Bird Storage - Containers - Seed Storage

In planning to keep parrots, seed storage arrangements will have to be made and thought given to the types of food and water containers which will be necessary.

Seed bought in quantity is packed in strong paper or hessian sacks, which mice have little trouble in entering. Unless stored in an area which is free from vermin, it is advisable to empty seed into large plastic dustbins or large purpose-built metal containers. Smal­ler quantities can be stored in tins or any suitable airtight containers of glass or plastic. It is essential that the storage area is dry. Damp conditions cause seed to become mouldy and such seed can cause serious, even fatal, dis­ease in birds. Peanuts and pine nuts are especially susceptible and any not in first class condition should be rejected.

The type of food container provided will depend to a great extent on the size of parrot. Many of the larger species will treat unsuitable containers as playthings. For macaws, cockatoos and other large parrots, heavy metal hook-on containers are essential. In addition to the built-in ones in cages they are also useful for birds in aviaries but usually because of their small size they are not adequate for a day's sup­ply of one type of seed. Metal con­tainers are unbreakable, although species with powerful beaks can bend the hooks.

Plastic hook-on containers are ideal for less destructive birds as they are easier to keep clean than metal storage and containers and they hold more. Unfor­tunately, some of those available have metal hooks which many parrots delight in breaking off. For small birds, glass, earthenware or plastic dishes which stand on a feeding shelf can be used.

The size and type of water container used will depend on the species and whether or not it bathes. For large birds which do not bathe in a con­tainer, earthenware dog bowls are most suitable as they are heavy enough to prevent most birds from turning them over. For small birds, plastic hook-on drinkers can be used. Birds which do bathe will require large, shal­low containers of enamel, glass or stainless steel. Any kind is suitable if it is easy to keep clean.

For several reasons, I am not in favour of the use of seed hoppers for parrots: they are suitable only for small seeds, such as canary and millet and, in any case, require constant at­tention to remove the fine powder which results from birds shelling seed and to ensure that nothing impedes the flow of the seed. They also make it too easy for owners to give too little atten­tion to their birds; no one should keep birds if they do not have the necessary time to devote to daily feeding. In any case, it is essential to spend some time each day with one's birds because a sick bird or one that is being harassed by others will otherwise be overlooked. Should it be necessary for seedeaters to be unattended for a couple of days, open dishes are to be preferred to hop­pers because of the danger of the flow of seed becoming blocked in a hopper.

At some time or another, most avic­ulturists will have to leave their birds in another person's care. Precise writ­ten instructions should always be left even, indeed especially, when the per­son entrusted with their care is another aviculturist. For a non-fancier, all seeds and foods should be clearly la­belled and feeding instructions should be attached to each cage or aviary.