Question #1:
i was thinking about getting parakeets.i have read up on them and know quite a bit but i recently lost two guinea pigs in February due to illness and i feel bad replacing them with a parakeet but guinea pigs just aren't my thing.do u think im cruel just replacing them?i love birds and i really want a parakeet im sure it will be fine because the reason my guinea pigs died early is because i got one from an inexperienced breeder and the one she gave me had a, well some sorta of disease and it got them both.
if you have any tips on getting a parakeet please tell me and any other thing that maybe i should purchase to ensure the birds safety?
just thinking......
Question #2:
I live with a person who had bought 3 budgerigars (parakeets), she works 10 hour shifts mosts days, has had them for about 6 months and did not let the rest of the house know she was getting them (we are mainly students in student accommodation) ... although they are really annoying, we have learned to put up with them.
the problem is the person in question who decided to get them.
the birds are in a small cage (around 30cm wide and 45 tall), they are hardly let out of the cage and when they are, she's done it in the kitchen which is totally unhygienic and has led to arguments.
recently, it looks like they have gotten bored of the birds and is now leaving them stranded down in the basement as they cant be bothered (which is dark and very damp, not really nice living conditions for any creature, unless you are an insect!).
this person is well known for lack of consideration and thought on pretty much anything that bears responsibility (very child-like), so the rest of us kind of fear for the safety of these innocent animals and I am wondering if anyone could shed some light on the situation?
please note that they do get fed, but they are not being looked after or interacted with properly.
firstly, we would like to know how many hours of the day they must be covered up for, how long they must be let of the cage for and if this neglect continues from the owner, is it worth having a word with them about animal cruelty and try and find a new owner that would look after them?
myself and my girlfriend are due to be moving from the house very soon so a quick response would be greatly appreciated so we can have a word with the housemate in question.
thanks :)
Question #3:
could you suggest some safety tips for parakeets. i recently heard that drafts can kill parakeets, i want to know what other factors in the household can cause sickness or death of a parakeet.
Question #4:
My friend offered to sell my her cage after her parrot died. She said its this exact cage, but Im worried it may be too big for my parakeet. I mean safety wise. I would probably end up getting her a mate so she wouldnt feel lonely in a large space.
I was told as long as it was a 1/2 inch spacing? That made it alright?
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Question #5:
As a thirteen-year-old who only owns a budgie/parakeet, I'm going to need some advice on this.
I've always wanted a cat. Now I want to get a Ragdoll cat; when I took personality quizes or searched around, it always seemed to be one of the best cat choices for me. Except for it's massive size. I know that the personality is one that caters extremely well to my tastes and living style. So, I know this is a cat I want. A lot.
I'm concerned about pricing. My Mom, the main decision maker, seems resolute not to let me have one. A normal cat probably costs around $30 a month to maintain. A Ragdoll is around $600 for a pet grade cat from a breeder. Now I know you guys will probably go all ethical on me, and I want to adopt, too. But you can't really find one, since they're so expensive that people sell them, and most come from breeders. I also mentioned I have a budgie. I'm very worried about his safety. I heard they're less aggressive from breeders, but then again, Ragdolls are very placid and docile. There might not be a threat at all. Another reason I choose the Ragdoll over other cats.
Basic info and tips would be nice, though I'm sure a vet or breeder could explain.
Lastly, I want to convince my parents. I'm a straight-A student, sometimes volunteer to do chores, and have good friends at school. I'm also always eager to help. She's concerned about price and responsibility. We have money, for sure. We just don't feel good about spending a lot of it, she always makes me think: "Do I really need this?". She also doesn't think that I can take care of it, that we're too busy and we won't be able to. The ragdoll is easier to take care of than most cats, and two friends have at least 2 cats and 1 dog. They handle it just fine. But I still need some convincing argumentt to sway her enough to get it. Will probably also count this as something for Christmas. I also haven't been able to train my budgie yet. But I don't know many people who actually trained their bird, and a big,peacefull, tolerant cat should be much easier to work with than a bird.
Thanks in advance for anyone who bothers to read and answer. Oh, and before you say they know what's best for me, I'm usually right with things. Such as last year when my mom had to go to the hospital because the ladder she was on fell, and I had kept warning her that the winter-y, ice-encrusted driveway was too slippery for it. I also live in Rhode Island, so I could only find one Ragdoll breeder in the state. Long-distance is pretty much out of the question.
