The sight of migratory birds feeding and bathing in your garden or yard is sheer beauty. To bird lovers the sound of chirping birds is music, a vibrant symbol of life. There are quite a large variety of feeders bird baths available on the market to cater to the birding hobby of many. Decorative bird feeders and bird baths are good. But they should not compromise on the needs of the birds.
The bird bath is an artificial puddle of water created for the birds to have bath and drink water. A shallow basin is put on a pedestal and a depth of two inches is sufficient for the wild birds, as they do not submerge their entire body in the water. They just dip their wings and splash water all over the body. You can heat up the water in bird bath with solar bird baths. The wild and migratory birds can get warm water to bathe in during the winter from your backyard. You can even add a suet bird feeder during the winter months.
Hygiene is of paramount importance with both bird feeders and bird baths. There cannot be a compromise on the cleanliness of the feeders or the bird bath. Regular cleaning is a must to ensure good hygiene of the birds that throng to your feeders bird baths. Some types of birds can carry harmful bacteria and viruses which will affect the health of other birds, which will put wild and migratory birds at risk of spreading diseases. However, treating the bird bath with special tablets can prevent the spread of diseases. These tablets break down harmful bacteria and enzymes in the water.
The placement of feeders bird baths is also of utmost importance when you are planning for bird watching in your own yard. The bird bath should be placed near a big tree or bush so that when there is an imminent attack from birds of prey your winged guests can fly off and take shelter immediately. Bushy berry trees can serve the dual purpose of providing shelter and food. Many species will love the bird feeders and bird baths in your yard if they are assured of proper shelter and protection.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Tips When Picking Feeders Bird Baths
Friday, December 5, 2008
What is the best type of chicken
With many people reverting back to the good old days of growing your own veg and keeping your own chickens for eggs, some folks are asking me "what types of chickens can I keep that my children will be safe with and will make good pets"
It is a sure fact that some breeds of hen are not suitable for keeping as both pets and for eggs however, there is one breed that is both full of charater and will keep you in eggs throughout the year.
Rhode Island Reds are a good breed to choose if you want to keep a small flock of dual-purpose chickens. They are great for both egg production and also as pets.
The average hen lays large brown eggs and is also very freiendly so long as they are given teh chance to get to know you. Once you have them used to you they will let you stroke them, pick them up and generally fuss over them - in fact they love to have their feathers stroked.
The hens lay an average of about 260 eggs per year which is an ample amount to keep you in a small business if you have more than a couple of them. The Cock is NOT suitable - only hens as the Cock will be aggressive and noisy (and obviously does not lay eggs).
The Rhode Island Red is one of the most popular breeds but it is also one of the more recently developed breeds as well. It got its name from being bred and developed in Rhode Island in the 1830s but it was also developed in Massachusetts. It’s breeding is a combination of Brown Leghorns, Cochins and Malays. It gets it’s deep rich red color from the Malay influence in its breeding.
You can get more information about keeping chickens from www.chickenkeepers.co.uk
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Choosing Veterinary Pet Insurance To Protect The Health Of Your Pets
With the way that health care costs have been skyrocketing, it should come as no surprise that the costs of veterinary pet health care have also been rising. This fact has caused more pet lovers to look into their options for veterinary pet insurance. Even though pet health insurance coverage is nothing new, it is not widely known about and has recently become more sought after.
For about the past 20 years there has been some form of pet insurance available. However, many people even today are surprised to learn that pet health insurance can be obtained to protect the welfare of beloved four-legged family members. As the cost of veterinary pet office visits and various procedures have increased, along with the cost of human health care in this country, more and more people are looking at this option as a financially viable and wise way to assure the best pet care is provided when needed.
Veterinary pet insurance is very similar to the type of health care coverage that you would seek out for your family. With pet health insurance, the cost of veterinary care is covered when you purchase such a policy. The cost of the premiums will vary depending on how extensive the coverage is, but most families find the premiums to be quite affordable and easy to fit into the monthly household budget.
