My First Bird

[BirdNewb12]

After much whining and going with what my mom said. I am picking up my first bird this weekend. It will be a hand raised parakeet. I hear they are very good birds for beginners. I have a cage, food & water dishes, a loop or rings with a bell at the bottom as a toy. Now what I plan on getting also when I get his is. A cuttlebone, mineral block, a couple more toys, a good bird food....and some water soluable vitamins. Now here are some questions. What type of food should I get, what vitamins do you recomend, what kind of toys keep their interest longer? I would like as much help as I can and i'm sure you guys could give me some...


Thanks,
-Kevin:)

[dlaura]

You must be so excited. Parakeets are wonderful birds and often not given the credit they deserve because of their size and affordability. They can do just about everything their bigger counterparts can do and if worked with daily will become tame and very, very sociable. Remember to talk quietly and calmly the first few days to a week after you bring your new baby home and let it settle into his/her new surroundings.

First I would advise you to type the word parakeet into your browser and read all you can.

The most important things I would suggest:
1.) Change out food if you are using seed twice a day because the hulls that are left they eat the seed can be decieving and make a person think they haven't eaten while in reality the food is gone and only the hulls are left.
2.) Fresh water is very important and should be changed at least 3 - 4 times a day and if your keet turns out to be one of those that poop in their dishes then more often. They are also known to bathe in their water and if you see them bathe in their dish then you need to change the water immediately afterward.
3.) From the very start offer your little one fruits and veggies as these are important to their diet.
4.) There are some things that you should never give your bird such as: avacodo, any caffienated beverage, chocolate, salty things or sweet things as sugar is not good for them. These are the big NO NOs - you should try finding a list on the internet of other no nos.

Hope this helps! Please don't hesitate to ask any other questions as they arise.

[krazy4birds]

Congrats to you Kevin and I am wondering how it is going. Just as dlaura said sometimes they do not get the credit they deserve because I have 'keet and she is so sweet, I do not mean sweet as in when I handle her because most of the time I don't. She is very very happy with her cage in front of a window. I keep a cloth on one corner for her to feel she has a safe place. But where ever she was housed(before me) she had to be around a Canary because she sings the prettiest songs you ever heard and she talks. I have heard her say pretty bird, sweety, Terry (hubbys name) and other little words, she has a swing and loves it. She is housed with a Zebra Finch and they get along great. My grandson gave me the Finch so I took a chance and they are fine.
I do hope you update us soon.
dlaura had some great advice but personally I feed mine once a day and change the water accordingly which is usually twice a day. Since you are probably in school at this time of year that might be a better scheduale for you. Above all...just be patient and love goes a long long ways Good luck!

[SweetPea]

OoOoO i would love a keet! my birds are just too darn mean for me to have one though! lol

pictures pictures pictures!?

ps. i would steer clear of food that uses ethoxyquin or any kind of preservatives in it... i like roudybush pellets, and volksman seed. i feed 50% pellet, 25% fresh fruits and veggies, 25% seed.