Comments for Parakeets Care http://www.parakeetscare.com Caring for parakeets Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:48:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 Comment on how do i take care of a parakeet and keeping it healthy and entertained? by SabreWulfe http://www.parakeetscare.com/how-do-i-take-care-of-a-parakeet-and-keeping-it-healthy-and-entertained#comment-220 SabreWulfe Tue, 07 Jul 2009 23:46:23 +0000 http://www.parakeetscare.com/how-do-i-take-care-of-a-parakeet-and-keeping-it-healthy-and-entertained#comment-220 You really should have known this information BEFORE you got your parakeet. Not knowing how to a care for any type of pet is like waiting until your baby is born before you decide how to care for it. In fact, getting a pet is a little like having a baby. It's a big responsibility and you need to be ready for whatever may happen. Birds require fresh clean water in a clean bowl every day, fresh foodin a clean bowl as well. Their food requirements goes as follows: A small to medium sized pelleted food (which is about the size of this letter: O to three times that) recommended for parakeets or other small birds. Seeds should not be more than about 15-30% of your parakeet's(s') diet. This is because they are fatty if it's the only part of their diet. They should also have fresh fruits and vegetables that you would eat (save avocados). This inclues; for fruits; grapes, pears, oranges, apples, watermelon, etc; for vegetables; tomatoes, celery, carrots, etc.; and also lettuces (preferably darker greens but light is okay too) and parcely. Your keet's water dish should be thouroughly scrubbed out with your hands and water every day and then refilled once to twice a day with about one bowl of water for every two or three keets max. The old food in their food dish needs to be dumped out every day and replace with fresh food. Their food dish should be cleaned with water about twice a week or more depending on the amount of keets you own, or whenever you see droppings in their dish. There should be about one food dish for every two keets, if there are more than three keets in the cage a second bowl is recommended. Their nails need to be professionally trimmed every month or sooner (depending on your keet's growth), and there should usually be at least one sand perch or sand cover for your keet to help keep its nails short. The thickness of the perchesshould be about the thickness of a minor's thumb, usually a bit bigger though because sizes vary by age, gender, etc. The cage should be cleaned about once to twice a week, every time you add a parakeet though, subtract one day or more. The cage should be cleaned with a hose outside thouroughly once every month. This meaning you must transfer your keet(s) to a different cage to do so. Hope this helps! You really should have known this information BEFORE you got your parakeet. Not knowing how to a care for any type of pet is like waiting until your baby is born before you decide how to care for it. In fact, getting a pet is a little like having a baby. It’s a big responsibility and you need to be ready for whatever may happen. Birds require fresh clean water in a clean bowl every day, fresh foodin a clean bowl as well. Their food requirements goes as follows: A small to medium sized pelleted food (which is about the size of this letter: O to three times that) recommended for parakeets or other small birds. Seeds should not be more than about 15-30% of your parakeet’s(s’) diet. This is because they are fatty if it’s the only part of their diet. They should also have fresh fruits and vegetables that you would eat (save avocados). This inclues; for fruits; grapes, pears, oranges, apples, watermelon, etc; for vegetables; tomatoes, celery, carrots, etc.; and also lettuces (preferably darker greens but light is okay too) and parcely. Your keet’s water dish should be thouroughly scrubbed out with your hands and water every day and then refilled once to twice a day with about one bowl of water for every two or three keets max. The old food in their food dish needs to be dumped out every day and replace with fresh food. Their food dish should be cleaned with water about twice a week or more depending on the amount of keets you own, or whenever you see droppings in their dish. There should be about one food dish for every two keets, if there are more than three keets in the cage a second bowl is recommended. Their nails need to be professionally trimmed every month or sooner (depending on your keet’s growth), and there should usually be at least one sand perch or sand cover for your keet to help keep its nails short. The thickness of the perchesshould be about the thickness of a minor’s thumb, usually a bit bigger though because sizes vary by age, gender, etc. The cage should be cleaned about once to twice a week, every time you add a parakeet though, subtract one day or more. The cage should be cleaned with a hose outside thouroughly once every month. This meaning you must transfer your keet(s) to a different cage to do so. Hope this helps!