For many people, they want to purchase the best pet insurance that they can so that they feel confident in the level of care that their pet will receive. Pet insurance policies that cover preventative measures or wellness care, in addition to the veterinary pet services that are needed in case of illness or emergency, are considered to be the premier type. The majority of these types of policies will also cover continuous care as well as treatments that are long-term in the event of problems which are chronic or varying conditions of a disease.
However, you will find that these types of pet insurance plans, which are quite comprehensive in their coverage, come at a cost. You will pay the most in pet insurance premiums for coverage that pays for routine health screening visits to your vet and for the regular vaccinations, immunizations and booster shots. Devoted pet lovers find a great deal of comfort in knowing that their family pets are covered under this type of pet health insurance and are willing to pay extra for this coverage.
There are a few ways to reduce the cost of your pet insurance premiums and still have very good coverage. One way to do this is to choose a higher deductible for your policy. Another is to choose to purchase a policy that has a co-payment option. You also might be able to get a discount if you pay your premiums quarterly or annually, as opposed to monthly. Most pet insurance companies offer a variety of plans so that you can find the coverage you are comfortable with and still stay within your budget.
Before you decide on what veterinary pet insurance coverage to buy, it is always helpful to research the optional coverage items that each company provides. It is also advisable to seek out background information on each pet insurance company to ascertain how reputable they are. You can also check with your veterinarian and see if they have had any positive or negative experiences with the various companies you are researching.
To learn more informative information go here Met Life Offers Pet Insurance also head on over to Cheap Pet Insurance as well as Pet Life Insurance
How to Train Your Parrot to Step Up
It's not as difficult to get started with parrot training as you might think. Whether you just brought your parrot home or have had it for a while, there's no reason to wait before beginning its training. Many parrot behaviorists agree that one of the most important behaviors you can teach your parrot is the step-up command. In other words, you tell the bird to "step up" and it should immediately step onto your hand.
You may be wondering why this is the first thing you should train your parrot to do. It makes it easier to take your bird from its cage, for one thing. Another is that parrots sometimes climb up on shoulders whether you want them to or not, so step-up makes it easier to get them off of a shoulder. Parrots sometimes will bite when you try to get them off of your shoulder. A bird that has been trained to step up will be easier to deal with in this situation. And if you ever find your bird in a dangerous situation, the step-up command could literally be a life saver. It's important that your bird learn to cooperate with you, and teaching step up is an excellent way to do that. So all in all, the step-up command is a great place to start when first beginning to train your parrot.
Teach Your Parrot to Step-up
Let's now take a look at the steps used to teach your bird to step onto your hand. The first thing to do is to move your hand so that it is in front of the bird's feet or slightly higher and tell your bird to "step up." Some parrots will step up automatically when your finger is in front of it. With others, you may need to press your finger gently into its lower abdomen area to put it off balance just a tiny bit. In most cases, the parrot will step onto your finger as you give this gentle push. Once the bird steps up, you should heap on lots of praise saying "good bird" or the word good followed by your bird's name. Continue to work with your bird by asking it to "step up" from one hand to the other several times.
What If My Bird Doesn't Step Up?
There are a few particularly stubborn parrots that clamp down on the perch with their talons and hang on for dear life. Who knows what is going on inside their heads, but this is how you handle this situation. Keep your finger in front of the feet as described above, but take your other hand and move it around behind the bird like you are going to scoop it up from behind. Most parrots don't like to be picked up this way, and this action gives the bird a choice of either that or stepping up to your hand. Most of the time, the parrot will choose to willingly step up to your hand when presented with this choice. Again, wildly praise your pet for being smart enough to know that stepping up is the better choice.
Regular Practice
Keep practicing step-up with your bird on a regular basis. Practice daily at first, and then do semi-regular practice sessions throughout the bird's life to reinforce this behavior. If more parrot owners did this, they would find that their birds would be much more cooperative with them, and even the "terrible twos" are easier on a bird and owner who have learned the step-up command together. Best of luck to you and your bird as you explore further parrot training topics.
Choosing Good Bird Toys
With their strong beaks and active spirit, it is not surprising that the birds grow quickly unhappy, as they sit in a cage empty.
One of the most essential things you should consider when choosing toys or toys are birds of the right size for your bird. Toys that are designed for small birds are not always safe for large birds, as their larger, stronger beaks to break pieces of toys that were designed for small birds.
