* Pet Bird Chat * NEW

[.:FarmGirlAtHeart:.]

Question for any chicken/poultry/large bird owners?

My rooster has been getting anxious without anything to do, so we have been letting him and the other chickens free rangge more, but we have a lot of predators, so we can't let them out that much. I got him a food toy meant for small dogs, bit i was looking for other ideas.

Hello! I currently own 3 roosters. I have a lot of predators as well. People where I live let their dogs run free, so it's hard for us to let our chickens out. To keep my roos entertained, I will sprinkle different treats around their runs throughout the day. That way it encourages them to forage. My roosters also LOVE to play in small water puddles we make. I've heard some chickens like blank cds hung around the run to peck at. Does he have things to jump up on and explore? I've heard some people even make a box of like sand or gravel to give them a different texture to scratch around in. You could also try getting them live mealworms.

[cat;;]

No change in diet.I keep them on the same food; this brand called Vita Seed.They all look fine, no blurry eyes or trouble flying.I find some feathers in their cage but not too much to make me worry that the feathers are coming out in clumps.Here's the thing about breeding; they're not same sex and my one year olds are interested in each other (The one year old male does like a head bobbing thing to the female) but they're is also a 7 year old female in the cage that might effect breeding.Still they could breed.

I'd switch them to a pelleted diet if I were you. Pellets include most of the essential nutrients for parrots, and also have little to no fat, unlike seeds. Pellets are much better for most parrots and will give them more energy, and most everything they need in a diet. THey will still need veggies and fruits of course, but seeds will not give them any nutritional value, given that they live in captivity. In the wild they will fly upwards of 20 miles a day, and in a cage, you'd be lucky to have them fly 1 mile. In the wild they will eat wild fruits and veggies along with seeds and other things to keep their energy going because flying that much can be very tiresome. So in captivity, they do not need those seeds to keep them going, because it can be way too much fat for them and cause fatty liver disease. Try to switch them to a very good pellet brand, like Harrisons, or zupreem ( non-colored kind ). This ensures they are getting all they need, and nothing more.
Also, are you trying to breed them? What will you do when or if they have babies? Do you know how to care for the babies if they get rejected by their mom? Do you have the time to handfeed the babies many times a day if the mom does decide she doesn't want them? Do you have the room for more birds? Do you have the time and money for more birds? Did you know it is very dangerous for a female parrot to breed, and that there is a pretty high likely-hood she will have complications or die?
These are a few things you need to consider before taking breeding into your own hands. Not saying you shouldn't do it, but there are many parrots without homes out there as it is.

[. mira .]

No change in diet.I keep them on the same food; this brand called Vita Seed.They all look fine, no blurry eyes or trouble flying.I find some feathers in their cage but not too much to make me worry that the feathers are coming out in clumps.Here's the thing about breeding; they're not same sex and my one year olds are interested in each other (The one year old male does like a head bobbing thing to the female) but they're is also a 7 year old female in the cage that might effect breeding.Still they could breed.

I'd switch them to a pelleted diet if I were you. Pellets include most of the essential nutrients for parrots, and also have little to no fat, unlike seeds. Pellets are much better for most parrots and will give them more energy, and most everything they need in a diet. THey will still need veggies and fruits of course, but seeds will not give them any nutritional value, given that they live in captivity. In the wild they will fly upwards of 20 miles a day, and in a cage, you'd be lucky to have them fly 1 mile. In the wild they will eat wild fruits and veggies along with seeds and other things to keep their energy going because flying that much can be very tiresome. So in captivity, they do not need those seeds to keep them going, because it can be way too much fat for them and cause fatty liver disease. Try to switch them to a very good pellet brand, like Harrisons, or zupreem ( non-colored kind ). This ensures they are getting all they need, and nothing more.
Also, are you trying to breed them? What will you do when or if they have babies? Do you know how to care for the babies if they get rejected by their mom? Do you have the time to handfeed the babies many times a day if the mom does decide she doesn't want them? Do you have the room for more birds? Do you have the time and money for more birds? Did you know it is very dangerous for a female parrot to breed, and that there is a pretty high likely-hood she will have complications or die?
These are a few things you need to consider before taking breeding into your own hands. Not saying you shouldn't do it, but there are many parrots without homes out there as it is.