Thanks for the answers so far. I'm going to check in on some nearby shelters soon. Mom seems to be okay with that. However, she admitted that she isn't worried about me handling the cat as HER handling it. But I've convinced her it can be trained. Still worried about the safety of my budgie, but I heard that can be trained out, too.
Question #6:
Well to begin with she won't let ANYBODY touch her without trying to bite them. It's not a vicious bite, more like a peck.
I just wish that it would work both ways because, for example, when i bring my dinner into the room and put it on the table and start to eat it she'll see it, start preening her feathers, come out of her came, land on the table and start to nibble on any salt or a stray chip on the edge of the plate, whatever takes her fancy.
It seems like she can be this way towards me and/or friends but nobody is allowed to go near her when it comes to trying to pet her. She's only 4 years old but she's always been this way since i had her about a year or so ago.
Something else that concerns me is that, for some reason, she knows what a gun is??? I have a few BB guns which i NEVER buy pellets for because they're only for show not to shoot things. I was showing my friend one of them and she was going f*cking crazy! She was literally trying to escape to safety like she was terrified of it, at the sight of it. Maybe she's had a previous owner that abused her or something/ I don't know but i'd NEVER hurt her she can do whatever she likes, fly around in the room, share my dinner, land on my shoulder (she likes the colour black lol) but i just don't know what's making her so uptight towards people?
Question #7:
Around four years ago, I ended up with two lovely lovebirds because their owners kids teased them until no end. I wanted lovebirds badly enough that I didn't pass up the chance for two free ones plus a cage. The only downside I found was they were very mean and tried to attack you if you got near the cage.
At first I didn't try to tame them because they kept the cats from sleeping on my parakeets and their cages. But as you can imagine, that got them meaner. So then the lovely little dears began to open their cage door and come out to attack my cats and anyone else who came into the room.
I finally started locking their cage so they can't get out, but one day the male escaped and we didn't find it until three years later when we moved. That seriously upset his mate, and she went all psycho on us. It got to the point where if you got within three feet of the cage she'd try to attack you.
In a failed attempt to calm her down, we tried to get her another mate. Her mate was hand tamed, but my other bird made short work on her new mate to make him wild, too. She bites off all his feathers, and doesn't let the poor thing do anything on his own.
I often let her out of her cage to stretch her wings (She comes out on her own) And she dive-bombs the humans and shreds anything she can her her little beak on.
I was wondering, is there any way to tame her at least so she doesn't abuse her mate? (We already put him in another cage for safety) Or is she just. . doomed to be evil? I'm willing to do whatever it takes to tame her since I'm already working with another bird (Dealing with being scared, not evil, though) So I can put in the time. I just don't know what to do - if there is anything.
Any help would be wonderful. Even if she'll never be hand tame, I at least need her to stop abusing her mate so my Cockatiels can stop sharing with my parakeets. ^.^
Question #8:
Yesterday I found feathers all over the place and then my 7 yr old female min pin aka. "Baby Girl" came walking in limping with feathers stuck all over her snout. She had just killed "Tweety" , my parakeet of 12 yrs. apparently Tweety put up a fight and pecked her on both feet as she is still limping today. They had lived together peacefully for 7 yrs. Last month she killed a squirrel and the neighbors pet rabbit who escaped and was in my back yard. The bunny has wandered over to where she was tied up on leash and before I could get there the bunny was history. She also attacks cats and anything that can fly. Is she getting mean as she gets old or did she always have this killer instinct? She is so good and innocent looking, you would never think she would kill a fly. I still have Pedro my parrot and since he is big and mean she does not go near him but for safety he is not allowed out when she is in room.
She is tied up with another dog--a pug and she walks everyday -3 x a day most of time she is in house. This is what she prefers and if she didnt want to stay out she will let me know.
Toys....she has many many toys that she beats up and chews so that is not the problem.
Question #9:
I've been planning on getting three pet rats this summer, and I was wondering if they would cause a safety hazard to the animals I already have. I have two cockatiels, three parakeets, a ring neck parrot, a rabbit, and two guinea pigs. I would house them in the same room as the other animals.
Is it safe for them or no?