]]> Comment on Questions about pet parakeets - My brothers pets & he doesnt take care of them so I have to & Idk how? by SabreWulfe http://www.parakeetscare.com/questions-about-pet-parakeets-my-brothers-pets-he-doesnt-take-care-of-them-so-i-have-to-idk-how#comment-219 SabreWulfe Tue, 07 Jul 2009 23:08:33 +0000 http://www.parakeetscare.com/questions-about-pet-parakeets-my-brothers-pets-he-doesnt-take-care-of-them-so-i-have-to-idk-how#comment-219 A member here said to clean their cage out once every month and that would be like living in a dumpster. They NEED their cage/aviary cleaned out at the VERY MINIMUM of once to twice a week. For the two parakeets, about twice should suffice. This means using a plastic/paper bag to empty the tray out of debris and then using gloves and a small plastic bag to collect whatever's under the tray and put it into a bag. Once a month you should clean the cage outside with the hose on high washing out the tray, under the tray, and the cage bars. Your brother shouldn't' have gotten any pets if he doesn't take proper care for them. You should talk to your parent/s about taking the birds away if HE does not care for them. You should not have to take responsibility for someone else's pets unless they are moving or cannot take care of them. In this case your brother is just irresponsible and needs to learn his lesson. It's VERY nice of you to take care of them for him until that time. Like the others recommended, a textured/sand perch or a textured cover for a perch should help with their long nails. This works quite well for my parakeets but if their case is severe you should take them to the vet to have them trimmed or buy a special pair of bird trimmers and ask a pet store clerk how to use them. Both these items are practically inexpensive and the parakeets will appreciate it. Also birds cannot have chocolate or avocado. Birds do not do well on a diet of only seeds as they are fatty. If you cannot afford pelleted food, which usually sells at 15-18$ per bag at different stores, then be sure to feed them fruits; such as grapes, apples, pears, oranges, watermelon, etc., vegetables; such as tomatoes, celery, carrots, etc, and lettuces and parcely along with their seed. They also need time out of their cage for at least a half hour to a few hours every day. They require this time to feel free and fly around for exercise. You can do this safely by removing sharp items, breakable items, and items that may fall if your bird lands on them from high places and anywhere else they may land. They usually perch back on their cage after a few laps around the room though. If you have other pets or don't want them flying around the house you should keep the door of the room they're in closed securely until they're both back in the cage. If you have to leave the room then wait till they're on their cage or at least till they've landed so you can slowly open and then close the door behind you. If this isn;t the case then you may leave the room door open and warn other family members that the birds may fly in another room. You should also spend a minute or two to remove any objects that may harm your bird in either flight or landing. If you have a CRYSTAL chandelier with may sharp points, don't let your bird into that room. If they can land on a light that isn't sharp and/or won't injure them in any way make sure that you turn it off and don't let your bird go on it until it's cooled down because the bulbs can become VERY HOT for a bird and can cause permanent or severe burnson their feet. Check the heat of a light bulb you're not sure of by quickly touchingit with a finger, then with your hand if it's not too hot or you can't tell with just one finger. Also calculate how long it takes for a certain light's bulbs to become cool so you know the duration of how long it took. If you have the time and will to keep the birds for yourself until your brother is mature enough to take care of them then I think you'll do well. If you haven'ttrained them yet, check the article on training at this site. A member here said to clean their cage out once every month and that would be like living in a dumpster. They NEED their cage/aviary cleaned out at the VERY MINIMUM of once to twice a week. For the two parakeets, about twice should suffice. This means using a plastic/paper bag to empty the tray out of debris and then using gloves and a small plastic bag to collect whatever’s under the tray and put it into a bag. Once a month you should clean the cage outside with the hose on high washing out the tray, under the tray, and the cage bars. Your brother shouldn’t’ have gotten any pets if he doesn’t take proper care for them. You should talk to your parent/s about taking the birds away if HE does not care for them. You should not have to take responsibility for someone else’s pets unless they are moving or cannot take care of them. In this case your brother is just irresponsible and needs to learn his lesson. It’s VERY nice of you to take care of them for him until that time. Like the others recommended, a textured/sand perch or a textured cover for a perch should help with their long nails. This works quite well for my parakeets but if their case is severe you should take them to the vet to have them trimmed or buy a special pair of bird trimmers and ask a pet store clerk how to use them. Both these items are practically inexpensive and the parakeets will appreciate it. Also birds cannot have chocolate or avocado. Birds do not do well on a diet of only seeds as they are fatty. If you cannot afford pelleted food, which usually sells at 15-18$ per bag at different stores, then be sure to feed them fruits; such as grapes, apples, pears, oranges, watermelon, etc., vegetables; such as tomatoes, celery, carrots, etc, and lettuces and parcely along with their seed. They also need time out of their cage for at least a half hour to a few hours every day. They require this time to feel free and fly around for exercise. You can do this safely by removing sharp items, breakable items, and items that may fall if your bird lands on them from high places and anywhere else they may land. They usually perch back on their cage after a few laps around the room though. If you have other pets or don’t want them flying around the house you should keep the door of the room they’re in closed securely until they’re both back in the cage. If you have to leave the room then wait till they’re on their cage or at least till they’ve landed so you can slowly open and then close the door behind you. If this isn;t the case then you may leave the room door open and warn other family members that the birds may fly in another room. You should also spend a minute or two to remove any objects that may harm your bird in either flight or landing. If you have a CRYSTAL chandelier with may sharp points, don’t let your bird into that room. If they can land on a light that isn’t sharp and/or won’t injure them in any way make sure that you turn it off and don’t let your bird go on it until it’s cooled down because the bulbs can become VERY HOT for a bird and can cause permanent or severe burnson their feet. Check the heat of a light bulb you’re not sure of by quickly touchingit with a finger, then with your hand if it’s not too hot or you can’t tell with just one finger. Also calculate how long it takes for a certain light’s bulbs to become cool so you know the duration of how long it took. If you have the time and will to keep the birds for yourself until your brother is mature enough to take care of them then I think you’ll do well. If you haven’ttrained them yet, check the article on training at this site.

