Category: The Wonky Flock
Category Archives: The Wonky Flock
A LETTER TO BLUBEL
Dear Blubel,
It feels like only yesterday that you & your precious siblings came crashing into my life. I remember the moment my eyes were graced with your beauty, just how tiny & fragile you looked. You were so frightened of everything, every breath was like climbing a mountain for your poor wheezy lungs. Even though you were only about the size of a Canary, you were fully grown. I remember the tears I cried watching you fight for breath, seeing how stunted you were due to bad breeding & toxins, you didn’t stand a chance with that start let alone the air fresheners & poor diet that came after.
Then I gazed into the coal-like sparkless world of your eyes, I saw how you had given up & a wave of determination flowed through me. That may be how your life started, but my goodness that is not it will end. The day you entered critical care cage was so daunting for you, it was the biggest space you had ever been given & even the friendly faces of your new friends seemed like monsters in this vast heat lamp lit haze. Then, it happened. You began to open. You laid out on the platform under the heat lamp & had the best sleep of your life, little lungs pumping you up & down.
The next day you bit a toy, oh the magic! Day by day your incredible soul exploded into life like the fragrant heart of a blue sky spring. My how you shimmer! I now watch you gorge on any fresh food that your little beak can find & bounce your head with joy as sunrise beckons your heart to sing. I see you dash around with no real plan, everything too exciting, too inviting to choose. There is a sparkle in your eyes like fairy dust & you have come alive. I couldn’t be more proud of you Blubel, I couldn’t be more proud. That is how your life started, but that is not how it will end. I am so blessed to share my life with you.
Love,
Mummy.
– Laura Miles (The Wonky Flock)
REBEL, BREAKING BARRIERS!
Rebel is blind & has developmental delays due to a genetic condition. People make assumptions about the understanding & awareness of a Bird with developmental delays, especially when it co-occurs with blindness. In this article I will list everything Rebel has done that a blind & delayed Bird is never supposed to do. So many angels like him are killed before leaving the nest because their lives are thought to be meaningless & their future presumed to be sitting blankly with no feelings. If you presume competence & help them to shine, there is no limit to the remarkable things they will achieve & the wonderful futures they can go on to have. Please let Rebel be the light that opens your heart to love & see that different is beautiful.
1. PREENED HIS FRIEND – People believe that a developmentally delayed Bird can’t form bonds & feel love, especially if they are blind. Rebel’s friend Georgie stubbed his toe during play & cried out. Rebel heard the cry & went running over to Georgie & felt around until he found him. When Rebel found Georgie, he kissed & preened him until he felt better. The instant action from Rebel was enough to show that, not only does he love, but he loves beyond measure. None of Georgie’s typical friends cared!
2. HE SINGS ALL DAY – People often picture blind &/or delayed Birds as depressed tragedies who sit & mourn in sorrow & suffering endlessly- this simply isn’t true. Rebel sings all day with such heart that you can’t help but catch his joy. He loves life & all the silly fun to be had.
3. HE RECOGNISES HIS NAME – Delayed Birds reach milestones a little later, but this says nothing about their intelligence, nor does it remove their right to live. People often don’t bother to name a developmentally delayed Bird because they believe they won’t understand it. Rebel not only understands his full name, but also his nickname ‘Rebs’ ‘Rebbie’ ‘Bebble bum’ & ‘Bebs’! If you utter any one of his 5 names, he comes running towards your voice singing with sheer excitement.
4. HE DANCES TO MUSIC – Rebel LOVES to dance! His movements are very uncoordinated due to his developmental delays (even running & walking is tricky) but that doesn’t hold him back! Rebel is dancing away long after his friends have got tired!
5. HE PERCHED – Because developmentally delayed &/or blind Birds often reach milestones late, they are often late to perch. Rebel also has low muscle tone due to his genetic condition which makes it harder. Rebel isn’t really one for perching, but he loves to sit on the perch to dance! Most people don’t think it can ever happen, but Rebel proved them wrong!
It doesn’t matter how different a life is, it is still a life to be cherished, supported & loved. So many disabled Birds are killed before they ever get a chance at life because of how people imagine they will turn out, but you don’t know! Give them a chance to shine, believe in who they are & honour their right to give life a try. Don’t assume that difference is a tragedy, it isn’t. Adapting environments to help disabled Birds thrive is their basic right. Unapologetically champion who they are, tell them how beautiful & perfect they are for the differences that make them, them. I can honestly say that every one of my special needs angels, even those who didn’t live long, cram more joy, more love & more happiness into a single day than any typical Bird can cram into a lifetime. They simply love being alive, & why shouldn’t they?
After all, different is beautiful.
