parakeet questions

[pretty_boy2012]

hi all, new member with a couple questions.

Was reading some info I had gotten with my new parakeet, and it said it should be quarantined from other pets, anyone know how long??

Any advice on keeping my cat AWAY from the cage the bird is in?? Was gonna put it on a stand, but even with that, he still scratches at the cage.

how often should new food/water be added

how often should the "birdy" litter be changed (dont ask, thats what was included)

Appreciate any info/help/guidance...........WHATEVER is given

thanks all
Chad

 

[IcyWolf]

I only quarantine new birds from my other birds. I don't think there is really anything your new bird could pass on to your furry pets or vice versa. I would just be sure to watch your other pets very closely to make sure they aren't "too interested" in the little guy. I clean my cages pretty often but most of my budgies are kept in pairs so it's twice the poop and since they are breeding right now they eat more and have bigger poos so that makes a difference as well. For my pet that is caged by herself I change her papers about twice a week and give the cage a good scrub once a week. Obviously if you give them messier foods you will have to adjust that accordingly. You want him to have access to fresh food and water all the time, so if it's a big bowl and it lasts him a whole day, give him food once a day, if you notice he is eating it all, replace as needed. My pet budgie, Sadie, gets food usually twice a day since she likes to kick some of it out. :20: She stands in her bowl and shuffles her feet so the whole top layer of food goes flying(conveniently into all of the little cracks of my printer :20: ) I change water at least 2-3 times a day for my little guys.

Congrats on your new budgie!

Just now saw the part about your cat scratching at the cage. Other than completely separating them, you could try using double sided tape. Make sure your bird can't get to it and get stuck of course, but I've used it many times to teach cats not to scratch furniture. You just stick it wherever the cat is scratching and then when they go to scratch again their paws get stuck to the tape and they HATE it! Teaches them really quick without hurting them in any way. Without seeing your set up I can't say how you could adapt this theory to work for a bird cage but I just thought I'd throw it out there. Be very cautious that your cat doesn't scratch your bird at all, cat scratches can be very deadly for birdies due to infection.

 

[stephend]

For food I clean every bowl with soap and water every day, it's a little time consuming with 12 bowls, but they are less likely to become infected. It would probably be acceptable to let dry food sit, but if it gets dirty (and it will) it needs to be replaced.

Water needs to be replaced at least once a day; if you wouldn't drink it replace it.

As for the cat I have heard that they don't like walking on aluminum foil. You could also try a shock mat, though I am not certain that I am comfortable with those for humane reasons. A squirt bottle should work if you can gaurd the cage for a week or two.

 

[jewels04]

For food I clean every bowl with soap and water every day, it's a little time consuming with 12 bowls, but they are less likely to become infected. It would probably be acceptable to let dry food sit, but if it gets dirty (and it will) it needs to be replaced.

Water needs to be replaced at least once a day; if you wouldn't drink it replace it.

As for the cat I have heard that they don't like walking on aluminum foil. You could also try a shock mat, though I am not certain that I am comfortable with those for humane reasons. A squirt bottle should work if you can gaurd the cage for a week or two.

I was against the shock mats as well but one day my son sat down on one someone had on their couch. They had it turned pretty high up, they had a mastiff, and it didn't bother my 4 year old son. So they may not be too bad?

 

[pretty_boy2012]

okay round 2 of questions (more like question)

I had gotten pretty boy (couldnt really think of a name for him) on saturday the 2nd of june. When is a good time to start training him to sit on finger, ETC??

He looks to be about a couple months old (I'll have to try and get a good picture of him when I can)

I tried (literally) a couple minutes ago, and got closer than i have done.

 

[god61021]

dont rush him. once hes comfortable with you holding him then work on stepping up. but if all he wants to do is get away you are probably wasting your time.
What I did with my bella was once she was on my arm and tryin to get to my shoulder I would get in her way with my finger and tell her step up, when she does it correctly and I make a really big deal about it, I will then make her step up from one hand to the other 4 or 5 times repeatedly making a big deal every time she does it. took about 3 days for her to figure it out and now steps up instantly (most times)

 

[pretty_boy2012]

thanks to everyone that has helped me out.

i've been reading a book that I had also purchased when I got the parakeet, GF has been hoggin it from me .

 

[pretty_boy2012]

sorry i havent been posting much, but some updates on the new parakeet is hes out of his cage (and currently on the keyboard as im typing this lol)

I have him almost fully trained (finger sitting, stepping up, kinda talking.....I know I still have plenty to do)

 

[2budgies]

I know people have answered you already but I myself am NEW to the parakeet experience!!! for the cage "litter" we found that the best for our birds is exquisitcat pine pellets... many people gave us that tip. Its great for spot cleaning and the birds don't bother it. I change water in the morning and at night. We also have two VERY interested cats .... we locked them in the basement while the bireds got adjusted to thier new home. Then we just kept a good eye on the cats ... with a squirt from the water bottle when they showed too much interest!!! works wonders. Don't forget to offer a bath or misting from a spray bottle I found that helped with the bonding process.