Keeping birds outside at times

Hi,

I just moved and I've always kept my birds inside (Amazon, Conure), now that I have a backyard, I'd like to build some type of cage so they can spend time outside, at times. I just don't want them to get mites or any type of parasites, so I'd love any suggestions or advice.

Thanks

Also be cReful about predators including small ones like snakes and rats. Be careful about heat, cold, and THEFT. I personally lost birds to theft last year.

Yes, I was worried about rats too. I'm thinking, like maybe a tight weave screen but idk since I've never had them outdoors. That's why I need some tips/advice. I will just keep them indoors at all times if it's too risky. I just thought they might enjoy. Thanks

lovecoco said:

Hi,

I just moved and I've always kept my birds inside (Amazon, Conure), now that I have a backyard, I'd like to build some type of cage so they can spend time outside, at times. I just don't want them to get mites or any type of parasites, so I'd love any suggestions or advice.

Thanks

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Birds love the outdoors, I myself built a Gazebo mainly for my birds. All screened in with perches. 12 x 15 feet. This spring I will have to redo some of it as high winds and winter blasts of ice taken it's toll.

Never the less, there are things to watch and always be cautious of. I live where there is quite a few eagle's, Hawks and Falcons around. Always losing a chicken or two from them.

Then there is the smaller disease carrying critters, mosquitos which have the potential for west nile, Bird flu virus, mites, so yes there are concerns. But it's all in the watchful eye of the owner. Provide a bath after every outdoor adventure.

My birds love it outside and I won't deny them that, I lost 3 of them last spring as they ventured off after one of my dogs opened a door. After a couple days found them. It's always scary. But they had fun.

SilverSage said:

Also be cReful about predators including small ones like snakes and rats. Be careful about heat, cold, and THEFT. I personally lost birds to theft last year.

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Yeah I remember that theft.....never did find out anything further on that huh? That's sad.

I have a pre-made 8' aviary on my covered back porch (yard is secured with privacy fence, hot wired top and bottom because I have a husky that used to try fences, gates to yard are locked, and I have a chain and lock on the aviary, as well). I have been putting my birds in shifts out in the aviary since they were first acquired as weaned babies. They go out on most nice days (and where I live that's even in the middle of the winter, where it's 66 today and sunny). Nothing bad has ever happened to them out there, no accident, no predator, no illness. Occasionally they have a freak-out if they see a prey bird (and owl or hawk or even a grackle) but they are well protected from any real danger and the dog really deters anything coming too close. I can't imagine having these birds without the ability to put them out there several times a week. It's good for their minds, and it's good for me, too. I usually deep clean their cages when they're out in the aviary. When they were very young they could go out together but not now. My aviary is now over 12 years age and showing its age. I'm still trying to research and decide if I want to buy a new ready-made one or purchase stainless wire and have one built to my specifications. One of the challenges I faced was perches that reached all areas of the aviary (my Galah is clipped; the Grey is not but is a clumsy flier). I finally invested in two really large manzanita bird trees that are in the center and then I hung ropes from the cross brace in the middle. So, if you are considering costs for the aviary, be sure factor those in (and they are pretty pricey unless you can build them yourself). Good luck with your project.

All of my birds go outside on my patio in cages. Protects against predators, at least. I also supervise fairly closely.

Kiwi is outside constantly in the summer, cage free and used to be allowed to waddle around in the grass when we lived in a different area. My mom's birds have been going outdoors for 40+ years in cages. Never heard of one getting parasites from being outside! Her amazons share a double macaw cage and the cockatoo has a normal sized cage as their outdoor enclosures.

I would NEVER leave a bird (even in a locked cage or aviary) outside when you aren't home. Too much room for theft, predators, a heath crisis/injury or possible escape. You don't necessarily need to be outside at all times with a bird in a locked cage or aviary, but you need to pop your head out the door every 10/15 minutes to be sure all is well. My husband had a coworker who used to leave his CAG in a aviary on the back patio in warm weather every day for many years while he was at work. One particularly hot summer day the bird somehow flipped his water dish and died of dehydration before the guy got home

I have always admired the "Suncatcher" by cagesbydesign aviaries. http://www.cagesbydesign.com/t-suncatcherbird.aspx VERY pricey though. You would likely be best to just buy a pair of regular cages appropriate sized for their species unless you have a couple thousand dollars laying around for an aviary of course

As to kiwibirds statement about parasites; instead of being paranoid or dismissive, check with your vet about if that is a danger in your area, and be diligent with annual screeninging. In my area, outdoor birds WILL get parasites from the exposure to wild birds, but in other areas it's highly unlikely. It's important to know the specific risk factors in your specific area and to be in contact with your vet about any proposed changes to your birds lifestyle

I have also heard of cats getting birds through bars even while in cages. Some in the home, some outdoors. Not once, not twice, but I've heard of it more often than I would have expected. It's always a good idea to keep an eye out when your birds are outside in an enclosure with spaces large enough for a cats paw, as well as for the other dangers listed in the posts above.

