
  finch in captivity.

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Finches (Perching Family)
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Objective 19.02

• Discuss the care and maintenance of pet birds.

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Cages

• For large parrot-type birds must be made of
  heavy-gauge metal
• Size ranges from 26 long x 20 wide x 20 high
  for a single cockatiel to 6 x 3 x 3 for a
  mynah bird
• Cockatoos, Conures, Macaws, and Parrots need
  larger cages

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Cages

• Canaries, lovebirds, and budgerigars like the
  company of other birds and should not be caged
  singly
• Cages are usually smaller
• 18 x 10 x 10 for a pair of
  canaries
• 24 x 14 x 48 for a pair of
  budgies
• 4 x 4 x 4 for a pair of lovebirds

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Cages

• Finches need a rectangular cage to allow long
  horizontal flight to imitate their natural flight
  and reduce stress from circular flight.
• Finches need a larger cage than canaries and
  budgies.

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Cages

• Macaws need a cage 3 long x 2 wide x 3 ½
  high.
• A cage for macaws can be constructed using 12- to
  14-gauge wire with a ½ x 3 wire mesh.
• Smaller wire mesh is needed for outside cages to
  prevent mice, rats, and other birds from being a
  problem.

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Perches

• Size and style depend on the bird
• Most store bought cages come with hard plastic
  perches which may be uncomfortable for birds.
• If birds refuse to perch, replace plastic perches
  with wood perches that are more natural for birds.

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Perches

• Larger birds like larger perches, smaller birds
  like smaller perches
• Finches/canaries- ½ round perch
• Budgerigars- ½ oval perch
• Parrots- 1 square perch

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Perches

• The perch for large parrot-type birds must be
  replaced as these birds destroy wood perches.
  However, the bird exercises its beak and stays
  busy in the process.

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Perches

• Limbs and tree branches make natural perches, but
  care must be taken to insure they are free of
  mold and pesticide residue.

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Perches

• Tapered perches work well because they give the
  bird a choice of most of the comfortable perching
  spot.

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Water and Feed Containers

• Water containers need to be hard and easy to
  clean materials like glass, ceramic, or stainless
  steel

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Water and Feed Containers

• Gravity-type waterers that hang outside the cage
  with a metal spout/tube extending into the cage
  work excellent.

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Water and Feed Containers

• Feed containers may be plastic for smaller birds,
  but parrot-type birds need the same kind of
  material used for watering containers

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Toys

• Prevent boredom
• Large parrot-type birds need
  stainless-steel chains with bells
• Smaller birds like canaries and finches can have
  mirrors, chains with bells, and ladders

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Cage Location

• Location of cage must be out of direct sunlight,
  free from drafts, in a place of constant
  temperature, and protected from hazards like
  poisonous plants and pets.

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Feeding

• Most birds eat one of three thingsseed, fruit,
  and/or nectar

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Seed

• The vast majority of birds have a diet of seed
• Cereal seedshigher content of carbohydrates
  compared to oil
• Canary seed, millet, corn, dehusked oat kernals
• Oil seedshigher in fat content than cereal seed
  and lower in carbohydrates
• Sunflower, peanuts, safflower, pine nuts, rape,
  maw niger, linseed

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Seed

• Usually bought in a commercial premixed ration of
  cereal and oil seed that is formulated for
  certain bird species and provides balance and
  variety
• Should be dry and free of dust and dirt
• Moldy seed should never be fed (peanuts are very
  susceptible)

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Seed

• May be soaked in warm water for 24 hours for
  young birds who may have difficulty cracking the
  seed with their beak or for birds during the
  breeding and molting season

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Soaked Seeds

• Soaking stimulates germination which causes a
  chemical change that increases the protein
  content of the seeds.
• Before feeding, rinse in tap water and examine
  for mold or fungi
• Discard any soaked seeds not consumed within a
  few hours and clean containers before feeding
  more soaked seeds

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Fruit

• Consumed by Mynah, lories, and lorikeets
• Diet does not include seeds, grit, and cuttlefish
• Soft bill pellets or foods from the pet store
• Fruitapple slices, grapes, orange slices, and
  banana or dried fruit can be fed
• Mealworms are live food that can be fed also

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Nectar

• Nectar and pollen are consumed by lories and
  lorikeets
• Powdered nectar is available from a pet store to
  mix with water

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Other Feed Options

• Green plant material
• Carrot tops, chickweed, dandelion leaves
• Kale and spinach in moderation (too much green
  can cause diarrhea)
• Avoid lettuce because it lacks nutritional value
• Wash to remove any pesticide residue
• Feed after it has warmed to room temperature