– Laura Miles (The Wonky Flock, UK)
REBEL LOVES HARRISON’S
With blind Birds, you would think our experience with diet conversion would be difficult & long winded. *Rebel has however mirrored my exact experience with converting every other one of my blind angels to Harrison’s- it was instant! Because blind Birds are hyper sensory aware, it is more than fair to expect them to back off from new tastes & textures in their food bowl. Every Bird is different, but my blind angels (over the years 2 Zebra Finches, 1 Meyers Parrot, 4 Cockatiels & 6 Budgies) have actually converted instantly!
When introducing a new resident to Harrison’s, we mix Harrison’s in with their usual seed mix. The traditional process is, over the course of several weeks (sometimes more) we gradually reduce the seed & increase the Harrison’s until the conversion is complete. With every one of my blind angels, I have witnessed them walking up to their bowl, feeling exactly where it is & start to eat. When they come accross a piece of Harrison’s they stop still. Slowly they nibble it until you hear that little ‘crunch’ & they eat every crumb of the piece they hold. This is often followed by an excited fluff up of feathers before returning to eat, then the magic happens!
I watch every time in complete awe as they choose the Harrison’s! Once he tried the first piece of Harrison’s, Rebel, like all of the others, started feeling around in the bowl, pushing all of the seed out to reach the Harrison’s. He ate & ate for the entire night, soaking up all of the wonderful nutrition that his body craves. When they can’t see, they go for the taste & feel they prefer rather than what looks the same as what they have eaten before. Watching this fast process of conversion so many times, one of which was a Bird over 30 years old, is incredible. It’s all the proof I need that Harrison’s is wonderful in both flavour & texture for my angels.
The transformation in weight, feather condition, energy levels, beak strength & muscle mass after conversion also shows what good it does. Not every blind Bird would convert like this I am sure, but the fact all of my blind angels have is amazing & a real credit to the hard work & dedication Harrison’s have put into their work to create a healthy, good quality food. I wouldn’t support anything if it didn’t transform the lives of my rescue angels & help them shine, my goodness I support Harrison’s!
*Rebel is a blind baby Budgie who has feather duster syndrome. Budgies with feather duster syndrome are often blind with developmental delays, flight issues & a short lifespan as well as the trademark long feathers. Getting nutrition right is essential for the longest & happiest life possible.
– Laura Miles (The Wonky Flock, UK)
USING LANGUAGE AS PART OF PSYCHOLOGICAL NUTRITION- WHAT’S THE SQUAWK ABOUT?
I have spoken before about the psycological nutrition programme my Birds are on & why I provide it. It continues to be one of my most responded to articles. One thing that often confuses people is why language is such a central feature to the psycological nourishment my angels recieve. In this article I am to go into more depth about the relationship Birds have with language & my own experiences with enriching their exposure to language.
Birds have a relationship with their own language much akin to the relationship we as humans have with language. They have local dialects, meaning that the way they vocalise becomes a strong sense of identity & can tell others where they come from & even some life experiences they have had. A recent problem with endangered Parrots in Puerto rico highlighted just how much language use means among different avian communities. Significant differences were found between the dialect of wild Parrots & those who were bred in captivity as part of a reintroduction project, this impacted the way the groups socialised with each other & could go on to impact the chances of them breeding together in the wild. We, as humans like to believe that we are the only ones intelligent enough to understand language, but this simply isn’t true.
Not only that, but pet Birds understand both human & their own language with remarkable profundity. We often believe that Birds sit there & blankly mimic phrases with no understanding, but their often functional use of language, coupled with information from sources such as the Alex study should be enough to awaken the realization of their deep connection to language. I have seen language deeply touch Birds in a way that has made me cry, believe me- they know!
To enrich my Birds’ language experiences, I not only give them access to story books, poetry & plays, but different forms of language too. My Birds have an often remarkable connection to old English (Anglo saxon) & some with classical Latin. They don’t simply just enjoy the sound though. When learning old English, they develop an understanding of it & start to use it in context (even when the phrase was learned out of context). Some of my angels also begin to play with the language & use it in creative ways. For example, an old English phrase which translates roughly as ‘be thou well/ healthy’. I said this phrase to one of my Cockatiels, who changed the phrase. The part which would have translated as well/healthy was replaced by ‘thanked’ so, she said in response ‘be thou thanked’ (with the word thanked in modern English & the rest in old). For them to play with a language, they have to understand it!
One of my Senegals recognised the old English letter ‘thorn’ being used in an old form of another language when looking at the text on a screen as it was spoken, her response was “ahhhhhh thorn!” She regognised the letter! This letter had only been spoken about in context & nobody had ever said that to her, it was her own reaction to the letter coming up.
So, if they understand the language & can hear different sounds, why is it important for their cognitive nutrition?
