Insights on Indoor and Outdoor Care
Caring for rescued birds can be a challenging yet rewarding endeavor. While the decision on whether to keep birds inside or outside should always be made in consultation with a veterinarian, I would like to share my own experiences with the rescues I have taken in since 2020. Please note that Veterinarians have always recommended they be inside the home and go outside for natural sunlight. However, the owners of bird farms and bird supply stores, have told me they just put all the birds surrendered to them outside and either they survive, or they do not. I have never followed the advice of bird farm and bird store owners.
Indoor and Outdoor Living
Indoor Care
With the guidance of an exceptional avian veterinarian, I decided to keep my birds inside my home with the provision of an outside cage during warmer weather, allowing them to enjoy natural sunshine during the Spring, Summer, and Fall months. Occasionally, I would place them outside in the Winter when the temperature ranged between 65 and 70 degrees.
When the birds are indoors, I make sure they are near a window or under an avian UV light, which should be replaced every six months. This setup ensures that they receive the necessary exposure to light for their health and wellbeing.
Outdoor Care
Due to the specific health concerns that came with each rescued bird, keeping them in an outside aviary 24 hours a day was never an option. Additionally, almost all of them exhibited feather plucking behavior, meaning they lacked feathers for insulation against harsh weather conditions.
It quickly became clear that I could not house two birds in the same aviary. Each bird came from a single bird home, and attempts to introduce them to one another resulted in aggressive behaviors. To avoid additional stressors, I decided to provide one indoor cage and one outdoor cage for each bird.
Individual Bird Care
Among the rescues, I have one macaw that resists being taken outside. To manage this, I usually towel wrap her until she calms down. Despite this initial resistance, I find that when the sun sets, all the birds eagerly return inside, willingly stepping up on my arm to go back into the house.
Quarantine Practices
Whenever I bring in a new rescued bird, I always quarantine it away from the other birds until lab results confirm that it is not contagious. This quarantine process is conducted both inside and outside, ensuring proper ventilation and the benefits of sunlight for the new arrival.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the decision to keep birds inside or in an outside aviary requires professional advice from a veterinarian. Each bird’s unique health concerns and behaviors must be taken into account. Through my experiences, I have learned the importance of tailored care for each rescue, providing them with the best possible environment to thrive. Whether indoors or outdoors, the goal is to ensure their health, safety, and happiness.