Avian Respiratory System, an in depth view

[cindy]

Avian Respiration

Quote:
"The avian respiratory system delivers oxygen from the air to the tissues and also removes carbon dioxide. In addition, the respiratory system plays an important role in thermoregulation (maintaining normal body temperature). The avian respiratory system is different from that of other vertebrates, with birds having relatively small lungs plus nine air sacs that play an important role in respiration (but are not directly involved in the exchange of gases)."

To learn more go to the link below:
http://people.eku.edu/ritchisong/birdrespiration.html

The above document is very interesting and discusses how a bird breaths. Included within the doucment are diagrams (that move and illustrate the breathing) and pictures.

After reading this article I have a better understanding of how different and sensitive their respiratory system is.

I wanted to add that some of the following pose a health/fatal risk to birds...burning scented candles, Glade plug ins, candle warmers with the scented candles, Frebreeze sprays, perfumes, cigarettes, Air freshners, Telfon.

Other alternatives would be boiling a cinnamon stick, orange slices and vanilla on top of the stove for a bit....smells good and very safe. It can be done in the stove in an oven safe dish as well.

[cindy]

Every once in a while questions come up regarding, smoke, candles, fumes....hopefully this helps with understanding how the avian respiratory system works.

[Nerien]

Also add bug sprays and pesticides of any kind, spray cleaners and disinfectants, oven cleaner, self-cleaning ovens (friend's husband just wiped out her 4 budgies and 4 finches, again, first time was bug spray, second time oven cleaner, this time he skipped the oven cleaner but used the self-cleaning cycle....I know she's miffed that I have never offered her any of my baby birds, but, well, with this history, no....).

If you yourself couldn't or wouldn't breathe in a full lungful of something, pretty much guaranteed it will do in little tiny birds with just a tiny amount.

[cindy]

Owning and raising/have raised large parrots, Grey, hookbills and finches things like candles burning, aerosol hair sprays, spraying perfume, aerosol cleaners, oven cleaners, air freshners, etc were not allowed in the house especially with central air.

[Sally]

I didn't even think about the self-cleaning oven, is it because the walls are lined with a Teflon-type surface, or is it because of the high heat that emits some odors? At least my new stove has an oven with the bottom heating coils enclosed, just a smooth bottom, so much easier to clean manually.

[Nerien]

I don't know if it's a teflon coating, or simply that the high temp vaporized stuff. She just told me that he was being helpful and turned the self-clean on, and he knew better than to use oven cleaner from the last time, and sure enough, all her birds died. Again.

[chirpy]

Thank you I really appreciate posting this up!

[Sally]

Well, I can understand that he should have known about the oven cleaner. I haven't used any of those in years, but I remember when I used to use them, that Easy Off would just about kill me, so toxic I had to wear rubber gloves and hold my breath.

But self-cleaning ovens? I don't think that would flag a danger signal to a lot of people, it seems so harmless and easy. I thought I'd gone to heaven the first time I had a self-cleaning oven!

[chirpy]

I have a self cleaning oven, and I used it before ... it was a nice spring day.. a day where I could open all the 900 windows in my house and have my cockatiel outside no chilly wind not hot just perfect. I used it first thing and I think i set it for 4 hours?
The fumes more like burnt smell wasn't too bad but for a bird I am sure its enough.. I brought her in late afternoon and she was fine.. which would of been a good 5 hours after the self cleaning. Well now that I read this I am def not going to do it. I guess just clean whenever you can! I only use soap and water it never gets too dirty.

[cindy]

Sally, my double oven is ceramic coated, I still clean it manually, not with oven sprays of chemicals, so afraid to turn the self cleaning option on with the birds in the house.

Bob had asked about a safe oven cleaner in this topic... There is an easy homemade cleaner on the thread.


http://www.finchforum.com/viewtopic.php ... en+cleaner

[cindy]

here is a way to clean it organically with baking soda, white vinegar and salt http://www.organicauthority.com/sanctua ... ducts.html

"Though the big companies who make different cleaning products for every square inch of your dwelling would assure you there is an irreplaceable need to use their specially formulated oven cleaner, you can do a good job without the chemical overload and with stuff you probably already have in your house that costs you less than $5.

Salt is a mineral miracle. It preserves, seasons, exfoliates skin and it can clean your oven. Turn on your self-clean oven setting if you have it, or set the temperature to about 125 degrees. When it's warmed up, slightly dampen the caked on areas with a spray bottle of water or vinegar, then pour salt directly over the grime. Then, turn off the oven and let it cool down. You can then scrape off the salted areas and wipe down with a wet towel to get the crumbs out.

If you need a bit more oomph in cleaning your oven, try baking soda and vinegar. They are like the dynamic duo of natural cleaning products and, yes, they sure do work wonders. White vinegar is as effective as those expensive and toxic hand sanitizers and bleach in killing germs. Baking soda is so versatile it's a shame we don't give it more respect than a strange looking bald man.

Spray down the oven with vinegar, or a vinegar-water mix. Then sprinkle baking soda over the affected area. Let it sit for several minutes. It will react with the vinegar and may get bubbly. Gently scrub with a steel wool or coarse brush until you've removed the gunk, then wipe down with warm soapy water and a sponge.

If you're still battling some seriously stuck-on stuff (btw, congrats for regularly using your oven!) you can let the baking soda and vinegar mix sit on for hours. You may even add another layer and wait over night before scrubbing"

[EyesofFreedom]

so interesting I had no idea about all the sacs and the unidirectional flow of air...

[cindy]

No wonder they are so sensitive....amazing.

[Nanajennie]

Oh wow! Isn't that amazing! Love my birds even more now, that was very cool. Thanks Cindy