We know that learning different languages has a profound impact on the human brain & Birds are no different. They thrive with different sounds & words, reguardless of the languages chosen. The different sounds open their world & stimulate their mind. The whole point of cognitive nutrition is to nourish a Bird’s mind with good input, just like you nourish their body with good nutrition. Exposing them to different languages rather than just one is, if you like, giving them more nutrition. It’s a bit like giving your Bird carrot that has been cooked for ages or raw carrot. Sure, they’re the same thing, but the cooked carrot on its own won’t give the same range of nutrients, the same exciting crunch, as the raw carrot.
I really believe that a Bird is product of their environment & nutrition. Most of my Birds come from homes where neither have been even close to the level of nutrients or stimulation they need & some are elderly by the time they arrive here. Seeing how they blossom with cognitive nutrition & good diet can be shocking. I don’t care weather they are a Finch, Amazon or any size in between, I presume competence & treat them as though they are the smartest little creature on earth, because they are.
So come on, start giving that raw carrot!
- Laura Miles – The Wonky Flock 2022
WHAT ON EARTH IS ORGANIC ALL ABOUT? – WHAT ORGANIC FOOD IS, WHY THE MYTHS ARE MYTHS & WHY IT MATTERS.
Organic food often creates a monumental wave of confusion, anger & misinformation when discussed for our Birds. But is Organic really better? & if so, why? is it a marketing ploy or do they actually grow differently? Does Organic farming destroy soil? Does non- Organic food really harm our Birds? Or wild Birds? If this confuses you, don’t worry! I’m here to help!
I feed a 100% Organic diet to my Birds because I want to provide them with what is best. When I see the transformation of health, feather condition & allertness that comes as a result of simply switching new residents from non- Organic to Organic food, I know it’s not a fad. Not only this, but there is a wealth of information that shows how differently Organic food is grown. Below are online myths followed by truth from reliable sources & commonly asked questions which will be answered, it may be long, but I hope it will help you understand why Organic food matters.
MYTHS
‘Organic is a con, they don’t do anything differently’- Actually, there is legal legislation that certified Organic growers must follow. Any land that grows Organic produce MUST have had no pesticides used on that land for at least 3 years. They are not legally allowed to use a huge list of harmful chemicals allowed on other farms. Organic (UK) farms are visited for inspection at least once a year & must provide extensive paperwork to prove the standards are met for the rest of the year, are issued with an Organic certificate that clearly shows which produce they are certified to trade as Organic & even the inspectors of Organic standards are themselves inspected once a year to ensure that they are consistently carrying out certification. As well as this, all soil association Organic produce must also meet EU Organic regulation.
‘Organic farming destroys the soil, no farm is Organic’- Organic farming is actually better for soil health & soil biodiversity. The delecate balence or Organic matter in the soil (algae, protozoa, nematodes etc too) are destroyed or damaged by certain synthetic things added to the soil in conventional farming. Soil bacteria helps plants resist diseases & fungi helps the plants absorb nutrients & water, these are known as Organic matter. The higher the Organic matter, the healthier the soil is. Research conducted by the Rodale institute has found that Organic farming systems increase soil Organic matter & overall soil health over time. The aggregates in healthy soil prevent erosion, it holds more water which reduces flooding & helps plants during drought periods, is richer in fungi & helpful bacteria which helps plants combat pests & diseases & has a higher level of nutrients & minerals that feed plants.
‘Organic farms use the same chemicals & some even more dangerous ones’- Actually, (UK) Organic farms don’t use chemicals. In conventional farming over 400 different chemical pesticides can be used. In Organic farming, only 20 pesticides are allowed to be used & they are not only made of natural ingredients only (eg citronella & clove oil), but they are only allowed in very restricted & extreme circumstances.
‘Organic farms don’t make a difference to wild Birds’- According to a 2019 study, wild Birds thrive on Organic farmland. The researchers looked at the prevalence of 46 Bird species in Finland based on 6 years of data. The study showed that Organic farms support more migratory & insectivorous Bird species than other types of land. The Organic farms were the only type of land that significantly correlated with such a high number of wild Bird species. Contrary to the previous information, an estimated 72 million wild Birds a year die in America as a direct result of pesticide exposure. Many of the sprayed crops that caused the deaths we then feed to our pet Birds & expect no ill effects for them.
Contrary to popular belief, you can’t ‘rinse off’ pesticide residue from fresh food or seeds. Some will always remain & end up in the Bird. Whilst pesticides don’t harm people, we know they harm Birds & the smallest residue can have a big impact in their small & delecate system. Many pet Birds have liver issues due to poor diet & exercise, so adding the stress of removing the toxic residues from their system is just too much, even for a healthy liver. Some avian nutrition experts believe that these toxic residues can cause a congested liver in Birds & I agree.
