Losing a pet can be difficult; we see our pets as a part of the family, and when we lose a part of the family, having to decide on what to do with the remains can be difficult.
Many pet owners bury their beloved friends in a pet cemetery or in the backyard. Others decide to cremate the animal and keep or scatter their ashes.
If you wish to cremate your bird at home, there are a few things that you need to get together for a home cremation. This article will give you some insight into creating your bird at home.
You can cremate your bird at home if you can get a fire burning long and hot enough. The bird’s bones need to be burned at a temperature of at least 1400 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 30 minutes. This will get them to a stage where they can break down enough to be crushed into a powder. Potassium nitrate can help to reach these high temperatures.
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How to cremate a bird at home
In order to properly cremate your pet bird, you would need to create a heat source that heats up to at least 1400 degrees Fahrenheit.
You also need an open space where you can cremate your pet and a container for the fire. The cremation process will take a minimum of 30 minutes.
A larger bird will need a longer cremation time. After this, you can crush the remains into a powder.
The only way to reach these temperatures is to find a chemical compound that is able to burn very hot when ignited. A chemical that can burn at that temperature is potassium nitrate.
You can find potassium nitrate in stump removers. Stump removers are products that are able to remove stumps, and you can find such products in many, if not most, hardware stores.
To cremate, put your bird in the container in an open area, douse your pet in the stump remover, and set the bird alight. Get the fire to reach 1400 degrees Fahrenheit and burn for 30 minutes or more. The bones need to be burned at these high temperatures in order to break down. Anything lower than this won’t work
There are cons to cremating your pet at home: If you do manage to create a fire at home, then it may spread to your surroundings and create a visual memory that is difficult to erase.
Extinguishing your bird can be an issue, and the smell of your burning pet will be awful. If you do decide to have this done, you would need to check your local laws as to how to dispose of dead bodies, including animals and birds.
All in all, you can cremate your pet at home, but I do not suggest pet cremation if you cannot meet these conditions and want to preserve your pet’s dignity and memory.
How much does it cost to cremate a bird?
The cost of cremating a pet can range from $30 to $250. The smaller the animal, the smaller the fees are, and the larger the animal, the larger the fees will be.
Most pet birds are fairly small, so you can expect the cost to be on the lower end. The cremation method that you choose for your bird can also cause a change in price, as well as any fees for pick up and the keepsake box or urn.
Is it better to cremate or bury a pet?
There are pros and cons to cremating and pros and cons to burying your bird, but whether it is better to bury or cremate is up to you. Financially, burying your pet costs much less than cremating the animal.
And if you would like a private cremation where only your pet will be in the cremation chamber, then you would have to pay a higher price; in this case, there are no risks of other animals being cremated with your pet.
Also, if the idea of leaving the remains of your animal in the ground does not sit right with you, then cremating may be a better option. If you bury your bird in the backyard, then other scavenging animals may dig it up, much to your dismay.
FAQ:
Should I freeze my pet before cremation?
Yes, it is recommended that you freeze your pet’s body before you cremate it. Freezing keeps the body for longer, keeping it from decomposing.
This will also allow you to arrange for the cremation to happen, and not to be in a rush about it.
How long after death can you cremate a pet?
You can choose to cremate the animal as soon as your pet dies. This can be the same day that the animal dies, or, if kept in the freezer, days after the animal’s death
That being said, it isn’t advisable to keep your pet in the freezer for a long time.
Conclusion
In conclusion, yes, you can cremate your pet bird at home, but this would require the remains to be burned in a fire with a temperature of at least 1400 degrees Fahrenheit.
You also need to allow the animal to burn for 30 minutes or more. This is a more affordable and, in some cases a more dignified way to let your bird go.
If you enjoyed this article then you may also be interested in other bird related articles. Here are some articles that you may be interested in: How to get rid of pigeons from trees, Feather rot in pigeons, why this happens and what to do, How to get rid of pigeon lice, Is it safe to pick up bird feathers?, How to pluck feathers from a dead bird, Can birds be scared to death?,