Metal Spout

Why aren't my parakeets drinking?

I bought them a water dispenser instead of the usual dish because they get they're water so dirty. They wont go near it! I don't think they're even curious about it. Heres a picture of the dispenser: http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2754649&cp=2767034.2769088&fbx=0&fbn=Type+1%7CWaterers&f=PAD%2FType+1%2FWaterers&fbc=1&parentPage=family&keepsr=1
(The spout has a metal ball holding the water in and the birds are supposed to push the ball in to get a drink. )

I dont want them to get dehydrated! What do I do?

I encourage all my birds to drink from waterbottles, as they are SO much more hygenic & sanitary.. But always provide them with a dish of water for bathing. Especially Budgies, who tend to only bathe in their cage that way.

But to encourage them to drink from the water bottle, take the bottle in your hand, bird on the other hand and push the ball showing them that water comes from the ball/tube. continue this a few times, and then slowly & gently push their beak up to the ball (being carefull not to let the water go into their nostrils, of course) so that they taste water=tube.

This has and continues to work for my birds, and all the babies that I breed. Hope it helps!

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