Parakeets are fascinating birds known for their intelligence, friendliness, and vivid colors. They make great pets because they are easy to maintain, inexpensive, and adaptable. If you are a parakeet owner, you may know that they enjoy gestures of affection, interaction, and games.
So long as you ensure that your parakeet has a comfortable cage, preferably with swings and ladders, your parakeet will have a good time playing and staying active. People with parakeets often ask the question, “how old is my parakeet?” That’s because parakeets are often purchased or adopted after they reach a certain age.
The lifeSpan of a Parakeet
Your parakeet’s lifespan could be anywhere between 5 years to 10 years, depending on the breed and how healthy it is. The life cycle is generally divided into five stages: hatching, nestling, maturing and then aging or shedding feathers. The molting phase is usually considered the phase where a parakeet attains full maturity and is ready to mate. A parakeet becomes fully mature between ages one and two.
They lay three to five eggs each time, and the eggs may take a little over a month to hatch. The baby birds are almost bald and incapable of flying. They start looking more like adult parakeets by around the third month. By month four, they have full coats of feathers and can fly well.
Parakeets are lively, playful, and robust until they start aging. You may notice signs of aging from year five or six. If you wonder, “how old is my parakeet”, start looking for the obvious signs. If you realize they are less lively and have started balding, your parakeets are indeed aging. They also develop slower movements and age-related diseases.
What Factors Affect a Parakeet’s Life Cycle?
Birds generally live longer than most pet mammals. Some factors could have a significant impact on your bird’s life expectancy.
Food
Besides fresh food like leaves and fruit, your parakeet will thrive best with nutrient rick bird pellets. Parakeets enjoy a variety of food. They are fond of seeds, nuts, cottage cheese, and worms. You may want to run your parakeet’s food list by your vet to ensure the food items are safe for your bird. Parakeets are very active, so they should be fed adequately and on time. However, you may want to avoid overfeeding them.
Social Structure
Parakeets are social birds and enjoy the company of other parakeets and humans. Interact with your pet and play games to keep its spirits high and maintain its good health. Add branches, ladders, and other structures to their cage. The cage should be spacious enough.
Illness and Disease
Once parakeets start aging, they become vulnerable to infections, diseases, and respiratory conditions. Monitoring your pet’s health regularly, and giving medication on time can help delay health deterioration.
Parakeets Are Popular Pets
Parakeets are small and interactive. They have been popular in the pet industry for ages. If you plan on breeding, you may want to check with your vet to see if the parakeet is physically ready. Each stage of a parakeet’s life cycle is unique. Attentive care can help prevent unwanted health issues for your bird.