Many people believe that a bird in the house is the most unpretentious pet. Place her in a cage, pour in food, pour water and clean the cage from time to time. This is the opinion of many who want to buy a parrot for their home. But it is worth considering that each breed of parrots has its own characteristics. In addition, any bird will need to properly arrange its cage. In addition to toys and puzzles, the parrot will need the right feeder and drinker. This will be discussed in our article.

Which parrot is better?

There are more than three hundred species of parrots on earth, so it is worth understanding those species that are suitable for keeping at home. Birds can be divided into two categories. Some are suitable for beginners or children, as they are not so demanding to care for. And the latter will require more attention and care. Before buying a feathered pet, you should carefully study its character, behavioral characteristics, and diet. This way you can immediately understand whether you are suitable for each other. Otherwise, many may not be able to create all the necessary conditions, which will lead to illness or death of the feathered pet.

So, most often people buy budgies. They are small in size and come in a variety of colors. Such birds easily come into contact with people, so taming them will not be difficult. In addition, if desired, they can be taught to talk. Budgerigars can remember more than a hundred phrases.

If you want to have a larger bird, then a cockatiel can become such a friend. This parrot is slightly smaller than a pigeon. Their color is usually gray, but yellow birds can also be found. They quickly get used to their owner and home, and are also distinguished by their calm character.

In addition, lovebirds are purchased for the home. This species is distinguished by its bright color and cheerful character. But lovebirds cannot be taught to speak. In addition, this type has several other disadvantages. If you take only one individual, then it will be lonely, which will not allow it to please its owner. If you take them in pairs, they will make a lot of noise, scream loudly and constantly talk to each other. Therefore, this option is not suitable for people with small children, or those who do not like a lot of noise.

There are also more serious versions of birds that are large in size. These include cockatoos, grays and amazon. But to keep such a bird in the house you will need a lot of space and a large cage.

Grays are very popular among large parrots. This type of parrot is easy to train; with the right approach, it will become a full-fledged member of the family. These birds are also distinguished by high intelligence. If you constantly work with such a parrot, then its vocabulary can consist of 500 words. He easily recognizes the owner and sits in his arms. Also, such birds love freedom, so they should not be kept in a cage all the time; they need it for sleeping and eating.

The cockatoo is also easily tamed, is sociable, and can remember about 300 words. In addition, the cockatoo can easily learn to sing, dance or imitate. But for this you need to constantly work with him and properly care for him.

Amazons are also trainable. But it is better for people without experience not to purchase such a bird. To keep such a bird you will need a large space; in addition, the parrot will constantly follow its owner, since it does not like loneliness. Training a bird will require a lot of strength and a strong nervous system, because such a friend is very lazy, although capable.

What should the water be like?

Take the issue of water very seriously. Parrots should not drink it cold, otherwise it can lead to an upset stomach or colds. In any season, in any weather, the water must maintain its temperature limit - not lower than 15 degrees. You shouldn’t pour it too warm either; it simply won’t quench the bird’s thirst. You can add a drop of lemon juice to the water. This will add vitamins to the drink and will also have a very good effect on the bird’s plumage - it will give it a well-groomed appearance and shine. In winter, vitamins are especially important for your pet to strengthen its immune system.

Rules of care and maintenance

Don't think that caring for a parrot won't require much effort. They, like any other pets, need proper care and maintenance. First you need to decide on the cell. It should be taken based on the size of the bird. And larger species may even require a separate room.

Don't forget about proper nutrition for birds. They will need grain feed, as well as greens, fruits and vegetables. It is better to purchase food from a trusted manufacturer. Water should be given filtered or bottled. It is not recommended to feed birds with tap water.

To make it convenient for your feathered companion to drink and eat, it is necessary to have the right drinkers and feeders. Since they will be constantly tested for strength, it is better to immediately purchase a good and high-quality product.

Don't forget about the perch. Many cages come with ready-made perches, but you can also make them yourself or purchase them separately. This element will replace the feathered tree branch where they like to sit.

Depending on the type of parrot, it is necessary to have entertainment elements in the cage. These can include special toys from a pet store, as well as various bottles, beads, and rattles. But they must be chosen with extreme caution, taking into account the size of the bird and its character.

