Adding a pet bird to the household requires careful budget planning. Costs vary by species and are typically higher than most assume.
Determine rooms your bird will have access to for safe, supervised playtime daily and carefully bird-proof those areas to eliminate or reinforce escape routes and hazards. This includes dangling pull cords, unstable dressers, houseplants that can be nibbled or pulled, choking hazard items, and more.
Cages
As with most pets, a bird requires a significant financial commitment. A pet bird can cost thousands of dollars, depending on the breed and lifespan. In addition to an initial investment, birds require ongoing costs such as cages, food, toys, cleaning supplies, and routine veterinary checkups. Adding a feathered friend to your family can be a wonderful experience, but it is essential to understand the expense of caring for one before making such a significant commitment. The first step is determining which type of bird will be best for you and your household. Smaller birds, such as finches, budgies, and canaries, typically have lower purchasing and living costs than larger species, such as parrots, African Greys, and cockatoos. However, even smaller birds require a sizable upfront investment to purchase the proper cage. Chewy coupons for cages and accessories can help you cut back on these initial expenses. Many retailers offer exclusive discounts to newsletter subscribers, which can often be found on their websites. In addition, you can also save by following retailers on social media. Once you find a coupon code that works for you, enter it into the “coupon codes” box on the online checkout page. The store will then apply the discount to your final total. You can enter your payment information and shipping details to complete the transaction.
Food & Water
Birds are a great companion for anyone who wants to enjoy the joys of pet ownership without caring for a huge animal. However, bird ownership is costly. Buying and caring for a bird requires a significant time investment, and many species of birds can live up to two decades. Feeding, housing, and veterinary costs can add up quickly.
In addition to a high-quality diet, birds require fresh water that needs to be replaced regularly. It’s best to offer bottled spring water rather than city water, which can contain chlorine and other chemicals. In addition to fresh drinking water, a large bird cage or aviary should include a dish of clean, fresh water for the birds to bathe in.
It’s also a good idea to provide your pet bird with an ample supply of low-cost, high-energy foods that are easy to store. For example, cook some peanut butter and put it in a bowl or on a feeder, or use suet cakes that can be purchased at most feed stores.
Finally, budget for a regular visit to an avian veterinarian. Like cats and dogs, birds require regular parasite preventatives and a complete health checkup. Make sure to find a veterinarian specializing in avian medicine, as they can offer expert dietary advice, housing recommendations, behavioral advice, and other bird services.
Toys
Providing engaging toys can save you money on expensive bird toys bought from pet stores. Various homemade toys will occupy your birds for hours and stimulate their brains. Toys made of natural materials such as woven sisal and rope, knotted chains, and wooden branches are inexpensive and can last years. However, they may require regular cleaning with hot water and mild dish soap to prevent bacteria build-up. A good rule of thumb is to provide at least one toy per bird daily.
In the wild, birds spend 60% of their time foraging (looking for food). Toys are to a bird cage what leaves are to trees, so it is essential to provide them with lots. A cockatoo parrot flying in the wild can cover as many as 100 miles daily! It will stop at a dozen or more spots to look for food during that time.
Providing toys for your bird will also help reduce behavioral issues such as feather-plucking, excessive pacing, and chewing on cage bars or their skin. These behavioral issues indicate that your bird is bored and needs more things to do. Regularly clean and disinfect any toys in your bird’s cage, as germs can spread quickly by dust, dander, and even your pet’s breath. Wash plastic, metal, and glass toys in hot, soapy water, rinse well, and dunk in a bucket of diluted chlorine bleach for 10 to 15 minutes.
Feeding
A well-prepared bird owner can significantly reduce initial and ongoing costs. Before adding a bird to your household, thoroughly research care standards, typical traits and behaviors, enrichment requirements, expected vet costs, and average lifespans for the species you’re considering. Staying realistic from the start can prevent much heartache and disappointment.
Some birds, like finches (zebra and society), are affordable pets requiring little upkeep. Their simple diets of dried seed mixes and produce help keep care expenses low, around $100 yearly. Other budget-friendly birds include parakeets, which are chatty, playful, and a fun addition to many households.
Invest in a good-quality, large cage for your bird to live in and line it with a safe material that is easy to clean and inexpensive, such as black and white newspaper or mesh onion bags. Don’t settle for less expensive alternatives, such as corn cob litter or hay bedding, as these can lead to intestinal blockages and other health issues.
Rather than buying commercial bird food, consider planting your habitat garden with shrubs and trees that supply seeds, berries, nuts, hummingbird nectar, and insects. Then, supplement with a few feeders for added nutrition and to attract new bird species. Keep your feeding stations clean by spraying them with a 10 percent bleach and 90 percent water solution weekly. Rationing your bird feed rather than filling it continuously will save money by reducing waste and allowing your bird to “hunt” for food.