The bright colors of parakeets make them attractive.The common pet parakeet is a type of small, seed-eating, long-tailed parrot.Though relatively easy to care for, parakeets need a proper diet, social interaction, and mental stimulation.
Step 1: Decide if you want to go classic Budgerigar Parakeet or any of the 100 odd types of parakeet.
You can find Indian Ringneck Parakeets, Black-tailed Parakeet, and anything else you can think of where you live.Budgerigars, or Budgies, originate from Australia so they are likely to be a cost-effective choice for Australian's wanting to have a pet parakeet.The parakeets from South America, Africa and parts of Asia can be successfully kept as pets.Like toys.
Step 2: You should choose a reliable breeder.
Similar to getting other types of pets, you want to make sure you get a good one.Extra feedback can be obtained by checking online reviews.If you want to know if the other birds are kept in clean airy conditions, have plenty of space, and seem well cared for, ask to view them.Check to see if the birds are being fed clean, quality food, including fresh fruits and veggies, and if they aren't overcrowded on the perches.There should be a cuttlebone or mineral block in the cage.These are important to a birds diet.
Step 3: There is a bright-eyed parakeet.
There is no crusting around the cere and the vent is clean.The bird defecates in the vent, and a dirty vent is a sign of indigestion.Birds that seem sleepy don't move from the bottom of the cage.Make sure the birds are healthy.You may need to visit at different times during the day as parakeets take naps and look sleepy during normal waking hours.
Step 4: Keeping parakeets in pairs is a good idea.
Parakeets like being kept in pairs or groups.You need to be able to spend time with the bird every day in order to satisfy her need for company.If you decide to get multiple birds, make sure to only cage parakeets together and not with other types of birds.
Step 5: Take your parakeet to the vet.
If your parakeet looks healthy, you should have it looked at by a vet very soon after you get it, as they often don't show symptoms until they are very ill.The vet will perform a test on you and your family to see if you have psittacosis.The vet will check for internal and external parasites, yeast, and Macrorhabdus fungus.
Step 6: Purchase a big cage.
The largest cage you can buy should be at least 18 x 24 inches.The parakeets fly horizontally rather than upward.
Step 7: A non-Galvanized cage is a good choice.
The cage should be made of steel.Many 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.A circular cage doesn't provide enough flight space and a parakeet's feet could easily be injured by the bars near the top of the cage.
Step 8: There is a cage with horizontal bars.
Selecting a cage with horizontal bars will allow parakeets to grip on and shimmy upwards.The bars shouldn't be more than half an inch apart.There is a chance that the bird will get his head stuck between them.
Step 9: The cage should be lined up for proper hygiene.
Line the floor of the cage with paper towels or copy paper, both of which are better choices than a newspaper.If the cage is dirty with droppings, throw it away and reline it with clean paper.
Step 10: Attach the bowl to the water drinker.
A water drinker and a food bowl are required.They can be mounted to the bars of the cage away from the bottom to prevent them from getting knocked over or having the bird taint them with waste.Provide a separate food bowl for each parakeet so the dominant bird can't fight the others away from the food.
Step 11: The cage should have a perch.
The branches of natural orchard wood are the best choice for perches.Ideally, choose a branch that is large enough that the bird's toes don't overlap.This is likely to be around 1/32” in diameter.The wood is safe for the parakeet to peck at it, and it has an abrasive action which helps keep his nails trimmed.The wooden perches are not designed for birds.The diameter of the doweling makes it hard for a bird to grip, and they don't wear the claws down.
Step 12: There are toys in the cage.
Parakeets need a lot of mental stimulation.He has something to play with if he has a selection of toys in the cage.The toys that parakeets like the most are mirrors, bells, and ladders.The bird needs toys to stay healthy.It can lead to screaming.
Step 13: The cage can be found in a room where you spend a lot of time.
The bird has proper company.The parakeets have an area to retreat to, so putting the cage against a wall is a good idea.Don't put the cage next to a window or door because they are very sensitive to temperature.Birds should not be allowed in the kitchen.The fumes from cooking oils and frying pans can be harmful to parakeets.
Step 14: The entire cage should be cleaned.
Changing out the paper at the bottom of the cage is not enough.After you've clipped food to the bars, you should clean the cage bars with soap and water.
Step 15: Provide a diet consisting of pellets.
Though seeds are a common diet for parakeets in the wild, they are also a source of disease and can shorten the lifespan of your bird.Over time,bacteria can build up and overwhelm your bird.Consider converting your parakeet's diet to 70% pellets.Birds may initially reject pellets, perhaps vigorously.Ninety percent of parakeets will convert within two weeks using the following plan: Give birds seed for one hour in the morning and another hour at night.They have to snack on pellets the rest of the time.The 10% of parakeets that don't switch in two weeks will switch after a short period of reverting to a seed diet.
Step 16: You can add fresh fruit and vegetables to your parakeet's diet.
Feed a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables such as peas, carrots, parsley, cooked yams, sliced apple, mandarin oranges, and the like, as well as the seeds.If you give the bird the same food two days in a row, it will cause it to eat too much.The bars at which your bird can peck have pieces of apple or carrot clipped to them.You can chop up larger fruits and veggies in a food processor and put them in your bird's food bowl.Most fresh foods are safe for parakeets, but some are not.Coffee, chocolate, and alcohol should not be given to your parakeet.
Step 17: Food and water should be changed daily.
Before training the bird to perch on your finger, let it get used to you and the surroundings, doing nothing but maintaining his food and water and cage.
Step 18: Offer something to eat.
A favorite treat but don't feed too much of it as it is fat and not good for you.Excess oats and sweets are both bad for you.One of the best ways to train a parakeet is with millet sprays.
Step 19: Socialize with your parakeet.
You should be prepared to spend at least ninety minutes a day with your parakeet.Parakeets can be clicker trained, which is a fun way of stimulating the bird mentally and encouraging her to bond with you.parakeets will lose interest in human interaction without regular and sufficient attention.A pair will tend to bond with one another and ignore humans, but through interaction, you can be considered part of the flock.A way to interact with your bird is to sing together, give it baths, and if it drops a toy pick it up.It might be trying to play a game with you.Sometimes parakeets are lonely.It's a good idea to talk to them.Push a little bit on their stomach and say "Step up" to get them to climb up on your finger.They will "step up" whenever they say it, which will usually be when they come to a stair.
Step 20: Give your parakeet a break.
The bird can fly in the cage, but it is a good idea to let the bird out once a day for free flight.Obviously, be alert for dangers and close doors and windows.When it is time to return to the cage, clicker training can be used to test your bird.There are many things that can be dangerous to parakeets.If you are going to let your bird out of the cage, make sure to close windows, turn off all fans, and keep shiny objects away from children and other pets.The environment is made safer by the safer you can make it.
Step 21: Proper sleeping conditions should be provided.
Parakeets can sleep for ten hours a day, mostly at night, but they can also sleep during the day.When your parakeet is asleep, try not to make too much noise, though music or the television at low volumes is still okay.At night, parakeets like the security of being covered, so drape a towel or pillowcase over the cage.
Step 22: It's important to keep a proper temperature.
Parakeets are sensitive to temperature swings.They do well with average household temperatures, but always make sure their cage has a shady spot where they can retreat and not let indoor temperatures get out of hand.Don't put the cage in the sun.
Step 23: Don't be careless.
Parakeets are a lot of work, but they are an affectionate and funny companion.How much they learn is up to you.Give them attention and playtime and consider getting another hobby if you want to do some daily care and maintenance.