I'm interesed in purchasing a bird. My children seem to like birds. How much would my initial investment be for the bird? I know the bird would need food, a cage, and a swing. Is there anything else he would need? Should I get a girl or a boy? Thanks for your help!
2006-12-23 11:53:58 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Birds
I recommend you to buy cockatiels. They are the best first-time pets. But get a hand-tame cockatiel (male) at the age of 2- 4 months. They can learn whistles and they can learn tricks. Their price may vary depending on their colours. 80- 140$. But they are really good with children. Their food is kind of cheap. Anywhere between 10-20$. Cages are about 100$ or you could build one. So the total would be around 200$. Please get a cockatiel because they are the best. I had a male for 2 years and now we got it a female. They laid eggs and all the babies hatched. The parents let me play with their babies since day one. So they are really nice. Please pick my answer as the best.
2006-12-23 17:22:05 · answer #1 · answered by aamir925 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
ok. First, do not get a parrot. They arent beginners birds and will not react well if not treated properly. A budgie or lovebird would be good. If you work a lot or wont have a whole ton of time to interact with them get two so they have company. They may become very close but they still will need plently of love.
Second, get the largest cage you can afford for the space provided. get several different types of perches to keep their feet healthy. Also provide food and water where they can both eat and drink comfortably. When you purchase the birds find out toys or something that they will love, some like mirrors, or hanging toys, our doves love their ladders. Birds can be cheap to buy but remember most live for a few years and if they get sick they need vet care which can be expensive.
Also, make sure your children understand how fragile birds are and they get hurt easily. Make sure you supervise them playing with the animals to establish good habits and that the bird is comfortable too.
It doesnt really matter what sex. Dont get one of each if you dont want babies. If they all lived in the same cage at the store they should all get along at home. Just make sure they have space.
Also, dont handle them for the first day or so. Talk to them and pay attention to them so they get used to you but they will have gone through a traumatic experience and they need time to adjust to new sights, sounds and smells too.
Good Luck!
2006-12-23 19:19:24 · answer #2 · answered by Lindsay 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Please research them well. Also know Birds need a vet just like other animals except avian vets are not as easy to find. Male birds tend to make better pets as they do not get nesty when needing to lay eggs. I would not get a large bird unless your kids are teens or older. Also know that not all birds will be tame or easy to car for. WWW.petfinder.com is a good site as they offer rescue birds many who are tame.
Birds need a cage apporitate for their size. Many sold in pet-stores are not good. Also bird from say petsmart are hand-fed..but not socialized. SO they may not be tame. Birds require alot of attention and time outside cage also. So think long and hard. I love birds and so do my children. But they are work,time,and patience.
2006-12-23 15:28:57 · answer #3 · answered by Steph D 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
budgies are inexpensive, they can go from about $10-50, and their cages is about $15 and up. their food is inexpensive but as all birds do, they need fresh fruits and veggies. BE SURE TO READ ON WHAT THEY CAN AND CANT EAT
cockatiels are nice too, as they are a bit bigger but not as big as parrots. they are a bit more expensive though, as they range from about $50 -100 and maybe even higher. the cages are rather expensive too. they range from $40 and higher, depending on quality and size. it would need room to fly from perch to perch and be able to exercise their wings.
both birds need time to be tamed and lots of patience, so this isnt for the kind of the impatient. For starters, or for the young, i would choose a budgie parakeet, for they are cheaper than other birds, and still quite colorful and playful.
hope this helps, and have fun with your bird!
2006-12-23 13:14:34 · answer #4 · answered by Gale 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
http://www.birdloversonline.com/forum/index.php
read, research, learn.
I'd recommend a cockateil, budgie, lovebird.
they are smaller, less messy, and not AS noisy or wanting of care as larger birds
2006-12-23 11:58:18 · answer #5 · answered by lilswanwillow 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a female budgie.
2006-12-23 11:55:46 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
a honey bird
2006-12-23 12:04:23 · answer #7 · answered by cead 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
get a parrot
2006-12-23 11:57:46 · answer #8 · answered by Other sheep 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