Bird Care in San Antonio, TX
We love feathered friends at Broadway Oaks Animal Hospital! We see all sorts of birds in our practice, from chickens and ducks to parrots and cockatiels. We actually see just as many chickens as we do parrots!
Whether you raise ducks on a hobby farm in the country, enjoy a flock of city chickens, or call a parakeet your best feathered friend, the team at Broadway Oaks Animal Hospital is here to serve you.
Caring for Birds
Providing proper care for your pet bird is essential to their health and happiness. Two of the most important things you can do is pay attention to husbandry and diet.
Along with guidance for your feathered flock’s diet and husbandry, we offer the following services for avians:
- Wing, beak, and nail trims, including complex trims for birds with asymmetrical beaks
- Band removals, especially if they are causing a disruption
- Diagnostic care, including blood work and X-rays
- Surgery on a case-by-case basis
Husbandry Tips for Birds
For chickens, ducks, and pet birds, good husbandry means taking excellent care of your pet's enclosure. Here’s a quick overview of the standards of care home flocks and pet birds deserve.
Ducks:
- Enclosure size: Provide at least 4–6 square feet per duck inside the coop, plus a spacious outdoor area (around 10–15 square feet per duck) for easy movement.
- Cleaning: Clean bedding weekly, remove waste daily, and provide fresh water every day.
Chickens:
- Enclosure size: 2–3 square feet per chicken inside the coop, with 8–10 square feet per chicken in the outdoor area.
- Cleaning: Change bedding weekly, clean waterers/feeders daily, and scrub coop monthly to prevent disease.
Pet Birds (Cockatiels, Parrots, Canaries):
- Enclosure size: For small birds like cockatiels, cages should be at least 24x24 inches, but for larger parrots, aim for 36x48 inches or more.
- Cleaning: Clean the bottom of the cage every day, scrub perches and toys every week, and deep clean the whole cage every month.
Staying on top of husbandry means you’ll minimize the risk of your chickens, ducks, or pet birds getting sick or hurt. If you have any questions about the recommended enclosures and cleaning procedures for your avian friends, we can help. Reach out to us to learn more about proper care of feathered friends.
Diet Tips for Birds
Feeding your pet birds appropriate food is essential to their health. The first order of business is to keep your avian friends’ living spaces clear of any poisonous plants. In San Antonio and the surrounding area, common poisonous plants include lilies, oleander, and philodendron.
It’s also crucial to feed your flock the right food.
We recommend Harrison’s Bird Foods for your pet birds like parrots, parakeets, canaries, and cockatiels. You can find the best food for your pet bird online at Harrison’s Bird Foods.
Fresh fruits and vegetables should also be part of your pet bird’s diet. Chickens, ducks, and parrots alike can enjoy:
- Carrots
- Apples (without seeds)
- Leafy greens (like spinach, kale, and dandelion greens)
- Berries
- Peas
- Broccoli
- Melons (without seeds)
Keep in mind that birds love to peck. They’ll test out just about anything with their beaks, and unfortunately, not everything in their reach is good for them.
These toxic substances should stay out of your pet birds’ reach:
- Avocado
- Caffeine
- Chocolate
- Onions and garlic
- Salt
- Fat
- Fruit pits
- Apple seeds
- Xylitol (a sugar substitute)
- Teflon fumes from nonstick cookware
- Heavy metals
- Smoke
If you think your bird has come into contact with any of these substances, contact us right away or, if it’s after our business hours, visit your nearest emergency veterinarian.
Call our experienced team at (210) 824-7481 to schedule an appointment.