How to Keep Parrots with Less Mess: Essential Tips for a Cleaner Bird Care Routine

No one is prepared for the mess that parrots make (including us in the initial stages).

For parrot owners, dealing with mess—from feathers to food splatters—is part of the deal. However, creating a cleaner environment for both you and your feathered friends is achievable with a few strategic steps. This guide offers actionable tips to reduce mess and create a more enjoyable space for parrot owners and their birds.

1. Cage Management: Choose the Right Cage and Setup

Choosing the right cage and arranging it for easy maintenance can significantly reduce mess.

• Choose the Right Cage Size and Bars
  Opt for a cage with horizontal bars that allow easy attachment of food dishes, toys, and liners, reducing the risk of items being dropped or knocked over. Look for a cage with a deep base that can catch more debris before it hits your floor.

• Install Cage Liners and Trays
  Place cage liners or newspaper at the bottom of the cage and change them regularly. Use plastic or metal trays with rims to contain fallen food, feathers, and droppings.

2. Use Feeding Strategies to Control Food Mess

Feeding can be one of the messiest aspects of bird care, with food often ending up outside the cage.

• Install Seed Guards and Feeders
  Seed guards or skirts around the cage reduce food scatter. Specialized feeders, such as no-spill dishes, also help contain mess. Being really practical people, we at Birdsprees have used multiple of our own products with great success! Some that we like are the Polly's Messless Perch cup that keeps food in the center, and the Corral Feeder that keeps vegetable splatter mostly within the box. Others like the Mess-less Hooded Feeder and seed guard prevents food and debris from dropping outside the cage

• Limit Messy Foods
  Avoid foods that easily fall apart, like small seeds, in favor of pellets that are less likely to create debris. If you do feed fruits and veggies, chop them into larger, easy-to-grab pieces that won’t fall out as easily and use the Corral Feeder (This has helped us a lot as we feed them chop everyday).

3. Train Your Parrot for Cleanliness

Parrots can learn simple habits that help reduce mess and make cleanup easier.

• Teach Food-Specific Training
  Training your parrot to eat specific foods inside their cage or in designated areas can reduce mess in open areas of your home. Positioning their food bowls in certain areas that you want to contain the mess to would help.

• Encourage Foraging
  Foraging toys not only entertain your parrot but can also keep food contained within specific zones. These toys often make eating a slower, more controlled activity, reducing the risk of scatter. Toys like the Paradise Toys Foraging Pull n' Push can be used for pellets and be put at the center of the cage.

4. Create a Clean-Up Schedule and Stick to It

Regular cleaning minimizes the buildup of mess, making each cleanup session quicker and more manageable.

• Daily Maintenance
  Clean the cage base, swap out liners, and spot-clean perches daily to prevent buildup. Remove any uneaten food to avoid spoilage or contamination. Personally, getting those with pull out trays are the easiest.

• Weekly Deep Clean
  A weekly cleaning schedule should involve scrubbing perches, washing toys, and wiping down cage bars and accessories. Having a designated cleaning area with high pressure water jets helps to shoot of dried poop and debris. We personally love Karcher's Hose set.

5. Manage Molting and Feather Mess

Some parrots shed feathers and dander regularly, contributing to the mess.

• Regular Grooming and Bathing
  Routine misting or bathing helps minimize dander, while gently wiping your bird with a damp cloth can reduce feather scatter during molting periods. Especially for birds like cockatiels that are dusty, a daily bath would help!

• Use an Air Purifier
  An air purifier with a HEPA filter captures airborne particles, reducing the amount of dust and dander in the air. This is especially helpful if you or family members are sensitive to dust.

6. Optimize the Area Around the Cage

Creating a well-designed area around the cage makes it easier to manage any stray mess that does escape the cage.

• Place a Mat Under the Cage
  A washable mat or plastic sheet under the cage will catch debris and can be easily cleaned. Look for mats with non-slip backing to keep the cage stable. You also can use good old newspaper!

• Set Up a Cleaning Station
  Keep cleaning supplies (like a handheld vacuum, cloths, and disinfectant) nearby so you can quickly address messes as they happen. For simple dried up poops on the floor, water is enough. But for dried up poop that's difficult to get out (especially on fabric), we count on poop-off! Having supplies close at hand also makes it easier to maintain a consistent cleaning routine. We have a roll of toilet paper that sits on our countertop in the middle of the living room that's easy to grab. 

By implementing these tips, you can enjoy a cleaner, less messy environment for both you and your parrot. These simple strategies, from feeding methods to cage setup, help reduce everyday maintenance, allowing you to spend more quality time with your bird while keeping your home tidy.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)