Superb Parrot - Nswfmpa.org

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Animal Care Studies - Western Sydney Institute of TAFE, Richmondstandard should be adhered to when developing an enclosure design for P. swainsonii.(NSW Government 1993) (Sindel and Gill 2003)4.4 Position of EnclosuresIn the southern hemisphere bird enclosures/aviaries should, where possible, always facenorth to maximise the direct sunlight received. In tropical climates where the sun is highin the sky for most of the year other factors i.e. shade, airflow; may take precedence overthis rule. (Shephard 1989) (Sindel and Gill 2003)4.5 Weather ProtectionProtection from varying climatic conditions has been discussed in section 4.1Exhibit/Enclosure Design. P. swainsonii is regarded as a hardy species and will toleratehot summers as well as the cold and icy weather similar to that experienced in thesouthern ranges of New South Wales. However, enclosures should be designed andconstructed to provide the maximum protection from extreme weather. Generally coldand damp conditions in an enclosure may lower a bird’s resistance to the risk ofinfections and parasitic disease. (Macwhirter 1987) (Wilson 1991)4.6 Temperature RequirementsExtreme temperatures can cause great discomfort to birds within a collection. Iftemperatures exceed 35°C and rise to well in excess of 40°C deaths may occur in adultbirds and there would certainly be losses of nestlings unless cooling measures areimplemented.Sprinkler systems can be installed on the tops of enclosures using plastic irrigation pipesand fittings with filters installed to prevent any blockages. Misting sprays are the mosteffective as the cooling effect of this type of system is created by evaporation, whichoccurs more readily when water is in a mist form. The disadvantage of mist sprays,compared to standard sprinklers, is that they cover less area. Therefore a greater numberof mist spray nozzles are required. It is recommended that sprays should be turned onbefore temperatures reach 35°C. An automatic system could be installed pre-set tospecific temperatures. (Sindel and Gill 2003)4.7 SubstrateThe usual floors provided for psittacine breeding and display enclosures are natural earth;sand filled, pebble and concrete. Combinations of these types of floors are also utilised.Keith Naylor 28/3/2005 Version 3 34
Animal Care Studies - Western Sydney Institute of TAFE, RichmondNatural earth floors (refer Figure 16) provide a pleasing appearance in large plantedenclosures, but in smaller enclosures the earth can soon become polluted and unhygienic.Birds held on this type of floor may be worm infested if not regularly treated. Bacteriaalso thrive in damp earth floors, which can leave the occupants vulnerable to infections.Rodent infestations are common if exclusion barriers are not installed.Sand filled floors have a pleasing appearance and are reasonably easy to clean byskimming/raking faeces, stale food and any other debris off the surface. The replacementof the top 10cm or all of the sand annually, or more regularly if required, is important tomaintain floor levels and general appearance of an enclosure. If the sand is allowed toremain in enclosures for long periods it can silt up with dust, fine faece particles, fooditems and other fine debris. This would make a sand filled floor almost as polluted as anearth floor. Birds held on sand filled floors also require regular worming treatment. Thedrainage of sand filled floors is essential, either in the form of sub-surface agriculturaltype drainage pipes (refer Figure 21) or by elevating the floor level to at least 10cm abovethe surrounding ground level and providing suitable seepage weep holes.Pebble floors also present a pleasing appearance and if provided with efficient subsurfacedrainage systems (refer Figure 21) may be cleaned easily with high pressurehosing. If pebble floors do not have sub-surface drainage the surface can become difficultto clean and silting up will occur. Even adequately drained pebble floors can silt up afterseveral years of usage, requiring removal and washing or renewal of the pebbles. Theregular worming of birds held on pebble floors is essential.Concrete floors are easy to clean and maintain and are by far the most functional type ofenclosure floor. Cleaning of these floors can be simplified by sprinkling with a light layerof dry sand, which helps to prevent faeces and stale food items from adhering to theconcrete surface. Any waste can then easily be removed using a broom and shovel.Industrial vacuum cleaners can simplify the cleaning of concrete floors but are disruptivefor the birds. These floors can be cleaned using high pressure hoses provided suitabledrainage has been installed. Concrete floors can help to prevent rodent access as well ashelp to control worm infestation, although regular worming treatment is still advisable.(Sindel and Gill 2003)Figure 21. Pebble and concrete floors with sub-surface drainage and watering systems.Keith Naylor 28/3/2005 Version 3 35
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