REGULAR QUESTIONS
How does Organic reduce pesticide residue?- According to a study by the USDA, consuming Organic produce as part of your diet reduces the pesticide residue consumed.
Do I have to give Organic all the time?- If you can, yes. If not, just purchase Organic as much as you can afford. Any reduction helps their health. We make a lot of sacrifices in order to afford Organic for my large flock, but every bit is worth it when you see them change before you into healthy angels.
I can’t afford it, is there a way to reduce cost?- Growing your own in Organic conditions can really reduce the cost. Even if you have no garden, window boxes & small pots can grow an array of Organic things.
But I read something else on google, what’s right?- All the information here is from trusted reliable sources such as the soil association, scientific study & rodale institute. Many sources online are unknown or unreliable, some may even use outdated information we now know to be untrue. Even if it agreed with what I already knew, I don’t believe anything unless it’s from the correct source. Legislation, scientific study & fact is always better than hearsay & misinformation.
But it’s safe for people, so why not Birds?- Birds have very sensitive systems & the tiniest level of toxins can do a lot of damage over time. It puts a lot of stress on their liver & other systems in the Bird’s body over time.
Organic? Why do you think you are better than everyone else?- Of course I don’t. I am driven by a passion for my Birds & the determination to do what’s right to help them thrive. All of the information about Organic food from trustworthy places, coupled with the transformation I see in my angels every single day is enough to tell me that it is best for their health, life & happiness. That doesn’t make me better than anybody other than the owner I used to be.
IN CONCLUSION
Organic food for our Birds is so much more than online gossip & angry owners on Parrot groups who refuse to move with the times, it’s about doing the best for our Birds & those who thrive on Organic farms in the wild, those that die on non- Organic farms. It’s about nourishing our Birds & giving their little livers a break. Whatever you take from this, weather you will buy Organic now & then, grow your Birds some nice food or completely changing their diet, I hope it brings your Bird happiness & many years of life. Don’t let the comfort of familliar methods keep you from something incredible- your Bird’s healthy little liver & shimmering eyes.
– Laura Miles (The Wonky Flock, UK)
THE BENEFIT OF SAFE HERBS
Herbs are a wonderful addition to our Bird’s diet, aside from a few specialist species (eg. some Lories) they are safe to feed in moderation to most species. Herbs are safe olfactory enrichment, contain a long list of essential nutrients &, due to their delicious intense flavours can encourage fussy Birds to start eating greens. Safe herbs are incredibly diverse & can be presented in an array of ways to spark interest & prevend food boredom. Fresh, dry, in sprigs, chopped, on their own or included in delicious healthy recipes like chop, enrichment meals or fruit & veg, there is no end to the possibilities of feeding herbs. Whole Rosemary leaves are ideal foraging rewards too!
Not only are herbs delicious & sweet smelling, but they also offer a diverse range of potential health benefits to the consumer too. Adding safe herbs to the diet can not only aid the maintenence of their health, but some can help existing conditions too. Adding herbs to their diet plan won’t remove the need for treatment of existing issues, but anything that may help a little can only be a good thing. Below are some safe herbs & some of the potential health benefits of feeding them.
Rosemary
Anti-inflammatory, aids digestive health, is good for lungs, kidney health, promotes good mood, helps remove toxins from the liver, boosts the immune system, helps circulation, boosts the production of red blood cells & has analgesic properties.
Thyme
Protects eye health, helps to restore respiratory health, builds strong bones, helps circulation, aids heart health & boosts the immune system.
Basil
Rich in antioxidants, helps liver function, helps arthritis, good for the metabolism, boosts energy & anti- inflammatory.
Oregano
Helps reduce atherosclerosis risk, aids the removal of toxins from the body, good for digestion, an antioxidant level approximately 42 times higher than the average apple, helps to protect eye & digestive health & helps muscles.
Mint
Is good for the skin, helps digestive health, good for brain health, good for the liver, helps sore muscles, increases alertness & helps with respiratory health.
Like all foods, herbs should be fed in moderation as part of a healthy diet. Try herbs once or twice a week alongside your Bird’s normal diet & see which herbs they like & how best they like it presented. These 5 interesting flavours & exciting textures can enhance your Bird’s daily life in so many ways, their enrichment, food & environment will never be the same again. What are you waiting for? Lets give these wonderful herbs a go!
…Laura Miles – The Wonky Flock UK
AVIAN FATTY LIVER DISEASE- HOW TO HELP
AVIAN FATTY LIVER DISEASE- HOW TO HELP
Now, before we start this article, it is essential that I point out that I am not an avian vet. Nor is this article designed to diagnose, treat or manage fatty liver disease in Birds. Some of these things can help, but you should always consult your avian vet about your Bird’s individual case & weather these things are worth a try. If you suspect fatty liver disease, please get it confirmed as there are other issues that can mimic the signs. Now the boring stuff is out of the way, lets begin!
