 | Nancy Prester
is a native of Wichita, Kansas, and with her husband Hal, started breeding budgies and cockatiels in 1977. In 1984 the Presters purchased Wall Seed Company. Many changes were implimented and today the business focuses on domisticated birds. The company breeds birds, and supplies everything needed by the bird owner. Nancy hand feeds 100-150 baby birds annually with the goal of raising healthy well-adjusted birds that will have an easy transition to their new families. Nancy has over 30 years of experience and is a member of the American Federation of Aviculture and the Society of Parrot Breeders and Exhibitors. The Presters have been active participants in bird shows and clubs and have won numerous awards for their work. Nancy can be contacted at (316) 263-0850, or by e-mail at wallseed@ourtownusa.net |
Pets
2002-03-01 17:14:00
How big is the house?
Question: Does your home or apartment have to be a certain size to keep a large bird like a parrot or a macaw?
Answer: Part of the answer to this question depends on how much furniture you want to have in the room where your bird’s cage will be. How large can the cage be and still fit your room comfortably? The basic rule of thumb is: your bird should be able to stretch its wings any direction from the center of the cage and not touch the sides. For example a 15" X 15" cage is adequate for a finch, canary, budgie, love bird, or cockatiel. A 19" X 19" cage will be suitable for a senegal, small conure, or grass parakeet. 24" X 24" cages can house a larger conure, amazon, african grey, and smaller cockatoos and mini macaws. The minimum space for the larger cockatoos and macaws would be a 24" X 36" cage. The green winged macaw and hyacinth macaw would need even more space. One other consideration is to choose a bird with not only your family in mind, but which will also be neighbor friendly. All healthy birds make noise. The bigger the bird the louder the noise! Apartments are not always the best homes for a large cockatoo, or macaw. Most birds naturally scream at first light in the morning and at dusk in the evening. Spoiled demanding birds can be loud much more often. Before you acquier a bird, talk with someone knowledgeable with the species behavior. They can help you choose the bird and cage that are right for you, your family and your living arrangements.
