Parakeet owners... Any tips?

[Blayze]

I just got a new pet. A small fairly young green and yellow Parakeet.
Just wondering what are some tips, etc... for a new Parakeet owner. I haven't had a bird since I was 5 (21 now...)

BTW the sound of my computer fans puts him to sleep... lol

 

[heartsurgeon]

they are very social birds and need lots of attention - you need to spend lots of time with it, and pay attention to it or you will end up with a psychotic bird. consider getting it a mate. get a big cage. let the bird out alot.

 

[Azraele]

Be careful of bad habits. For example. If the bird screeches and you come running, the bird gets the idea that every time it screeches, it will get attention.

heartsurgeon is right. The bird considers you a member of the flock. Give it lots of attention and hands on love. It will make for a happier, healthier bird.

 

[kranky]

Just a tip - they don't do well on a beer-and-pretzels diet. This might be obvious to you, but my friend Steve swears he had no idea a parakeet's health was so frail.

 

[Lounatik]

If you do let the bird out.be very careful about windows and mirrors:birds will fly straight into them.I have owned at least a dozen birds in the past 15 years or so. For a parakeet get this stuff:

1)Perches that are the right size for its tiny feet.Many people get the wrong size perches and that makes Tweety very uncomfortable.Try to get the perches that are shaped like branches,or hell, go outside and pick some branches and put them in the cage(If you do that make sure you inspect them for bugs.)The perches should not be too small where its claws can overlap the stick,nor should the perch be too big where its feet are flat on the perch.

2)Try to vary its diet. I give my parrots that I currently own,a pelletized diet and also give them fruit occasionally.There is a 50/50 split among bird owners and doctors as well over this.But it is real easy to clean up and the birds relly do seem to like it a lot.Try not to get the bird on an all seed diet.Pellets are probably your best bet.

3)Get it a decent sized cage.This is the number one mistake bird owners make.They do not realize that the little fellas need room.If your keet cant spread its wings inside its cage, then it is too small!

4)Birds also need light(No!) I keep my birds right up against a window facing the street and my neighbors are always whistling and talking to them.They love it. Also,during the warm months the birds get the advantage of having fresh air too.

5)Try to keep drafts off of the bird because a little bird like that can die from a warm or cold draft.


6)Some folks like to cover their birds up at night.I don't because my birds started to eat the damn towels I put around their cages.Very dangerous,because the fibers can get caught in their gut and kill them.

7)Keep its toenails trimmed.Try not to get the sandpaper perches they sell in the pet stores.I tried them on several differnt birds I had and they all seemed to develop pink callouses on their feet.I removed them and they went away.

8) If you are going to let the bird roam free when you are around,I would suggest keeping one of its wings trimmed.Why one?Well,if the bird gets spooked and takes flight,without any lift from its wings,it will get hurt or worse,killed if it fell hard to the ground.Keeping the lead feathers trimmed on one wing ensures a safe spiraling descent to the ground.


Sorry about the long reply,but I love birds and try to help out as many people I can when it comes to them.





Peace




Lounatik

 

[CStroman]

Don't let your lobster at it, either. Mine has suddenly become a bloodthirsty maniac.

 

[StandardCell]

One very important point to add:

DO NOT USE NON-STICK COOKWARE OR IRONS NEAR YOUR BIRD!

They emit cyanide compounds into the air and the bird can suffocate and die. If you absolutely need to use them, remove the bird to a closed room or outside if you live in a good climate. Give the area a couple of hours with the windows open before you move the bird back. The best is not to use anything non-stick.

Also, avocado and chocolate are highly toxic, so don't feed them to the birds. And don't let your bird near toxic plants. You can find a list of all this stuff at: http://www.multiscope.com/hotspot/poison.htm. I wanted to give you some very common mistakes that can be fatal to these little guys.

Most of all, give it lots of love, and it'll be your little buddy for life!

 

[Red Dawn]

Yeah remember to leave all your windows closed or you will be an ex Parakeet owner.

 

[chiwawa626]

A good idea would be get plenty of toys in the cage, lots of mirrors, little bells or stuff to keep him entertained. If he seems really bored then i think he needs a friend. Also try to play with him a lot, or just let him on ur sholder when ur on the comp (like 24/7 rite?) Sometimes even letting my parakeets watch tv entertains them...lol...

 

[Blayze]

so far so good...

his flight feathers were trimmed so he couldn't fly. This was done at the Pet Store before I bought the bird. I have no ideal how to keep them trimmed, but the owner of the store said he would do it for me. I really think I should learn though if I am going to keep them this way.

My cage isn't huge, but its a fairly good size. He has plenty of room to run around and spread his wings. Like I said he is a young bird and I know he will get a little bigger.
I plan on buying a bigger/nicer cage soon, so he will have lots of room to play.

His diet so far has been seeds and millet spray for a treat. I gave him a small piece of an apple the other night which he loved.

When Im not in class he is usually right with me when I am home. I have a bad feeling that he will hate it when my 3 year old cousin comes to visit

I really wish I could post some pics, but I dont have a digital camera.

 

[GasX]

keeping a cat around the house will also help control behavior problems and in the long run will cut down on the cost of ownership (i.e less food to buy)