I have cared for Birds with fatty liver disease for over 10 years, I have seen every side of fatty liver. I have cried with joy as its effects have been reversed, given hospice care when the disease is too advanced to cure & cried when it caught up with them. These are some of the things that have helped the most, but each case is unique. Treatment for fatty liver disease always includes a change in diet to remove the excess fat, but some cases require medication to reduce the excess ammonia in the blood or treat secondary health conditions. None of the things I mention below are designed to replace this vital intervention.
CELERY JUICE
Juicing Organic celery & adding it to their drinking water every other day can really help some cases. My Ring neck Veegs had her life saved by celery juice! It sounds weird doesn’t it? But there is actually truth to celery juice’s help for the liver. Studies have proven that celery reduces fat build up in the liver. Not only this, but the nutrients in celery protect the liver & aid production of enzymes that flush fat & toxins out of the liver. This should always be done with help from your avian vet to ensure you work it into their care plan healthily.
MILK THISTLE
Milk thistle doesn’t reverse damage to the liver, but it can help protect the liver. Milk thistle is even used for humans with liver diseases due to the proven effects it has on liver protection. Studies show an improvement in liver function after milk thistle has been taken. It is thought to reduce inflammation of the liver too. Doses vary hugely depending on the size, health & weight of the Bird, so make sure your avian vet guides you with this.
ORGANIC FOOD
The liver’s job is to remove toxins from the Bird’s body & most Birds live in a shockingly toxic environment (candles, air fresheners etc). There is another area we overlook- pesticides. Whilst they may not be dangerous for humans, pesticides are deadly to Birds & even trace amounts have a huge impact on their health. No matter how well you wash fruit or veg, trace amounts of pesticides will remain & the Bird’s liver then has to deal with them. The effects of pesticides can build up over time & may result in a congested liver. For Birds to be truly healthy, they must eat an Organic diet. This can be hard for some people to afford, but any Organic produce you can afford will be less pesticides your Bird will ingest. Cost can be greatly reduced by growing some things at home (even in window boxes) in Organic conditions. All of the typical ‘Parrot treats’ on the market (Parrot sweets, seed bars, crackers, meals in a can etc) contribute hugely to the development of fatty liver disease & are incredibly expensive! You would be shocked at the amount of Organic fresh food you could buy for the same price.
TURMERIC
Like celery juice, Turmeric boosts enzymes that flush out dietary toxins. Turmeric’s powerful antioxidant & anti inflammatory effects are also wonderful for the liver & may protect it against further damage. Be careful not to over-feed though!
These natural & healthy methods can be important building blocks towards recovery from, or management of, fatty liver disease in some Birds. A diet change is the most important thing, switching from a high seed diet to one that is varied, nutritious & free of junk food, but these things may help the Bird’s recovery. Every case is different & some Birds may have very different treatment needs, but knowing about the options can only help us make the best decisions for them. If caught early enough, there is hope.
-Laura Miles “The Wonky Flock” UK
Re-thinking our relationship with the Budgie
ENRICHMENT
Enrichment is an animal husbandry principle that improves the lives of Birds who live in captivity by enhancing certain areas of their daily life. Enrichment is a principle that many Bird owners have become increasingly familiar with in the last 3 years, however smaller Birds such as Budgies are often left behind, especially if they have special needs. Budgies often live in small barren cages with 1 or 2 straight dowel perches & an un-enriching plastic toy, mirror, plastic Budgie (why?!) or bell for decoration. Those who do provide enrichment often give un-enriching things such as a millet spray & think that it counts as enrichment, but it isn’t enriching enough at all. Some people even claim that leaving your Budgie’s cage floor filthy & only feeding them once a week is enriching because they have to dig through their droppings to eat! So, if those 2 things don’t count as enrichment, what does?
Enrichment is often split in to 5 key areas- Dietary, sensory, cognitive, social & environmental. Below I will go into each area in more depth & explain what counts as enrichment.
DIETARY
Dietary or ‘food based’ enrichment involves presenting healthy & nutritious food in novel & interesting ways. This can be anything from adding a sprinkle of dandelion flowers to their food to creating a foraging activity with seeding grass, safe flowers & herbs that they have to work hard to eat. I often create ‘enrichment meals’ which are healthy Organic foods presented in fun & interesting ways. The enrichment meal pictured below are strips of Organic carrot on a bed of Organic ground flax seeds sprinkled with Harrison’s fine. This unique & fun presentation got the angels it was for to eat fresh food after years of a seed only diet & their refusal to try new things. They now eat everything! Encorporating foraging behaviours into dietary enrichment is a wonderful idea. This can be done by weaving dandelion, seeding grass or fresh herbs through the enclosure bars or wire or hanging them up in bunches so that they have to work to reach it. This is more enriching than millet spray because of the multiple textures, colours, flavours & different techniques needed to retrieve the food items.
