Parakeets...

[canyon_rayne]

At the local petstore down here they have a "parakeet kit" which includes the bird, cage, food, bedding and treats all for $30.00...I am really interested in getting one and have done my reasearch...My only questions are...What do I look for in a healthy bird and how long do they live?

 

[Auratus]

Parakeets can live 14-20 years depending on care.

Look for clear eyes and clear cere. If the cere is swollen do not buy the bird. You might want to come in for a few days and examine the bird carefully because sometimes there is something wrong you can't see the first time you go in. Make sure the butt is free of hanging poop or matting around the area. Diarreah in birds is a bad thing.

Also make sure the feathers are smooth and none are ruffled or sticking out. Colors are bright and all of the tail feathers are there. Also make sure the bird isn't picking at itself or pulling out feathers.

Parakeets are social creatures and you might want two if your not able to spend a TON of time it. Males have a blue cere and females are tan, brown, or crusty. If they are crusty this is not a bad thing, it just means it's breeding time .

Choosing a Budgie

 

[leanne]

I've had a cockateil in the past and it lived for 8 years. I had a rosella recently but it died while it was still young. Make sure you pick a bird that looks healthy with no signs of plucking at its feathers. Its a sign of stress but could also mean it has lice (which mine had). They are really difficult to spot and basically suck the bird dry until one morning it doesn't wake up

Tips

Make sure it looks bright

and not tatty

buy one as young as possible (without being silly) as then they are easier to tame

dont buy one that appears to be in a pair as it will pine like mad and may die. If you find one you like that is in a pair get them both...?

Also what size cage is it? you need to make sure that the bird has plenty of room to climb and flap its wings (1" rule doesnt apply )

Another tip to keep your bird happy is to have 5 toys, but only have 3 in the cage at any one time (rotate them) this way there is always plenty of interest...

Oh and get him a mirror for company. But if it starts feeding hte mirror or trying to mate with it take it out for a while (they can be come so obsessed they starve themselves!).

I hope you find a nice bird

Leanne

 

[canyon_rayne]

I want to be able to tame my bird. The lady at a chain pet store said that if you want to tame your parakeet to only get one. If you want them to be social between themselves, get two...From the sounds of it, is that correct??

 

[Auratus]

Yes if parakeets bond with another keet or it's mirror it is likely to not want you to touch it. Lol, although I do have 4 cockatiels which are all nice to me.

To find a young parakeet look at the eyes. If they don't have an iris (ring around the inside of the eye) that means they are usually under ten months. And the cere in males and females will be tan if they are young, or it just might be a girl. Hard to tell.

But if you want the bird to bond with you only get one bird and avoid mirrors. And you have to be able to spend a lot of time with him

 

[leanne]

If you do just get one try not to buy one that has pair bonded (onother reason to get them young) and make sure you have lots of toys - they get bored so easily.

 

[canyon_rayne]

What size cage would you reccomend for just one bird??

 

[Auratus]

Varied diets and different sized perches are also very important.

Perches of different diamters keep the birds from getting arthritis because it stretches their feet out.

Just a seed diet isn't good. Seed mixed with dried fruits and vegetables is good. Also a treat cup with fresh veggies. Zupreem is also a very good food to mix with seed.

Avoid toys that have a lot of rope because they can get tangled and break their legs or toys with small holes to get caught up in. Also be careful what type of bedding you buy. Corn cob is okay as long as their is a grate so the birds can't get to it. If they eat it at can cut their insides and kill them and or block their intestines because they can't pass it. Pine and Ceder bedding is very bad because it has a strong scent that damages birds lungs and gives them resperatory problems. Plain computer paper, not newspaper is good. Newspaper has ink that can damage the bird if they deside to rip it up. Aspen bedding is what I use because it has no harmful oils or odors like other wood beddings.

For one parakeet I would say a cage at least two feet long. Gives room for pleanty of pearches, toys, and room to stretch. Also leaves space for another keet if you ever decide to get another.

 

[Angel Lady]

I bought me a pair and they both was so easy to tame.If you buy them young and try to get the same sex then you shouldnt have any problems taming them. They wont live long if you dont get two.