Well I'm not TRYING to breed them but if that's where the cycle of life takes them I am willing to put forward a full-time commitment to them.If they do breed I will get 3 more cages; one for the male budgies once they've grown up,one for the female budgies once they grow up, and one for my 7 year old female who I will remove when/if my pair breeds so she does no harm to the eggs.My parents don't necessarily WANT more pets but I think I could handle them.Of course, if I do find out they the 1 year old is pregnant I will do my research.I don't feed them very many fruits and veggies.Could that be it?Also, my dad insists that I switch them to wild bird food.Is that OK?If so, what kind of wild bird food?Do I need to feed them more fruits and veggies?

[cat;;]

No change in diet.I keep them on the same food; this brand called Vita Seed.They all look fine, no blurry eyes or trouble flying.I find some feathers in their cage but not too much to make me worry that the feathers are coming out in clumps.Here's the thing about breeding; they're not same sex and my one year olds are interested in each other (The one year old male does like a head bobbing thing to the female) but they're is also a 7 year old female in the cage that might effect breeding.Still they could breed.

I'd switch them to a pelleted diet if I were you. Pellets include most of the essential nutrients for parrots, and also have little to no fat, unlike seeds. Pellets are much better for most parrots and will give them more energy, and most everything they need in a diet. THey will still need veggies and fruits of course, but seeds will not give them any nutritional value, given that they live in captivity. In the wild they will fly upwards of 20 miles a day, and in a cage, you'd be lucky to have them fly 1 mile. In the wild they will eat wild fruits and veggies along with seeds and other things to keep their energy going because flying that much can be very tiresome. So in captivity, they do not need those seeds to keep them going, because it can be way too much fat for them and cause fatty liver disease. Try to switch them to a very good pellet brand, like Harrisons, or zupreem ( non-colored kind ). This ensures they are getting all they need, and nothing more.
Also, are you trying to breed them? What will you do when or if they have babies? Do you know how to care for the babies if they get rejected by their mom? Do you have the time to handfeed the babies many times a day if the mom does decide she doesn't want them? Do you have the room for more birds? Do you have the time and money for more birds? Did you know it is very dangerous for a female parrot to breed, and that there is a pretty high likely-hood she will have complications or die?
These are a few things you need to consider before taking breeding into your own hands. Not saying you shouldn't do it, but there are many parrots without homes out there as it is.

Well I'm not TRYING to breed them but if that's where the cycle of life takes them I am willing to put forward a full-time commitment to them.If they do breed I will get 3 more cages; one for the male budgies once they've grown up,one for the female budgies once they grow up, and one for my 7 year old female who I will remove when/if my pair breeds so she does no harm to the eggs.My parents don't necessarily WANT more pets but I think I could handle them.Of course, if I do find out they the 1 year old is pregnant I will do my research.I don't feed them very many fruits and veggies.Could that be it?Also, my dad insists that I switch them to wild bird food.Is that OK?If so, what kind of wild bird food?Do I need to feed them more fruits and veggies?

Unfortunately, breeding parrots is more than just " aw a few more cute babies to watch grow up! " these are more lifelong commitments, and you need to know that you can take care of them for 20 years. Also, like I said, it is very dangerous for the female, and there is a large chance she may pass while pregnant, breeding, or will just simply not care for the babies and you will have to watch them all day long, and feed them 5 or more times a day. If you still live with your parents, its likely you're still in school. While in school you will not be able to care for the babies and they will not live, or you will have to give them up, which I know you don't want to do. It's very strenuous on both parents, and I don't really think breeding is a good thing for younger people to take up. I would do a lot of research before hand.. and if you can buy another cage now and separate the male from the females.
Wild bird food is NOT good for parrots. Parrots need lots of nutrients and vitamins/minerals that wild bird food, or seeds in general will NOT provide. THey can get Fatty Liver Disease, and will die from it if not switched to a low fat diet, like pellets. Seeds have far too much fat in it for a captive parrot. Roudybush, Zupreem, and Harrisons are very good pellet brands. Fruits and veggies are needed daily for parrots, and should be given a variety of them. Some parrots like them in different ways so you need to try out different ways of serving them up. Here's a list of non-toxic veggies and fruits for your parrot.

[~Totally Insane~]

My beautiful sun conure Bellamie has finally got his adult colours!

