Parakeets?

[Bangel]

I've recently been interested in getting a small pet. I went to PetsMart (the best pet store in these here parts) and my eye feel upon some parakeets. I've checked a few websites for information on them, and I think I know most of the things I need to know about owning them.

But then my mother told me a story- she said that her mother had owned finches (not parakeets, but birds all the same). She (my grandmother) bought them fake nests to put in the cages- and one of the birds actually laid eggs. Yet, they never hatched. I was wondering if anyone knew why this was- I know it could just be fate, but the bird laid two eggs, and both didn't hatch. Not just one. I think that it's is a bit unusual if both eggs didn't hatch... if only one didn't hatch, I would assume that something went wrong in that paticular egg and move on with my life, but I'm just curious.

I'd like to know if anybody knows a possibility as to why they didn't hatch so this can be prevented if I happen to get parakeets (if I get a male and a female, that is). Or, if you happen to have any special tips about parakeets, please post those as well.

Thanks for your time.

[Sapphire Faerie]

Perhaps the eggs were never fertilized?

[Kristina]

I believe I read somewhere that some birds lay "fake" eggs as to keep the real ones safe. Those kind of eggs are completely empty.

But it just might be that both of the birds in the eggs just didn't hatch.

I had 3 parakeets once. We let them go free after their wings grew out. You need to let them out of their cages once in awhile, even if their wings are clipped. And it's not a wise idea to get small cages for them (the ones that are about the size of a regular computer moniter...)

Good luck with your new pets.

[Silja]

The eggs might have been fertilized but the parent-birds might have not taken enough care of the eggs, or then the nest wasn't fit for the eggs (too dry air etc.). Some birds tend to lay eggs even though the have not mated. This might point to that the bird is stressed, sick, lonely or something else.

One shouldn't get into breeding new individuals unless one has great experience of birds from before, same goes for any animal of course.

A good way to avoid getting new baby parakeets is that you get one parakeet and then a budgie as it's companion instead of another parakeet (to be absolutely sure you don't have a male and female together).

I have two lovebirds myself but I don't recommend those to "beginners".

Last edited by Silja on Thu Jul 29, 2004 8:51 am, edited 1 time in total.

[Caesara]

When I was younger we used to have a female parakeet.

They lay eggs occasionally (I'm not positive how often) but unless they are fertilized they will never hatch.

[Articfox]

If your not a breeder, do not think it'll be fun to take care of baby birds because its really hard and time consuming, but it is common sometimes especially in chickens to lay eggs without even having them fertilized, so they are just dud eggs, nothing is inside them besides the yoke.

And yes like someone said above, parakeets shou;d be out of the cage evryday, for atleast two hours with some kind of human contact, or they'll never warm up to you and act skittish and un-tamed around other humans.

[Jill]

I used to have parakeets. They're ok but they're really annoying when they "talk" a lot. You're gonna have to get a net too, sometimes they escape and fly around the house.

[jellyoflight]

I used to have parakeets. They're ok but they're really annoying when they "talk" a lot. You're gonna have to get a net too, sometimes they escape and fly around the house.

Someone I know has just one canary and that makes a racket. >.<

[Fallen]

we have had our parakeet for...2 months he cant talk but he cant say "CWAK EERRRRHHHHHHH CAGGGGGGGG" and it is NOT fun -_- but hes still cool! =P also..if you to tell which gender they are the markings around there face determine it...blue/purple are boys green/pink are girls

[Jen]

Either they weren't fertalized, or they were abandoned for whatever reason. Maybe the mom didn't have the instinct.
But it wouldn't be anything to worry about if you got them, most kinds of birds do that. But anyways.. You don't want baby birds, especially loud ones. Not only are they the noisest most annoying things after a couple of weeks, if they get out they are a terror to catch.

[Articfox]

we have had our parakeet for...2 months he cant talk but he cant say "CWAK EERRRRHHHHHHH CAGGGGGGGG" and it is NOT fun -_- but hes still cool! =P also..if you to tell which gender they are the markings around there face determine it...blue/purple are boys green/pink are girls

Actually the ceras for girl parakeets is either whiteish r ranging to brown, and they are not smooth like the males they are rough and bumpy. Just clearing that up.

[Fallen]

oh...im just going by what ive read >_< and are you serious...2 hours a day outside cage? my parakeet goes insane after 5 mins outside his cage

[Articfox]

oh...im just going by what ive read >_< and are you serious...2 hours a day outside cage? my parakeet goes insane after 5 mins outside his cage

Well maybe not two hours but maybe atleast 30 minutes...because they need somekind of exercise they won't get sitting around in there cage all day, and remember seeds are high in starch which is fattening so remember to mix up a budgies diet with vegetables and fruits once in a while so they don't get fat and lazy leading to early deaths.

[Silja]

oh...im just going by what ive read >_< and are you serious...2 hours a day outside cage? my parakeet goes insane after 5 mins outside his cage

Well maybe not two hours but maybe atleast 30 minutes...

Actually, I let my lovebrids fly around and be free in my room for at least four hours every day.

[Fallen]

id let mine do that but i found out he likes to fly into the wires behind the tv -_-