vol2issue41

The Upper Columbia Pioneer • 19

October 14, 2005

PET NEWS

By Louise Platiel Want to add colour and song to your life, and have an affectionate, gentle pet? Budgies are beautiful, small birds that originate from Australia’s dry, open plains and are the most popular pet birds worldwide.

They are generally social, inquisitive, free spirits who enjoy playing and chewing, sitting on your hand or shoulder, and being scratched on the head. Budgies can be trained to develop extensive vocabularies along with their instinctive whistling and chatter.

A budgie’s lifespan is six to ten years. They grow to about 18 centimeters in length, and reach an average weight of 35 grams. Budgies are capable of breeding at about six years old. Your budgie’s cage should be a minimum of one foot by one foot by two feet in size, contain non-toxic chewable toys, and dishes for food and water. A bath should be available regularly.

A budgie’s long life, healthy moulting, and disposition are greatly affected by proper nutrition. In fact, providing a simple seed mix is not enough. The problem is that a varied diet is required, and even though most commercial seed mixes contain up to eight kinds, a budgie will only eat one or two of its favorites. If the owner also provides honey-millet sticks, this over-

abundance of favorite foods adversely affects the budgie. In a sense it is as if the budgie only eats dessert.

Seeds should be a small part of the budgie’s diet, in the amount of one to two teaspoons per bird, per day. 75 to 80% of the food provided should be pellets, which contain the ideal nutritional balance. If your budgie is a “seed-aholic,” provide both pellets and seeds, in separate dishes, gradually reducing the amount of seeds while being certain the pellets are eaten. Expect the process to take six to eight weeks, as budgies can be very stubborn!

Clean, healthy fruits and vegetables (with the exception of lettuce, celery, and avocado) should account for about 20 – 25 percent of the daily diet, and

again, should be offered in a separate dish after having been cut into pieces. The skin may be left on, as the budgie will eat it if it is palatable. Provide something different each day, and be conscious not to allow the budgie to over-indulge in favorites. As a general rule, any wholesome, nutritious food that you eat, your bird can eat also. This includes the occasional amount of lean cooked meat, fish, egg, or cheese. Lastly, provide water in a clean dish daily.

If you want to limit your budgie’s flying ability, your veterinarian can trim the wing feathers. This is not painful to the bird and will help prevent your pet from accidentally becoming lost. At this time, the nails and beak can be trimmed or filed if necessary.

If you are limited in your ability to provide walks or physical playtime for a pet, a budgie may be a perfect companion. His merry song, vibrant colour, and jolly temperament will bring joy to your life and home.

UNBEATABLE RATES • LARGE CIRCULATION

Phone: 341-6299

Dave Sutherland Sales Associate

#8, 1008 - 8th Avenue Invermere, BC www.uppercolumbiapioneer.com Email: upioneer@telus.net

HERE TO SERVE YOU READY MIX CONCRETE

A.R.K. Concrete

Concrete Pump • Sand & Gravel Heavy Equipment Rentals • Crane Service Proudly Serving the Valley for over 50 years

Residential • Decorative Concrete Floors, Decks, Patios & Sidewalks

For competitive prices and prompt service call:

342-6522 Office 342-6512 Fax 342-5465 Aaron Karl 342-1457 Ryan Karl NEW

Sewer/Drain Cleaning

342-3268 (plant) 342-6767 (office)

ROCKYTOP GALLERIA

Septic Tank Pumping Portable Toilet Rentals • Complete sewer/drain repair • Reasonable rates - Seniors’ discount • Speedy service - 7 days a week • A well-maintained septic system should be pumped every 3-5 years • Avoid costly repairs

Bruce Dehart 347-9803 or 342-5357

335 - 3rd Ave., Invermere, BC Telephone 342-6264 • Fax 342-3546 info@warwick–interiors.com www.warwick-interiors.com

CAIRN CARPENTRY

• Flooring • Finishing • General Carpentry

Reasonable Rates Exceptional Quality

Invermere

(250) 270-0390

Windshield & Glass Auto Glass • Flat Glass Mirrors • Showers • Sealed Units

Featuring unique paintings & sculptures by local artists #103-400 Laurier Street, Athalmer, B.C. Telephone: (250) 342-0211 • Toll Free: 1-866-342-0211 Fax: (250) 342-0245 • Email: wallnuts@telus.net

G S E GODLIEN

SMALL ENGINES INC.

Floor Covering & Cabinets Blinds & Paints

Columbia Valley

Lawn & Garden Construction Forestry SALES SERVICE RENTALS

DAN GODLIEN Tel: (250) 341-6887 #3 - 1361 INDUSTRIAL RD. #4 INVERMERE, BC

BUILDING AND RENOVATIONS DAREN NOBLE - Finishing Carpenter Basement Development • Complete Kitchen Renoʼs • Bathrooms Decks • Custom Design and Building

Service You Can Depend On Telephone: (250) 349-5882

Office: 250-342-6300 Fax: 250-342-6302 Cell: 250-342-5907

Marc Robinson Invermere, BC

� �� � �� � � � � �� � ��� � ������������������������������

������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������� ������������������������� ����������� ���������������������������