Parakeet Shopping List

So Here is my shopping list for my parakeets
Cuttlebone
Perches
Toys x2
Food, Seeds, mineral block
Cage, will a 30 inches long by 17 inches high and deep work for two parakeets with daily exercise? Do you think that's big enough??

If you have any additions or suggestions for this list I'd love to hear them! Thanks!!!

Dawn Michele You have birds

 

Good morning. I measured my cage and it is 37 high X 20 wide. I don't see a problem with your cage. Get some perch covers for your perches and gravel and grit to put on the bottom of the cage and in their food. They don't have teeth and it helps them to digest their food. Let me know if you any other question's.

 

Hello! I presume by parakeets you mean budgies right? I have a budgie

For a single budgie, her cage is 15 inches wide, 30 inches long and 21 inches deep, so I think your cage size is ok. Once they've settled in remember to let them out of the cage at least once a day for some exercise as your cage isn't really big enough for two to fly in. I assume they are of the same gender, otherwise you have breeding to worry about.

Get them into the habit of eating fruit and vegetables early too, as it's harder to wean them onto it later.

Good luck, and don't be afraid to ask if you have any other questions! I'm no expert but I have experience.

 

Hello! I presume by parakeets you mean budgies right? I have a budgie

For a single budgie, her cage is 15 inches wide, 30 inches long and 21 inches deep, so I think your cage size is ok. Once they've settled in remember to let them out of the cage at least once a day for some exercise as your cage isn't really big enough for two to fly in. I assume they are of the same gender, otherwise you have breeding to worry about.

Get them into the habit of eating fruit and vegetables early too, as it's harder to wean them onto it later.

Good luck, and don't be afraid to ask if you have any other questions! I'm no expert but I have experience.

Yes budgies, also thanks for the heads up on the gender thing, I will make sure to get all one gender. Also will the pick up any language?

 

Yes budgies, also thanks for the heads up on the gender thing, I will make sure to get all one gender. Also will the pick up any language?

Budgies don't talk as easily as other parrots, but they can sometimes pick up on other birdsong. If you whistle or chip to them they might learn to speak that. My budgie and I chirp to each other in our own made up language of sorts.

 

Thanks! Oh and what does everyone use for bedding. Newspaper, or sand

 

Aw fun. Make sure to post photos when you get them!! Now I want one...not ready for seed to be all over my house though. Haha.

 

newspaper

 

Yeah I use newspaper. It's free and harmless, should be changed weekly.

If anyone was wondering, here's my camera-shy girl. Her name is Sky

 

I use newspaper and sprinkle gravel and grit on it and change it everyday.

 

is it difficult to train them to step up and step down?

 

I use either gravel paper or newspaper for substrate.

Good luck with your budgie/s! They love being in pairs.

 

Gamer, I was planning on keeping them in a pair, maybe a green one and a blue one

Oh last question, how do you tell the difference between males and females??

 

I see that now lol. Yeah they will love that and the colors are up to you of course, but there are so many candy coated ones to choose from. If I didn't get blues, I'd want a white I think. but can't go wrong with any.

I started out having them eat from my open hand with treats and eventually they inched their way more into my hand as our bond progressed/ That worked for me and youtubing videos on the subject of handling them like from Parakeet Perch I think she is called.

Oh last question, how do you tell the difference between males and females??

By their ceres. The flesh between their beak and their foreheads.

 

I think I am going to try to make some DIY bird toys instead of buying most of them, the first one on this video with plastic beads looks okay

 

Be careful about sexing by Ceres, many young birds have pale blue Ceres which could change to brown or a deeper blue as they age. There is no real other way to sex though. Be sure to talk to an expert at the store if you can, they should be able to sex for you. My budgie was a rescue, and I was told she was a male

It's not too hard to train them to step up, there's lots of good tutorials online. The basic idea is to get them used to your hand in their cage, then get them use to your hand near them, then apply gentle pressure with your finger on top of their feet and they should step up. Reward them with some millet every time they step up. They should get the hang of it within a few months. It's harder to train birds in pairs, but still very manageable.

 

What does everyone think of this cage? For two birds





So here is what I have accumulated so far! Cuttle bone, a (pineapple??) mineral block, and one toy, soon to come! More toys, food, treat, cage, bird!!