Question #10:
I found a baby sparrow outside my dad's house in between two non to friendly cats that freely prowl the small area between the townhouses. Luckily I was able to get the sparrow to safety in a small bowl I grabbed from my dads but it's mother or nest wasn't to be found. We looked for ages, but we couldn't find it, and we couldn't very well leave it there with those cats running freely. So we brought it to my moms house and put it in a small bird cage that we used when we got our parakeet. I did some research and found some ideas for food in the meantime, and I've fed it little bits of wet dog food. I want to know if there's anything else I need to do for it in the meantime while I wait for my mom to get a hold of a wildlife rehabilitator?
Question #11:
I'm a college looking for a pet that I can bond with. Parakeets are just in my price range, but I have a few very serious concerns to deal with before I decide to actually commit. I've been doing a lot of research over the last few days, and I've become very concerned with the amount of safety hazards these little birds have to deal with. I live in a small apartment that only allows fish and birds (so I'm limited in that aspect). And I have only two reasonable areas to put the bird. In the walk-in closet, and in my room's dresser.
Obviously I would prefer to put him on the dresser. The issue with this is, because of the size of my room, the bird would be placed right next to the bathroom. There are oodles and oodles of issues that come with this. 1... teflon surfaces. I understand that hair dryers can let off a toxic that can kill the birds. I use a hair dryer every day. Not only that, the smells that come from the bathroom (including soaps, and hair sprays, which from what I understand are also toxic). Would it be enough to keep the door closed, especially while getting ready in the morning, and putting on the air vent as I'm getting ready? Or even keeping the door closed at all times, though that seems unlikely to be done.
Also, I keep a Slatkin & Co. air plug-in in my room. It's not very strong, and I'm not sure if it contains aerosol, but I understand that these are ALSO toxic to the birds. I'd rather not, but I'm completely willing to move it downstairs or into the hall. I'd appreciate any advice you can give me. I'm becoming very discouraged with the idea of getting a parakeet with all of these hazards I have to look out for. Especially with my current lifestyle. Be honest.
I want to be a good mama.
What specific chemical is toxic to birds that might be in hairspray and plug-ins? Is it just aerosol?
Question #12:
I am not sure if I should clip her wings. What are the safety hazards. What is the benefit. Is it worth it?
Question #13:
1....This guy's at work when he receives a call from the hospital informing him that his wife's been in an accident. He rushes to the emergency room where he's met by the doctor. They sit down in the waiting room and the doctor, with a very solemn look on his face starts to speak. But before he can, the guy interrupts.
Guy: "Doc, don't tell me my wife's dead. I just can't take it. Really, I can't take it. I love her."
Doctor: "Well, sir, I do have some bad news." Again the guy interrupts.
Guy: "Doc, just tell me, did she make it?" Doctor: "As I was saying, we did all we could. Right now she's in a vegatative state, which is likely where she'll remain for the rest of her life. She can stay here overnight, but after that, you'll have to take her home because your insurance doesn't cover this type of thing."
The guy slumps, just crushed.
Doctor: "With the right care, which will include you feeding her five times a day, cleaning her and giving her constant care on a daily basis, she'll likely live for at least another 30 years."
The guy sinks even lower, just crushed, and starts to cry.
Doctor: "As I said, your insurance doesn't cover this kind of care, so you'll have to make some sort of arrangements to purchase the equipment you'll need for your wife. I would suggest you put your house on the market today and sell it as quickly as possible and buy a mobile home. You're gonna need the excess cash. It should be enough to buy the equipment your wife needs and for you to live on for the next couple of months. By then, you should be able to qualify for welfare and other forms of state and federal aid."
By this point, the guy is sobbing uncontrollably.
The doctor reaches over, puts his hand on his shoulder and says, "Hey, look at me."
The guy looks up and the doctor smiles and says, "I'm just screwing with you, she's dead."
