Pigeon Coops: Should You Build Your Own or Buy One?

So you decided to get in the exciting world of pigeons. The only question that remains is should you build your own pigeon coop or purchase one? There are pro and cons to both options. If you are anything like me you want to make the right decision. In this article we will discuss both options to narrow down your choices to just one.

Pro's for building your own:

1) By far this option allows your personal style to shine through. You are able to start small and build as you expand your pigeon basis. 2) Your initial cost of building is not fixed at one price point. You can begin building your pigeon coop on a shoe string budget which may be beneficial if you are just starting out. 3) The satisfaction of knowing you did the job yourself. 4) Add on features are easily made and interchangeable as you upgrade to increasing your pigeon loft. 5) Your design for your pigeon coop can reflect many features including many separate rooms and different holding features as you expand into the exciting sport of pigeon racing.

Cons for building your own:

1) Time intensive as you have to meet state guidelines in designing your pigeon coop. 2) Building process may be cumbersome and problematic especially if you live in a community with a home owners association. 3) Can be expensive if you decide to move from hobby of pigeon care to breeding for racing pigeons.

Pros for purchasing:

1) No long start up process you can to begin to enjoy taking care and nurturing your pigeons almost immediately. 2) Most pigeon coops are designed with state guidelines already built into the building structure. 3) One set price for an attractive looking home for your pigeons. 4) Easy to transition to moving into the position of racing and breeding as you can purchase a pigeon dwelling with this in mind initially.

Cons for purchasing:

1) The lost of satisfaction that comes with not building it with your own two hands. 2) Limited to the pre made designs which may not be as stylish as you may have envisioned. 3) Set costs can be a bit out of your price range. 4) Prices may not be suitable or even worth it if you are unsure that this is going to be a long time venture. 5) Add on features may not be possible since design is made one dimensional and set to conceived design restraints.

Minimizing Your Cockatoo's Dust - 5 Things You Can Do To Reduce It   The Cardinal   

Bird Room Air Purifier - 5 Things It Must Be Able To Do

Having an air purifier to keep the air clean in your bird's room is as important as providing clean water and fresh food. But not just any cleaner can do the job. Here are 5 things a unit must be able to do to make life healthier for you and your bird.

Can Remove Big Particles---All birds have dander, but if you have a powder down parrot like an African Grey, Cockatoo, or Cockatiel you are also subject to the white wing dust. Having a cleaner with filters that can remove big particles is important. Being able to remove them while they are airborne means there will be less particles in the air to be inhaled and less to fall on surfaces and be continually sent airborne. Keeping the air clean goes a long way toward keeping birds' air passages clear. And clean air can keep bird-related pollutants from exacerbating chronic respiratory conditions such as allergies and asthma.

Is Able To Eliminate Micron-Sized Particles---What you can't see in the air can hurt you. Dander as well as airborne bacteria and viruses may be invisible, but they can cause disease and infection in both birds and humans. A HEPA or high efficiency particle arresting filter is an excellent choice for removing microscopic particles. By definition it must be able to eliminate 99,997 out of every 10,000 airborne particulates that are.3 microns or greater in size, with a micron being defined as one millionth of a meter.

Can Provide Continuous Cleaning---Stable air quality means being able to constantly remove pollutants. The best way to do this is to choose a unit that can run safely and effectively all the time without the motor needing to take a break. A split capacitor motor is designed to run continuously with high revolutions per minute. This type of motor is a must if the air in your bird room is to be of a consistently high quality.

Should Contain A Long Life Filter---Other than the motor, the filter is probably the most important part of the unit. One filter cannot possibly do an adequate job. That is why your cleaner needs to contain a canister of filters that can last for a long time. It should have several filters that can trap big particles. That means the more expensive filter that can eliminate micron-size particles is used only for the invisible particles. This system of filters is a money saving feature that will help your filter last for years rather than months.

Must Produce Only Fresh Air---Many cleaners on the market today use ionization and ozone as part of the filtration process. Both of these technologies remain controversial not only in their effect on living things but in their effectiveness. The best by-product is fresh clean air. No one argues with that. So choosing a cleaner that only produces clean air gets the job done with the least amount of risk to you and your pet.

Minimizing Your Cockatoo's Dust - 5 Things You Can Do To Reduce It   The Cardinal   

Should I Choose a Cockatiel?

Are you looking to buy a new pet bird and not sure how to make the right decision? This article will try to educate you about everything you need to know before you buy a cockatiel.