 

Bar spacing is good, volume seems ok, looks good to me.

You should add a bit more entertainment than 2 dowel perches, but you seem to have that covered.

One thing with diy toys is that you have to be careful with the glue. Some glue on packaging or cardboard rolls can be harmful to birds, but there's plenty of alternatives. Corrugated cardboard makes for a great flat perch and nibble toy. Twine is always good. Plain white printing paper and newspaper are safe too, and can be make into balls, strips, nests, forage toys etc

 

Bar spacing is good, volume seems ok, looks good to me.

You should add a bit more entertainment than 2 dowel perches, but you seem to have that covered.

One thing with diy toys is that you have to be careful with the glue. Some glue on packaging or cardboard rolls can be harmful to birds, but there's plenty of alternatives. Corrugated cardboard makes for a great flat perch and nibble toy. Twine is always good. Plain white printing paper and newspaper are safe too, and can be make into balls, strips, nests, forage toys etc

Okay!!!! I'll Make sure to heck any glue on the cardboard. I will rinse the toys as well and get another perch. I plan to have 6 toys and to remove some and add others weekly so the birds don't get bored when I can't play with them

 

Okay!!!! I'll Make sure to heck any glue on the cardboard. I will rinse the toys as well and get another perch. I plan to have 6 toys and to remove some and add others weekly so the birds don't get bored when I can't play with them

That's brilliant! That's exactly what's ideal for birds

Every couple/few months you may need to make or buy a new toy to keep them interested, or to replace ones they've destroyed. As you will have a pair, they should be able to entertain each other more than a single bird can, but it's still best to not skimp on toys

 

That's brilliant! That's exactly what's ideal for birds

Every couple/few months you may need to make or buy a new toy to keep them interested, or to replace ones they've destroyed. As you will have a pair, they should be able to entertain each other more than a single bird can, but it's still best to not skimp on toys

Thanks! I plan to have a variety of toys as well, 2 with bells, two that they can climb on, and two with beads and twine and cardboard, and then of course anther 6, I'll mix it up for them. I also plan to let them watch TV with me, so even when I am not actively playing with them they will be able to get used too me and my home, they will also feel like they are getting interaction

 

Thanks! I plan to have a variety of toys as well, 2 with bells, two that they can climb on, and two with beads and twine and cardboard, and then of course anther 6, I'll mix it up for them. I also plan to let them watch TV with me, so even when I am not actively playing with them they will be able to get used too me and my home, they will also feel like they are getting interaction

Sounds like you've done your research! Too many birds go to bad homes, so I'm glad yours will be loved and cared for.

My budgies favourite toys are things she can destroy, so paper, rope, bark and cardboard. Each bird is different though. Some like things that rattle or ring or make noise. Some like things they can forage in to find treats. Some like things they can hide in and climb around.

Just make sure to have no mirrors. Mirrors are a popular bird toy but can easily become an object of obsession. Small mirrors or reflective parts are ok, but no toys that are exclusively mirror. I didn't know this until my budgie became obsessed, so I did some deeper digging and found mirrors aren't as healthy as many say they are.

Oh, and no sandpaper perches either. Ideally wooden ones, but plastic can add variety.

Sorry for the information overload! I just want you to start on the right foot I hope you understand.

Your birds are going to love you so much

 

One advice : think about getting one bird first and tame it, then get the other one.

It is much easier that way is my experience.

 

No problem! The more information the better!! I spent literally an entire day watching budgie how too videos. I also did some reading and a lot of research. I read about mirrors and decided to avoid them completely. I will make some toys that are simply tear up toys. DoubleDutch I was planning on doing one at a time! Thanks for the advice!!! I also plan to speak to them in Indonesian and see if they can learn such commands as "melangkah" (Step up) when I want them to step up on my hand. I want my birds to have an AWESOME life. So I am getting prepared to give it to them!! I even go this little swing with a bell on it! I am so excited

Alen AxP

This is one of the channels I like. The videos are very dynamic.

I am going to get everything gradually, working it into my grocery budget. I actually went without pineapple (lol I am addicted to pineapple) so I cld get the mineral block, cuddle bone and that toy. I am really sacrificing for these birds (lol no really


I have one more question....should I buy a bird bath, or maybe just use a bowl at home?

