I am wanting to get a bird for my son, I am pretty sure I want a parakeet, I had a few when I was little and I think it should be a good pet for him. What is a good price for one? Where is the best place to buy one? Are there any other birds that might make a better pet for a little boy. He will not be taking care of it, he is two and just likes to look at the birds and listen to them at the pet store and the park. Thanks!
2006-11-27 06:36:00 · 11 answers · asked by mommy2one 2 in Pets ➔ Birds
At a place such as Petco or PetsMart, you can get a parakeet for about $15. BUT - you are getting an untamed bird that will most likely not want to be handled, and will fly around the cage if you put your hand in there, and will nip when you try to handle it. They can be very difficult to hand tame. I'd pay a little more and get a hand-fed parakeet. You can usually find these at a specialty bird store. They may cost a little more, but trust me - IT IS WORTH IT. Getting ANY bird hand-fed is better than a parent-fed bird. The hand-fed bird is used to humans and hands and has been socialized to people. Believe me - I've been down this road before and after getting a hand-fed cockatiel, I'd never ever get another untamed bird.
2006-11-27 10:38:44 · answer #1 · answered by Miss Maiko 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
how nice of you to get a pet for your son! Parakeets usually cost between 15- 20 $ each. The cage is the expensive part! You need a cage big enough that the parakeet can fly around in. that will cost about $50. Although, the food is cheap, and those are your only two main expenses. If you aren't home a lot, it is better to get 2 together, as your keet will likely be lonely, and may pull out feathers. here is what you should look for when you go to buy one. Observe them for a while, look for ones that are eating, defacating, and being social. this is healthy parakeet behavior. don't pick the one that is sleeping a lot- it may be ill. other healthy signs- bright eyes- clean beak and cere (above beak) good posture, smooth feathers, clean around the anus ( no redness) if the cere above the beak is pink, and there is no iris visible, then the bird is young, under 1 year old. If you go to petsmart, etc. you can get a healthy bird, just remember that they won't be as socialized as a bird that was handfed.
2006-11-27 19:18:57 · answer #2 · answered by C.C. 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You know what? I have had 6 parakeets in the last 12 years and I didn't pay for a single one. I don't know about price, but try a pet shop. Not like Petco or Petsmart. Try a farmers market that has a small pet shop. I've seen some at my local market for about 20 dollars, including the cage and food. Just make sure you pick out a lively bird.
2006-11-27 15:31:20 · answer #3 · answered by A. Bynum 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can parakeets from most petstores for 10-30$. I think they would make a good look-at pet for a young boy. Because they are so flighty, they are not suitable pets to be petted and held, which eliminates the temptation of getting close to a sharp beak!
They are pretty, chatty, and with adequate cleaning routine they should not stink.
Go for it! Another choice, would be a cockateil. They go for around 80-100$ and are a bit more personable, but bigger and less colourful.
Try to find a bird breeder in your area. Animals from breeders typically nicer, healthier, less expensive, and the breeder is always happy to help out. However, failing that, a parakeet from a petstore would probably be just fine.
2006-11-27 14:41:44 · answer #4 · answered by Zoe 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have seen them from $18 to $35.
When you get one, make sure it is tame. Some of them have a mean bite. I buy the $35 hand-fed parakeets from the local bird store because they are so wonderful to handle and play with.
You might get a really good one for less by buying directly from a breeder. Look in the newspaper ads or ask around.
2006-11-27 22:21:30 · answer #5 · answered by The First Dragon 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well I got mines for $15, they don't usually run
over $25 or so. The best place to buy one is from a reputable breeder, its not bad to buy one
from a pet store but they come healthier and better socialized from responsible breeders. Another pet you might want to think of in my opinion is a guinea pig! They are so awesome once you get their true personality to shine.
They are very gentle with children, they are
way easier to care for, and they save a great deal of cleaning. Taking a bird to your local vet
can be very costly. Guinea pigs run cheap too,
you can get one for about $25. Do some research on the guinea pig, you'll like what ya
find. whatever you choose good luck!
btw to the answer above my parakeets arent flighty, they love to perch on my finger and happily cherp all day. My cocktail bites so hard
its not funny!
2006-11-27 14:54:38 · answer #6 · answered by al3xxx 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I bought mine for $19.99 each from Petsmart. Many pet stores have specials when you buy two you get ten off of the other. Parakeet make great pets, my only complaint is that they're very messy. They throw things.
2006-11-27 15:47:46 · answer #7 · answered by Fall Beauty 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
16-17 dollars, you can look at your local flea markets and see what they have but make sure the cages of their birds are clean just to be certain. Good Luck!
2006-11-27 14:39:23 · answer #8 · answered by duckcrazy39 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
about 16 bucks is a good price for 1
2006-11-27 18:15:31 · answer #9 · answered by mickymousegrl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
$ 18.00 at Pet Depot
2006-11-27 16:32:54 · answer #10 · answered by JSSK 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