2......A fellow walks into a pet store and asks to buy a canary. The proprietor replies, "I'm fresh out, but I DO have a parakeet." The customer insists on a canary, until the shop owner informs him that a parakeet can be made to sound like a canary if one files the beak just so. "But be careful not to file too much off, or the parakeet will drown when he goes to take a drink of water." The potential customer decides that this is complete bullshit, but thanks the shop owner politely and leaves, sans parakeet. He goes into another pet shop and asks for a canary -- no luck. "But", says the shop owner, "I do have a parakeet, and if you file the beak just so, it can be made to sound just like a canary." He goes on to explain that filing off too much beak will jeopardize the bird's life, due to the potential for drowning when he takes a drink. The fellow finally decides that there is some merit to these claims and buys the parakeet. "Besides", he thinks to himself, "parakeets are much cheaper." His next stop is a hardware store, where he wanders into the file section, holding his recently purchased bird. The owner wanders by and asks of he needs some help. The new bird owner sheepishly explains how he intends to make his parakeet sing like a canary. The hardware store owner knowingly picks up a file and hands it to him. "Here, a Nichols #2 bastard file. But be careful not to file too much off, or the poor beastie might drown." The bird and file owner thanks the hardware store owner and leaves for home.
A few weeks later, the bird owner wanders into the hardware store. The owner, recognizing him, asks how he made out with the parakeet. The fellow looks down and sadly reports "Bird's dead". The hardware store owner shares his sorrow and asks "Filed off too much beak?" To which the former bird owner replies "Nah, he was dead when I took him out of the vise."
3......The National Transportation Safety Board recently divulged they had covertly funded a project with the U.S. auto makers for the past five years, whereby the auto makers were installing black box voice recorders in pick-up trucks.
This was done in an effort to determine, when accidents occured, the circumstances in the last 15 seconds before the crash. They were surprised to find in 49 of the 50 states the last words of drivers in 61.2 percent of crashes were, "Oh, Shit".
Only the state of Montana was different, where 89.3 percent of the final words were:
"Hold my beer and watch this!"
*NOTE: Greatest advise my father gave me growing up.....:Marry a woman with small hands, that way your **** will look bigger."
Question #14:
How long do the fumes remain in a room once I remove the balls?
And what are safety precautions to take regarding a child (almost 11) and birds?
I tried to look this up online, but did not find much information so can I just put the mothballs in a different room from the birds and close the door and keep it closed? What about in the same rooms with people? I heard a grocery store worker say when she was growing up her mama put the mothballs in socks because they were kids.
I had been using cedar but I still found a worm on one of my shirts and one of my daughter's shirts had small what looked like chew spots on the side. And they're still flying around, so I might have to use something else.
I've never used mothballs before (the stinky ones, but I have used the cedar balls). But if I can get information, I might try it.
According to this woodpeckers prefer cedar and redwood siding...
Click Here but according to a parrot website cedar is toxic to them? I think as long as parakeets don't eat it (the cedar) and as long as the cedar is untreated and is far enough from them (like in a separate room and away from them).
I might not use those nasty white mothballs though... I might ask a vet about all this too.
Question #15:
Dear Yahoo! Answers Members,
Hello, I have a female parakeet (Sunbeam) that is most likely going to lay eggs in about a month. She is showing a lot of the signs. We scheduled an Avian Vet examination for her in two weeks. We are eight-five percent sure she is going to lay eggs.
Anyways, whenever I try to handle her, Sunbeam tries to go back to her secluded place with Angel (male parakeet/mate) she usually flies into the wall. My dad is an extremely strong believer against wing clipping, even if it is for their own safety. He says "Let them fly around! You don't see other things flying around like that, do you?". I was wondering if I should handle her with the possibility of her hurting herself?
She has flew into the wall approximately six or seven times. Usually it's to get away from me when it's night time. The other times it's to fly to another place, but she hits the wall. I was wondering if I should hold her or not?
Also, can she damage the eggs if she hits the wall? I know that they've mated a lot lately, but I was wondering if it was possible for her to break the eggs inside of her. If so, how can you tell if they are broken inside her?
Also, how can I provide the most calcium in her food/water? I've been reading about egg-binding, and I think it is so horrible. And I don't want Sunbeam to become egg-bound. Can you please tell me all the ways to give her the most calcium in her diet?
I was wondering if these were the symptoms of the supposed breeding pair about to lay eggs:
Female (Sunbeam)
- larger droppings
- droopy tail (it's not broken)
- likes to be in dark, quiet, secluded places
- puffier vent/bottom
Male (Angel)
- likes to be near or next to the female
- brings soft materials to the female in his beak
- is extremely aggressive (lately)
- overprotective of the female to the other birds, humans, and other animals
Also, if she does have eggs inside of her, how would I make a home-made nestbox? Like one with a top so you can check on the eggs/chicks. Also, what nesting material should I have to prevent splayed legs? Torn up tissue paper, Care Fresh hamster hay, or something else?
