Thinking about getting a bird.?

Question

I will buy a parakeet, hopefully teach it to talk. I might be adopting a baby from petfinder.com

I need to know:

1.) How much money they will cost me (food, cage, cleaning up, medical stuff) because the only bird I've had in my life was when i was so little i cant remember it. (like 3 years old)

2.) What about the bird flu what the heck is is i've heard about it how do you prevent it what birds does it appear in

3.) I have a 3 year old in the house and wondering what i should do, do birds not like little kids or never let the bird out of the cage when little kids are around.

If I have missed anything please inform me thanks.

Answer 1

you mean a parrot, a parakeet doesn't talk.

as for the rest i would suggest you go to a breeder.

i would think about $1000 for everything in the start-up.

Answer 2

Parakeet food is quite inexpensive.  I buy mine at Walmart in cans or you can buy it in larger (and cheaper by volume) boxes.  The food costs about $2 a can or box, depending upon the brand and type you buy.  I have two parakeets (who chirp a lot - but never scream), and a box it lasts over a week or more.  It is pretty cheap.  Then you need to get vitamin drops for his/her water - about $2.00.  Gravel paper for the cage lining is about $3.00 per package.  The cage prices I'm not too sure on.  The last time I saw one there, I think it was about $30.00.  You can also get them at the pet store, but naturally you'll pay more.    The bird flu does not pertain to raised birds, so you do not have to worry about it.   Avian vetenary costs will vary.   As for your 3 year old - your bird will probably be more afraid of him than he is of it!  You will have to work on finger taming your bird,  with yourself in a closed room before you let him around your child when he's out of his cage.  Parakeets can learn some words, but it takes a LOT of effort - tapes are a help.  There was one bird I heard of  that had quite a vocabulary...but he was an exception.  Nevertheless, they are a joy with personalities.  Check out these sites for more info:  BirdChannel.com,  www.Birtalkmagazine.com  www.petsolutions.com  http://members5boardhost.com/ParadisePer...

Answer 3

Good luck with a parakeet. My mom had them in the house while I was growing up. They scream all the time, and they are annoying. Parakeets don't attack if thats what you are trying to say. Just make sure if you buy one to have it's wings clipped so if it does get out by accident, it can't fly away. You can teach them to say words, mine knew cuss words. My brothers taught them that. I'm not sure on the price of everything, but cages aren't that cheap. It will need a few perches, a grinding stone for his beak, maybe a few bird toys to hang from the top of the cage. My mom always used newspaper to line the bottom of the cage, so that should be pretty cheap for cleanup. If you buy a bird, make sure it already has it's shots or whatever it's suppose to have for medical. Good luck!

Answer 4

get something bigger i have a parakeet and i regret not getting a larger bird. sun conures are great

Answer 5

i have a conure

they need attention and all

but a little parakeet doesnt do much

little noise

if its friendly and you can train it thats cool.

there not very smart

cheap.

like 30 bucks for the bird about 100 probably after the cage bird& food and other supplys

toys.

little birds dont mind diffrent ages

Answer 6

I think you shouldn't go to petfinder  I just found that they are not a good site to get your animals from.  I know a breeder in Maine that you can look at they have parakeets.  It is better to get a baby that is already weaned and then it can bond with you.  As long as you take the bird out with the 3 year old than they would be able to get bonded and at first they will be a little shy.  you really don't have to worry about the bird flu.  and the food ranges but that shouldn't be too too expensive.  The cage is a one time thing and you can go to craigslist.com and find a cheap cage (they also have animals) cleaning up is nothing you just need to clean it every week... and all you really have to do is take the bottom out of the cage... take the paper out and put it back it (refill it with paper) it isn't that bad.  if you notice anything wrong with the bird like it starts breathing heavily or it;s not eating than take it to the vet.

Answer 7

get a lovebird babys they are super cute!