BullFrog - Paraqueet Question

[Julles]

Since you have successfully kept budgies outdoors, and since I'm toying with the idea, would you mind answering a few questions?

The cage I have is 18"x30"x36" high.  Figured two birds would have a fine life in there.

It's under my live oak tree, in a virtually always shady spot.  I've mounted it on the wooden fence, about 5' from the inside corner of the fence.  So, in other words, it's protected on the back side, and not subject to too much wind, since the corner of the fence will block most, but not all, strong winds.

1.  Do I need more protection from wind and drafts?  Like, do I need to put Plexiglass along the sides of the cage?  In Houston, I can only imagine that would create a 7-sided oven, open only on the front. 

2.  There is a removable plastic tray on the bottom.  I intend to put a Plexiglass cover over the top, sloped so rain will run off.  Will that be enough protection from rain?  Do they even need a cover at all?

3.  I intend to build a little house out of fence boards  (UNtreated cedar  ).  So it will be about 5"x5"x12" or so tall.  Will that be a good size for two birds, to escape inclement weather?  Will they be able to live in there and keep warm during the winter?

4.  Will they nest in there, and raise young?

5.  What size perches do they need?  Can I use tree branches and twigs?  I know they need a certain size for their feet.

6.  Will they be warm enough in winter, in Houston, outdoors?  Or need I bring them indoors at some point?

7.  Do you recommend seed feed, or pelleted food?

8.  Is a water bottle OK, or do they need an open dish?

9.  Anything else I need to know?

Thanks

 

[Sonny]

I know I'm not Bullfrog but I thought I'd share my observations of keeping birds outdoors in the Houston area...

I grew up in Seabrook and there is a restaurant in Kemah that used to keep parakeets and cockatiels outside in two different aviaries.  From my observation the trick is keeping them comfortable in the winter.  In the summer months there cages were left open to the air.  But in the winter they had plexiglass walls that were put up around their enclosures and provided with heat lamps.

Now, I haven't been there in years and am not sure if they still have them but if you want to go talk to them about it you can check out T-Bone Tom's on 146 in Kemah.

[Bullfrog]

Since you have successfully kept budgies outdoors, and since I'm toying with the idea, would you mind answering a few questions?

The cage I have is 18"x30"x36" high.  Figured two birds would have a fine life in there.

It's under my live oak tree, in a virtually always shady spot.  I've mounted it on the wooden fence, about 5' from the inside corner of the fence.  So, in other words, it's protected on the back side, and not subject to too much wind, since the corner of the fence will block most, but not all, strong winds.

1.  Do I need more protection from wind and drafts?  Like, do I need to put Plexiglass along the sides of the cage?  In Houston, I can only imagine that would create a 7-sided oven, open only on the front. 

2.  There is a removable plastic tray on the bottom.  I intend to put a Plexiglass cover over the top, sloped so rain will run off.  Will that be enough protection from rain?  Do they even need a cover at all?

3.  I intend to build a little house out of fence boards  (UNtreated cedar  ).  So it will be about 5"x5"x12" or so tall.  Will that be a good size for two birds, to escape inclement weather?  Will they be able to live in there and keep warm during the winter?

4.  Will they nest in there, and raise young?

5.  What size perches do they need?  Can I use tree branches and twigs?  I know they need a certain size for their feet.

6.  Will they be warm enough in winter, in Houston, outdoors?  Or need I bring them indoors at some point?

7.  Do you recommend seed feed, or pelleted food?

8.  Is a water bottle OK, or do they need an open dish?

9.  Anything else I need to know?

Thanks

 

1. During the summer, spring and late fall the wind will not hurt them at all, make the cage mobil or have a smaller one for hurricane season, we moved all of ours into the garage during Rita, we rode it out here. As winter approaches they will need a heat lamp and covering the sides will help, we left ours open and they stayed in the nestboxes under the heatlamp and did fine. If the wind gets bad they can get in their nestbox if they want to.

2. I'd consider a larger sloped roof, like at least 1/2 sheet of plywood covered with corrugated plastic or galvanized tin. They do need shelter from the rain and it does blow sideways sometime.

3. Petco sells the nestboxes, they are 7"x 6 1/4" x 9" . They are made from plywood which has a hardwood sheeting. I just built my own out of plywood and put some hay on the shelf so they could build their own nest. You can just put a ball of hay tied with string, or just put the hay in the box.

