Difference between revisions of "Take Care of a Parakeet"
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#Choose a reputable breeder. Just as with getting other types of pets, you want to make sure you’re purchasing from a reputable breeder. Check for online reviews to get extra feedback. Ask to view the breeder's other birds and check they are kept in clean airy conditions, have plenty of space, and seem calm and well cared for. | #Choose a reputable breeder. Just as with getting other types of pets, you want to make sure you’re purchasing from a reputable breeder. Check for online reviews to get extra feedback. Ask to view the breeder's other birds and check they are kept in clean airy conditions, have plenty of space, and seem calm and well cared for. | ||
#*Make sure the birds aren't overcrowded on the perches, and check to see that they are being fed clean, quality food, including fresh fruits and veggies. Also make sure that there is a cuttle bone or mineral block in the cage. These are vital to a birds diet. | #*Make sure the birds aren't overcrowded on the perches, and check to see that they are being fed clean, quality food, including fresh fruits and veggies. Also make sure that there is a cuttle bone or mineral block in the cage. These are vital to a birds diet. | ||
| − | #Look for a bright-eyed and lively parakeet. Check that there is no crusting around the cere (the spectacles above the beak) and that the vent is clean. The vent refers to the spot from where the bird defecates, and a dirty vent is a sign of digestive problems.<ref>http://pets.thenest.com/mean-budgie-vent-dirty-10970.html</ref> Avoid birds that seem lethargic and don’t move from the bottom of the cage. | + | #Look for a bright-eyed and lively parakeet. Check that there is no crusting around the cere (the spectacles above the beak) and that the vent is clean. The vent refers to the spot from where the bird defecates, and a dirty vent is a sign of digestive problems.<ref name="rf18809">http://pets.thenest.com/mean-budgie-vent-dirty-10970.html</ref> Avoid birds that seem lethargic and don’t move from the bottom of the cage. |
#*Make sure the birds look content, vigorous, and in optimal health. You may need to visit at different times during the day, as parakeets take naps and look drowsy at times during normal waking hours. | #*Make sure the birds look content, vigorous, and in optimal health. You may need to visit at different times during the day, as parakeets take naps and look drowsy at times during normal waking hours. | ||
| − | #Consider keeping parakeets in pairs. Parakeets are sociable birds and enjoy being kept in pairs or groups. If you purchase a single bird, you need to be able to spend time with the bird every day to satisfy her need for company.<ref>Wolter, Annette. The Complete Book of Parakeet Care. N.p.: Barron's, 1994. Print.</ref> | + | #Consider keeping parakeets in pairs. Parakeets are sociable birds and enjoy being kept in pairs or groups. If you purchase a single bird, you need to be able to spend time with the bird every day to satisfy her need for company.<ref name="rf18810">Wolter, Annette. The Complete Book of Parakeet Care. N.p.: Barron's, 1994. Print.</ref> |
#* If you do decide to get multiple birds, make sure only to cage parakeets together and not with other types of birds. | #* If you do decide to get multiple birds, make sure only to cage parakeets together and not with other types of birds. | ||
#Take your new parakeet to the vet. Even if your parakeet looks healthy, they often don’t show symptoms until they are very ill, so you should have your new parakeet looked at by a vet very shortly after getting it. The vet will likely test for psittacosis, which is a dangerous bacteria that can be passed to you and your family. The vet will should also test for internal and external parasites, yeast, Macrorhabdus fungus, and certain other kinds of bacteria. | #Take your new parakeet to the vet. Even if your parakeet looks healthy, they often don’t show symptoms until they are very ill, so you should have your new parakeet looked at by a vet very shortly after getting it. The vet will likely test for psittacosis, which is a dangerous bacteria that can be passed to you and your family. The vet will should also test for internal and external parasites, yeast, Macrorhabdus fungus, and certain other kinds of bacteria. | ||
=== Preparing the Cage === | === Preparing the Cage === | ||
| − | #Purchase a proper-size cage. The size of the cage should measure at least 18 x 24 x 24 inches, but purchase the largest cage you can. Prioritize the horizontal measurements because parakeets fly horizontally rather than upward.<ref | + | #Purchase a proper-size cage. The size of the cage should measure at least 18 x 24 x 24 inches, but purchase the largest cage you can. Prioritize the horizontal measurements because parakeets fly horizontally rather than upward.<ref name="rf18810" /> |