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Other Feed Options

• Grit aids in the ventriculus in grinding food up
  since birds have no teeth
• Soluble-oyster shell breaks down and is a source
  of minerals
• Insoluble-crushed granite provides the base for
  food to rub and work against to be ground up

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Other Feed Options

• Cuttlefish bone (marine mollusk)
• Provides a source of calcium and will readily be
  eaten by larger birds
• Smaller birds may need cuttlefish shaved or
  chipped
• Particularly useful to female birds who need
  calcium for egg production

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Handling and Training

• Allow birds to adjust to new locations for 2 to 3
  days before any handling is attempted.
• Offer a treat at regular intervals until it will
  take the treat through an open door cage
• Press a stick perch up against the birds chest
  above the legs to encourage the bird to step up
  on it

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Handling and Training

• Once the bird is comfortable one may substitute a
  finger or hand for the bird to perch on
• Leather gloves may be needed for larger birds
  that use their beak to climb to perch

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Clipping Wings

• Wings can be clipped to restrict their ability to
  fly and prevent escape
• Painless
• Primary and secondary flight feathers are cut
  just above the base of the feather shaft
• Cutting into the feather shaft will result in
  injury and bleeding

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Clipping Wings

• The two outer primary flight feathers are left
  for aesthetic purposes

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Teaching to Talk

• Budgerigars, cockatiels, parrots, macaws and
  cockatoos can be taught to talk
• Young males are usually the best learners and
  easiest to teach
• Remove distractions such as mirrors, toys, and
  feed during lessons
• The same person needs to work with a bird on a
  regular basis. Usually women and children are
  better trainers.

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Teaching to Talk

• Lessons should be given at the same time
  everyday.
• Limit the length to about 15 minutes each day
• Use short phrases and words and slowly repeat them

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Competency 20.00

• Use principles of bird management to create a
  healthy habitat for pet birds.

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Objective 20.01

• Discuss the major diseases and ailments of birds.

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Internal Parasites

• Rarely a problem with birds, however some are
  possible
• Roundworms
• Tapeworms

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Roundworms

• Contracted from ingesting worm eggs in
  contaminated feces, soil, or food.
• Diagnosis is by observing feces for long, thin,
  white worms
• Symptoms blockage of the intestines, poor
  plumage, weight loss, diarrhea
• Several treatments are available

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Tapeworms

• Contracted by eating an intermediate host such as
  houseflies, fleas, ticks or earthworms
• Diagnosed by observing small, rice-like segments
  in the feces
• Proper cleaning and sanitation practices are best
  prevention
• Treatment is with piprazine, nicotine sulfate and
  kamal powder

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External Parasites

• Red Mites
• Feather Mites
• Scaly leg mites

Red Mite
Feather Mite
Damage from Scaly Leg Mite
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Red Mites

• Appear as tiny red specks and feed on blood of
  infected birds at night
• Causes restlessness, scratching, and picking at
  feathers
• Spread through contact with infected birds
• Adults may be dusted with a pyrethium powder
• Clean and disinfect all cages and nest boxes

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Feather Mites

• Cause a bird to chew or pick its feathers
• If feathers look chewed, or feathers are lost,
  look for small, gray-colored moving specks
• Feed both night and day

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Feather Mites

• Symptoms restlessness, severe scratching,
  feather picking, skin irritation
• Cages and equipment should be treated with
  nicotine sulfate, malathion, or coumaphos
• Birds should be sprayed with mite spray

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Scaly Leg Mites

• Mites that tunnel under the scales on the legs of
  budgies, lovebirds, and canaries.
• Have their entire life cycle on the bird
• Symptoms White scaly deposits that become
  thickened, enlarged, and encrusted

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Scaly Leg Mites

• Treatment
• Use Vaseline or mineral oil to kill the mites and
  loosen the deposits
• This also plugs the air holes used by the mites
  and causes them to suffocate
• Additional treatment is by cleaning cages,
  perches, and equipment

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Bacterial Diseases-Parrot Fever

• Also known as chlamydiosis or psittacosis
• Affects the liver and spleen
• Contracted mainly through feces and contaminated
  food and water
• Symptoms nasal discharges, listlessness,
  appetite loss, weight loss, greenish-colored
  bacteria, labored breathing

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Bacterial Diseases-Parrot Fever

• Treatment birds should eat chlortetracycline-imp
  regnated seed for at least 21 days
• Psittacosis can be transmitted to humans