And yes, I do have homes lined up for them when they are old enough to leave. I have eight homes lined up, and they are all my friends. They know how to take care of parakeets, and they will take care of them.
And please don't tell me that there are millions out there that don't have homes. I work at an animal shelter, I think I know that. And I work with the medium and small birds there. Anyways, it's not like I'm going to be a full time breeder! I'm going to let them parent, step in when I need to, and then I will seperate them so they can't breed again
Anyways, I wanted to breed them, but I changed my mind. She was showing signs of it before I bought the new cage. So I don't really have a choice now, do I? And I can't seperate them because taking care of chicks is a male-female thing. They BOTH need to parent.
Question #16:
Dear Yahoo! Answers Members,
Hello, I have a female parakeet (Sunbeam) that is most likely going to lay eggs in about a month. She is showing a lot of the signs. We scheduled an Avian Vet examination for her in two weeks. We are eight-five percent sure she is going to lay eggs.
Anyways, whenever I try to handle her, Sunbeam tries to go back to her secluded place with Angel (male parakeet/mate) she usually flies into the wall. My dad is an extremely strong believer against wing clipping, even if it is for their own safety. He says "Let them fly around! You don't see other things flying around like that, do you?". I was wondering if I should handle her with the possibility of her hurting herself?
She has flew into the wall approximately six or seven times. Usually it's to get away from me when it's night time. The other times it's to fly to another place, but she hits the wall. I was wondering if I should hold her or not?
Also, can she damage the eggs if she hits the wall? I know that they've mated a lot lately, but I was wondering if it was possible for her to break the eggs inside of her. If so, how can you tell if they are broken inside her?
Also, how can I provide the most calcium in her food/water? I've been reading about egg-binding, and I think it is so horrible. And I don't want Sunbeam to become egg-bound. Can you please tell me all the ways to give her the most calcium in her diet?
I was wondering if these were the symptoms of the supposed breeding pair about to lay eggs:
Female (Sunbeam)
- larger droppings
- droopy tail (it's not broken)
- likes to be in dark, quiet, secluded places
- puffier vent/bottom
Male (Angel)
- likes to be near or next to the female
- brings soft materials to the female in his beak
- is extremely aggressive (lately)
- overprotective of the female to the other birds, humans, and other animals
Also, if she does have eggs inside of her, how would I make a home-made nestbox? Like one with a top so you can check on the eggs/chicks. Also, what nesting material should I have to prevent splayed legs? Torn up tissue paper, Care Fresh hamster hay, or something else?
And yes, I do have homes lined up for them when they are old enough to leave. I have eight homes lined up, and they are all my friends. They know how to take care of parakeets, and they will take care of them.
And please don't tell me that there are millions out there that don't have homes. I work at an animal shelter, I think I know that. And I work with the medium and small birds there. Anyways, it's not like I'm going to be a full time breeder! I'm going to let them parent, step in when I need to, and then I will seperate them so they can't breed again
Anyways, I wanted to breed them, but I changed my mind. She was showing signs of it before I bought the new cage. So I don't really have a choice now, do I? And I can't seperate them because taking care of chicks is a male-female thin. They BOTH need to parent.
Question #17:
Dear Yahoo! Answers Members,
Hello, I have a female parakeet (Sunbeam) that is most likely going to lay eggs in about a month. She is showing a lot of the signs. We scheduled an Avian Vet examination for her in two weeks. We are eight-five percent sure she is going to lay eggs.
Anyways, whenever I try to handle her, Sunbeam tries to go back to her secluded place with Angel (male parakeet/mate) she usually flies into the wall. My dad is an extremely strong believer against wing clipping, even if it is for their own safety. He says "Let them fly around! You don't see other things flying around like that, do you?". I was wondering if I should handle her with the possibility of her hurting herself?
She has flew into the wall approximately six or seven times. Usually it's to get away from me when it's night time. The other times it's to fly to another place, but she hits the wall. I was wondering if I should hold her or not?