If you have smaller birds, the Olympic rings and swings are very popular toys. In fact, if the two toys in the cage, some of the more active birds to try to swing in both toys at a time. A few of the big birds enjoy swings, but most of them do not seem very fond fluctuations as soon birds. If there is enough space, stairs with her favorite birds of all kinds of shapes.
Birds do well that start with the toys that can be preened. When preening their toys, they devote less time to remove feathers. If you buy toys preening with strips of fabric made with cotton, keep a close watch on the toys. When one of the strips begin to Fray, withdraw immediately. The cables can tangle around your neck or bird in the toe. Preening toys made of soft feathers are a little more secure because they do not risk the danger of loose wires.
Play gyms for birds are similar to gyms and games for children are so popular with our feathered friends. You can find small gyms to play with a swing, perch and ladder or you can find gyms with seesaws development for the treatment of bowls and rope climbing.
Large birds and enjoy the maze puzzle toys, especially if your favorite nuts in toys. They also like toys with leather buttons that can not be dissociated or other toys that engage their minds and bodies. Sometimes you can get some good tips watching Animal Planet on Dish Network.
There are some toys you should avoid no matter what. If it is a toy or a reflective mirror surface, the bird can be associated with its mirror image instead of staying Tame and friendly people. Toys with small parts that are not properly attached, such as small, thin clappers in cowbells, are also a bad idea. If your bird removes a small part and swallows, could have fatal consequences. If you buy a toy, which has a Cowbell, please contact us prior to that clapper on the safe side. No matter what, taking good care of your bird is what its all about.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Bird Feeders: Creating a Bird Haven with the Right Feeders
Having bird feeders is a wonderful way to enjoy having birds frequent your garden, yard, or any place in which you may live. The type of bird feeder that you choose depends on where you live. There are some basic features to watch for when purchasing or building your bird feeders. You also need to know how to maintain your bird feeder to keep your feathered friend coming back to spend time with you.
Types of Bird Feeders
The type of bird feeder that you purchase or build depends on the type of birds that you want to attract, the type of food needed to attract the birds and the area where the bird feeder will be placed. Hummingbirds for example require a liquid food called nectar. Hummingbird feeders are usually plastic or glass and bright red or have parts that are bright red. Plastic and glass feeders are easy to clean. Glass feeders usually have a tub that the hummingbirds can drink from. These types of feeders are made to hang. They can be hung from trees, overhangs, windows and other areas. Suet feeders are wire mesh or plastic mesh feeders that hold suet. These feeders hang from a pole or trees. Examples of the type of birds attracted to these feeders are woodpeckers, jays and others. Thistle feeders for small birds such as goldfinch and redpolls have tiny holes that allow these birds to eat the seeds. Thistle feeders may be hung from a tree or a pole. Hopper feeders are great because they can hold a large amount of bird seed that is kept dry and protected. It is recommended to place this type of feeder on a pole approximately five feet from the ground. Hopper feeders provide you with a variety of different birds. You may have large birds such as cardinals eating from the hopper and what is dropped to the ground is then eaten by smaller birds. Sunflower seed tube feeders are hung at least five feet from the ground. This is the type that you see hung close to windows and are easy to see. These maybe used by people who are not able to get out as often. This is one feeder that easily allows them to enjoy watching birds.
Maintenance of Bird Feeders
It is essential that you maintain your bird feeder. Bird feeders that are not kept clean may harbor diseases that can be passed on to other birds. The best way to maintain your bird feeders and prevent the spread of infection is to “immerse the feeder in a solution of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water” (Audubon Society). Cleaning up old seeds and hulls from under and around bird feeders can also help. One other item to consider with feeders is avoiding overcrowding. This will also make the maintenance of your bird feeders easier. Hummingbird feeders should be cleaned with a solution of mild soap and water, rinse them thoroughly and dry. Due to the use of nectar for feeding hummingbird feeders have to be cleaned more frequently
Placing several different types of bird feeders in the area that you have chosen will bring different types of birds. Enjoy hummingbirds, song birds, finches, chickadees, woodpeckers and many others. Finding out what types of birds there are in the region where you live makes the process of choosing the correct feeders easier. Maintenance of your feeders is not hard when compared with the benefits and enjoyment. This is a fun and exciting project that the whole family can enjoy. Have fun and make new feathered friends!