]]> Comment on do you care if Parakeets can have brocolli? by SabreWulfe http://www.parakeetscare.com/do-you-care-if-parakeets-can-have-brocolli#comment-218 SabreWulfe Tue, 07 Jul 2009 22:38:33 +0000 http://www.parakeetscare.com/do-you-care-if-parakeets-can-have-brocolli#comment-218 I've never fed my parakeets broccoli (it's not spelled 'brocolli', :)... But that's only because I wasn't sure about it. I've fed them things like parcely, lettuces (dark greens are usually best but light green is okay too), carrots, apples, grapes (they like green the best), pears, and whatever else I happen to have as a snack that's healthy for them. I don't recommend feeding them bread because it's highly fattening to them when fed in excess, or sometimes they get used to the flavor of it, and other foods, and don't eat their normal food. Also they can't have avacados, in fact no birds can. And an all seed or seed and fruit/vegetable diet isn't the best because seeds are fatty and not very nutricious. I feed my birds a pellet, fruit, veggie diet, wth the exception of an occasional snack of a little handful of sunflower seeds (unsalted). I hope this helps. I’ve never fed my parakeets broccoli (it’s not spelled ‘brocolli’, :)… But that’s only because I wasn’t sure about it. I’ve fed them things like parcely, lettuces (dark greens are usually best but light green is okay too), carrots, apples, grapes (they like green the best), pears, and whatever else I happen to have as a snack that’s healthy for them. I don’t recommend feeding them bread because it’s highly fattening to them when fed in excess, or sometimes they get used to the flavor of it, and other foods, and don’t eat their normal food. Also they can’t have avacados, in fact no birds can. And an all seed or seed and fruit/vegetable diet isn’t the best because seeds are fatty and not very nutricious. I feed my birds a pellet, fruit, veggie diet, wth the exception of an occasional snack of a little handful of sunflower seeds (unsalted). I hope this helps.

