Ask Lafeber

Is is okay to leave a parakeet in a room that was just painted?

My husband put my daughter’s parakeet in a room that was painted not long ago. He started putting the parakeet inside the room maybe 2 days after he was done painting. He also stained the floor with a floor paint stain. I can still smell a more than a faint smell of paint inside the room. The room has no windows and is closed off as well.

Is it okay to keep the bird inside this room? I feel it is not but he is not listening to my concerns.

Hi,

No, a bird should never be put in a room where paint or stain has been used, as long as there are still fumes. Not having a window and having the room closed off means there is a good chance the fumes could kill the bird or damage his respiratory system. Birds have a complex respiratory system that includes the lungs, air sacs and some of the bones. Canaries were traditionally used in mines because if the canary died, the miners knew the air was not safe to breathe. Also, budgies are a very social species and need some form of companionship. Being in a closed off room is not good for a social bird. Even if this is your daughter’s bedroom, she doesn’t likely spend that much time in it. Birds are actually a high maintenance pet if you want them to be happy an enriched. The bird would be better off in a family room where it is around people and activity.

Thank you for asking Lafeber,

Brenda