New Parakeets!

[Critter-Keepers]

Hey there, I just got some additions to my zoo! I now have four Parakeets. I got them for free off of a local classifieds site and I adore them to pieces. I need to get a bigger cage for them and was wondering what size you guys would suggest for four parakeets. I was also wondering how can I tell if they are male or female? I don't have any pictures yet but I will get some soon. Thanks!

[swedishfish]

adult male have blue cere(nostril thing above the beak) and femal have brown or pale cere. in babys its hard to tell but male have shiney pink cere(like infekted skin looks when its swelled up if you know what i mean) and female have a pink cere but more whitish and not shiney(sort of like frosted glass but with pink).


sorry i cant help you with the cage size but they like a wide cage more than tall. 4 birds it should be pritty big but make sure the bar spase isnt too big.


which colours are they? make sure you get pics

[luvnature]

Congrats on the keets! Do you have any idea how old they might be? Cant wait to see pictures!!

I too have a pair of keets that had their first clutch. Only 2 of the four eggs hatched...we love them so much. Their names are Toasty and Chicken, who we also call Scooter. They are almost 2 months old now.




You can check out this site dedicated to keet info.


http://www.wineintro.com/forum/ubbth...p?ubb=cfrm&c=4


This site is full of keet lovers and they have helped me out a lot.


Below is info from that site about cage sizes.
vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv


CORRECT CAGE SIZES (for all keets-just not breeding ones):

MIN. Size for ONE - 18x18x18"
Volume=5,832" sq.


MIN. Size for TWO - 30x18x18"
Volume= 9,720" sq.


MIN. Size for THREE - 32x18x20"
Volume= 11,520" sq.


MIN. Size for FOUR - 34x18x25" (size you need or larger)
Volume= 15,300" sq.


MIN. Size for FIVE - 35x18x30"
Volume= 18,900" sq.


MIN. Size for SIX - 40x18x32"
Volume= 23,040" sq.



~~basically, get the largest cage you can afford, that is around those requirements.~~


****Also, make sure the maximum bar spacing (spacing in between the bars) is 1/2"...no more! It's a dangerous hazard for the keets if it is larger than 1/2". ****



you don't have to have the same dimensions as those, just make sure the volume inside is only above or below a little of what is required.


To find Volume: just multiply the Length x Width x Height. very easy.


Ex) 30X18X36= 19,440" sq.


Which is big enough for 5 spaciously. 6 with much outside of cage time!!

[Critter-Keepers]

Ok thanks! Then I think I have two females and two males. At least till I can go out and buy a big enough cage for all four.

Also the cage the birds came with is about the size for two.. good thing I have another the same size. I'll just put two in one and two in the other. Thanks loads for the info!

I havent named them yet and I have no clue what age they are, The lady just told me they were "young". Here is a not too good picture but a picture none the less. The white one is my favorite. I'll keep two in one cage and two in the other so they have the proper room.


More then likely I'll name them Native American names. To honor my history.

[winter_frost]

ohh your parakeets are so cute luvnature!

I have two budgies and they are amazing! Critter keepers if it's not too much to ask could you take a picture closer up? Sorry I love seeing peoples pictures..

And the easiest way to check if they are young is the stripes on their head. the younger they are the more they have (like in luvnature's pics where you can see the stripes all the way to the beaks and as they get older they will go fading backwards, not sure if i'm very clear lol) anyway congrats on the parakeets!

[swedishfish]

luvnature and critterkeepers you both have veryvery nice looking birds! and i agree with winter frost take more pictures


how tame are the parakeets do they step on your hand or take treets from you?

[luvnature]

yes, we need more of those cute little keet faces!!

[Critter-Keepers]

RIP Hinto and Taipa

[winter_frost]

aww love the pics! they are cuties!

[rodentopia]

so you guys call budgies parakeets! i thought it was cockatiels.

i want a few now that i've seen yours, luvnature. and CK, my favourite is the white one too.

[Critter-Keepers]

The white one I have named Cholena which is delawere indian for Bird and the green and yellow one is now named Neka which means Wild Goose in native american. The two in the bottom picture has passed unexpectedly RIP Hinto and Taipa.