]]> Comment on do you care if Parakeets can have brocolli? by Lisa M http://www.parakeetscare.com/do-you-care-if-parakeets-can-have-brocolli#comment-87 Lisa M Sat, 15 Nov 2008 16:08:01 +0000 http://www.parakeetscare.com/do-you-care-if-parakeets-can-have-brocolli#comment-87 I might if I were a parakeet owner....... And ..no..your not missing anything. I might if I were a parakeet owner…….
And ..no..your not missing anything.

]]> Comment on Questions about pet parakeets - My brothers pets & he doesnt take care of them so I have to & Idk how? by Angela http://www.parakeetscare.com/questions-about-pet-parakeets-my-brothers-pets-he-doesnt-take-care-of-them-so-i-have-to-idk-how#comment-177 Angela Sat, 15 Nov 2008 13:57:12 +0000 http://www.parakeetscare.com/questions-about-pet-parakeets-my-brothers-pets-he-doesnt-take-care-of-them-so-i-have-to-idk-how#comment-177 There are a lot of helpful sites on the internet. You may also want to check out a bird forum You might also want to check out a bird forum such as this one that way you can talk to other bird owners, and bird breeders. You can also go here and check out the bird breeder directory and see if there are any bird breeders listed near you. Good luck I am a mama of 10 sweet birds. There are a lot of helpful sites on the internet.

You may also want to check out a bird forum

You might also want to check out a bird forum such as this one that way you can talk to other bird owners, and bird breeders.

You can also go here and check out the bird breeder directory and see if there are any bird breeders listed near you.

Good luck
I am a mama of 10 sweet birds.

]]> Comment on Questions about pet parakeets - My brothers pets & he doesnt take care of them so I have to & Idk how? by Gwen L http://www.parakeetscare.com/questions-about-pet-parakeets-my-brothers-pets-he-doesnt-take-care-of-them-so-i-have-to-idk-how#comment-176 Gwen L Wed, 12 Nov 2008 13:07:15 +0000 http://www.parakeetscare.com/questions-about-pet-parakeets-my-brothers-pets-he-doesnt-take-care-of-them-so-i-have-to-idk-how#comment-176 A bird's nails do need to be trimmed regularly... some companies make perches to keep them short but from what I know they only make it so that trimmings are needed less often--they don't remove the need to trim the nails altogether--and certainly won't solve your problem at this stage. You should take your 'keets to someone who is experienced with nail trimming and they will trim the nails; if the nails have grown out then the quick (the living inner part of the nail that has blood in it) has probably grown with it, in which case the nails will need to be trimmed a little at a time so that the quick recedes, and the nails can be trimmed a little shorter each time until they are back to normal length. After that they will still need to be trimmed regularly--I recommend taking them to a veterinarian or bird groomer as they are experienced with trimming nails, but I'm sure they'd be willing to show you how to do it correctly if you asked, and if you can get someone like your mom to help you (it's hard to hold the bird and clip nails at the same time) then you may be able to do it yourself later on. Regular parakeet seed is OK, but you want to try to get parakeet foods that have more pellets (pellets look like little bits of kibble in different colors) and less millet (the round pale yellowish seeds); a lot of pet bird seed mixes are made up of like 90% millet... but millet is basically bird candy, and like real candy with little kids it isn't good to only feed them candy. Pellets also have some added nutrients that seeds don't have. Also feel free to let them try bits of veggie and fruit; this will help keep them healthy and provide them with nutrients regular seeds don't have. You can give them things like washed apple slices, peach or cherry (minus the pit), bits of broccoli or cauliflower or carrot, etc. Raw veggies are better for the birdies, and probably easier for you to give to them. Just don't let them have any sugar, foods with any added salt, dairy products, avocado or chocolate. Peanuts are iffy; don't let them have peanuts still in the shell as some molds that can grow on the shell can be dangerous to birds. There's a good list of some things you can try at Hope this helps. I'm glad to see that you're looking out for the little guys. A bird’s nails do need to be trimmed regularly… some companies make perches to keep them short but from what I know they only make it so that trimmings are needed less often–they don’t remove the need to trim the nails altogether–and certainly won’t solve your problem at this stage. You should take your ‘keets to someone who is experienced with nail trimming and they will trim the nails; if the nails have grown out then the quick (the living inner part of the nail that has blood in it) has probably grown with it, in which case the nails will need to be trimmed a little at a time so that the quick recedes, and the nails can be trimmed a little shorter each time until they are back to normal length. After that they will still need to be trimmed regularly–I recommend taking them to a veterinarian or bird groomer as they are experienced with trimming nails, but I’m sure they’d be willing to show you how to do it correctly if you asked, and if you can get someone like your mom to help you (it’s hard to hold the bird and clip nails at the same time) then you may be able to do it yourself later on.