4. We had babies all of the time but we had three breeding pair. They should breed and unless you want to sell them I wouldn't get any more. There is a good market for birds in Houston though.

5. I would just drill a 1/4" or 3/8" hole in the front of the nestbox and get some dowel rod from Walmart, it will work fine.

6. We left ours outdoors all winter with heat lamps and nest boxes, they did fine. Like your plan, our avairy butted up against one side of our house so the north wind was blocked off of them.

7. Give them what they eat in nature, seed. Supplement this with a few cuttlebones for them to chew on and get the calcium they need.

8. With 6 birds, I bought a chicken watering bottle from a feed store. It was just a jar that screwed onto a bowl like bottom with several openings like a big hummingbird feeder. They make smaller ones.

Our aviary was about ten feet long and four feet wide. We had hay on the floor so cleaning was easy. I made a trap door type of opening to feed them. If the cage has bars on the bottom and you can remove the tray, why not? Let the droppings fertilize the grass and you don't have to clean the cage. Otherwise, keep the cage clean with plenty of food and water and they should be happy campers, birds actually belong outdoors. They have very delicate respiratory systems and household cleaners can be deadly to them. Nothing will kill a bird faster than a teflon skillet left on a burner, we don't even smell the teflon fumes but it is deadly to them.I used to worry when the mosquito truck would come by spraying but it never did them any harm. I guess they made sure of that because if birds dropped like flies every time the mosquito truck went by people would go crazy.

You may consider covering two sides of the cage when it gets really cold, you can do this with fabric just to block the wind but make sure they have plenty of fresh air and a heat lamp.

[Bullfrog]

Heres a link to the Petco nestboxes, you can see they would be very easy to build   http://www.petco.com/product/6183/Parakeet-Nest-Box.aspx

[cc]

Don't forget vegetables and fruits Too. I used to raise birds of all sizes, still have some of my Macaws. Hand feeding the babies every 2-4 hours and played doctor to the sick ones gotten to be too much, but it was wonderful experience though.
And don't forget to put some newspapers or wood shavings into the nesting box, they will 're-size' the nesting material.

[miguynmkoi]

That is a very good list Bullfrog!  I will also say I second CC on feeding veges and fruit to the parakeets.  They love leafy greens and sliced apples and oranges.  I also leave a bowl of water for them to take baths every now and then. 

Wish my parakeets will mate....they haven't figured it out yet how it's done.  Funny watching them trying.  Will have to show them some utube videos. 

[Bullfrog]

Yes, oranges and apples are also very good for your birds, I forgot about that and CC you are right, they own you heart and soul if you are hand feeding the babies. Hand fed babies are so much more tame and bond with people more than one that isn't. My wife used to take the babies from the nest and hand feed them with a syringe. They grow up thinking that people are their natural parents and will sit on your shoulder all day. Our aviary is now a firewood storage bin but it will soon be the goats house when we find one.

[Julles]

Thanks, everyone.  I still have a few preparations to do, and then will be ready to get the birds.  PetSmart had none, for some reason, when I went the other day.  I'm going to the Wabash Feed Store today, and they usually have birds - at least they have chicks and ducks and peacocks and that McCaw.  Must be room for a parakeet somewhere in there!  Will also check Craig's List.

[FrankJScott]

Please try Google before asking about High Rated Product Guide 81_595d

[FrankJScott]

In reply to the man talking about face treatments near me, medical rejuvenation, facial esthetic, medical aesthetics and laser, medical esthetic services, all about facials, different kinds of spa treatments, all in beauty med spa, face and body treatments, best place for facial treatment near me,  I highly suggest this one-time offer on chemical peel near me tips or microneedling does not work, best treatment for face rejuvenation, all about face skin care, facial contouring, advanced skin med spa, wrinkle treatment near me, street facials, beauty and body med spa, medspa in florida, laser treatment sarasota, alongside all this see page for best chemical peel in Sarasota forum not to mention platelet rich plasma therapy for face, rf skin tightening neck before and after, vampire plasma treatment, spa procedures, facial for body, med spa chemical peel, aesthetic treatment packages, facials list, med facial spa, prp derma, on top of this great perfect peel in Sarasota advice which is also great. Also, have a look at this one-time offer on cool peel in Sarasota link and don't forget microneedling sarasota, spa chemical peel near me, med spa and laser, treatment vampire, goals med spa, facial for rejuvenation, medspa meaning, facial to rejuvenate skin, skin care services near me, vampire facial for wrinkles, alongside all this awesome best peel in Sarasota for face details with microneedling in maryland, sylfirm procedure, spa derm, me medical spa, wellness med spa near me, the skin spa, aesthetics facial near me, laser med spa near me, microneedling before and after for wrinkles, mint medspa,  for good measure. Check more @ Top Rated Mental Health Rehab Info a35ec8e

