Preventing Mites

[krystal]

Sky is from an avian rescue, and while the little birds don't get blood tests, they do get a visual inspection by a vet to prevent the spread of things such as mites.  So hopefully he is truly free of such things.

It should be starting to get nice out here (and then too humid to tolerate!) so I was thinking of taking him out, in his cage, to sit on the patio with me during the nice days.  Is it possible that he would get mites from being outside?  I do have a lot of house sparrows around, including on the awning over the patio.  Is this a legitimate concern?  Should I settle for placing him by an open window instead for some sun and air?

[Hezz]

The risk of picking up a mite infestation is worth it for the benefit of getting fresh air and sunshine that is not coming through a window, in my mind. Do not put him outside and walk away and leave him, though. He will be very vulnerable to all and any predator that may be around - cats and hawks being the most common. Cats have been known to jump onto and knock cages over to get to the bird causing untold amounts of stress even if the bird doesn't escape through a busted door or the bottom falling off. Hawks will swoop down and peck at the buds though the bars. Budgies tend to freeze on the bars making them extremely easy to pick off for a hawk. And hawks are not frightened by your presence too much either - I've had a nankeen land on the budgies' cage while it and I were sitting on the deck getting some sun. I was less than a metre away from the cage. No damage done, although it took Misty about 5 minutes before I could get him to move off the bars and onto a perch.

Sorry, just to emphasize the risks of taking your bird outside. The real question: can they get mites ? Yes they can, but not terribly likely. Your house sparrows won't come near if you are there. In the unlikely event that he does pick up mites, they are easily enough treated without any harm being done, so to me, it is worth the slight risk. The benefits far outweigh the risks. As long as you stay with him.

[krystal]

Thanks so much for the reply! I definitely wouldn't leave him, I don't leave the pug outside alone for a second either. We do have hawks, as well as lots of other wildlife (despite living in the city, I am near train tracks and everything seems to walk along those!). Sounds like the benefits outweigh the risks, so we'll have to have some nice family days out on the patio!

[krystal]

So today ended up being much nicer out than expected. It's not humid out yet, and it was just beautiful. My boyfriend came over and we all sat out on the patio! I was worried Sky might be nervous, but he was VERY excited! No birds came near, but he could hear them and he chirped up a storm! The pug also basked in the sun They're both sound asleep now (and I'm not far behind!)

[jellybean]

A day in the sun, what's not to enjoy. Lovely pictures.

[Shirls]

Can't beat a day in the sun 'everyone'!!

[Hezz]

My guys were able to enjoy some sun this weekend, as well.