Cleaning Bird Baths
Birds Take Baths For More Than Just Vanity
Author: Ken Lawless
Quite a few people, whenever they notice birds preening and cleaning their feathers, naturally ascribe the actions as vanity on the part of the bird. But, in reality, what they are doing is maintaining their wings, the instruments that they depend on for safe flight.
The condition of a bird's wings are of critical importance to it. If they are not in good condition, the bird either will not be able to fly or won't be able to control its flight. That is why after a long flight and even throughout the day, you will see them cleaning and straightening their feathers.
The majority of birds will try to bathe at a minimum of once a day, if they get the opportunity. They main reason for this practice is to get rid of the dust that has accumulated in their feathers throughout their flights during the day. After the bath, they will shake the water out and begin the process of combing and smoothing their feathers.
Take your time to watch them carefully. You will notice that they will meticulously pass each feather through their beak, multiple times if necessary, to ensure that the feather and its aerodynamic capabilities are just right.
Sometimes it can be hard to find water. This is especially true In dry or desert areas. In cases like this, birds still have the necessity of cleaning their feathers. So, what a lot of bird will do instead is to take dust baths. They will roll around in a dusty patch until it covers their feathers. They will then stand up and shake the dust out, similar as to how they shake water from their wings when they have a water bath. They will then clean their feathers with their beaks, as usual.
But their is an additional reason that baths are crucial for birds as well. And that is, during the course of the day and nights, many parasites are attracted to birds. Bugs, mites, fleas, and so on will try to hitch a ride on birds and suck from their blood. Daily baths help to keep the parasites to a minimum.
A number of birds, particularly the ones that spend most of their time either in or around the water, will possess skin glands that manufacture oil. After their bath, these birds will squeeze the glands to prompt them to excrete oil. They will then spread the oil over their wings. This helps to waterproof them and keep them from getting waterlogged.
For those who love birds and who even may have bird houses and feeders in their back yards, consider placing one or more bird baths in your garden as well. Once the birds in your neighborhood discover it, you will be surprised at how popular it becomes as they periodically stop by to take their daily bath.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/birds-take-baths-for-more-than-just-vanity-3371240.html
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I usually hose out the bath with some high pressure water. If it is really nasty, i move it and put in some bleach for an hour and then hose it out real good before returning it to the garden. I have also tried oxyclean which seems to work also, but I have not used it but 2 times, so I don’t have much cleaning history with it.
I’ll recommend Bioverse Bird Bath Cleaner. It’s completely safe and organic. These birdbath water cleaners contain all-natural beneficial bacteria and enzymes that help prevent stains, mineral deposits and organic build-up.
For a standard birdbath, place one capful of belach in the water each time you clean it. This will keep it cean, and will prevent birds from transmitting disease through the water.
I used to breed pigeons and this suggestion was offered to me by a member of the club–I had paratyphoin in one of my birds and while this didn’t kill teh birds, it did kill the squabs from hatching, killing them a day or two before they were to hatch. This prevented the transmission of the virus and kept babies healthy.
And, it’s safe! For each gallon of water, place 3/4 to 1 capful of bleach. Nothing fancy as the ingredients could be toxic, but just plain old bleach.
If you get the Bird Poop into your body somehow then yes you can get bird Flu. But it is unlikely because I dont think it is a scare here in the USA
read up on it:
http://kidshealth.org/teen/infections/colds_and_flu/bird_flu.html
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4967188
http://www.freemarketnews.com/WorldNews.asp?nid=1320
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bird_flu
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/AvianFlu/Story?id=1716820&page=1
We usually scrub them,we have two,once a month with some bleach water rinse well and refill.If you are worried with mosquitoes you can buy floaters that repel them.The bird baths get filled with fresh water every few days so its not a problem,but washed once a month.DO NOT leave bleach in them it will kill the birds.
Need info on cleaning bird baths. Any household products that can be used that wont harm the birds?
I saw a feature on Good Day Wisconsin that focused on cleaning bird baths but forgot what they recommended.
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Can I get bird flu (or possibly anything else) by cleaning my backyard bird feeders or bird bath? I typically dump the water in the bird bath once a week and brush it clean with hot water before filling it. I live in the great-lakes area (north of Lake Erie) and I don’t know if “bird flu” is, or ever has been in this area yet.
how do you keep your bird bath clean but still make it usable for all animals?
our bird bath at home gets really dirty and leaves get into it and then in the summer, the mosquitoes lay their eggs and yada yada yada but how do you keep it clean without putting NASTY chemicles in it. i sure wouldnt want to kill the animals/birds please help!?