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
How To Buy Live Chickens
Now that you have decided to raise some chickens, how do you know what to look for and which ones to purchase? It is imperative that you know at least the basics when it comes to choosing the best birds for your coop whether they are laying hens or broilers and fryers. Purchasing chicks is one way of getting a head start on giving your birds the healthiest diet and raising possible for the best egg production or meat consumption. With so many different breeds and types to choose from, knowing a little bit about them is necessary to make the best decisions possible.
There are tons of websites that are good sources of information on many of the different types of chickens and which breeds are the best for the purpose you are raising them. Depending on your intentions you may need to purchase one specific breed over another to best suit your plans. Finding information about the main types of chickens and what breed is good for either egg laying or meal production will benefit you when the time comes to actually purchase your chickens.
If gathering eggs for your personal use or for selling is your main goal for raising chickens, you will need to consider the best breeds for that type of production. Leghorns and Rhode Island Reds are most often preferred for excellent egg production, and the laying hens do their job well. Getting a rooster is not a must to the egg laying production unless you want fertilized eggs for hatching. If not, opting to forego purchasing a rooster will save you time, money and hassle. When choosing a good laying hen, watch for signs of bad health. The eyes should be bright, and alert with the chickens moving around frequently. Their feathers should be in good condition with excellent color and definition. Avoid purchasing laying hens that tend to sit still frequently, or do not walk in the usual peppy manner known to chickens.
When choosing chickens solely for food and meat consumption, the most common breeds that will provide good quality meat are Ross, Arbor Acres, and Peterson chickens. These three breeds are the most commonly preferred for their meatiness and provide proper amounts of nutrients as well. Purchasing these chickens requires a good eye for healthy specimens or good quality chicks from healthy laying hens that are able to be raised healthy to produce the best quality meat when the time arrives.
Saving money is a good notion, but buying the cheapest chicks, laying hens, broilers, or fryers is not always the best idea. Sometimes those cheap chickens are cheap for a reason and that reason could be an un-noticed disease or a sickly bird that could infect an entire coop, leaving you with dead or damaged chickens. If you find a good supplier that produces top quality specimens, sticking with them would be wise and perhaps working out variations of deals or payments can be made with consent to continue purchasing from them exclusively. Finding a supplier is not difficult, but finding a trustworthy and excellent one can be. Trust your gut instinct and for whatever else you don't know -- learning is the key.
Timothy A. Crane has an online auction site, where it is FREE to buy or sell anything from real estate to chickens. It was started by my daughter and I. Stop by and register for FREE http://www.chickenauctions.com
Different Types of Bantam Chickens
To better understand the numerous types and kinds of bantam chickens, we need to understand the actual definition of the word. When used in reffering to fowl or chickens, the term bantam is used for any extremely small fowl. The way most people have understood this rating is by understanding that for most of the regular breeds of chickens there are some bantam counterparts. These are most often one-fourth to one-fifth the size of the standard chickens, thus earning them the addition of miniature or bantam to their original name.
When considering the original namesake of bantam, this chicken or fowl has no regular counterpart. The most popular and commonly known bantam chickens are the Dutch bantam, the Sebright bantam, the Japanese bantam and the Dutch bantam. Due in part to their size and ease of care, bantams have rapidly risen to the top of the list as pets used primarily for shows or competitions. Because of their size, they will require way less food, space, and maintenance resulting in them being a preferred pet.
Some of the most widely known breeds of bantam chickens are the Cochin, Japanese Bantams, common Bantam, Barnevelder, Old English Game, Polish chicken, D'Uccle, Pekin, Serama and the Sussex bantams. The following are brief descriptions of them:
The Cochin bantam is one of the largest breeds of bantams with the male known for weighing in at a surprising 5 Kg. (11 pounds). This particular bantam breed was introduced in China as the Chinese Shanghai and later exported to America and Britain. Another bantam breed closely related and developed from this breed is the Pekin bantam.