When choosing a pet bird, as in choosing any pet, it's important to know if this is the right bird for you. If you are thinking of buying a cockatiel, there are many questions you must ask yourself.

First and foremost, do you have enough time in your life to devote to a pet cockatiel? Cockatiels are socialized birds. They like to see and interact with their human companions. This may include daily flights around the house ultimately landing on your shoulder to watch television. They love attention. Will you be able to spend time talking and whistling to and with your bird?

Are you ready for a long term commitment? If well kept, a cockatiel can live up to fifteen years or more. These birds become very attached to their humans so it may not be the best gift for a young child who may lose interest in their bird. A cockatiel who is ignored can become loud and obnoxious, demanding some contact.

Are you or anyone in your household allergic to bird feathers and feather dust? Birds may not be for you then but especially cockatiels who create more feather dust than most other birds. As new feathers grow, the tips of the feathers turn into a fine dust that stays on the bird, cage and area cage is kept in. It's a good idea to keep a vacuum handy. They will also try to spit their pellets at you if they think you're not paying attention to them.

Do you have any other animals in your house? Since your bird will be kept in a cage approximately at eye level, you probably don't have to worry about a dog terrorizing your bird, but a cat will not be deterred from this height and may see your new family member as dinner. Remember, never let your bird out of the cage if any other pet is in the room. Even the best trained dog can pose a threat to your bird, intentionally or not. They are animals and you cannot read their minds or change their instincts.

Is there a permanent place in your house, preferably in your living room or den, to keep a large cage? It should not be near a heating device, air conditioner, air vent, etc? The area must be draft free, as even the slightest draft can make your cockatiel sick. Your bird might like to look out the window but most windows let in too much cold air in the winter and hot air in the summer. A child's room is not the best place either because if the child isn't home all day, your cockatiel will be lonely. Never put the cage too near the kitchen as the vapors of some non-stick pans, cleansers, etc., is deadly to your bird.

If you are considering buying two birds at once, do you have room for two separate cages in case your cockatiels don't get along. I had to separate my first two cockatiels when the male became aggressive to the female in the first few weeks I bought them. As they grew older, side by side in separate cages, they established a can't live with you, can't live without you relationship. If I had to move either cage for cleaning, they both screamed and made a fuss until the cages were both side by side again. I guess absence does make the heart grow fonder!

Considering all the above, if you are ready for this full time commitment and all that comes with it, you will have years of fun and fulfillment caring for your cockatiels.

Minimizing Your Cockatoo's Dust - 5 Things You Can Do To Reduce It   The Cardinal   

Why Do Gouldian Finches Make for Great Pets?

These Finches really are beautiful birds. Known for their rainbow color combinations, more than anything else, these birds really make for fantastic pets. If you're thinking of getting a finch for a pet, may we suggest getting some Finches?

There are so many benefits in choosing these Finches versus other kinds of birds, or other kinds of pets in general. If you've been thinking about this decision for a time, allow us to help sway you. These Finches really make for wonderful pets, and here are just a few reasons as to why!

1. Gouldian Finches are amazing to look at, and can even become conversation pieces for your home- If you want a pet that instantly captivates with it's beautiful looks, then Finches would make a fantastic addition to your home. As previously mentioned, this bird really does turn heads because of its ultra colorful appearance. In the wild, there are only three varieties or color combinations of Finches, these are the red headed ones, the black headed ones and the yellow headed ones. However, since these Finches have been artificially bred for many years, there are now more varieties and color combinations to choose from. In fact, it is even possible to find blue or yellowed-bodied mutations of the finch!

2. Gouldian Finches are "quiet" types of birds- If you're sick and tired of the neighbors complaining because of noisy tweeting and squawking from your birds, then you can do no wrong with the Finch. These birds are for the most part quiet, but every so often, they emit a soft, high pitched sound. In the right happy environment, these birds have also been known to belt out melodic songs. If you live in a highly residential area, trust that the finch will not disturb or disrupt others with it's song.

3. Gouldian Finches are relatively easy to feed- When left in the wild, these birds are used to feeding off what is available. This is why these types of finches are not too picky about the food that they eat. This allows, you, their owner to explore different varieties and kinds of food. Look into feeding your Finch different kinds of nuts, seeds, even berries and grubs. They enjoy all these things and more!

You won't go wrong with going with a Finch in your home! Look into getting a pair, or even more, to make as your next pets and companions!

Minimizing Your Cockatoo's Dust - 5 Things You Can Do To Reduce It   The Cardinal