You are here:
Birds--General/Aviary
Advertisement
Question
I have a 6x10x8' Outdoor aviary with 8 ringneck doves and 4 button quail.I would like to add some Parakeets for color and variety but have read so many different opinions on the subject. Can you give me your opinion please?
Thank you in advance.
Hi, Kim,
I do not recommend adding keets to this mix. These are different species of birds and their requirements are different. For example, doves love to sit in the sun, bathe in the rain, eat dove food and grit. Keets like the sun for a bit, but should not be exposed to sunlight like doves/quail should be...keets can't take the heat, they usually don't like the rain like doves do, keets have different dietary requirements, and should not be allowed to eat grit (it can become impacted in their crops). Doves/quail can acquire illness/disease that will kill a keet. In general, keets (which are parrots) are a more "delicate" type of bird than doves/quail. I would keep keets separate and inside the home or inside an area that is not exposed to the environment like you would keep doves. Doves can live outside in the wintertime with no heat, whereas keets need to be kept a certain temperature. In addition, keets tend to pick on other, docile type birds. Doves, which their long sharp beaks, can inflict much injury on a keet if they want to. If these are button quail, they like to scurry about at night, which tends to frighten/upset doves and the keets, who enjoy their rest at night.
Chrys
- Add to this Answer
- Ask a Question
| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Thank you so much Chrys! I was afraid I might not be able to keep them together, but you know when you go into a pet shop they pretty much tell you what you want to hear and not necessarily what's best for the animal. Thank you | ||
Related Articles
Answers by Expert:
Chrys Meatyard
Expertise
I`ve been raising/breeding/handfeeding/selling parrots for over 20 years (parakeets/budgies, cockatiels, 6 subspecies of conures, parrotlets, amazons, lovebirds, etc.). I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England. I can provide advice in raising healthy birds, handfeeding/weaning babies, some health problems (although I'm NOT an avian veterinarian), nail/beak/wing clipping, general husbandry, etc. I also have experience with racing/showing homing pigeons. I cannot diagnose specific illness over this website. If you suspect your bird is ill or if you have an emergency, contact an avian veterinarian or emergency pet clinic ASAP.
Experience
Experience: Over 20 years raising parrots and over 13 years raising pigeons. Organizations: Currently, American Racing Pigeon Union and American Federation of Aviculture. Prior member Miami Valley Bird Club, Southern Ohio Pigeon Association, National Cockatiel Society, Miami Valley Sportsman's Club, others. Publications: Monthly newsletters of bird clubs.
Publications
I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England.
Education/Credentials
American Federation of Aviculture, completed Level I course, Fundamentals of Aviculture. Keeping/breeding parrots and other birds for over 20 years.
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.