I know that in my neck of the woods I'd take a HUGE risk of my fids getting red mites. Those things are naaaaaasty! And all over the place in the warm months. This year they were affecting the local song birds so badly that a male Cardinal had balding spots on him. That poor thing looked truly sickly and pitiful.

Additionally we have a fair amount of various birds of prey.

I take my fids outside though. Closely supervised and within arm's reach - never overnight.

For 28+ years,Amy has gone outside with me on nice days,relishing in waddling thru the grass,picking up twigs,munching on various grubs and grasses,while I sit on my front stoop not more than three feet away,and she can do this for an hour or so,with no care in the world..

I have a set of small shrubs next to the stoop,maybe four feet high at the most. One particular one isn't too thick,where she likes to climb the branches,and make her way to the middle of the shrub <the shrub might be 6 feet in diameter>.
One particular summer day,she made her way in to this one shrub,and I hear her saying "huh?..huh?.." and I look inbetween the branches,and there she was, SITTING IN THE MIDDLE OF AN ABANDONED ROBIN NEST!..Wish I had my camera lol..silly girl :54:

Jim

I should clarify that I did not mean Julie was being paranoid or dismissive, just that those are two possible reactions to the danger of parasites. Re reading that I felt it could be taken the wrong way.

JerseyWendy said:

I know that in my neck of the woods I'd take a HUGE risk of my fids getting red mites. Those things are naaaaaasty! And all over the place in the warm months. This year they were affecting the local song birds so badly that a male Cardinal had balding spots on him. That poor thing looked truly sickly and pitiful.

Additionally we have a fair amount of various birds of prey.

I take my fids outside though. Closely supervised and within arm's reach - never overnight.

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Oh you got that right. We had a big problem with those red mites a couple years back. And they truly are nasty. I usually give my yards and trees a good spray at start of spring long before my birds are allowed out side.

So far so good with eliminating them. But they are never fully gone.
And yeah we too have quite a few birds of prey around. We have a family of owls that nest in our yard. A falcon that claimed our area as it's hunting ground, and has taken 3 chickens last year that was twice it's size.

I 'partially' blame myself for attracting the birds of prey because I DO feed wild birds year round. With wild bird food I have mice in the yard, too, of course. But I'd be lying if I said I don't enjoy watching a Cooper's hawk come smashing into my yard, nailing a rodent against the wall.

I SO envy you over the owl family!! A few years back I regularly heard an owl at night. I LOVE the hooting sound. I wish he or she would return. I've even contemplated of building an owl nesting box, but with my luck I'll end up with a million sparrows nesting in there. LOL.

We have a great, covered patio. My plan this year is to find someone that can screen it in, but include a doggy door and a human door. Both need to be lockable. I see a lot of my time on the patio in the future now, lol!

JerseyWendy said:

I 'partially' blame myself for attracting the birds of prey because I DO feed wild birds year round. With wild bird food I have mice in the yard, too, of course. But I'd be lying if I said I don't enjoy watching a Cooper's hawk come smashing into my yard, nailing a rodent against the wall.

I SO envy you over the owl family!! A few years back I regularly heard an owl at night. I LOVE the hooting sound. I wish he or she would return. I've even contemplated of building an owl nesting box, but with my luck I'll end up with a million sparrows nesting in there. LOL.

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You and me Both. My wife and I feed wild birds as well. We get some amazing and beatiful birds in our yard. But yes, it attracts mice and squirrels, which attract Hawks and Falcons. I too Love watching a Hawk take down a sparrow. Sounds cruel, but it's all part of nature.

Oh so cool!! Yes try the Owl nesting box. Let me know how that turns out.
We have some very large Maple and Oak in the yard with some big holes in them up 12 to 15 feet up. Squirrels were living in it at first, but think the Owls ate them and made it home. You probably remember the owls from last year I posted. Looking forward to this years babies.

I found an Eagle nesting site across the field and up the road. This spring I want to see if I can get permission to venture onto that property and set up some camera's to film the young ones this spring. Would be so Cool.
I have last years Mother father and one of the babies all together in our yard, taken on Ipod. Not the best picture, but will transfer them over to computer then to here.