Making A Hospital Cage
A hospital cage is used when a bird isn’t feeling well, is injured or is egg-bound (when an egg becomes stuck inside a hen). This is a warm, safe place for the bird to recuperate and rest, and be away from any stressors. You can use a commercial incubator or brooder as a hospital cage — these are great because they regulate temperature and humidity, but if you don’t have one of these, here are directions for a simple hospital cage.
A hospital cage is used when a bird isn’t feeling well, is injured or is egg-bound (when an egg becomes stuck inside a hen). This is a warm, safe place for the bird to recuperate and rest, and be away from any stressors. You can use a commercial incubator or brooder as a hospital cage — these are great because they regulate temperature and humidity, but if you don’t have one of these, here are directions for a simple hospital cage.
- Line a 10-gallon fish tank with paper towels.
- Place a rolled-up hand towel in one end of the tank.
- Place a heating pad on “low” heat under one half of the tank; make sure that the other half isn’t on the pad.
- Use a screen to cover the top of the tank.
- Cover the tank at least 3/4 of the way with a towel so that the cage is a little darker inside and will stay warm.
- Include a very shallow dish of water — a very ill bird can drown in an inch of water.
- Include some of your bird’s favorite food, like Nutri-Berries, and something easy to eat, like millet spray.