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Bacterial Diseases-Bumblefoot

• A painful ailment associated with staphylococcal
  infections
• Symptoms feet and joints become hot and swollen
  with a thick, grayish white fluid, and not
  walking or clasping onto the perch
• Prevention suitable perches and sanitation
• Treatment Antibiotics

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Bacterial Diseases-Bumblefoot
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Viral Disease-French Molt

• Also known as Psittacine beak and feather disease
• Attacks the immune system
• Birds beak and nails may be soft, overgrown, and
  lose their pigment
• Symptoms become evident at the first molt when
  new feathers do not emerge or are deformed and
  break off

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Viral Disease-French Molt

• Treatment is with vitamins, minerals, and control
  of secondary diseases through sanitation
• There is no cure for this disease

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Viral Disease-Newcastle

• Respiratory difficulty (wheezing) is one of the
  first symptoms, followed by tremors, wing droop,
  and a twisted neck.
• Imported birds are the main source of possible
  infections
• Spreads rapidly with a high mortality rate
• Should be vaccinated to prevent the disease

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Nutritional Problems-Goiter

• Swelling of the thyroid glands in the neck and
  interference with breathing
• Major cause is iodine deficiency
• Seems to be a special problem for Budgerigars

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Nutritional Problems-Rickets

• Osteomalacia
• An imbalance or deficient amount of calcium,
  phosphorus, or Vitamin D3 that causes
  deterioration or softening of the bones
• Symptoms lameness, stiff-legged gait, constant
  resting in the squatting position and decreased
  growth

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Nutritional Problems-Rickets

• Treatment Prevention is best through adequate
  oyster shell or coarse limestone in the diet
  along with vitamin D3 supplementation

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Nutritional Problems-Obesity

• Too much food, not enough activity, or seeds high
  in fat
• Bird owners need to avoid feeding too many
  sunflower seed if obesity is a problem for their
  bird.

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Other Problems-Overgrown Claws

• Can result in injury if they become entangled in
  the cage
• May be clipped with pet nail clippers
• Care should be taken to avoid the pinkish streak
  in the center of the claw (blood vessel)

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Other Problems-Feather Plucking

• Due to boredom, bad diet, lack of bathing, or
  bird is in need of a mate
• Birds living indoors need regular bathing or
  spraying to encourage preening and avoid feather
  plucking.
• Preening is the process that a bird goes through
  in cleaning and trimming its feathers with its
  beak.

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Bathing

• Regular bathing and spraying reduces feather dust
  and dirt and cuts down on mites

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Bathing

• Small birds (budgerigars, canaries, finches,
  mynah birds, lories, cockatiels) prefer to bathe
  in a container.
• A container may be placed in the cage at regular
  intervals for 30 minute time periods

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Bathing

• Larger birds need to be sprayed with a fine mist
  from a plant sprayer.
• The mist should be allowed to filter down onto
  the bird rather than being sprayed directly on
  the animal.
• The bird does not need to be saturated, but
  gently sprayed 2 or 3 times per week.

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Symptoms of Problems

• Sleeping on two legs may indicate the bird is
  uncomfortable or ailing. Birds normally sleep on
  only one leg.
• A bird who fluffs its feathers out is usually
  chilled and trying to obtain body heat.
• If feces is runny, a digestive ailment may be the
  problem.
• Not flying around and lack of activity may
  indicate sickness.

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Symptoms of Problems

• Eye discharges or continually closed eyes are an
  indication of cold, etc.
• Wheezing, noisy, or irregular breathing may be a
  sign of a respiratory problem.
• Not eating or very little eating indicates a loss
  of appetite that is often associated with illness.

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Prevention of Illness

• Select a healthy bird.
• Place bird in a dry, warm, draft-free place
• Subject the bird to little stress
• No other animals should be around
• Quarantine and observation period of at least 3-4
  weeks before introducing to other birds.

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Prevention of Illness

• Sanitation is extremely importantshould provide
  fresh food and water.
• Keep perches and cages clean.

Bird Cage Vacuum
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At the First Signs of Illness

• Cage temperature should be maintained between
  85-90 degrees F
• Move the cage to a warmer location if needed
• Adjust the temperature of the cage with a light
  bulb near the cage or a heating pad under the
  cage

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At the First Signs of Illness

• Provide 2 to 3 perches so that the bird can find
  the most comfortable temperature
• Partially cover the cage to prevent drafts
• Provide quick energy fluids like sugar water,
  honey water, or orange juice.