When I first got him, he wouldn't drink from a regular bird water bottle so I bought him a water bowl. I would change it every few days and it was fine, but all of a sudden he decides to try to eat over top of it or something and drops the food in the water, it dissolves and there goes the water. I could deal with it except for the fact that it smells like puke when I clean it out. Yuck!
2006-09-20 15:43:36 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Birds
Tori,
There is a simple rule of thumb about your bird's water:
If you wouldn't drink it, why would you ever expect your bird to drink it?
Would you drink water that smelled like "puke"?
Please change your bird's water as often as necessary. If he dips his food in the water, change it.
Please don't expect your bird to go for more than a day without fresh water.
This is really important because he could get very sick from all of the bacteria forming in his water.
2006-09-21 09:02:53 · answer #1 · answered by Phoenix 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Certainly putting the food and water on opposite ends of the cage is a good idea, but it isn't always enough. Also someone else suggested putting the water higher up than the food; that may help also.
With my birds, I found that it's a little bit of trial and error. After trying the suggestions above, also consider trying a water bowl with a cover. Some dishes have a built in cover on top (make sure the opening is large enough for your bird to use it comfortably; if it is too small your bird won't use it), or I have also seen plexiglass covers that can be attached to the cage bars above any bowl. A cover will make it very difficult for him to defecate in his water, and make it "less fun" to dunk his food in it.
Just watch him carefully, no matter what you do, to make sure he is still drinking, no matter what water configuration you choose to use.
Good Luck!
2006-09-20 23:08:40 · answer #2 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You neglected to say what kind of bird you have. Some species naturally "dunk" their food into the water before eating it. This as a normal behaviour for them. The only thing that you can do is change your bird's water several times a day.
Birds need fresh food and water every day anyhow to maintain a good health.
2006-09-21 11:18:20 · answer #3 · answered by karmor_22 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think K P's suggestion is definately worth a try- I wish I would have thought of that! Even if this works though the water bowl ideally should be rinsed out and refilled daily- at the very least every other day- and washed with soap and water regularly too- It reduces the risk of potential health hazards.
2006-09-20 23:25:43 · answer #4 · answered by mistshevious 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try putting the water bowl up higher than the food bowl. Put it up as close to the top of the cage as you can - as long as your bird can still drink easily. This will also make it hard for your bird to poop in it!
I did this with my bird - he used to carry his food from one end of the cage to the other to get to his water bowl, but I found he was less likely to carry his food up to the top of the cage.
2006-09-20 16:42:46 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Move the water dish away from the food. That should limit the amount of food in the water bowl.
2006-09-20 15:57:09 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some birds LOVE to make "bird soup". There'a nothing wrong with that, you like soup don't you? Just change the water after you feel the bird has had sufficient time to eat. Also, be happy that you have a bird that entertains himself, your problem could be much worse.
2006-09-21 01:00:27 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some birds don't like are not used to the water bottle. And alot of birds are dippers. meaning they like to dip their food in there water. If your water smells like puke means you haven't changed it on a daily basis. Clean water daily! as my Quaker says "Fresh water"
2006-09-20 17:16:29 · answer #8 · answered by flightyfeathers 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Put the food and water on opposite sides of the cage. B.
2006-09-20 15:50:29 · answer #9 · answered by Brian M 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it smells liek puke you need to take better care of your birds.
You ALWAYS change the water out when you get up-at lunch time-and before you go to bed. Everyday
Birds can get MAJORLY sick from a dirty waterbowl-and the vet fee's arn't pretty.
2006-09-20 16:19:06 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