Birds are a popular exotic pet amongst owners. Parakeets in particular make great feathered friends as they are low maintenance, friendly and are small in size. However, their care should not be underestimated and new owners should do plenty of research before committing.
Let’s take a look at the advised housing requirements for parakeets to ensure that they are happy and healthy little birds.
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What are Parakeets?
Parakeets are small birds that are part of the parrot family. They are native to most warm regions across the globe, including Australia, India and America.
They have a lifespan in captivity of around 5 to 10 years and come in a variety of striking colours and patterns.
Cage design
Parakeets are often kept in cages, but do well in large aviaries. As an absolute minimum, a cage for a parakeet needs to measure 18”H 18”W 18”D (that’s about 45cm x 45cm x 45cm). Keep in mind that it is recommended that as much space as possible is offered, so that they can spread their wings, fly and exhibit behaviours that they would in the wild.
Make sure that the enclosure you use is safe and secure, especially outdoor aviaries. This will prevent the possibility of escape as well as stopping predators from being able to get to your birds.
Temperature
With parakeets coming from warmer climates, they are happiest in temperatures between 65 – 80 degrees fahrenheit / 18 – 27 degrees Centigrade. These are the typical ambient temperatures of an average household. It is important to protect your parakeets from extreme temperatures, especially in the winter and summer months.
If your parakeets are kept in an aviary outside, it is best to build the enclosure so that it is insulated in the winter whilst being cool in the summer months.
Whether your parakeets are kept indoors or outdoors, they should have plenty of air flow through their enclosure to avoid stagnant air.
Cage accessories
Accessories not only help to keep your birds entertained, but they also allow them to display natural behaviours. An enclosure that is interesting allows birds to have plenty of mental and physical stimulation which is paramount to their health.
Perch
Offer a variety of different perches for your parakeets that are at least 4 inches (10cm) long and ⅜inch (9mm) in diameter. It is best to avoid perches that have a significantly larger diameter as they will be unable to grip onto them properly.
Provide perches with different textures and materials and place these at different heights throughout their enclosure. This gives them a bit of textural difference depending on their preference.
Keep perches away from feeding and water stations to avoid contaminating the areas with faeces.
Toys
Offering toys to your parakeets can combat boredom. Boredom can lead to behavioural issues such as aggression or feather plucking.
There are many different toys available on the market including ropes, ladders and treat dispensers. It’s a good idea to rotate toys weekly to give them some variety.
Cuttlefish
Cuttlefish bones are nutrient rich and can support parakeets with extra calcium and other minerals. The cuttlefish also helps to stop beaks from over-growing as well as keeping nails at a shorter length.
Decoration
If your birds are kept in an aviary, you can get really creative with decoration that can reflect their natural habitat. Tree branches, logs, plants and natural foliage are a brilliant way of making their enclosure look natural, as well as making it more interesting for the birds.
Is it unfair to keep parakeets in an indoor enclosure?
It is hard to place a blanket rule on how animals should be kept, particularly birds. A great theory to go off is to provide any animal with an enclosure that mimics their natural environment as closely as possible.
Captive birds will unfortunately never have the same amount of open space as they would in the wild, which is why it is recommended to provide them with a cage or aviary that is as big as possible. A parakeet in an indoor enclosure may lead a happy life if they are properly cared for and are provided with physical and mental stimulation.
Cages and accessories that should be avoided
When it comes to keeping parakeets, there are some items that should be avoided or offered to your birds as toys.
Wide-spaced bars
Avoid cages with a wide gap between the bars. It is recommended that parakeets have a bar width of ½ inch (12mm). This is so that they cannot easily escape or get their head, feet or wings caught.
Mirrors
Mirrors have commonly been provided for many pet birds for entertainment. In some cases, mirrors may help to provide company for lonely birds, although the most ideal solution to this problem would be to bond them with a new friend.
Mirrors can cause stress, anxiety and unwanted territorial behaviours – these birds don’t seem to be able to recognise their own reflection. They may see their own reflection as a threat.
Toys with small parts
As with any animal, it is best to avoid toys that are easily destroyed or contain small parts that could be swallowed. Foreign bodies that have been ingested can cause serious harm to a bird’s health.
Flooring or levels made of bars or wire
In older style bird cages, the flooring is often made up of a wire type design. Levels made from bars or wire are also commonly available. However, it is recommended that these are avoided, as repetitive walking on these surfaces can cause a condition to the feet called bumblefoot.
This is a painful condition that causes swelling, infection and ulceration. The easiest way to prevent this from occurring is to avoid placing mesh or bars for your bird to stand on.
Final thoughts on keeping parakeets
Parakeets make a fantastic pet bird. They are clever, interactive and offer a unique bond with their owners. Parakeets are a great parrot for beginners that want to venture into sharing their lives with a feathered friend.
Their enclosures should mimic their natural environment as closely as possible and should give them everything that they need in order to thrive. An unhappy bird is not a healthy bird and many health conditions can be avoided when birds are provided with the best husbandry.
It is also important to note that not all veterinary practices will have experience with treating birds. If you would like to know your closest practice that can treat birds, take a look at our practice locator.
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