| − | #Choose a stainless steel or some kind of non-galvanized cage. The cage should be made from stainless steel. Unfortunately, many other metals such as zinc, brass, or lead can be toxic to parakeets, and you should never use a rusted cage or one with chipping paint. Never buy a circular cage, because they do not provide enough flight space, and a parakeets' little feet could easily be injured by the tapering bars near the top of the cage. <ref>http://www.parakeetcare.org/parakeet-cages.php#.VOkkHlPF8Yc</ref><ref | + | #Choose a stainless steel or some kind of non-galvanized cage. The cage should be made from stainless steel. Unfortunately, many other metals such as zinc, brass, or lead can be toxic to parakeets, and you should never use a rusted cage or one with chipping paint. Never buy a circular cage, because they do not provide enough flight space, and a parakeets' little feet could easily be injured by the tapering bars near the top of the cage. <ref name="rf18811">http://www.parakeetcare.org/parakeet-cages.php#.VOkkHlPF8Yc</ref><ref name="rf18810" /> |
| − | #Choose a cage with horizontal bars. Parakeets love to climb, so you should select a cage with horizontal bars, allowing him to grip on and shimmy upwards. The bars should be less than half an inch apart. Otherwise, there is a risk the bird will get his head stuck between them.<ref | + | #Choose a cage with horizontal bars. Parakeets love to climb, so you should select a cage with horizontal bars, allowing him to grip on and shimmy upwards. The bars should be less than half an inch apart. Otherwise, there is a risk the bird will get his head stuck between them.<ref name="rf18810" /> |
| − | #Line the cage for proper hygiene. Line the floor of the cage with paper towels or copy paper, both of which are better choices than newspaper. When this is soiled with droppings, throw it away and reline the cage with clean paper.<ref | + | #Line the cage for proper hygiene. Line the floor of the cage with paper towels or copy paper, both of which are better choices than newspaper. When this is soiled with droppings, throw it away and reline the cage with clean paper.<ref name="rf18810" /> |
| − | #Attach a food bowl and water drinker. You will need a food bowl and a water drinker. You can mount each to the bars of the cage away from the bottom, which keeps them from getting knocked over or from having the bird contaminate them with waste.<ref | + | #Attach a food bowl and water drinker. You will need a food bowl and a water drinker. You can mount each to the bars of the cage away from the bottom, which keeps them from getting knocked over or from having the bird contaminate them with waste.<ref name="rf18810" /> |
| − | #* If you cage multiple parakeets together, provide a separate food bowl for each, so the dominant bird cannot fight the others away from the food.<ref | + | #* If you cage multiple parakeets together, provide a separate food bowl for each, so the dominant bird cannot fight the others away from the food.<ref name="rf18811" /> |
| − | #Furnish the cage with a perch. The ideal choice for perches is branches of natural orchard wood. Ideally, choose a branch diameter large enough that the bird’s toes do not curl around and overlap each other. This will likely be around 3/8” in diameter. Orchard wood such as apple, plum, pear, or cherry is safe for the parakeet to peck at it, and it has a naturally abrasive action which helps keeps his nails trim.<ref | + | #Furnish the cage with a perch. The ideal choice for perches is branches of natural orchard wood. Ideally, choose a branch diameter large enough that the bird’s toes do not curl around and overlap each other. This will likely be around 3/8” in diameter. Orchard wood such as apple, plum, pear, or cherry is safe for the parakeet to peck at it, and it has a naturally abrasive action which helps keeps his nails trim.<ref name="rf18810" /> |
| − | #* The wooden doweling perches provided with most cages are poorly designed for birds. The diameter of the doweling is too narrow for a bird to grip comfortably, and they do not wear the claws down.<ref | + | #* The wooden doweling perches provided with most cages are poorly designed for birds. The diameter of the doweling is too narrow for a bird to grip comfortably, and they do not wear the claws down.<ref name="rf18810" /> |
| − | #Provide toys in the cage. Parakeets have lively, inquiring minds and need plenty of mental stimulation. Put a selection of toys in the cage, so he has something to play with. Toys that parakeets particularly enjoy have mirrors, bells, or ladders to climb up and down.<ref | + | #Provide toys in the cage. Parakeets have lively, inquiring minds and need plenty of mental stimulation. Put a selection of toys in the cage, so he has something to play with. Toys that parakeets particularly enjoy have mirrors, bells, or ladders to climb up and down.<ref name="rf18810" /> |
