Large parakeets

Food & drink

What should I give my large parakeets to eat?

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The right diet for your large parakeet

Pyrrhura parakeetA seed mix for large parakeets is an excellent basic diet for most parakeet species. An indispensable addition to this that is often forgotten is fresh fruit and vegetables. The quantity and types depend on the species of bird. These birds should also be provided with regular concentrated food in their diet and should have unlimited access to grit.  Many parakeet species love foxtail millet. 

Important information

Five useful tips!

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Five useful tips when you are thinking about buying large parakeets

Cockatiel

  1. Many parakeet species make a lot of noise. Take this into account when choosing a suitable place for the cage or aviary.
  2. Parakeets are naturally curious and test everything with their strong beaks. So make sure the frame of their cage is not made from wood.
  3. To prevent them from getting bored, it is a good idea to hang up toys in the cage or aviary.
  4. Not all species of parakeet get on well together. Take this into account when choosing one or more species.
  5. Room to move is important for parakeets. Most species like to climb, so a home with height will definitely be appreciated. 

The right diet for your large parakeet

Pyrrhura parakeetA seed mix for large parakeets is an excellent basic diet for most parakeet species. An indispensable addition to this that is often forgotten is fresh fruit and vegetables. The quantity and types depend on the species of bird. These birds should also be provided with regular concentrated food in their diet and should have unlimited access to grit.  Many parakeet species love foxtail millet. 

Five useful tips when you are thinking about buying large parakeets

Cockatiel

  1. Many parakeet species make a lot of noise. Take this into account when choosing a suitable place for the cage or aviary.
  2. Parakeets are naturally curious and test everything with their strong beaks. So make sure the frame of their cage is not made from wood.
  3. To prevent them from getting bored, it is a good idea to hang up toys in the cage or aviary.
  4. Not all species of parakeet get on well together. Take this into account when choosing one or more species.
  5. Room to move is important for parakeets. Most species like to climb, so a home with height will definitely be appreciated. 

Fun facts!

Did you know...

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Five fun and important facts about the cutest pets!

Cockatiel

  1. If you want to tame your birds, it's definitely worth buying them from a good breeder who will ensure they get used to human contact from a young age.
  2. Many large parakeet species come originally from Australia, Africa and South America.
  3. Not all species of parakeet can be tamed to the same extent, but the cockatiel is among those that are very well suited to this.
  4. Most parakeet species are happiest when kept as a pair.
  5. Some species can imitate sounds.

Housing

Things you really need to know!

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How do I provide the best possible home for my large parakeets?

Large parakeets like a large cage. Make sure that the bars of the cage are horizontal. Then they can climb along and up these. There are a lot of toys specially for large parakeets. If you can, provide sturdy perches too. The cockatiel, for example, likes to sit on its perch almost all day. Most of all it likes a wooden perch, such as a fruit tree, willow, hazel or birch. 

Five fun and important facts about the cutest pets!

Cockatiel

  1. If you want to tame your birds, it's definitely worth buying them from a good breeder who will ensure they get used to human contact from a young age.
  2. Many large parakeet species come originally from Australia, Africa and South America.
  3. Not all species of parakeet can be tamed to the same extent, but the cockatiel is among those that are very well suited to this.
  4. Most parakeet species are happiest when kept as a pair.
  5. Some species can imitate sounds.

How do I provide the best possible home for my large parakeets?

Large parakeets like a large cage. Make sure that the bars of the cage are horizontal. Then they can climb along and up these. There are a lot of toys specially for large parakeets. If you can, provide sturdy perches too. The cockatiel, for example, likes to sit on its perch almost all day. Most of all it likes a wooden perch, such as a fruit tree, willow, hazel or birch. 

Cockatiel

Not a parakeet, but a cockatoo!

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A closer look at the cockatiel!

Cockatiels are one of the most popular parakeet species, thanks to their friendly, quiet nature and relatively simple care. With a little patience they can become very tame animals, which are attached to their carers. They can be kept in a large cage or aviary, preferably in pairs. A good seed mix for large parakeets forms an excellent basis for cockatiels. Make sure the food is not too fatty, as these birds can become overweight quite easily. They should also be provided with some concentrated food and fresh fruit or vegetables every day as well as unlimited grit. 

Conure

A clever little parakeet!

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A closer look at the conure (Pyrrhura)!

The 16 species classed as conures, or pyrrhura parakeets, come from South America. They are curious birds that can become very tame once you have won their trust. If they are frightened or agitated they can screech very loudly, though this doesn't usually last long. They are most comfortable in a large aviary, but can also be kept in a big cage, especially if they are allowed out often. Conures like to sleep in an overnight shelter or nest box.

As a basic diet, a good seed mix for large parakeets or, even better, specially for conures can be provided. It is also very important that they are provided with fresh fruit and vegetables every day, as well as some concentrated food and unlimited grit. 

Bourke's parrot

A small neophema

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A closer look at the Bourke's parrot!

