New owner

Matt92 · New Member Joined: Oct 17, 2014 Posts: 3

Hello I am a new owner to a kakariki and I'm looking for some information about them as they are hard to research on the Internet so hopefully someone can answer some questions :)

1) Do kakariki's need grit?

2) Do they need to be in pairs? As when my kakariki hears kakariki sounds he brightens up and gets excited.

3) Are they easily trained at 7 months?

Thanks :)

Steptoe · Site Admin Joined: Oct 06, 2004 Posts: 4550

1) Do kakariki's need grit?

A controversial subject... 'Grit' used to be added to most seeds.. its cheap heavy and profitable... reputable suppliers dont add grit.....
A little pumice sand, cuttle fish is all thats needed... that most birds require grit, other than for mineral supplements is a myth

2) Do they need to be in pairs? As when my kakariki hears kakariki sounds he brightens up and gets excited.

No a couple males or couple females work well.. or simply in a mixed aviary with burkes, or turqs, cockteils... a 'pet' in a cage is fine so long as get attention and a lot of free flight....

3) Are they easily trained at 7 months?

Most parrots are easy trained at any age from hand rearing to 30/ 40 + yrs of age, both captive and wild breed ... The advantage of taming an older bird is the maintain their natural independent personalities and instincts... one tends to co habit rather than have a cuddly toy... Because of this they are easy breed, and know how to look after eggs, chicks.... and very unlikely to have psychological issues such as feather plucking
Kakariki are bu nature a very independent animal, and as a species not prone to feather plucking psychological /stress issues... so long if have space/ flying time on a regular basis

For info on how to tame down.... use the "quick search" block on the left and do a lot of reading...its far easier than one thinks.

Matt92 · New Member Joined: Oct 17, 2014 Posts: 3

Thanks for your help :)
My kakariki is in a big cage and once he is trained he will be out all the time like past birds I've had.
I'm thinking of getting him a friend (kakariki) as when I'm watching kakariki videos on YouTube he hears the kakariki's on the video and gets excited. Is this a good idea to get him a friend or do you thing he will be ok on his own?

Thanks

Steptoe · Site Admin Joined: Oct 06, 2004 Posts: 4550

Get him tamed down....and settled in the environment ,then take it from then.
If he is a house parrot, more than a cage bird, he will have more than enough to occupy himself.
Our kakariki would call, get exited when a kakariki in a flight on the other side of the section/ house calls....regardless if they are in a flock or single or paired whatever.
Dont use that as an indicator...

Adding birds can cause more hassles because of personal territory issues than u may wish to take one... thu done right, by the 'book' usually works out ok over a few days...

Its like throwing a unexpected distant cousin of your son or daughter, unexpectantly into their bedroom to stay for a few months.....unwelcome forced invasion of personal space