#* Toys are needed to keep the bird healthy and entertained. Boredom can lead to screaming. | #* Toys are needed to keep the bird healthy and entertained. Boredom can lead to screaming. | ||
| − | #Find a spot for the cage in a room where you spend a lot of time. This ensures that the bird has proper company. Parakeets feel safe with they have an area to retreat to, so putting the cage against a wall is a good idea (rather than the bird feelings exposed on all sides). Avoid putting the cage beside a window or door, where it might be in danger of direct sunlight or drafts because they are very sensitive to temperature.<ref | + | #Find a spot for the cage in a room where you spend a lot of time. This ensures that the bird has proper company. Parakeets feel safe with they have an area to retreat to, so putting the cage against a wall is a good idea (rather than the bird feelings exposed on all sides). Avoid putting the cage beside a window or door, where it might be in danger of direct sunlight or drafts because they are very sensitive to temperature.<ref name="rf18811" /> |
| − | #* Bird cages should never be allowed in the kitchen.<ref | + | #* Bird cages should never be allowed in the kitchen.<ref name="rf18811" /> The fumes from some cooking oils—and even from the finish on some frying pans—are toxic to parakeets and can make the bird very ill.<ref name="rf18812">Coles, B. H. Essentials of Avian Medicine and Surgery. Oxford, UK: Blackwell Pub., 2007. Print.</ref> |
# Clean the entire cage. Changing out the paper at the bottom of the cage isn’t enough on its own. Clean the cage bars with soap and water regularly, particularly after you've clipped food to the bars. | # Clean the entire cage. Changing out the paper at the bottom of the cage isn’t enough on its own. Clean the cage bars with soap and water regularly, particularly after you've clipped food to the bars. | ||
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#*The rest of the time they have to snack on pellets. | #*The rest of the time they have to snack on pellets. | ||
#*Generally, the 10% of parakeets that don't switch in two weeks will switch after a short period of reverting to a seed diet. | #*Generally, the 10% of parakeets that don't switch in two weeks will switch after a short period of reverting to a seed diet. | ||
| − | #Supplement your parakeet’s diet with seed mixes, fresh fruit, and vegetables. As well as the seeds, feed a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables such as kale, beets, peas, carrots, parsley, cooked yams, sliced apple, mandarin oranges, citrus, and the like. If you vary what you offer the bird—never give the same fresh food two days in a row—this avoids any dietary overloads that might be associated by feeding an excessive amount of one food.<ref | + | #Supplement your parakeet’s diet with seed mixes, fresh fruit, and vegetables. As well as the seeds, feed a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables such as kale, beets, peas, carrots, parsley, cooked yams, sliced apple, mandarin oranges, citrus, and the like. If you vary what you offer the bird—never give the same fresh food two days in a row—this avoids any dietary overloads that might be associated by feeding an excessive amount of one food.<ref name="rf18812" /> |
#* Try clipping pieces of apple or carrot to the bars at which your bird can peck. For larger fruits and veggies, you can also chop them up in a food processor to food in your bird’s food bowl. | #* Try clipping pieces of apple or carrot to the bars at which your bird can peck. For larger fruits and veggies, you can also chop them up in a food processor to food in your bird’s food bowl. | ||
| − | #* Most fresh foods are safe for parakeets EXCEPT for avocados, eggplants, apple pips, rhubarb, tomato plant leaves, and potato plant leaves. You should also never give your parakeet caffeine, chocolate, or alcohol.<ref | + | #* Most fresh foods are safe for parakeets EXCEPT for avocados, eggplants, apple pips, rhubarb, tomato plant leaves, and potato plant leaves. You should also never give your parakeet caffeine, chocolate, or alcohol.<ref name="rf18812" /> |
#Change the food and water daily. Let the bird get used to you and the surroundings, doing nothing but maintaining his food/water and cage, before trying to train the bird to perch on your finger. | #Change the food and water daily. Let the bird get used to you and the surroundings, doing nothing but maintaining his food/water and cage, before trying to train the bird to perch on your finger. | ||
#Offer treats. Millet sprigs or "sprays" are a favorite treat, but don't feed too much of it (about 1/2" per day), as it is fattening like junk food. Avoid sweets or excess oats, both of which are fattening. | #Offer treats. Millet sprigs or "sprays" are a favorite treat, but don't feed too much of it (about 1/2" per day), as it is fattening like junk food. Avoid sweets or excess oats, both of which are fattening. | ||