SENSORY
Sensory enrichment is a slightly tricky area for Birds due to the large amount of things that are toxic or unsafe for them. For example, olfactory enrichment often consists (for big cats) of using scents, perfumes etc, all of which are harmful to a Bird’s respiratory system. For olfactory enrichment I tend to use fresh or dried herbs, this way the scents are not concentrated like essential oils (which ARE harmful) & don’t contain artificial ingredients or chemicals. I would avoid using anything else for sense of smell. Tactile enrichment is the most adored area of sensory enrichment for my Budgies. Materials like high quality dust extracted barley straw, shredded safe paper, smooth un-treated pebbles, Bird sand (other types of sand are not safe) & materials like cardboard & safe branches are all items that can be worked into enrichment activities, get creative & see how many safe ways you can use them differently to spark their curiosity & the magic of their hearts. Swings & swinging perches can be loathed by some & loved by others, this gives proprioceptive input which helps them know where their body is in space.
COGNITIVE
Cognitive enrichment is a pleasingly diverse area of enrichment which allows for some wonderful creativity & excitement. Cognitive enrichment is essentially anything that stimulates their mind & makes them think. You can hide nutritious treats for them to find, give them Bird toy making parts such as Bird safe wooden beads & blocks for them to throw & investigate, different textures under food (see sensory), foraging toys & exposure to different languages all count as cognitive enrichment. So many Budgies are stuck alone for hours on end with no stimulation due to being endlessly pushed as ‘low maintenence pets’ who are ‘easy to care for’, this is untrue. Budgies need as much as large Parrots, they are just less likely to inconvenience their owner with ‘problem behaviours’ when they don’t get it. That doesn’t mean it damages them less.
SOCIAL
Social enrichment is not about interacting with humans. We need to stop the saying “but I am their FLOCK!!!!!” as an excuse for their complete social isolation. They love you, but you alone are not enough. Budgies are highly social beings by nature & naturally live in flocks that can be up to several thousand strong. They need conspecifics in some form to truly thrive. Conspecifics understand vocal behaviour, body language & can bond in ways that we will never be able to provide. Wherever possible they need a friend. Some Budgies have been alone for so long, or have had traumatic experiences, that mean they can’t live in with their own kind. If this is the case, try to play them Budgie vocalisations & ensure that you spend extra time with them. Like humans, Budgies require different levels of contact- some are happy with online contact (Budgie videos online), some are happy visiting a Bird who belongs to a friend once in a while, some like a Budgie in their own cage nearby & some are delighted to share their space with other Budgies. Find what your Budgie needs & help that come true for them. Please never assume that they are happy alone because that’s all they have ever known, it may not be true.
ENVIRONMENTAL
Environmental enrichment is about providing a fun, engaging & suitable environment in which your Bird can thrive. This means an enclosure large enough for them to fly & climb with ease (even though they have time out of the cage). Plenty of toys made from natural materials, natural branches complete with bark to strip instead of plastic/dowel/abrasive/sand covered perches & lots of fun & exciting things for them to engage in from the cage floor to the top is all vital for a truly enriching environment.
WHY DOES ENRICHMENT MATTER?
Enrichment, when used regularly & correctly, transforms lives. The Budgies who live in enriched conditions have better mental & physical health, are more active, their muscle tone is better, they are happier & are less likely to develop ‘problem behaviours’ & health conditions associated with sedentry lifestyles & stereotypic behaviour which is associated with barren living conditions. This isn’t merely opinion either, a wealth of scientific study has been done into enrichment & its uses for a whole host of domestic animals & they all support the effects of enrichment. Did you know that enrichment actually changes brain structure? Charles Darwin noted in 1874, that domestic Rabbits had smaller brains than their wild conspecifics, which he attributed to the domestic Rabbit’s lack of using senses, instincts & interacting with stimulating environments.
In the 60s, studies emerged that showed enrichment positively alters the chemistry & anatomy of animal brains, which improved their quality of life, memory & ability to learn. How amazing is that? We have the power to provide environments that not only make them happier, but actually change the entire structure of their brain for the better! It is also incredibly sad when we ponder just how many Budgies never get that chance. It is never too late to introduce your Budgie to the glorious world of enrichment, elderly animals introduced to enrichment are shown to have the same benefits as younger Birds. It is never too late for your angel to shine.
Disabled Budgies are just as entitled to the fruitful experiences of enrichment, we may just need to adapt the activities slightly for them to truly have access. So, what are you waiting for? Lets get creative!
