Feb
2
2010
How do I tell if a parakeet at the pet store is healthy?
I don’t want to get a sickly parakeet that just sits in its cage and looks miserable. Can somebody tell me how to pick a healthy one? The last parakeet I had was one from a lady who rescues them from shelters and gets them healthy again before giving them away. I’ve never gotten one from a pet store before.
February 2nd, 2010 at 8:52 am
ask it ofcourse
February 2nd, 2010 at 9:26 am
pet store animals r all ways healthy thats the only way they can keep them in there.
February 2nd, 2010 at 9:51 am
Ask
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Aq42WyWKSzaXLTJZ03NqFDwazKIX;_ylv=3?qid=20081211151056AAbWHB7
February 2nd, 2010 at 10:42 am
if its still moving…
February 2nd, 2010 at 11:22 am
bring in a vet
February 2nd, 2010 at 11:49 am
Get a vet to go with you and check them out.
February 2nd, 2010 at 12:33 pm
Ask the pet shop clerk and see what its behavior is. Or you can look up what kind of parakeet you want online and see if they are just all around healthy happy birds!
February 2nd, 2010 at 12:54 pm
Clear, shiny eyes, both eyes look the same, no odd marks or bumps on the legs.
Also, clean, intact feathering all around — and, most important, “normal” active behavior.
February 2nd, 2010 at 1:10 pm
look for plucked feathers underneath the wings and red rashes near feet area to see if it is unheathly
February 2nd, 2010 at 1:31 pm
I would talk with the store workers that care for them. Ask many questions. Look at the bird you are interested in. Needs to have nice clean and neat tight feathers, clean and not runny or crusty nares, feet and nails in good shape. Eyes bright and clean. Show personality not just sitting there all fluffed up. I always take my birds for a avian check up after buying them to make sure they are ok.
February 2nd, 2010 at 1:50 pm
Well, first off, if the bird is sulking in the corner of its cage or sitting on the floor of its cage without any movement, don’t get it.
people tend to feel bad for “sad-looking” birds and when they take them home the birds tend to die within a few days
Next, look at its eyes: if they are milky/cloudy/anything that looks abnormal, do not get it
Next, look at it’s nares (“nose” holes”) right above it’s beak. if they are goopy or runny, the bird is sick so do not get it
next, look at the bird itself; if it is missing large amounts of feathers, and its beak is cracked, then do not get one
if the bird passes all of that (clear eyes, clean nares, plumage is full and healthy looking, and active) then go for it!
February 2nd, 2010 at 1:57 pm
*The cere should be waxy in appearance and should NOT be crusty or have anything coming out of it.
*There should be nothing on his bottom. It should be clean.
*The bird should be active and playfull. Look for one that plays with the toys and make sure to watch him eat before you take him.
*The birds eyes should be bright and again have nothing coming out of them.
So:
clean
active
GOOD LUCK!
February 2nd, 2010 at 2:11 pm
Shove your hand in the cage (they will let you do this, so dont ask anyone before doing it) The first one to peck you is the healthiest.
February 2nd, 2010 at 2:20 pm
Before looking at the bird…look at the store. Is it clean, are the pets crowded or given proper space (all the pets, not just the bird). What is their return policy/guarantee? Does the store look like a place that would take care of the animals or one that is just there to sell them fast.
Ask where they get their birds, ask for any vet papers that there may be, as well, ask if the birds are given any supplements, what they are fed, are they hand raised and friendly or nervous (which can suggest mass breeding where they are kept in cages without much personal interaction, suggesting that they could be over bred)
Ask at local vets if they have had dealings with pets from that store, or look for local bird clubs who may know reputable sources to buy birds from.
February 2nd, 2010 at 3:12 pm
It’s feathers should be bright in color, it’s eyes should be bright black and clean, and you would probably want an active one, so look to see if it’s moving around. You don’t really want the one that’s sitting on the bottom of the cage alone. Chances are it’s not very healthy if it’s doing that.
February 2nd, 2010 at 3:22 pm
Find a reputable breeder and get one from there Never buy a bird from a pet store. There is no way to tell. there is a large chance they will not be friendly
If you get a breeder bird they will have likely handfed ones that are used to people It may be 5.00 por 10.00 more but worth it
If you are In the US do a search on google for bird breeders for your area
Birds n ways has a list for all states and cities
or email me through my profile i will help you find one
also checking a local bird group for a breeder can work too