20160520_085708.jpg (32.62 KiB) Viewed 37 times

[. mira .]

OK.I will get them some pellets.So would they breed if I leave them in the same cage?they haven't yet and I don't think they are but I'm not too good at bird stuff.

[rockonyo]

To be honest I disagree on what you say that since your in school you won't be able to take care of it, Im sure she/he will find a way to take care of the babys if the female did had babys, it doesn't really matter if you are in school or not you still will have a lot of thing's to care for, I'm in school but I have a way of taking care of my pet's, maybe ask your dad or sibling to help out if needed. To be honest it never to late to learn something new, Ya he/she might be young to breed the bird but there nothing wrong with it, I mean it life, you will have to learn how to breed or prepare sooner or later. Ya know?

You can always google and read books about birds or watch video, and sometimes learn from your mistake, which it's normal some people learn from their mistake.

[cat;;]

My beautiful sun conure Bellamie has finally got his adult colours!

20160520_085708.jpg

Oh wow hes so cute!!

OK.I will get them some pellets.So would they breed if I leave them in the same cage?they haven't yet and I don't think they are but I'm not too good at bird stuff.

If they are 1 year old, like you've said, then yes I believe that they will start to attempt to breed pretty soon. If you are not too good at bird stuff, then please don't attempt to breed. It's very costly, and dangerous. You will have to give the female supplements, and watch her closely for illness.. they will also likely not be hand tamed anymore and will choose each-other over you. I highly recommend splitting the male from the females ( and if you'd like you can attempt to get him a male friend so he isn't lonely ) to ensure the overall wellbeing and safety of all your birds. Breeding is not for beginners at birds and not for the light of heart. The female will lay roughly 8-10 eggs in her first clutch, and it can go up to 18 by her second. Are you willing to have 10 or more new birds overnight? Is your family willing? Do you have the money to buy extra food, 3 or more new large cages, extra bedding, toys, perches, and vet bills for 13 parrots? Can you spend an hour at least each day with each bird outside of the cage to ensure they are getting exercise and enrichment?
If she decides to ignore them, and no longer care for them ( which happens a lot ), you will have to feed each baby every 3-4 hours. Yes you can get your parents to help out while in school, but this means overnight too. Are you willing to wake up every 3-4 hours at night to feed 10 or more chicks? The formulas and syringes will also add up to be a lot, roughly 50$ or more just for the supplies you will need. It is no easy task to feed them either, and you could possibly hurt them if done wrong.
Buying 1 more cage is way cheaper than caring for new babies. Having a clutch can really make a bird not like humans around her, if she is tame now and you want her to stay that way, I don't suggest breeding her. So much can go wrong when you decide to breed parrots, and it is very difficult and costly to do.

To be honest I disagree on what you say that since your in school you won't be able to take care of it, Im sure she/he will find a way to take care of the babys if the female did had babys, it doesn't really matter if you are in school or not you still will have a lot of thing's to care for, I'm in school but I have a way of taking care of my pet's, maybe ask your dad or sibling to help out if needed. To be honest it never to late to learn something new, Ya he/she might be young to breed the bird but there nothing wrong with it, I mean it life, you will have to learn how to breed or prepare sooner or later. Ya know?

You can always google and read books about birds or watch video, and sometimes learn from your mistake, which it's normal some people learn from their mistake.

I'm not saying she can't take care of her birds because she is in school, I'm saying she will not be able to take care of baby birds since she is in school. If her parents don't want another bird to begin with, they will not want 8 or more birds at all. If the mother bird decides she does not want the babies, the owner ( Mira27 ) will have to take them into her own care or they will die. Baby birds need to be fed every 3-4 hours, and there is no way that she can do that while in school.She will also have to do this overnight, when she is trying to sleep. With an average sleep, she will have to wake up 4 times for about 30 minutes or more just to feed thes babies, and this will go on for 3 months until they are weaned.
You will not " have to learn how to breed or prepare sooner or later", there is no need to. There are hundreds of thousands of homeless or mistreated parrots all over the world that need homes, and if someone ever wants a new bird, they should try to contact a rescue or an online seller to find a new parrot, breeding should never be considered for this reason. Breeding is hard on the mother and she may die or fall ill, and if you want to keep your birds tamed, that is almost impossible given a school schedule. They need a lot of attention and 99% of people cannot properly care for 13 or more parrots.