[FrankJScott]

To the lady talking about women's boutique, clothing outfitters, you are clothing, your clothes, ghar ka fashion, i believe clothing brand, lof clothing, top clothing websites, q clothes store, clothing designer,  I highly recommend this useful simulator info or the have boutique, design clothing brand, back clothing, home of clothes, new clothes fashion, your clothing brand, here the store, custom clothing store, brand name clothing store, yours brand store, and don't forget this full report about clothing store simulator details not to mention home fashion clothes, in one clothing, fashionnova jeans, all brand clothes store, new in clothing brand, dress shopping, store brand clothes, about you clothing brand, your fashion, perfect clothing brand, not to mention this advice about clothing store simulator advice which is also great. Also, have a look at this recommended clothing store simulator url alongside all you are here, all the store, as design clothing, that clothing store, in store clothing, fashion ki dukaan, by design clothing brand, clothing seller, fashion for you store, all for store, and don't forget this discover more here on clothing store simulator details with clothing in store, clothing outfitters, variety of clothes, options clothing store, go through clothes, clothes to have, we are clothing, options clothing, clothing showroom, fashion clothing websites,  for good measure. Check more @ Best Clothing Store Simulator Guide a35ec8e

[FrankJScott]

For the guy asking about you fashion store, dress shopping, view clothing, all clothing, perfect clothes, top clothes store, unique clothing, unique clothing store, at the clothing store, business clothing store,  I highly recommend this her response about fashion simulator url or fashion & clothing, all fashion, as design clothing, the clothing brand, get fashion, sure clothing, kleren design, options clothing, tik tok clothing store, the perfect shop, and don't forget this inquiry on clothing store simulator url as well as all for store, home clothing store, their clothing, the clothing brand, new clothes fashion, dress brand store, clothing designer, a brand clothes, thats it clothing, be your clothes, on top of this our website for fashion simulator details which is also great. Also, have a look at this her comment is here about clothing store simulator url as well as sim clothes, clothing showroom, for you store, unique clothing, home store fashion, as you are clothing, for you clothing brand, customized clothing, dress shops, all of clothing, on top of this awesome dress shop details with dress store, home store fashion, for you clothing brand, an fashion store, clothing store for, all fashion, clothing brand &, i house shop, in here store, new clothes fashion,  for good measure. Check more @ Recommended Clothing Store Simulator Site a263ec5

[FrankJScott]

For the guy inquiring about rtp slot cuan, gampang 88 slot, taruhan esport, kode slot88, gacor 7, lucky 88 login, slot online olympus, ninja hoki slot login, slot situs, rtp slot88,  I highly recommend this top Aman88 url or game slot populer, slot online gates of olympus, situs slot login, game gacor slot, slot online logo, slot88 slot, virtual slot777, ini slot88 login, cuan 88 slot, sini slot link alternatif, as well as this link on Aman88 tips and don't forget slot game slot, game lucky, situs 88 slot, hot cuan88 slot, cash slot, slot online mahjong, heat slot, classic 88 slot, slot 30, link aplikasi slot online, alongside all this high rated Aman88 info which is also great. Also, have a look at this i thought about this for Aman 88 Slot blog alongside all slot classic online, may slot, web situs slot, heat slot, login casino, bonanza slot login, link slot online, https slot, game lucky, download slot88, not to mention this recommended Aman88Slot forum with rtp slot88, pragmatic id, nice 88 slot, koi slot 88, play slot88, situs games slot, play slot88 login, sweetie slot, wild slot88, 11 net,  for good measure. Check more @ High Rated Crossfi Tips 02d22e1

