Every year again... not just Christmas, but also New Year`s Eve. What to keep in mind during this holiday and how to help your budgies transition smoothly into the new year is explained in this article.
On New Year`s Eve, it is a tradition in some families to have Raclette or Fondue. However, the preparation of these meals presents some dangers for budgies that could even be fatal.
The same applies to Fondue: the hot fat releases particles into the air that are also very harmful to the birds. If, on top of that, you allow them to have free flight during this time, they could fall into the Fondue pot or severely burn themselves on the Raclette. Therefore, the rule is: eat and prepare food in a different room.
Like many other animals, budgies can react in panic to the light and sounds of fireworks. In addition to heart attacks, it can also lead to serious injuries from frantic flapping in the cage or room. However, there are some things you can do to reduce their fear and make the fireworks as invisible as possible for the budgies.
First, you should place the cage in the quietest room so that the budgies experience as little of the fireworks as possible. The windows should be closed (as they likely already are during the cold season). Then, it is helpful to insulate the room with blinds or curtains to block the birds` view of the fireworks. If that’s not possible, you can also place a cloth over the cage (though this is not ideal).
It`s important not to leave the room dark but to keep the lights on for the birds. Even if there are no curtains or blinds, a brightly lit room makes the outside fireworks less noticeable. Lastly, you should play music for the birds. It should be as calm and harmonious as possible. This way, the budgies will hear less of the noise outside and will calm down more easily after being startled.
The same applies to table fireworks: the budgies should not be in the same room when the fireworks take place. Additionally, it`s crucial to thoroughly remove the remains afterward, as a curious budgie might find and eat them the next day. This could potentially lead to fatal poisoning.
###advertiser_one###Lead is toxic. Not just for humans, but of course for budgies as well. Therefore, it`s essential that the budgies are not in the same room during lead pouring, as it`s uncertain whether lead fumes are safe for them. Also, all remnants must be carefully removed before the birds are allowed free flight again. Even the smallest amounts of lead can be deadly if ingested, and even immediate treatment by an avian vet might not be able to save them.
If you`re planning to host a New Year`s Eve party at home, it is advisable to move the birds to another room or hold the party in a different room from where the cage is. Budgies often feel intimidated by many people making hectic movements, reacting with fear and distress. Additionally, cigarette smoke is very harmful to budgies, and during parties, especially later in the evening, not everyone may adhere to a no-smoking policy.
The Welli.net team wishes all budgie owners and their birds a happy and smooth transition into the new year. We hope that with these tips, the New Year`s Eve celebration will pass without any injuries. However, it is still a good idea to find out in advance which avian vet offers an emergency service and to have blood stoppers ready to provide first aid in case of injuries. A list of what should be in your emergency kit can be found here.