How to Care for a Parakeet

Parakeets come in a rainbow of colors and various sizes. Some have the ability to imitate human speech and can live up to 20 or more years if cared for properly. Owning a parakeet can be a great alternative to a parrot if you cannot afford the much higher-priced birds. These birds will require several hours of your attention every day, much like parrots and conures.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Enclosure
• Substrate
• Food and water bowls
• Commercial pellets
• Fortified seed
• Natural perch
• Cement perch
• Bird toys

1. Obtain the largest possible sized cage for your parakeet. The minimum size you should buy is 24 inches wide by 24 inches deep and 36 inches tall. The bar spacing should be no more then 3/4 of an inch apart.

2. Fill the bottom of the cage with an easily cleaned substrate like newspaper or corn cob.

3. Locate the parakeet's cage in an area of your home away from drafts and direct sunlight.

4. Keep a dish always filled with clean non-chlorinated water for your bird to drink from.

5. Feed your bird about 75 percent commercial pellet and 25 percent fortified seed. You can also feed fresh fruits and vegetables as a treat once in a while.

6. Place several perches, both natural and cement, in the cage with your parakeet. You should also provide a few toys or a play gym to help entertain your bird.

7. Clean out the bowls, perches and substrate every day and replace the food and substrate. On a monthly basis you should also disinfect the entire cage and all of its contents with a dilute bleach mixture.

8. Provide a place with dim lighting for your bird to nap in daily. Parakeets naturally will nap for a few hours each day and will enjoy a comfortable place to do so.

Tips & Warnings

• If possible you should provide a larger cage for your bird to use occasionally with enough room to fly around. This extra exercise will be very healthy for your bird.
• Visit a bird veterinarian annually to help maintain your parakeet's health.
• Avoid fruit seed, avocado, chocolate, caffeine and alcohol as these items are poisonous to your bird.
• Always replace worn and damaged toys as they could injure your pet if not removed.