Re-thinking our relationship with the Budgie
ENRICHMENT
Enrichment is an animal husbandry principle that improves the lives of Birds who live in captivity by enhancing certain areas of their daily life. Enrichment is a principle that many Bird owners have become increasingly familiar with in the last 3 years, however smaller Birds such as Budgies are often left behind, especially if they have special needs. Budgies often live in small barren cages with 1 or 2 straight dowel perches & an un-enriching plastic toy, mirror, plastic Budgie (why?!) or bell for decoration. Those who do provide enrichment often give un-enriching things such as a millet spray & think that it counts as enrichment, but it isn’t enriching enough at all. Some people even claim that leaving your Budgie’s cage floor filthy & only feeding them once a week is enriching because they have to dig through their droppings to eat! So, if those 2 things don’t count as enrichment, what does?
Enrichment is often split in to 5 key areas- Dietary, sensory, cognitive, social & environmental. Below I will go into each area in more depth & explain what counts as enrichment.
DIETARY
Dietary or ‘food based’ enrichment involves presenting healthy & nutritious food in novel & interesting ways. This can be anything from adding a sprinkle of dandelion flowers to their food to creating a foraging activity with seeding grass, safe flowers & herbs that they have to work hard to eat. I often create ‘enrichment meals’ which are healthy Organic foods presented in fun & interesting ways. The enrichment meal pictured below are strips of Organic carrot on a bed of Organic ground flax seeds sprinkled with Harrison’s fine. This unique & fun presentation got the angels it was for to eat fresh food after years of a seed only diet & their refusal to try new things. They now eat everything! Encorporating foraging behaviours into dietary enrichment is a wonderful idea. This can be done by weaving dandelion, seeding grass or fresh herbs through the enclosure bars or wire or hanging them up in bunches so that they have to work to reach it. This is more enriching than millet spray because of the multiple textures, colours, flavours & different techniques needed to retrieve the food items.
SENSORY
Sensory enrichment is a slightly tricky area for Birds due to the large amount of things that are toxic or unsafe for them. For example, olfactory enrichment often consists (for big cats) of using scents, perfumes etc, all of which are harmful to a Bird’s respiratory system. For olfactory enrichment I tend to use fresh or dried herbs, this way the scents are not concentrated like essential oils (which ARE harmful) & don’t contain artificial ingredients or chemicals. I would avoid using anything else for sense of smell. Tactile enrichment is the most adored area of sensory enrichment for my Budgies. Materials like high quality dust extracted barley straw, shredded safe paper, smooth un-treated pebbles, Bird sand (other types of sand are not safe) & materials like cardboard & safe branches are all items that can be worked into enrichment activities, get creative & see how many safe ways you can use them differently to spark their curiosity & the magic of their hearts. Swings & swinging perches can be loathed by some & loved by others, this gives proprioceptive input which helps them know where their body is in space.
COGNITIVE
Cognitive enrichment is a pleasingly diverse area of enrichment which allows for some wonderful creativity & excitement. Cognitive enrichment is essentially anything that stimulates their mind & makes them think. You can hide nutritious treats for them to find, give them Bird toy making parts such as Bird safe wooden beads & blocks for them to throw & investigate, different textures under food (see sensory), foraging toys & exposure to different languages all count as cognitive enrichment. So many Budgies are stuck alone for hours on end with no stimulation due to being endlessly pushed as ‘low maintenence pets’ who are ‘easy to care for’, this is untrue. Budgies need as much as large Parrots, they are just less likely to inconvenience their owner with ‘problem behaviours’ when they don’t get it. That doesn’t mean it damages them less.
SOCIAL
Social enrichment is not about interacting with humans. We need to stop the saying “but I am their FLOCK!!!!!” as an excuse for their complete social isolation. They love you, but you alone are not enough. Budgies are highly social beings by nature & naturally live in flocks that can be up to several thousand strong. They need conspecifics in some form to truly thrive. Conspecifics understand vocal behaviour, body language & can bond in ways that we will never be able to provide. Wherever possible they need a friend. Some Budgies have been alone for so long, or have had traumatic experiences, that mean they can’t live in with their own kind. If this is the case, try to play them Budgie vocalisations & ensure that you spend extra time with them. Like humans, Budgies require different levels of contact- some are happy with online contact (Budgie videos online), some are happy visiting a Bird who belongs to a friend once in a while, some like a Budgie in their own cage nearby & some are delighted to share their space with other Budgies. Find what your Budgie needs & help that come true for them. Please never assume that they are happy alone because that’s all they have ever known, it may not be true.
ENVIRONMENTAL
Environmental enrichment is about providing a fun, engaging & suitable environment in which your Bird can thrive. This means an enclosure large enough for them to fly & climb with ease (even though they have time out of the cage). Plenty of toys made from natural materials, natural branches complete with bark to strip instead of plastic/dowel/abrasive/sand covered perches & lots of fun & exciting things for them to engage in from the cage floor to the top is all vital for a truly enriching environment.