Regular parakeet seed is OK, but you want to try to get parakeet foods that have more pellets (pellets look like little bits of kibble in different colors) and less millet (the round pale yellowish seeds); a lot of pet bird seed mixes are made up of like 90% millet… but millet is basically bird candy, and like real candy with little kids it isn’t good to only feed them candy. Pellets also have some added nutrients that seeds don’t have.

Also feel free to let them try bits of veggie and fruit; this will help keep them healthy and provide them with nutrients regular seeds don’t have. You can give them things like washed apple slices, peach or cherry (minus the pit), bits of broccoli or cauliflower or carrot, etc. Raw veggies are better for the birdies, and probably easier for you to give to them. Just don’t let them have any sugar, foods with any added salt, dairy products, avocado or chocolate. Peanuts are iffy; don’t let them have peanuts still in the shell as some molds that can grow on the shell can be dangerous to birds. There’s a good list of some things you can try at

Hope this helps. I’m glad to see that you’re looking out for the little guys.

]]> Comment on How do I take care of my baby parakeets? by humor4fms http://www.parakeetscare.com/how-do-i-take-care-of-my-baby-parakeets#comment-12 humor4fms Tue, 11 Nov 2008 05:03:33 +0000 http://www.parakeetscare.com/how-do-i-take-care-of-my-baby-parakeets#comment-12 This is the reason some people should NOT breed!! You are not prepared for the consequences of your actions. You hen may be to young(under 2yrs of age). Or she is not being given the proper foods to sustain all the babies she has. By this i mean soft foods like scrambled eggs, pasta, rice, veggies, etc. Parents need more then just seeds to eat to maintain a level of immune systems for themselves and to feed their young. It also has to be broken down in their own digestive systems twice (in the beginning, the first few days of life) from the male to the female and then the female breaks it down again to feed the babies. In the wild, during this time, they forage on grubs, which are so much higher in proteins so the parents can maintain their own systems plus the feeding schedules of their hectic lives of their young. Apparently you were not prepared for all of this before placing a box on your pair. As a result, you had to endure the heart break which often i try to explain before hand. Making sure a pair is in tip top shape so people don't have to go through all this heartache is part of why i try to educate people on the diets of the avian species. So sorry you had to experience this. At this point you need to offer the pair a better diet. Petamine is located in just about every pet store. If the pair think you are interfereing to much with the box or their cage, she will kill the babies. Give them as much privacy as you can. Don't check the nest box, feed, water and leave them be. Good Luck! This is the reason some people should NOT breed!! You are not prepared for the consequences of your actions.

You hen may be to young(under 2yrs of age). Or she is not being given the proper foods to sustain all the babies she has. By this i mean soft foods like scrambled eggs, pasta, rice, veggies, etc.