Also, can she damage the eggs if she hits the wall? I know that they've mated a lot lately, but I was wondering if it was possible for her to break the eggs inside of her. If so, how can you tell if they are broken inside her?
Also, how can I provide the most calcium in her food/water? I've been reading about egg-binding, and I think it is so horrible. And I don't want Sunbeam to become egg-bound. Can you please tell me all the ways to give her the most calcium in her diet?
I was wondering if these were the symptoms of the supposed breeding pair about to lay eggs:
Female (Sunbeam)
- larger droppings
- droopy tail (it's not broken)
- likes to be in dark, quiet, secluded places
- puffier vent/bottom
Male (Angel)
- likes to be near or next to the female
- brings soft materials to the female in his beak
- is extremely aggressive (lately)
- overprotective of the female to the other birds, humans, and other animals
Also, if she does have eggs inside of her, how would I make a home-made nestbox? Like one with a top so you can check on the eggs/chicks. Also, what nesting material should I have to prevent splayed legs? Torn up tissue paper, Care Fresh hamster hay, or something else?
And yes, I do have homes lined up for them when they are old enough to leave. I have eight homes lined up, and they are all my friends. They know how to take care of parakeets, and they will take care of them.
Question #18:
I have decided to clip my bird's nails and wings. Yes, I know, it's like taking away their freedom, but I need to re-tame them, and it's for their own safety. And their wings do grow back.
Question 1- Wing Clipping-
I plan on clipping my parakeet's wings, but only two of my parakeets. Also, I am clipping both (I have two) of my cockatiel's wings. I am most likely going to take them to a responsible pet store to get them clipped. Yes, I know that you should get them clipped by an Avian vet, but the Avian vets in my area don't do bird wings and nails. They focus on health and injury problems. I was wondering how much it would cost for all four of them to get their wings clipped?
Question 2- Nail Clipping-
I am also getting their nails clipped. I do know about the Kwik, and how if you clip it too close, the bird may bleed to death. I am very aware of that. But their nails dig into my skin when they sit on my fingers, shoulders, arms, ect. My parakeets and cockatiels are getting their nails clipped. I was also wondering how much this will cost?
I live in Middletown, Ohio. Can you please tell me where a reliable, responsible, and experienced pet store that clips nails and wings near my area is? I know that you can do it yourself, but I'm too scared I'll hurt them, especially with the Kwik and blood feather. Also, what should I take them to the pet store and back in? The parakeets would be fine in a shoe box, wouldn't they? I think the cockatiels are too big to be kept in one shoe box together. What should I use for a transportion box?
Question #19:
Your Open QuestionShow me another ยป
Where To Clip My Birds Nails/Wings?
I have decided to clip my bird's nails and wings. Yes, I know, it's like taking away their freedom, but I need to re-tame them, and it's for their own safety. And their wings do grow back.
Question 1- Wing Clipping-
I plan on clipping my parakeet's wings, but only two of my parakeets. Also, I am clipping both (I have two) of my cockatiel's wings. I am most likely going to take them to a responsible pet store to get them clipped. Yes, I know that you should get them clipped by an Avian vet, but the Avian vets in my area don't do bird wings and nails. They focus on health and injury problems. I was wondering how much it would cost for all four of them to get their wings clipped?
Question 2- Nail Clipping-
I am also getting their nails clipped. I do know about the Kwik, and how if you clip it too close, the bird may bleed to death. I am very aware of that. But their nails dig into my skin when they sit on my fingers, shoulders, arms, ect. My parakeets and cockatiels are getting their nails clipped. I was also wondering how much this will cost?
I live in Middletown, Ohio. Can you please tell me where a reliable, responsible, and experienced pet store that clips nails and wings near my area is? I know that you can do it yourself, but I'm too scared I'll hurt them, especially with the Kwik and blood feather. Also, what should I take them to the pet store and back in? The parakeets would be fine in a shoe box, wouldn't they? I think the cockatiels are too big to be kept in one shoe box together. What should I use for a transportion box?
Question #20:
I got two parakeets three days ago, and I want to clip them, for safety and easier to tame. They are about three months old. I am really afraid to clip them, because I am afraid of blood feathers. Clipping their wings cost $15 here, which cost more than the bird itself. Any advice?
I only got them three days ago, should I wait till they trust me before I clip them?
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