feeding

[chris purvis]

I am going to be gone for four days, and i have found someone to check on my birds. To make it simple i just want to leave food in the loft, instead of making them go in there and shaking a can and whisteling. Will this mess up their training? they are a pretty skinny and i was hoping it would help put on some weight. thanks, chris

[chris purvis]

someone please answer my question, because i leave in 2 days

[birdy]

Chris,

Leaving feed in your loft for 4 days is not the best thing for your birds. I'm not sure what kind of feeder you have but the uneaten feed will get moist from the humidity and the birds could poop on it. It will attract roaches and vermin like mice and rats. What about water? It's a bad idea to leave water standing for 4 days. Dirty water will attract the protozoa bug that causes canker (trichomoniasis) and other nasties that will make your birds sick.

Your training will definitely be set back.

If you have someone looking in each day could they not feed and water them each day? It would take them about 15 minutes or less. Whenever I have someone feed my birds I measure out each day's feed and put it in a zip lock bag. They change the grit and change the water. I even have them whistle while feeding. Tell them you'll do them a big favor when you get back.