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Post by Starlit Rogue on Apr 13, 2008 13:11:26 GMT -5
Um... they're both like 5 almost 6
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Post by vampyre on Apr 13, 2008 14:32:41 GMT -5
So much for that theory, that's mature for a parakeet.
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Post by Starlit Rogue on Apr 13, 2008 22:10:56 GMT -5
Yeah, about to hit the average lifespan. XD They'll live to be 13 or older. My anti social pets live longer than my social pets for some reason. ^^;
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Post by vampyre on Apr 14, 2008 5:20:45 GMT -5
When you're anti social, you rarely die of a broken heart.  |
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Post by Vicki Pettersson on Apr 14, 2008 8:38:53 GMT -5
When you're anti social, you rarely die of a broken heart. Full of cheer today, aren't we, Vamps? |
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Post by vampyre on Apr 14, 2008 9:31:50 GMT -5
It was the first thing that popped into my head. You know, like word association.
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Post by Starlit Rogue on Apr 14, 2008 23:43:52 GMT -5
Yeah, maybe. XD
My parakeet's original owner didn't have time for them and I've had them for years but unless I have food in my hand they wont go near me and even than I have to stand for like an hour.
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Post by vampyre on Apr 15, 2008 1:17:31 GMT -5
Back in the day when I was living off my GI Bill and little else, I trained/tamed birds for a pet store. One thing I learned that I think was interesting is the bigger a bird is, the easier they are to train.
Parakeets can be tamed down but as they get older, it's harder and harder to do.
If you really want to do it, you have to start by cutting off their flight feathers. This is just like clipping fingernails. They will eventually molt out and regrow the feathers in 4-6 months.
Once rendered flightless(temporarily) you get two sticks about the same size as the ones they perch on in the cage.
Get your bird on the stick and have it transfer from stick to stick. You take the stick it;s not on and put it about chest high. The little guy should want to be higher so he will climb up.
Once you get him used to doing that, you slowly move your hands closer to him. After a week or so maybe a little longer, you should be able to use your fingers instead of the sticks.
Just remember that when birds climb, they use their beaks like a hand. Try not to freak out when they do this. Some people think they are going to get bit. Well sometimes they are right.
The bites are not fatal but they sure hurt a lot. If your little buzzard latches on for long count, having a squirt bottle of water could come in handy.
Some people like to use gloves but I never did. Most birds associate gloves with rough handling.
This is just some basics. You can find a more detailed account of how to work with your birds in a books devoted to the subject or a good website.
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Post by Starlit Rogue on Apr 15, 2008 13:03:54 GMT -5
Huh, I may have to try that.
I only have the two left and I want to get them somewhat social before one of them dies. That way the one left wont be too broken hearted.
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Post by vampyre on Apr 15, 2008 13:40:55 GMT -5
Broken hearted? Are you kidding? If one dies, the other one screams FREE LUNCH! OK just kidding. Research how to clip wings and stuff. It's not hard to do and is painless.. Of course the birds do not like it but screw him you're way bigger.  Here is a good article and may be way better than my way of doing it. www.budgieplace.com/taming.html |
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Post by Starlit Rogue on Apr 15, 2008 17:04:24 GMT -5
^^; I was going to take them to the vet to get it done.
I mean sure it'd be cheaper if I did it but I'd be afraid to hurt my babies.
But I'll get started on the hand parts so that way they'll get used to my hands. *smiles* I'm all giddy now. XD I've only been able to hold them a few times in the cage (as long as I had a treat or food) and their so soft and light. Every time I am able to hold them on my finger just for a second it was amazing. But the parakeet that I was able to get to come near me died a year ago.
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Post by vampyre on Apr 15, 2008 23:17:00 GMT -5
Have you seen my pictures of me and Casper? Casper is my sister's bird but he likes me a lot. I have a few pictures of him in my photobucket. Click the link and go to the pets and family albumen.
Birds make good pets once they get tamed down and trained a little. The can be taught all kinds of tricks and the can even talk. parakeets can even pick up a few phrases.
Casper talks a lot but most of it is gibberish or hard to understand. Some of it is very plain though.
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Post by Starlit Rogue on Apr 16, 2008 0:30:21 GMT -5
Yeah, I've known that. I just want to be able to hold them. XD
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Post by miki on May 1, 2008 21:06:31 GMT -5
I have one dog (Ruari-Irish Terrier) and one ferret (Spike). I lost two ferrets and a dog in the last 6 months.  I have to speak up for the dog people! I have 2--Caiyah (red husky) and Ruger (boxer mix) they are kinda bratty and anti-social, especially Ruger. And both of my dogs would probably dismember any cat that wandered too close.  I've had 14 ferrets over a 20 year span of time... sorry for your loss...definitely know how you feel. i once lost 2 ferrets and a dog in a 6 week period of time--each two weeks apart. that was rough. |
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Post by slayercat on May 1, 2008 21:23:01 GMT -5
In addition to my two cats, I also have a dog, Kirby, a long coated chihuahua. He's my baby and he is laying on the couch right now snoring because it is past his bedtime.
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