My PetCo parakeets/budgies all DIE? why?

Question

I have had two parakeets from PetCo. Sparky lived 7 days. Pickles lived 9 days. I cleaned the cage really well with lysol and water before I got them (I had them seperately--I got pickles after sparky died. I changed the cage liner every week, and I changed the food and water dish every week too. Maybe I just stressed them to death. They were sitting on my finger and were out of the cage by the 3rd day or so that I had them. Maybe it was because when they were sitting on my finger they would just off and bump into my dresser and sometimes flutter to the floor. My family cooks with teflon, maybe that's it. But the kitchen is farther away from my bedroom. Maybe it was because the air in my room had too many dirt particles floating in the air? Why did they die? I want to get another one, but how do I keep it alive this time??

Answer 1

Ok, you need to be changing the bottom of the cage, the water dish and the food dishes DAILY. Also, it's not a good idea to be cleaning with lysol, or any chemical product. Using just soap and water once a month for the whole cage will suffice. And you shouldn't be using newspaper either for the bottom of the cage, it's not good for them because of the type of paper/dye in it.

Answer 2

i think it might hav been the lysol u cleanded the cage with

Answer 3

Are you feeding your birds grit? Birds need tiny rocks to digest their food for them. If they don't have the grit then... They die. So get some grit to put in their food, they'll eat it up. If you have grit then I don't know what to tell you...

You can buy grit at any pet store that sells bird supplies.

Answer 4

You only changed water and food once a week?  That should be done daily.  Did you make sure your rinsed the lysol off completely prior to putting the birds in there?  Birds are picky eaters at time and so you need to empty and refill food dishes daily and definately water at least once a day.

Answer 5

i wouldnt get birds from commercial stores. i got my birds from a store that hand feed the birds everyday and had them with other birds. the cheeper stores may look like its a horrible store by the oldness of the building its the way they kno the everything about the birds and they can answer any questions u might have. :)

and mayb no lysol they hav noses and they smell pretty well. i no they always no wen i bring home food and their spoiled beyond belief because of my dad

Answer 6

They died because you neglected to research what a bird needed before you bought them. So you killed them through your ignorance. Hopefully you've learned a few things since then.

This time, spend a few months doing research and finding out what they need. Also, for God's sake figure out why you have all those dirt particles in your room - its not healthy for you or your bird.

Once you feel fairly confident - go find a bird owner and talk with them about care. If the owner feels you finally understand bird care, only then get another one.

Answer 7

Most pet shops that have breed many, many birds at one time then sell them aren't exactly the best place to purchase birds. First off, they're probably sick, with the way they're all clumped together in one place.  I would call a bird breeder instead of going back to PetCo.

As for the way you're taking care of them...You change their cage liner every week? That's supposed to be done DAILY, since with all the food and waste that can accumulate in a week could make birds sick. Also, food and water should be changed daily, too, and sometimes you need to change the water a few times a day due to a bird's habit of dunking their food. They always need fresh food and water.

Also, when you clean their cage with lysol, make sure that you wash ALL the lysol off, as that can be toxic to birds.

Answer 8

Never, ever, ever get your pet bird from commercial, mass-bred pet retailers such as Petco or Petsmart. Their birds are usually not properly brought up, sick and sometimes even mistreated. Teflon could be a reason for your birds' death, and most bird owners agree that Teflon appliances or cookware should never be heated in a home with pet birds.

And you never clean the cage with Lysol! It's toxic to birds. And you have to change the food and water dish at least daily! Otherwise the bird will be starved! The seed-like stuff you see in the bowl are actually seed husks, and the budgies don't eat the husks. Please do as much research as you can before getting your next bird -- Google it, get books, and do at least a month's hard research before getting your bird!

And please adopt a bird instead of buying one. There are so many good abandoned birds out there in parrot shelters that need good homes, and buying fresh birds (esp. from unscrupulous sources, like most pet stores) worsens their situation and their future generations'. Visit http://www.avianwelfare.org to find the nearest parrot shelter. This way, the cost will be very less (even compared to pet stores) and you'll know what type of bird you're getting.

The very least you can do is get your bird from a good, reputable breeder. Never get pet birds from pet stores! And once again, research, research, research before getting your bird!