Japanese bantams most commonly referred to as Chao, are literally spread world wide. These chickens are mostly used in shows and as pets.
Barnevelder bantam is one of the most popular breeds of bantam chickens for shows, carcass, and egg production. Producing rich brown eggs is what they are especially good at and they are natural foragers on top of being a heavy breed which makes them excellent for gaming or food.
Old English Game bantams also make excellent pets for children and are a source of special shows in the United Kingdom for this specific popular breed. This bantam breed is almost opposite to it's standard counterpart, the Old English Game chicken in that it lacks an aggressive nature.
The Polish chicken is mainly bred for show abilities due to the fact that their appearance is beautiful. having many such colors as red, pink, purple, green and blue, these bantams do not sit on eggs, but produce white eggs.
Uccle is a town on the outskirts of Brussels, Belgium and is the namesake of the Barbu D'Uccle bantam with soft feathers. This chicken received it's name from the French, translating as Bearded of Uccle.
The Pekin bantam, which has feathers on their legs and feet together with plumage that hangs to the ground, have been referred to as a "walking tea-cosy". Noticeably smaller, measuring in at 20 - 30 centimeters and are well known for their mothering instincts.
The Serama bantam breed of chickens is basically still in production. Although they are currently known as the smallest chickens in the world, their breed has not been bred true as of yet, which means breeding them can result in any color, shape, size, etc.
The Sussex bantam is one-quarter the size of it's standard counterpart, better know as the most common of backyard chickens in different countries around the world.
An online auction site, where it is FREE to buy or sell anything from real estate to chickens. It was started by my daughter and I, to give people a place to display their birds for sale.
Stop by and register for free at my website, which is at http://www.chickenauctions.com
Raising Gamefowl The Easy Way
Choosing to raise gamefowl can be an gigantic undertaking, but with the right research and information you will be able to handle it like a pro. Knowing your breeds is perhaps the first and most important step to beginning the process. Have you decided if the gamefowl will be raised for game or food only? These questions are important and information you will need to be aware of before starting the next steps involved in breeding or raising gamefowl.
If you have decided that you are going to raise them, the next step is getting educated on the different breeds and types of gamefowl available for domestic raising. The main types that are available in the United States are literally thousands of types of quail, pheasant, partridge, ducks, and chickens. Way too many to name individually, but there are excellent sites online that give you general information for any certain breed you are looking for. These gamefowl are mostly available through alot of means, whether trained or not and most of them at just about any age. If you are considering placing your gamefowl in competitions you may want to acquire younger fowl to allow for ample time for training and a healthy growth rate.
When it comes to feeding your gamefowl with the best nutrients and vitamins necessary to promote their health and well being, selecting good grains, corn, wheat and feed is important. Once again, knowing the exact information of your fowl (breed/type/main activity) is also necessary to this selection of food and is one of the determining factors in the fowls general health and success. Specific diets are available for research for different uses, such as cockfighting. Cockfighting requires a different diet to maintain the strength and stamina of the cocks being raised for this purpose as such, where as quail, pheasant, or ducks that are being raised for food will need a special diet to best prepare their carcass for eating. All forms of diets to best suit your purposes are available in books at your local library, or online using a specific title in a search engine.
Clean water is quite nearly the very essence of all fowl, whether gamefowl or not. This is a necessity for all fowl, that they have sufficient clean, fresh water daily. Just as with the nutrition, the hydration of your fowl is also dependant on the training or use you have planned for them. Strict training requires less water at one time, but offered several more times during the day. If you are merely raising your fowl for eating, the hydration practices will be different from training your fowl for cockfighting or otherwise. This can also be researched online or in the library.
All in all, it is important to be completely versed in the facts and information surrounding the raising of gamefowl for whatever purpose you choose to do so. Embarking on this journey can be fascinating, educational, and entertaining. Being well prepared with the best information you are able to locate is the best way to get started and an good step in the right direction to your success with your endeavor.
An online auction site, where it is FREE to buy or sell anything from real estate to chickens. It was started by my daughter and I, to give people a place to display their birds.
Stop by and register for free at my website, which is at http://www.chickenauctions.com