WHY DOES ENRICHMENT MATTER?
Enrichment, when used regularly & correctly, transforms lives. The Budgies who live in enriched conditions have better mental & physical health, are more active, their muscle tone is better, they are happier & are less likely to develop ‘problem behaviours’ & health conditions associated with sedentry lifestyles & stereotypic behaviour which is associated with barren living conditions. This isn’t merely opinion either, a wealth of scientific study has been done into enrichment & its uses for a whole host of domestic animals & they all support the effects of enrichment. Did you know that enrichment actually changes brain structure? Charles Darwin noted in 1874, that domestic Rabbits had smaller brains than their wild conspecifics, which he attributed to the domestic Rabbit’s lack of using senses, instincts & interacting with stimulating environments.
In the 60s, studies emerged that showed enrichment positively alters the chemistry & anatomy of animal brains, which improved their quality of life, memory & ability to learn. How amazing is that? We have the power to provide environments that not only make them happier, but actually change the entire structure of their brain for the better! It is also incredibly sad when we ponder just how many Budgies never get that chance. It is never too late to introduce your Budgie to the glorious world of enrichment, elderly animals introduced to enrichment are shown to have the same benefits as younger Birds. It is never too late for your angel to shine.
Disabled Budgies are just as entitled to the fruitful experiences of enrichment, we may just need to adapt the activities slightly for them to truly have access. So, what are you waiting for? Lets get creative!
Foraging (part 2) adapting foraging for disabled Birds
Foraging & enrichment are principles that have grown in popularity over recent years as we have come to realise how important they are for our Bird’s welbeing. Special needs Birds sadly continue to be left out of the conversation & many don’t have any access at all to these life enhancing activities. As part 2 of the foraging series I will briefly cover adapting enrichment & foraging for disabled Birds. Adapting activities to suit a Bird’s disability can be a highly personal experience & it can be hard to generalise in an article such as this the personal touches that can often be needed. I will try my best to give a useful picture of adapted enrichment to bring these angels into the rich & varied conversations about enrichment & foraging. Where there is life there is a soul & where there is a soul there is a need for fun.
GROUND DWELLING BIRDS
Some Birds with deformity can’t perch, the floor then becomes their home. Ground dwelling Birds can have a good quality of life, but in order for them to thrive we need to give them an exciting environment. For them to truly shine we often need to be creative & set up activities that work with their differences rather than against them. Activities like the ‘cress fountain’ shown below can be a wonderful activity for deformed Birds. This offers sensory stimulation, foraging opportunity & nutritious food in 1 activity. Safe materials like smooth pebbles mean that Birds with deformed legs can move with ease to the activity & the cress plant allows broad & wide ranging access from all angles. This activity is as fun for able-bodied Birds as it is for deformed ones, so if you have both living together, this is a great way to help them feel included in foraging life. Weaving Bird safe things like dandelion & seeding grass through lower cage bars is also a way to allow them to take part in enrichment activities.
BLIND BIRDS
I have a blind Zebra Finch called Ice, for their Christmas activity I purchased the special needs Finch flock a Guinea pig hide in the style of a log cabin. I turned it into a ‘Santa’s grotto’. So that Ice had access to the grotto like her sighted flockmates, I placed Bird safe pebbles in front of each of the doors that led inside. Ice hopped around until she came to the pebbles & then followed the trail inside, where she was met with pleasing textures like barley straw & shredded paper. It was her favourite activity by far. You don’t always need fancy creations to make something accessible, sometimes it’s as simple as just marking the doorways.
PLATFORM DWELLERS
Some Birds need platforms to fully access all that their enclosure has to offer. There can be many reasons a Bird needs platforms, from deformity or missing limbs to arthritis or an illness that makes them tired easily. Platforms are a glorious canvas for all things enrichment. From colourful foot toys they can throw, nibble & chew to fresh Bird safe flowers, herbs or seeding grass presented in a way that makes the most of its rich array of textures, colours & shapes, there is something for everyone! It’s wonderful if you can have 1 or 2 platforms that are ‘foraging stations’. The Bird can then go to these platforms to explore the activity of the day in their own time.
Disabled Birds are the most magical creatures on earth, they change our views, open our hearts & encourage us to see that true beauty is often not what we first see. They can have an incredible, rich, loving & exciting life that is lived to the full, we just need to adapt some things in order for that to happen. I firmly believe that my incredible flock can achieve the unimaginable & can do exactly what a non- disabled angel can do, they just do it their own way in their own time. I hope that you can find something of use in this article & that you now have ideas flowing with love for your wonderful Birds.