How Do I Take Care Of Birds In The Winter?

Winter is one of the difficult periods experienced by most ornamental bird breeders

especially those living in areas with ” cold climate ” . This is due to the harshness of the winter climate on all living organisms, especially animals. Therefore, most animals in the winter resort to some natural strategies in order to avoid the harshness of this season, i.e. the “winter season.” We find, for example, that some animals resort to hibernation in the winter, where animals resort to naturally protected burrows and caves in order to hide and sleep throughout the winter, of course after they have been provided through food with ingredients that contain many elements rich in the necessary nutritional components from In order to survive, throughout the winter, these nutritional components are: proteins, vitamins, and carbohydrates. Here we mean mammals, of course. As for birds, most of them, if not almost all of them, resort to another means in order to protect themselves from the harshness of the winter, which is a strategy that consists of escaping or migrating to hot places or moderate-temperature places that provide them with the appropriate climate and abundant food to survive in Winter season.

As forornamental birdsor birdsin cages, of course They cannot protect themselves from the cold of winter, so every breeder of ornamental birds must provide his birds with protection, food, climate, and the appropriate atmosphere throughout their life with him in general. , and especially throughout the winter.

When does winter start?

The winter season begins from December 22 to March 20 in the northern hemisphere. The winter coincides climatically with shorter days and lower temperatures. Some areas witness strong precipitation in the winter, and great humidity is due to the low temperatures slowing evaporation. The accumulation of snow and ice is related to B. Winter in the northern hemisphere, due to the large continental masses here. In the southern half of the Earth, the climate is more oceanic and the relative absence of continental masses south of 40 degrees south latitude makes the winter there warmer. Snow and ice are rarer in the inhabited areas of this hemisphere. But it is found year-round in high altitude areas such as the Andes, the Australian mountains, the mountains of New Zealand, and sometimes southern Patagonia. In general, the closer the region is to the polar climate and the farther it is towards the east of the continental masses in the northern hemisphere, and the winter in that region is harsher than in other regions. This is also true for all very high areas at sea level, and here we particularly mention the very high mountains.

How do we deal with birds in winter?

In this chapter, dealing with ornamental birds is divided into two important parts:

*1: Food care

* 2: Providing the appropriate place to protect ornamental birds from the extreme cold:

Suitable food for birds in winter:

A balanced diet is necessary for the life of all living creatures, regardless of their size or type, especially birds, on a daily basis, but there are additions that the breeder must take into account on cold days:

* Grains, especially grains rich in saturated fats, such as: Niger flax, sunflower, etc., while reducing green vegetables such as broccoli lettuce. Boiled eggs are served periodically because they contain animal protein, which somewhat compensates for the role of worms.

* Dried worms are sufficient for those who have them in their country and for those who do not have eggs.

* The sun is an important element and is a free energy source that helps keep warm and also helps provide vitamin D to birds.

* The breeder must provide a suitable place for his birds, and it is preferable that it be a well-sealed room. It is preferable that it be small in size and have access to daylight, as it has an important impact on the birds’ lives and creates a suitable atmosphere for them, even if it is not possible to use artificial lighting.

* Heating the room for 15 to 30 minutes, as needed, with an electric heater is better. Before the birds sleep, that is, before sunset, the room is closed tightly and a small ventilation hole is placed.

* Ventilation is absolutely necessary. The second method, for those who do not have a room, is to cover the cage or cages with a heavy cloth or blanket.

* Avoid spraying birds with water. It is better to place containers containing water and place them at the bottom of the cage to delay the birds. Some of them love bathing in the winter and some hate it. Therefore, do not force your birds to bathe in this cold season.