Veterinarian advice on keeping a parrot:

Automatic

They are divided into open and closed.

Open

Automatic open type feeders are also called buffer feeders. Their operating principle is based on gravity. Food is poured into the body, which is fed through a small hole into the plate gradually as it is eaten. They are easy to maintain and extremely convenient for those parrot owners who are constantly busy. They do not need to frequently add food, which is always clean, since the husks immediately go into a special compartment.

But there are also serious disadvantages. Automatic feeders make sounds that frighten other pets so much that they do not touch the food, even when very hungry.

In addition, the mechanism may break down and stop working with all the ensuing consequences.

Closed

Closed automatic feeders for parrots are very practical and reliable. They completely eliminate the possibility of contamination by waste and bird droppings. This means that they are the safest for the parrot.

What types of feeders and drinkers are there for parrots?

If we talk about feeders, they can be divided into two groups. The first group includes internal feeders, which are attached inside the cage. And the second group includes products that have external fastening.

First, let's look at internal fastening products. They come in wall-mounted and floor-mounted types. Hanging feeders must be mounted at the same level with the perch, so the husks from the food will not scatter throughout the room. It is also better to attach them closer to the door; it is convenient for the owner to replace food, and the parrot will not be disturbed.

Mounted products differ in the material they are made from. Plastic feeders have become very popular among bird owners. Since they are affordable, they are easy to clean. But the main thing here is that the feeder mount fits the cage. Also, a feathered friend can easily knock over such a feeder, but to avoid this, you can additionally secure it.

Metal internal feeders are very popular. They are attached using special clamps. Such products will last a long time, and they can also be boiled if necessary.

For large cages, you can purchase a decorative feeder. They can be made of either plastic or porcelain. But these products are not convenient and practical.

Floor feeders are small cups. They can be made of plastic or ceramic. But a bird can easily turn such a cup over, so they are also not very popular.

External products are attached to the outside of the cage. They may have a special mechanism that allows the feeder to rotate. This will allow the owner to easily replace or add food. Thanks to this method of attachment, the bird will have more free space inside the cage. But such products also have a number of disadvantages. For example, a bird can easily get stuck there; if it is not freed in time, it can lead to the death of the pet. The design of such a feeder also allows the bird to fly out, since they have weak locks. Also, external products are made for a certain type of cell, which can be inconvenient when purchasing. Well, do not forget that when removing the feeder for washing, it is necessary to close the hole in the cage in order to prevent the other bird from leaving its home.

Now it’s worth considering drinking bowls. They come in three types.

• The first type includes open drinking bowls. You can use a saucer or glass as such products. They are low cost. But the water in such a drinking bowl must be changed several times a day, since debris or husks will get into it.
• The next type is closed drinking bowls. It is a flask with a small cup. It is better to install such a drinking bowl next to the feeder. The design of the product allows the bird to constantly drink frequent water in the required quantity. All parts of the drinking bowl are easily removable, making them easy to wash if necessary.

• The third type is an automatic drinker. This product combines all the advantages of open and closed drinkers. Plastic, metal or glass are used to make it. These drinkers also differ in size. The automatic drinker is conveniently attached to the entrance; the narrow spout allows the bird to easily drink from the bottom, while the pet will not be able to contaminate it.

But no matter what drinking bowl you use, you should change the water in it once a day or when it gets dirty. If vitamins are added to the water, it must be changed every three hours.

Automatic feeders, auto-drinkers for birds with your own hands

Automatic feeders, auto-drinkers for birds with your own hands

Post by Marina » 08 Oct 2013, 12:44

DIY automatic feeders for finches

Post by Marina » Apr 18, 2014, 11:39 am

Post by Liska » 10 Dec 2021, 20:19

Hello! somewhere on a foreign site I saw a picture of an automatic feeder and it inspired me to create something similar, this is what happened (PVC material), suitable for both finches and canaries.

Post by Evelin » 10 Dec 2021, 21:11

Post by lenavvv » Dec 10, 2021, 10:05 pm

Post by Galina » Dec 11, 2021, 00:58

Tatyana, super crafts

Very convenient and aesthetically pleasing (which I think is important). I see some differences in the design. After using it, I would like to know which one is more convenient.

