Conference 7.286::pet_birds

    HI Zibba,
    
    Athough a lot of people interact with their birds more than you do, you
    are paying more attention to them than the majority of the populace
    would. The 2 budgies are most likely company enough for each other.If
    you enjoy their company and they seem happy, they are probably better
    off with a caring person such as you.
    
    Good luck
    Doug

    
    I am in a simular situation...three cats and 1 keet...cats have
    learned over the past six months that it's mom (myself) will not
    tolerate even the thought of leeping for them!
    
    The cage is hanging from the ceiling at a 6' height, just to make
    sure!
    
    Dave'
    

    We do the same thing that Dave has done. The parakeet cage is hanging
    from the ceiling to keep away the cats.
    
    Bonnie

    I have 9 birds in various cages and 2 large(15lb) cats. The cats 
    learned, with the help of a spray bottle, that the birds are off 
    limits.  The only time one of the cats will jump on a cage is to 
    get our attention if he's waited patiently to go out or to eat and
    we've just been too busy to notice.(he doesn't cry loud enough)
    I guess maybe I've just been lucky.  I did lose a bird to the cat
    not long ago, but it was human error, the cage was left open
    accidently and out of 3 budgies that escaped only one was lost.
    I have to believe that Lymon must have gotten hurt and could not
    escape as the other two were flitting about and Pinecone was sound
    asleep on the bench.  I was heartbroken as Lymon was my favorite.
    Needless to say the cats are not left upstairs when we are not home.
    But that was the first fatality in almost 6 years.
    
    MaryAnne

    I agree with Doug (366.1).  They are probably better off with you and
    kept separately in a room away from the cats, than with someone who may
    not have the ability or willingness to be so accommodating.  **If** you
    can find someone as nice as you are, then maybe, but will the other
    person *really* spend more time with them than you?  They do entertain
    each other, so it is not the same situation as putting one budgie all
    by himself (they live in flocks in the wild and seem to thrive on 
    feathered company in captivity, so when you got Willow a friend, you
    solved the basic problem of loneliness).  We have a couple of our big
    parrots in the living room, where our four cats make wide circles
    around the cages for the most part, but the little guys are in a separate
    room, safely behind closed doors, 'cuz they look like lunch to the
    cats, unfortunately.  Hang on to both your 'keets and cats!! /Linda

    Many thanks for your replies - I feel much better now!  
    
    The one fact about them being in a room of their own that I've always
    felt is good , is they get up and go to bed at birdtimes, rather
    than peopletimes.  These Summer days they start chirping away with the
    first blackbirds at around 4am (also one of my favourite times of the
    day!) and go to bed an hour or so after sunset.  We're lucky enough to
    have Nightingales in our neighbourhood, and so listen to those 
    whilst the rest are sleeping.
    
    I've just put an ad. on our VTX here asking if anyone has a smallish
    cat-proof aviary for sale.  It dawned on me that being able to air
    their wings a little more would perhaps make their life a bit more
    interesting.  If no-one comes up with anything, I guess I can try and
    make one myself. The only one's I've seen in the shops start at about
    �70.00 - rather a lot in these uncertain days!
    
    Weatherwise, does anyone know what is the minimum temperature it's safe
    for budgies to be outside in - bearing in mind the average indoor temp.
    is about 68 fahrenheit?
    
    Thanks again,
    
    Zibba

    Hi Zibba,
    
    Seems what is most important is to move the birds to the lower or
    higher temperatures gradually.  I have heard about 45-50 degrees
    Fahrenheit to 80-85 degrees as a possible range, but have no 
    personal experience with outdoor aviaries.  What I have read says
    to have a heat lamp or warmed area of the aviary for the cold season,
    and a cooler, shady area for the hot season, so the birds have a choice
    at all times.  We have some noters who keep birds outside.  What do
    you folks say?
    
    Linda

    
     While in Hawaii a few weeks ago, this hotel had a cage full of
    keets outside in a court yard all year long. Day temps. where hi
    80's, and night low 70's...if this helps at all.
    
    Dave'