HOW to take care of a parakeet and a cockateil?

Question

i just got 2 birds they were rescued...
cages were filthy.
they were being kept alive with moldy wild bird seed.
I cleaned their cages spotless.
I bought them new toys.and food.
they seem to be very happy , and are singing all the time.
I am TOTALLY bird stupid. is there anything i should know thats very important? I have never owned birds before. and I want to do right by them, they have been wronged for so long. I want to be the best bird mommy I can be. I am already a mommy of 3 boys, 2 cats, and 1 dog. Please if there is anything I need special for them please tell me. and I will get it.

Answer 1

Well go online or Wal mart , Meijer or pet stores carry very good books we feed are birds clean food and water every day . Cockateil live 15-30 years 17 years for most . They love popcorn no butter, whole wheat bread slices ,saltines .Put vitamins in water sold at most stores millet is a favorite .This is very important for them they will eat it grit paper you line the cage or sold in a box grit its good for their deit. We do buy all the treats for the birds minerals treats also.,they sell lice protection.to hang on cages. They also like be sprayed with clean water from spray bottle or the do sell a bath tub for birds or to shower with you.Keep them warm Some like fresh fruits ,veggies cut up very small. We let the birds out of their cage to fly .But watch over them Keep doors , windows closed , potty lids in bathroom to . We have 2 young men 5 birds 1 cat 1 dog . We do cover the cage at night for them mostly in the winter nights to help keep cool air off them . Lot of love and care Good luck with your new feathered friends Dianna

Answer 2

Definitely get them started on pellets. Eating seed for birds is like humans eating junkfood all the time. Your bird will suffer from weight issues. Make sure to change their newspaper [preferably black and white...color can be toxic] every couple of days, or when it gets too poopy and gross. Change their food every day, as well as their water. I was taught that if you wouldn't drink your bird's water, then don't give it to them. Let them get out of their cages once in a while [maybe not at the same time if they're not in the same cage], so they can stretch without being confined in a cage. Get their wings clipped the first few times, because it can be tricky. You could clip a blood feather and cause your birds to bleed to death. I advise clipping their wings as it isn't cruel; in fact, it's the opposite. I would rather have my babies glide to the ground than get lift out of an open door. Make sure you also keep their nails trimmed. Change their toys every so often! They do like change. :] good luck!

Answer 3

First get them to a vet, moldy bird seed can kill and cause an infection. For now use apple cider vinegar in their water to fight an infections. But a vet can help better with meds. Get a real good seed, I use higgins. Parakeets eat a different seed so get one just for them. Give them a mix of fresh or frozen veggies. I mix corn, peas, carrot, ect. I thaw it and serve. I also feed apples or any kind of fruit, brown rice cooked is a favorite too. No avacados, caffine, chocolate. Watch any smoke, candles and teflon type coated pans. If they over heat they will kill a bird in mins. Watch the cats, one scratch or bit and they will die in a day or 2. Cats have poison in there mouths that kill. Plus if the stake a bird the bird will die of to much stress. I would recommend joining a yahoo group and asking questions.

Answer 4

Well, you might want to get your birds a scratching perch. It's main use is to keep your birds nails filed down to a healthy length. Remember to change their food and water daily, and take spend some time with the cockatiel. They need to be around people often, or else they will become mean and anti-social. You can also teach your cockatiel a tune, if you want. You can get a nest for the parakeet, but it's not mandatory. They sometimes like to sit in the nests.

Answer 5

Clip their wings, its not so hard. Look online for tutorials. After you clip their wings let the cage open so that they can get some excersice. When their wings are cut they are more friendlier and still since they cant fly and will sit on your hand. This is regarding the cockatiel. The parakeet is a different story, those birds are more for watch than to be handled. So i wouldnt let the parakeet out. But the cockatiel is a verry smart bird. It can learn many things, i suggest you spend time with it, you will fall in love with it. If it bites you then its just scared, just keep spending time with him, and he will stop. BUT DO not move your hand away when he bites, let him bite you so you can show the cockatiel that you are stronger than him and that your not afraid.. If you move your hand away it will keep doing it over and over because it knows your afraid of his bites... Try feeding them pellets, do not feed them seeds, its bad for their health.

Answer 6

you have to change there water every day and they love to fly around the house but its not smart if you have cats they like to be outside hanging around for fress air and watch the outside birds do you hav one of them rocks in there cage that they sharpen there beak on