| T.R | Title | User | Personal
Name | Date | Lines |
|---|
| 313.1 | If it's a pet, get a hand-fed one. | WARLRD::SIMPSON_L | | Mon Feb 05 1990 23:05 | 45 |
| Hi.
How big a bird to you want to start with?
Perhaps a Cockatiel might be a good starter or even a parakeet.
What ever you do make sure it is hand-fed if you want to make it
a pet.
The conures I have seen are bigger than cockatiels and parakeets.
Birds, at least pet birds, are generally seed eaters. Lorries are
the only exception I am aware of. Oh yes, and mynah birds. These
two kinds of birds are fruit eaters.
You can usually buy a good food mix for whatever type of bird you
get from the pet shop where you purchase it or from the breeder
if you purchase one from a breeder. There are also places from
which you can mail order your bird food.
You also need to make sure the bird gets plenty of fruits and
vegetables every day in addition to its seed or other food.
Also make sure you get a good vitamin suplement for your bird.
Make sure he/she gets a cuttlebone or mineral block to chew on for
minerals.
Make sure the bird has a large enough cage so that it can move around
without hurting itself and can stretch its wings.
Make sure it has some toys to play with so that it won't get bored
when you are not around.
Also make sure that the bird has perches of different sizes if you
can. This is good for their feet.
Other than that, if you intend for your bird to be a pet, give it
lots of love and attention
so that it will be a very good companion.
Good luck.
Laurie
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| 313.2 | What's a hand-fed bird? | WARLRD::SIMPSON_L | | Mon Feb 05 1990 23:09 | 14 |
| One other thing.
Hand-fed means that the bird is removed from its parents when hatched
or very young and fed by humans. This means that the bird is handled
for all or almost all of his/her life whih makes the bird more friendly
and people-oriented.
Sorry if these replies seem disoriented. I'm on hold with a customer
and trying to write while working on something els.
Good luck again.
Laurie
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| 313.3 | | SNDCSL::BLEIWAS | Look at the green one! | Tue Feb 06 1990 12:20 | 11 |
| Thanks for the replies.....actually, the question was from my roommate
Bruce, who wants a bird really badly! If you read note 312 (which
I entered), you'll see that I already have a 'tiel. Bruce fell in love
with mine so he wants his own! I will pass on any more good advice to
him!
Thanks!
____
\ \ \o\ , __
\ \ \\\L_\_\
\ \ \\\ \\__>
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| 313.4 | Conures are a good bet | NEURON::ROBSON | News item from the Banzia Institute | Tue Feb 06 1990 14:15 | 21 |
| I think Conures are good "starter" birds if you reallly want 'em as a
pet. I know that I am biased but I don't really like cockateils and
although budgies/parakeets are common, I don't think they would meet
your expectations. Conures are a family of birds from small (green
cheeks, which are not much bigger that a budgie) to large (blue crowns,
cherry heads ect which are sometimes larger than the cockateils).
Price wise they can be cheap, Nandays are often seen less than $90.00,
around here, on sale less than $50.00 up to Sun conures, which if
purchased in a "pet store" can be up to $700.00. I agree with past
replies, if you can, get a "hand-fed", he/she will be much more
fun. I don't know about where you are, but if possible try to avoid
getting him at a pet-store. Try to find a breeder, it will be cheaper
and probably a more healthy bird.
One thing to keep in mind about many conures is that they can be loud.
They like to make a lot of noise when the sun comes up, when they no
something is going on that they are not part of ect... But I think they
are worth it. I have one hand fed Sun and 3 other pairs that I and.
trying to breed as part of my flock.
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| 313.5 | Research! | MEIS::TILLSON | Sugar Magnolia | Tue Feb 06 1990 14:42 | 18 |
|
Conures, if handfed, can be really sweet and amusing pets, BUT, they
are LOUD LOUD LOUD! Some other not-too-expensive (under $300ish) birds
that I consider to be good "first bird" choices (assuming you want
something a little more advanced than 'tiels, budgies, and lovebirds)
might be Senegals, Grey Cheeks (also loud, but only if you have more
than one) and Pionus. If you're set on a conure, consider a blue
headed (not sure if this is the "official" name) conure. Although
larger than most, they are considered easier to tame, and less noisy.
I also understand that Orange Wing Amazons are relatively inexpensive
and can make good pets.
Go to a pet shop and pick up a copy of Bird Talk's annual, called Bird
World (?). It is intended to help a first time bird owner make a good
choice and to understand the needs of the bird.
Rita
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