How often should they bathe?

[2hounddogs]

My two zebra finch boys (Fred & Barney) seem to really enjoy their baths. I have one of those bird baths that mounts on the door of the cage. Fred is the younger bird (I think he hatched late June/early July) and he seems to be moulting right now. He has cute fuzzy down sticking out of his shoulders. Anyway, is it okay to let them take a bath every day? I know with my dogs, it's not good for their skin and coat to give too many baths. But I'm not sure about birds. I'm also curious if there's anything I should be feeding to help with the moult. Little feathers flying all over my office isn't really the greatest. Thanks!

[lovezebs]

2hounddogs

Baths everyday are fine. My guys will even bathe two or three times a day when it gets really hot. I change the water and in they go again.

Best thing for molting are hard boiled eggs. They offer the protein needed to grow new feathers. Green veggies are great as well.

As for little feathers everywhere, that's just something that as bird lovers , we learn to live with. Between all of my guys (of different species), someone, or rather someones are always molting, and I have feathers following in my wake as I walk through the house. * BTW, baths are very good for molting birdlings as well, so let them splash to their hearts content.

Have fun.

Elana

[Sally]

You've gotten good advice already, and yes, finches love to bathe, and it doesn't hurt them to bathe daily. Most birds will bathe multiple times a day if you let them. After their bath, they will spend a lot of time on the perch preening, which is great for their feathers.

[monica]

Hello 2houngdogs,

I have a couple of 7 weeks old chicks who are molting too (for the first time) and they love to bath two, three times a day, they love the water.

Just today, I bought on Amazon special bird food for molting which I ordered but I also give them plenty of vegetables and egg food like Elana suggested.

Monica

[AzillaFinch]

Some breeds love bathing more than others and some individual birds love bathing more than others.

My Zebs like baths. My Cordons and Spice LOOOOOOOOVE baths. My Cordons love baths so much that as soon as I put the water in and step away from the cage to grab a dish of food they are already at the bath.

Of my two current Zebs, one is in quarantine with a Spice and will bathe with the Spice several times a day happily. My other Zeb NEVER EVER bathed for the first 4 months I had him, even though his former wife (she's since passed) bathed every evening. He would just sit on a nearby perch and watch her. Now that she is gone and he is alone with the Cordons who LOVE baths, he's reforming his stinky ways and joins the male Cordon at the bath and while the male Cordon takes a dunk, the Zeb will perch on the side of the bath and dunk his head, taking a "head bath," flapping his wings wildly trying not to fall in (and have a real bath, like he needs LOL!)

So bathing can be done daily. Some like it, some love it... and like my little stinky one... some... well, not so much

[Kelly]

Is it a requirement? I don't have anything in the avairy for them to take bath in..Is that bad???

[monica]

Hi Kelly,

It is not bad but if you love your birds, why not giving them what they like?

You can use any container (I use the plastic dish used under plant pots) with one and a half inch (not more or they may drown) of tepid water.

They may take a dip or not but till you try you will not know if they like it or not.

Have a try, you will enjoy watching them splash in the water

Monica

[Kelly]

monica

Thanks so much for the advice..I put a small container in with them..I hope they like it

[Babs _Owner]

Kelly

If you have trouble getting your birds to bathe on the floor of the cage (my societies dont like being on the ground long and wouldnt use a bowl on the floor).

Try this one. You can mount it up higher so they feel more secure, they can see through it and they watch me pour the water in it so they arent afraid of it. I think the blue color stimulates them and they love, LOVE taking their daily baths in them. Its shallow so you can fill it up to the top with no worries. They get a nice deep bath. Lucky's babies are learning to use it from their momma now. Ebay has it with free shipping under the header Lixit Corporation BLX0787 Quick Lock Bird Bath

[Sally]

I have some of those baths and love them. They are especially handy for the cages when I put hay on the bottom of the cage and don't want to set a bath dish in the hay. I can fasten this wherever I want.

[Kelly]

Babs

Oh I like that..I'm going to get some of those!

[Sally]

Kelly Amazon has them for less than $9, and Petco has them for $9.49 I think it was, but they also are offering a 20% off purchases for labor day (online).

[Babs _Owner]

Sally

Im glad Petco has them. My local Petsmart stopped selling them !? And its the only vessel my societies will bathe in. And they are two miles from my house.

I was not happy, seeing I need another one now that the all girls dorm has been put up. And is ready when the kids are weaned.

[Kelly]

Sally

I ordered some last night

I found out my zebras like to take a bath but my societies haven't gone near the dish yet so I can't wait for the bird baths to get here..Maybe they will then

[Zebrafincher]

Hi there my two zebrafinches itchy n beaker love bathing and splash everywhere several times per day. My other finch merl does n9t appear to like bathing. He also can't fly. I spray him down when its warm to keep bim clean. Guess birds are like people in that regard - everyone is different!
Zebrafincher