Parents need more then just seeds to eat to maintain a level of immune systems for themselves and to feed their young. It also has to be broken down in their own digestive systems twice (in the beginning, the first few days of life) from the male to the female and then the female breaks it down again to feed the babies. In the wild, during this time, they forage on grubs, which are so much higher in proteins so the parents can maintain their own systems plus the feeding schedules of their hectic lives of their young.

Apparently you were not prepared for all of this before placing a box on your pair. As a result, you had to endure the heart break which often i try to explain before hand. Making sure a pair is in tip top shape so people don’t have to go through all this heartache is part of why i try to educate people on the diets of the avian species. So sorry you had to experience this.

At this point you need to offer the pair a better diet. Petamine is located in just about every pet store. If the pair think you are interfereing to much with the box or their cage, she will kill the babies. Give them as much privacy as you can. Don’t check the nest box, feed, water and leave them be.

Good Luck!

]]> Comment on Questions about pet parakeets - My brothers pets & he doesnt take care of them so I have to & Idk how? by birdys.stirling http://www.parakeetscare.com/questions-about-pet-parakeets-my-brothers-pets-he-doesnt-take-care-of-them-so-i-have-to-idk-how#comment-175 birdys.stirling Mon, 10 Nov 2008 23:48:09 +0000 http://www.parakeetscare.com/questions-about-pet-parakeets-my-brothers-pets-he-doesnt-take-care-of-them-so-i-have-to-idk-how#comment-175 Hi, If their nails are curling round then you need to take them to a vet, but before you go to that expense then i would try getting one of the pumice perches or sandy perches to try and rub down their nails. As for food well the normal parakeet seed will do, one thing is just to give them a bit of fruit and veg, the onlt things to stay away from are avocardo, chocolate and raw potato as all of these are poisonous to birds. Hi,
If their nails are curling round then you need to take them to a vet, but before you go to that expense then i would try getting one of the pumice perches or sandy perches to try and rub down their nails.

As for food well the normal parakeet seed will do, one thing is just to give them a bit of fruit and veg, the onlt things to stay away from are avocardo, chocolate and raw potato as all of these are poisonous to birds.

]]> Comment on Do parakeets do well in 6 hour drives? by Dave Womach http://www.parakeetscare.com/do-parakeets-do-well-in-6-hour-drives#comment-122 Dave Womach Mon, 10 Nov 2008 18:45:26 +0000 http://www.parakeetscare.com/do-parakeets-do-well-in-6-hour-drives#comment-122 I travel a lot with my birds, and here is my diverse flock; From my personal experience, my 3 parakeets do fine with traveling (they are also used to it). I reward them with millet and make sure they can see out of their travel cage and they get out when I get out to get some real sunshine. They can have water and food the entire time and I reward them with millet every once in a while to perk them up! I find they like a little music and so forth, but every bird is different. I travel a lot with my birds, and here is my diverse flock;

From my personal experience, my 3 parakeets do fine with traveling (they are also used to it). I reward them with millet and make sure they can see out of their travel cage and they get out when I get out to get some real sunshine. They can have water and food the entire time and I reward them with millet every once in a while to perk them up! I find they like a little music and so forth, but every bird is different.

]]> Comment on Questions about pet parakeets - My brothers pets & he doesnt take care of them so I have to & Idk how? by cathy ondriezek http://www.parakeetscare.com/questions-about-pet-parakeets-my-brothers-pets-he-doesnt-take-care-of-them-so-i-have-to-idk-how#comment-174 cathy ondriezek Sun, 09 Nov 2008 14:38:31 +0000 http://www.parakeetscare.com/questions-about-pet-parakeets-my-brothers-pets-he-doesnt-take-care-of-them-so-i-have-to-idk-how#comment-174 you feed your brother's bird that was nice of you to do that you could clean the cage out every month but dont do the cage out side coz i made a mistake and my bird flew away feed them oncce a day you feed your brother’s bird that was nice of you to do that you could clean the cage out every month but dont do the cage out side coz i made a mistake and my bird flew away feed them oncce a day

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