 

Either a bird bath or bowl works, depends if you want to hang it on the cage door or have it sit on the cage floor

 

Yeah I use newspaper. It's free and harmless, should be changed weekly.

If anyone was wondering, here's my camera-shy girl. Her name is Sky

Many years ago I had a parakeet named Sky. She was blue and white.

 

Many years ago I had a parakeet named Sky. She was blue and white.

No way! What a coincidence!!

I guess Sky is a pretty common name, but I named her when I was a lot younger (about 10 years old?)

I think I was about that age when I got mine. Then I added a male 1 year or more later and bred them a couple of times.

Oh cool I hope you knew what you were doing, breeding budgies can be risky for their health and have a lot of unwanted consequences; not for the inexperienced or for children really.

 

No way! What a coincidence!!

I guess Sky is a pretty common name, but I named her when I was a lot younger (about 10 years old?)

I think I was about that age when I got mine. Then I added a male 1 year or more later and bred them a couple of times.

 

Oh cool I hope you knew what you were doing, breeding budgies can be risky for their health and have a lot of unwanted consequences; not for the inexperienced or for children really.

I read a lot, researched, and asked lots of questions. I do the same with keeping fish now and breeding AKC champion Basset Hounds. I probably was older than 10, more like preteen or teen. It was over 20 years ago so not really sure of my exact age. All the birds were healthy and stayed with family members. I only bred twice.

Yes budgies, also thanks for the heads up on the gender thing, I will make sure to get all one gender. Also will the pick up any language?

My dad told me stories about the male he had when he was young. He supposedly said several words, though it sounds like my grandmother spent lots of time teaching him. My first budgie imitated my whistles and some of my made up ones were long. She was able to repeat them perfectly. She was very playful and such a character. She never talked.

 

I read a lot, researched, and asked lots of questions. I do the same with keeping fish now and breeding AKC champion Basset Hounds. I probably was older than 10, more like preteen or teen. It was over 20 years ago so not really sure of my exact age. All the birds were healthy and stayed with family members. I only bred twice.

Just wanted to be sure

 

I got some new stuff...a new toy with a bell and some millet seeds. Next up the food, then the cage...then the bird!!

 

Budgies go mad for millet seed sticks! Or you can buy those sticks made from a mixture of seed which is infused with fruit. Great as an occasional treat, for special occasions you want to celebrate with your bird or for when you're on holiday and want to apologise in a way they'll understand

 

Okay! I made two toys. The cardboard should be fine, nothing appears to be toxic. I plan to have three of these kind of toys, and then switch them out so the birdies won't get bored

Okay here is everything I have so far.

Toys x4 2 homemade, 2 bought
Pineapple flavored mineral block x1
Cuttlebone x1
Millet spray x1 package
Food x1 package

I plan to get 3 more toys and make 2 more. Then I am going to get the water and food bowls. Then all I will need to get is the cage. I am going to make sure its large enough for two birds

 

All sounds good! You will have a good amount of toys in the end and those are really good cardboard ones. Make sure some of the new toys your getting are perches/perch toys, so something like a natural wood perch with maybe some rope attached. Natural wood perches are pretty important for a birds feet and beak health. That and they're very entertaining.

I'm sure you already know this, but don't switch out toys for the first couple weeks or until your birds have completely settled in and are showing signs of boredom.

 

All sounds good! You will have a good amount of toys in the end and those are really good cardboard ones. Make sure some of the new toys your getting are perches/perch toys, so something like a natural wood perch with maybe some rope attached. Natural wood perches are pretty important for a birds feet and beak health. That and they're very entertaining.

I'm sure you already know this, but don't switch out toys for the first couple weeks or until your birds have completely settled in and are showing signs of boredom.

Okay! I forgot about perches, and I won't switch out for the first week

 

Okay! I forgot about perches, and I won't switch out for the first week

Yeah perches are important no sandpaper perches, but wood or tight rope perches are good!

Things like these

A nice variety of things they can stand on or play on.

DO NOT buy these, they hurt a birds feet and can cause sores

 

Wow! Thanks! I'll make sure to avoid sand perches Dawn Michele what perches do you have??