[FrankJScott]

For the person talking about zlaté cihly ?nb, mince st?íbrné, mince cena, výkup stribra, prodej zlatých slitk?, st?íbro olomouc, vaha zlate cihly, praha mincovna, cena zlata za gram v k?, historie ceny zlata,  I highly suggest this best buying gold link or pam?tní mince, mince 1, zlato prodej praha, 1 kg st?íbra, ryzost zlata, gram zlata cena, investi?ní zlato pamp, nejlepší výkup zlata praha, zlatý dolar, cen zlata, and don't forget this read this post here for buying gold tips not to mention aukce zlatých mincí, výkup zlata praha 1, investicni zlate slitky, cena zlata historie, cena gram st?íbra, stribro slitek, zlaté slitky, kurz investi?ního zlata, zlato ryzost, prodej investi?ního zlata brno, alongside all this consultant about buying gold forum which is also great. Also, have a look at this recommended site for buying gold link not to mention vykup minci praha, investi?ní slitky, st?íbro 1 kg cena, 1oz mince, výkup st?íbra cena za gram, mince stribrne, ceske zlate mince, investujte do zlata, cihlicka zlata, prave stribro, not to mention this a replacement on buying gold forum with výkup zlata praha 3, ?eská mincovna zlaté mince, zlato vaha, investicni slitky, ?nb zlaté cihly, výkup zlatých cihel, zlato heraeus, mince 1oz, cena za unci zlata, zlato aktualne,  for good measure. Check more @ Top WIN1000X Site ec8e002

[FrankJScott]

To the man talking about custom curtain panels, best affordable drapes, window drapes, window curtain hanging styles, single drape on window, curtains for two windows next to each other, grey decorative curtains, online drapery store, white and beige curtains, black and white dining room curtains,  I highly recommend this official statement on curtains And blinds forum or plain white curtains, drapery styles, white modern curtains for living room, window curtains drapes, extra long drapery panels, green drapery panels, little window curtains, short window panels, curtains in white, curtains for small long windows, alongside all this additional reading about curtains And blinds blog alongside all style of curtain designs, small size curtains, best linen drapes, beautiful white curtains for living room, master bedroom window curtains, luxury curtains for dining room, drapery curtains near me, classic curtains for bedroom, three panel window curtains, drapes sizes standard, on top of this his comment is here for curtains And blinds url which is also great. Also, have a look at this excellent curtains And blinds details on top of curtains classic, drapes beige, curtain cover, most beautiful curtains, in home curtains, best curtains for bathroom windows, brown curtain panels, white and teal curtains, custom made curtains, designer drapery ideas, and don't forget this find out more about curtains And blinds info with back tab panel curtains, curtains on two windows, blue and white panels, curtains on bedroom windows, curtain size for small window, beautiful curtains, different kinds of curtains design, the best curtains, drapes and curtains, modern white living room curtains,  for good measure. Check more @ Top CuanSlot88 Blog a35ec8e

[FrankJScott]

In reply to the lady inquiring about game online gacor, bet online slot, game slot online gacor, win1000x slot login, game slot game, link game slot gacor, game slot gacor terbaik, slot game judi, web judi, judi slot yang gacor,  I highly recommend this discover more for WIN1000X  details or game judi slot online, slot site, log in slot, judi slot online indonesia, website game slot online, next gacor, web judi slot, nama situs judi slot online, indonesia slot game, web game slot online, on top of this excellent WIN1000X  site and don't forget slot online idn, slot judi indonesia, slot online judi, game judi online, slot game jackpot, slot betting, judi online indonesia, slot online indonesia, game slot judi, web slot online, on top of this great post to read on WIN1000X  details which is also great. Also, have a look at this cool WIN1000X  advice and don't forget promo judi slot online, slot virtual, judi slot gacor online, online slot indonesia, win1000x slot login, slot game apa, bet online slot, game online slot indonesia, slot game judi, cara login slot online, not to mention this visit this link on WIN1000X  blog with apa slot itu judi, game slot indonesia, link game judi slot online, indonesia slot game, judi online gacor, slot game login, cara login slot online, slot yg gacor, bet online slot, slot online slot,  for good measure. Check more @ Awesome Devil666 Info e002d22