The Bourke's parrot looks a little like a budgerigar and is very friendly, so it can even be kept with tropical birds. They are quite quiet and make a chirping sound. They do not screech, in contrast to many other parakeets. Bourke's parrots can be kept inside in a large birdcage or outside in an aviary as long as they have a night shelter. They do not cope well with cold. Their main diet consists of a good seed mix for neophemas or lovebirds. They should also be provided with some fresh fruit or vegetables, a little concentrated food and unlimited grit every day. 

A closer look at the cockatiel!

Cockatiels are one of the most popular parakeet species, thanks to their friendly, quiet nature and relatively simple care. With a little patience they can become very tame animals, which are attached to their carers. They can be kept in a large cage or aviary, preferably in pairs. A good seed mix for large parakeets forms an excellent basis for cockatiels. Make sure the food is not too fatty, as these birds can become overweight quite easily. They should also be provided with some concentrated food and fresh fruit or vegetables every day as well as unlimited grit. 

A closer look at the conure (Pyrrhura)!

The 16 species classed as conures, or pyrrhura parakeets, come from South America. They are curious birds that can become very tame once you have won their trust. If they are frightened or agitated they can screech very loudly, though this doesn't usually last long. They are most comfortable in a large aviary, but can also be kept in a big cage, especially if they are allowed out often. Conures like to sleep in an overnight shelter or nest box.

As a basic diet, a good seed mix for large parakeets or, even better, specially for conures can be provided. It is also very important that they are provided with fresh fruit and vegetables every day, as well as some concentrated food and unlimited grit. 

A closer look at the Bourke's parrot!

The Bourke's parrot looks a little like a budgerigar and is very friendly, so it can even be kept with tropical birds. They are quite quiet and make a chirping sound. They do not screech, in contrast to many other parakeets. Bourke's parrots can be kept inside in a large birdcage or outside in an aviary as long as they have a night shelter. They do not cope well with cold. Their main diet consists of a good seed mix for neophemas or lovebirds. They should also be provided with some fresh fruit or vegetables, a little concentrated food and unlimited grit every day. 

For the professionals!

Ambition to breed?

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Would you like to find out more about breeding large parakeets?

In nature, most large parakeets choose their own partner and are monogamous. Parakeets brood in a dark hole. If you have a pair, you can provide them with a nest box for small parakeets with a thick layer of sawdust on the floor. After mating, the female will withdraw to the brooding box and, after around eight days, she will lay her first egg. Every other day or daily she lays another egg, until there are three to five. The incubation period is 18 days. The small parakeets have an egg tooth with which they can break the shell of the egg. The baby parakeets come into the world blind and naked. They weigh 2 g and after 36 hours their weight will already have doubled! The young birds remain in the box for more than four weeks and are fed by the parents for a little longer once they have fledged.

big parakeet nest

 

Rewards

I like a snack sometimes too!

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A snack won't do any harm, but always use moderation.

Everyone likes to treat their pet sometimes. But for pets that live in a restricted space, it's important not to just constantly give them snacks. Witte Molen's snacks for lovebirds are formulated with care. So it's no problem to treat your lovebird to something tasty now and then when they've been good, could do with a little something extra or to reward them when you're training them.

Tailored products

Food, snacks and bedding

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Would you like to find out more about breeding large parakeets?

In nature, most large parakeets choose their own partner and are monogamous. Parakeets brood in a dark hole. If you have a pair, you can provide them with a nest box for small parakeets with a thick layer of sawdust on the floor. After mating, the female will withdraw to the brooding box and, after around eight days, she will lay her first egg. Every other day or daily she lays another egg, until there are three to five. The incubation period is 18 days. The small parakeets have an egg tooth with which they can break the shell of the egg. The baby parakeets come into the world blind and naked. They weigh 2 g and after 36 hours their weight will already have doubled! The young birds remain in the box for more than four weeks and are fed by the parents for a little longer once they have fledged.

big parakeet nest

 

A snack won't do any harm, but always use moderation.

Everyone likes to treat their pet sometimes. But for pets that live in a restricted space, it's important not to just constantly give them snacks. Witte Molen's snacks for lovebirds are formulated with care. So it's no problem to treat your lovebird to something tasty now and then when they've been good, could do with a little something extra or to reward them when you're training them.

Frequently asked questions

Can my large parakeets eat fruit?

Yes, most parakeets love fruit! PUUR Parakeet and Cockatoo contains a wealth of dried fruits. Most birds will appreciate a piece of fresh fruit in addition to this.

What feed can I use to train my parakeets?

If you want to win your birds’ trust then millet is a great, tasty treat. You can hold it out to them, and once they become more accustomed to eating from you, hold the feed closer to your hand. Once they trust you completely, sunflower seeds are a delicious reward for most birds.

What can I feed my parakeets if they are getting too fat?

Birds that are too fat and don’t get much movement can be given lovebird feed instead of parakeet feed to. This usually contains less fat and doesn’t have sunflower seeds.

Are fresh vegetables good for my parakeet?

Absolutely! Fresh vegetables contain natural vitamins and minerals as well as other nutrients and are an important addition to your birds’ main feed. It might take a while to train them to see it as food, so don’t worry if your birds don’t eat it straightaway. Hang it up for them or cut into small pieces and mix into their feed. Don’t give them avocado as it is poisonous for birds.