Also, share a drawing (or photo) with the dimensions of the prefabricated parts. I think a lot of people will be interested in this. I was personally thinking about a feeder like this for my grass pink-bellied parrots. Because the original store-bought automatic feeder, from which all my finches eat, is not suitable for parrots because of the narrow gap with grain, into which they cannot really climb with their beak.

Therefore, I have to put the birds on an open floor feeder, which I don’t really like.

Post by Liska » 11 Dec 2021, 17:50

for the runners I used a part from the cable channel (1 cm), the processed cheese tray fits very tightly

glazing beads with a square section of 1 cm x 1 cm, in other types of feeders you will also need to glue pieces of glazing bead so that the glass does not fall through (I glued pieces of PVC)

the lid is attached to thin nails

Just today I decided to make holes in the feeders of type 1 (the back wall at the bottom at an angle), maybe small things (garbage) from the food will spill out there, which sometimes have to be raked out, but I still don’t know if it will do any good)))

Criterias of choice

Pet stores have a large assortment of both feeders and drinkers designed for birds. At first glance, all of them will be able to satisfy the needs of the parrot, but in reality this will not be such an easy choice. Since birds have their own character, they like to turn over dishes and splash water, you will have to work hard with the choice here.

There are several general points that apply to both drinkers and feeders. Firstly, you need to look at the material of manufacture. Plastic products must be non-safe and non-toxic. Metal utensils should only be made of stainless steel, other metal may oxidize.

It is not recommended to take painted dishes, since after a certain time the paint will come off the walls, and the bird may swallow it unnoticed. Well, any dishes should be suitable in size for the parrot, so it will be convenient for him to get to water or grain.

Choosing a place in the cage

It is not difficult to attach a parrot to a drinking bowl; the main thing is to correctly determine its location. It must be chosen taking into account the interests of the owner of the cell. Of course, it should be close to the perch so that the bird can easily reach it. The cages that are now on sale already have clearly marked places for bird dishes, which makes the task much easier - you don’t have to open it and disturb your pet once again. If there are no such special compartments, then place the sippy cup close to the door so that you can freely take it out and change the water at least once a day. Do not forget to also treat the self-drinker with boiling water when changing the water to kill harmful microbes.

The best feeders for parrots

Ferplast Sirio 0.5l

This product is a metal hanging feeder. It is installed inside the cell. It must be hung by horizontal rods.

"Ferplast Sirio" has a round shape. Thanks to this, it will be convenient for the bird to get food. The manufacturer used stainless steel to make this model. This metal not only does not oxidize, but is also practical and durable. Therefore, Ferplast Sirio can be used for both grain feed and mixed feed. At the same time, the feeder is convenient to wash, and if necessary, it can even be boiled.

The average cost is 420 rubles.

Ferplast Sirio 0.5l

Advantages:

• Convenient shape;
• Practicality;
• Convenient fastening;
• Easy care;
• Suitable for any type of feed.

Flaws:

• Not detected.

Trixie 5466

This model is made of non-toxic plastic and is available in several colors. “Trixie 5466” has a hanging mount, so the owner can easily remove the product to replace the grain.

The volume of this model is 450 ml, which will allow you to pour a sufficient amount of food. At the same time, the length of the “Trixie 5466” is 12 cm and the width is 8 cm. Although the feeder will be very roomy, it will not take up much space in the cage. These feeders are also produced in smaller volumes.

The average cost is 250 rubles.

Trixie 5466

Advantages:

• Compact size;
• Available in several color options;
• Easy to remove;
• Durable material;
• Easy to care for.

Flaws:

• Not detected.

Ferplast FPI4503

This model has an external mount and is suitable for small parrots, as well as canaries or other exotic birds. The feeder comes with fastening elements, which can be used to attach the product to a cage with both horizontal and vertical bars.

"Ferplast FPI4503" is made of durable transparent plastic. Thanks to this, the bird owner can easily control the amount of feed. Fastening elements allow you to easily remove the product from the cage and clean it if necessary. The size of "Ferplast FPI4503" is 6.9 * 5.8 * 7.8 cm.

The average cost is 300 rubles.

