Caring For Your Parakeets

Parakeets need a cage large enough that they can spread their wings. The cage should be wider than it is tall, and horizontal cage bars will provide opportunities for climbing exercise.
The cage bottom should be lined with paper. To help absorb droppings and spilled water, add a layer of wood shavings or shredded paper.
Parakeets need two or three perches, either plastic or wooden. Small, fresh branches (especially choia) are great to perch on AND to chew on. Perches should be placed carefully so that they are secure and so that your birds can fly between them for exercise. When your birds sit on the top perch, their heads should not touch the top of the cage.

Parakeets should eat a special parakeet seed mixture; always keep the seed feeder filled. They also need fresh foods; cut chunks of fruits and vegetables and put them in a tray on the bottom of the cage once a day.
Another hopper (feeder) should be kept filled with grit to help your birds digest seeds.
Parakeets also like to pick seeds off of a spray of millet, which you can wedge between the bars of the cage.
A cuttlefish bone and an iodine block should be clipped to cage bars. Your birds will peck them to get the extra minerals they need to stay healthy.

Parakeets are very social birds and like to have at least one other parakeet as a companion to keep them company and to help them to groom. They also like to have your attention -- by talking to them and spending time in the room with them.
Birds like to climb, to gnaw and chew on perches, and to explore new things. Give them plenty to do!
Birds also like toys -- for fun and to help prevent boredom.
Birds need darkness to help them rest and feel safe, so they need a cage cover (especially at night or when too much is happening in your house).