 

Wow! Thanks! I'll make sure to avoid sand perches Dawn Michele what perches do you have??

Hi. I have the wooden perches with the sand perch covers. I have ALWAYS used them.

 

Hi. I have the wooden perches with the sand perch covers. I have ALWAYS used them.

Here's a trustworthy pet experts opinion on the matter

 

Here's a trustworthy pet experts opinion on the matter

Thank you!!!!

 

Thank you!!!!

Your welcome! Just don't want to put your little birdies at risk, that's all!

 

Great! Next time I go to walmart I'll pick up a rope perch and a wood perch!

Or maybe I should just make the rope one

 

Or maybe I should just make the rope one

Nice idea but it's very hard to do. The rope has a wire in the middle so it can be shaped, and the rope is wrapped in a special way so it doesn't come undone easily and tangle the bird. You gotta buy it I'm afraid.

You could make a natural wood perch or two though.



Give this article a thorough read through before you consider making a wooden perch.

You can use cardboard to make perches too like I have. Find a wide strip of ink/glue free cardboard and push it through a corner of the cage, securing it in place with wooden clothes pegs or by bending the cardboard through the cage bars.

 

Nice idea but it's very hard to do. The rope has a wire in the middle so it can be shaped, and the rope is wrapped in a special way so it doesn't come undone easily and tangle the bird. You gotta buy it I'm afraid.

You could make a natural wood perch or two though.



Give this article a thorough read through before you consider making a wooden perch.

You can use cardboard to make perches too like I have. Find a wide strip of ink/glue free cardboard and push it through a corner of the cage, securing it in place with wooden clothes pegs or by bending the cardboard through the cage bars.

Okay. I'll but it. I plan on feeding the birds greens everyday (One lea of romaine lettuce or something like that) and fruits every other day or every third day

 

Okay. I'll but it. I plan on feeding the birds greens everyday (One lea of romaine lettuce or something like that) and fruits every other day or every third day

That's a great plan! Don't give up if they don't eat the greens immediately, it can be very hard to get a bird to eat their fruit and veg, like trying to feed a young child.
There's a thousand and one ways to try though so if you're having trouble give me a shout and we can run through some things to try.

I was ignorant and didn't feed veg for the first few years because she refused to eat it, so now it's even harder to get her to eat. So far after a year of trying very hard she will eat broccoli, and sometimes sproutlings or strawberry. I'm sure yours won't come to that though, keeping mind mine is a rescue and a scared cat because of it.

Many reccomend a pellet diet instead of seeds, And if you start off on pellets then it would be a long term win for you. Pellets can balance the birds vital nutritional needs without the fat of seeds, but still provide fruit and veg with seeds as treats. Again, that's another point I slipped up on initially, and it's too late to switch to a pellet diet now. She gets plenty of excersise and thankfully isn't obese but seed diets can cause health complication in the old age (she's an old bird now)

 

That's a great plan! Don't give up if they don't eat the greens immediately, it can be very hard to get a bird to eat their fruit and veg, like trying to feed a young child.
There's a thousand and one ways to try though so if you're having trouble give me a shout and we can run through some things to try.

I was ignorant and didn't feed veg for the first few years because she refused to eat it, so now it's even harder to get her to eat. So far after a year of trying very hard she will eat broccoli, and sometimes sproutlings or strawberry. I'm sure yours won't come to that though, keeping mind mine is a rescue and a scared cat because of it.

I am going to try to get the bird about 1-4 months old. I have been doing some reading and it seems that seeds all the time is NOT a good idea and that greens should make up a nice sized portion. And should be available every day since budgies can get over weight if fed only on seeds (I do NOT want an obese bird) I also plan to feed hard boiled egg every month. I read its good for them to have, but not to often.

 

I have always admired birds, good luck with yours!

 

Your welcome! Just don't want to put your little birdies at risk, that's all!

I really appreciate it!!!

 

So here's the latest addition to my horde of parakeet objects. A food bowl. Bought for 1.99 USD. I am going to change out the food every day as they say to

 

View attachment 544000 View attachment 544001

So here's the latest addition to my horde of parakeet objects. A food bowl. Bought for 1.99 USD. I am going to change out the food every day as they say to

Good good.