Ferplast FPI4503

Advantages:

• Practicality;
• You can observe the fullness of the feeder;
• Suitable for any cage;
• Convenient fastening elements;
• Compact size.

Flaws:

• Suitable for small birds only.

Location

When deciding where it is best to place a cage with a budgie, be sure to take into account important nuances. We will look at them now.

The kitchen is not an option for placing a cage. Because the temperature often changes there and there are strong aromas in the air. All this will undoubtedly negatively affect the health of the feathered pet.

A balcony is also not a suitable place to place a budgie cage. In this case, you will always have to monitor the outside temperature. In addition, you will need to cover an area of ​​the cage with some material (for example, a towel). So that the bird can hide from the winds and sunlight. Sometimes, in good summer weather, placing the cage on the balcony is a useful thing. But for permanent residence this is not an option.

The best place to place the cage in your apartment will be a room in which there is no video or audio equipment playing. That is, you need a room in which there is peace and quiet. The cage should be placed where there are no elevated temperatures from heating devices and no drafts. One of its sides must be next to the wall. Then the parrot will feel safe.

The cage should be at eye level of the owner. If it is located lower, then your movements will frighten the bird. If it is higher, then your feathered pet will feel more important than you. This can lead to difficulties in training and taming.

The best drinking bowls for parrots

Trixie 5445

This model is an automatic drinker that is suitable for cages with horizontal bars. With its help, the bird will have constant access to water, while it will not be contaminated by husks or other debris.

To make Trixie 5445, the manufacturer used durable and safe plastic. The design of the drinking bowl is made in such a way that several parrots can relieve their thirst at the same time. Convenient fastening will quickly, easily and securely fix the product on the cage.

"Trixie 5445" has a transparent flask, thanks to which the owner can monitor the amount of water. There is also a convenient dispenser that will supply only the required amount of liquid to the tray.

“Trixie 5445” has a flask with a volume of 200 ml and a height of 15 cm. This model can also be used as a feeder.

The average cost is 300 rubles.

Trixie 5445

Advantages:

• Reliable fastening;
• Large volume;
• Transparent flask;
• Can be used as a feeder;
• Affordable price.

Flaws:

• Suitable for cages with horizontal bars only.

Duvo+ for large parrots

This model is a plastic drinker designed for medium and large sized birds. "Duvo+" consists of a white bowl, a transparent flask and fastening elements. The bowl will always contain the required amount of clean water so that your feathered companion can quench his thirst. All elements of the drinking bowl are made of safe and durable plastic.

The volume of “Duvo+” is 200 ml, while its size is 18 * 6 * 3.5 cm. This model is suitable for a cage with horizontal bars.

The average cost is 420 rubles.

Duvo+ for large parrots

Advantages:

• Convenient mounting method;
• Large volume;
• Ease of use;
• European manufacturer.

Flaws:

• Not detected.

Triol BR47P

This automatic drinker also consists of a transparent flask and bowl. But the peculiarity of the model is that the bowl is made here in the form of a spout, which will add more comfort to the feathered pet. The spout has a size of 3*1.5*1.2 cm, which allows you to use this drinker with both small parrots and birds of different sizes.

Also, “Triol BR47P” has one more feature. It can be mounted both inside and outside the cage. Fastening elements allow you to easily and securely fix the product on the grill. It is worth it and can be installed in cages with horizontal and vertical bars, this makes the product universal. The volume of “Triol BR47P” is 200 ml.

The average cost is 110 rubles.

Triol BR47P

Advantages:

• Versatility;
• Available in several color options;
• Convenient fastening elements;
• Affordable price.

Flaws:

• Not detected.

Results

A drinking bowl for a parrot is a mandatory attribute in the cage, the choice of which must be approached responsibly. The bird’s well-being, mood, and willingness to make contact with humans depend on the quality characteristics and convenience of this device.

The vacuum type is considered hygienic. Automatic plastic drinkers will solve the problem for a large number of birds. Open bowls are more suitable as temporary structures.

Sources:

https://petstwins.ru/popugai/poilka-svoimi-rukami/ https://popugai.info/kormushki-i-poilki-popugaev/ https://homjakam.ru/popugaj/obustrojstvo/poilka-dlya-popugaya