Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 11/15/2006

Question
Hi Chrys,

I have just bought my first keet from Petsmart, and he/she seems very scared! I have read some info on the fact he's scared with new environment etc. If I have him out of cage he'll let me pet him and just sit with me. In his cage he'll just sit in the same place for hours on end!  Is this normal? Also I haven't seen him eating any food. I have seed and nurtrgrain and a cuttle for him. I have only had him 2 days so I know I'm being impatient just I just want to make sure I'm doing the right thing. I have dogs and cats but have never had a bird.  Can you over handle a new bird?
Is there a Dummies book for parakeets?
Many thanks
Lisa Bennett

Answer
Hi, Lisa.  Thanks for posting!

If you've only had your new keet for 2 days, you need to give s/he some time to settle down in it's new home.  It's great he's tame with you when he's out of his cage, but his new cage is new to him...he needs time to get used to it.  Yes, this behavior is normal for a new bird.  He also may not eat or drink right away.  Do you have him on the same food as when he was at Petsmart?  Also, if it's all seed, it's a poor diet.  See my website for more information on this:

http://www.angelfire.com/falcon/birdinfo/index.html

You'll need to keep your dogs/cats separate from your bird until you see how they react to each other.  They are natural enemies.  Some dogs/cats don't care a thing about parrots, but others do...your bird's life could depend on your supervision when they all have access to each other.  

Yes, I think you can overhandle a new bird before it's ready.  However, if you new bird does fine with you when you have him out of the cage, great!  There's information all over the internet about parakeets/birds in general.  However, each bird is different, just like humans are different.

Chrys