[sapiosexual]

My beautiful sun conure Bellamie has finally got his adult colours!

20160520_085708.jpg

what a beautiful birdie!! give him a kiss for me :3

[. mira .]

My beautiful sun conure Bellamie has finally got his adult colours!

20160520_085708.jpg

Oh wow hes so cute!!

OK.I will get them some pellets.So would they breed if I leave them in the same cage?they haven't yet and I don't think they are but I'm not too good at bird stuff.

If they are 1 year old, like you've said, then yes I believe that they will start to attempt to breed pretty soon. If you are not too good at bird stuff, then please don't attempt to breed. It's very costly, and dangerous. You will have to give the female supplements, and watch her closely for illness.. they will also likely not be hand tamed anymore and will choose each-other over you. I highly recommend splitting the male from the females ( and if you'd like you can attempt to get him a male friend so he isn't lonely ) to ensure the overall wellbeing and safety of all your birds. Breeding is not for beginners at birds and not for the light of heart. The female will lay roughly 8-10 eggs in her first clutch, and it can go up to 18 by her second. Are you willing to have 10 or more new birds overnight? Is your family willing? Do you have the money to buy extra food, 3 or more new large cages, extra bedding, toys, perches, and vet bills for 13 parrots? Can you spend an hour at least each day with each bird outside of the cage to ensure they are getting exercise and enrichment?
If she decides to ignore them, and no longer care for them ( which happens a lot ), you will have to feed each baby every 3-4 hours. Yes you can get your parents to help out while in school, but this means overnight too. Are you willing to wake up every 3-4 hours at night to feed 10 or more chicks? The formulas and syringes will also add up to be a lot, roughly 50$ or more just for the supplies you will need. It is no easy task to feed them either, and you could possibly hurt them if done wrong.
Buying 1 more cage is way cheaper than caring for new babies. Having a clutch can really make a bird not like humans around her, if she is tame now and you want her to stay that way, I don't suggest breeding her. So much can go wrong when you decide to breed parrots, and it is very difficult and costly to do.

To be honest I disagree on what you say that since your in school you won't be able to take care of it, Im sure she/he will find a way to take care of the babys if the female did had babys, it doesn't really matter if you are in school or not you still will have a lot of thing's to care for, I'm in school but I have a way of taking care of my pet's, maybe ask your dad or sibling to help out if needed. To be honest it never to late to learn something new, Ya he/she might be young to breed the bird but there nothing wrong with it, I mean it life, you will have to learn how to breed or prepare sooner or later. Ya know?

You can always google and read books about birds or watch video, and sometimes learn from your mistake, which it's normal some people learn from their mistake.

I'm not saying she can't take care of her birds because she is in school, I'm saying she will not be able to take care of baby birds since she is in school. If her parents don't want another bird to begin with, they will not want 8 or more birds at all. If the mother bird decides she does not want the babies, the owner ( Mira27 ) will have to take them into her own care or they will die. Baby birds need to be fed every 3-4 hours, and there is no way that she can do that while in school.She will also have to do this overnight, when she is trying to sleep. With an average sleep, she will have to wake up 4 times for about 30 minutes or more just to feed thes babies, and this will go on for 3 months until they are weaned.
You will not " have to learn how to breed or prepare sooner or later", there is no need to. There are hundreds of thousands of homeless or mistreated parrots all over the world that need homes, and if someone ever wants a new bird, they should try to contact a rescue or an online seller to find a new parrot, breeding should never be considered for this reason. Breeding is hard on the mother and she may die or fall ill, and if you want to keep your birds tamed, that is almost impossible given a school schedule. They need a lot of attention and 99% of people cannot properly care for 13 or more parrots.

I'm not really sure exact age but it's like 1-2.I know they came from this really caring petstore that was supposed to only sell females.What a lie.I got the 7 year old female from my teacher and the 1-2 year olds came from the same pet store (Petsmart).Could that have anything to do with it?Like, that they came from the same pet store so they have been together longer?Also, what age is the age budgies reach sexual maturity (they can lay eggs)?I would be willing to commit to my birds and I don't hand hold often.Usually I will come into the room, feed and water then and then just watch them or give them fruits or veggies.I tweet to them and listen to them sing along with wild birds.