Advice on budgie

cazs

Has anyone here experience of keeping a budgie. I was considering getting one. Can anyone offer any advice on what keeping one is like and any tips for buying one and getting all the paraphernalia?

Pechow

Well, what specifically? Generally-pet stores don't usually know or care about proper bird/parrot keeping, and usually give bad advice in regards to the kind of food, size of cage, etc. so don't rely on what they have to say. Would you get one bird, or two? Do you want a tame bird? Budgies from pet stores are almost always untamed, and while it isn't impossible to tame one of these it can be difficult. If you want a friendly one, you'd be better off finding a breeder/someone who hand raises them.

Budgies are parrots (really), just in one of the tinier packages They have amazing talking abilities-a male budgie holds the world record for the largest vocabulary, over a thousand words-http://naturesscrapbook.blogspot.com/2012/02/bird-with-largest-vocabulary-in-world.html They need toys to play with, a good size cage to move around in. Usually the absolute minimum size for one budgie is given as 18x18, or 45cm x 45cm. For more than one, you want bigger: http://emilysaviary.weebly.com/your-cage.html ideally get the largest you can afford, with appropriate sized bar spacing. Your bird will love you for it.

People usually feed them seed diets, and while their species can do better on a seed based diet than most, it definitely shouldn't be the only thing they have and you should find a really good quality mix, or feed pellets. They also need fresh fruit/veg, and other things like grains, sprouts, etc.

They can live up to 21 years in captivity, but often a lot less than that due to poor diet, breeding, etc.

http://www.beautyofbirds.com/companionbird.htm
http://www.beautyofbirds.com/budgieinfo.htm

I also recommend getting: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Parrots-For-Dummies-Nikki-Moustaki/dp/0764583530/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1399330887&sr=8-1&keywords=parrots+for+dummies Despite being of the "For Dummies" series, it's a very good reference for almost everything, written by someone who knows what she is talking about.

They have an image of being really easy to care for, simple pets, but they're a lot more complex than most people give them credit for. Though, once you read everything and know what's what, it sounds a lot harder than it is. A little tame parrot friend (or even a cage of untame but happy birds) is worth it.

moggymutt

I've no real budgie knowledge, but just remember that birds have wings to fly- it breaks my heart to see birds hopping between perches but never having the chance to fly.

monty-doggy

I've got love birds, had budgies when I was younger. I'd def get a pair so they have company. They need lots of interaction and lots of toys to keep them busy. I love listening to mine chattering away while I'm pottering around the house.

cazs

Yes I would just get one as I understand they are less likely to bond with you If there are other birds in the cage.

thanks for the book recommendation. I did look at a few on Amazon but the reviews indicated that they were rather insubstantial.

I have seen a few videos on how to tame one but if someone else has started that would help. I think they say buy as a baby so this can be done.

My other curiosity was in terms of noise. Are they constantly noisy. The cage would be in the longe so wondering if it woild drown out the tv for example. Also curios about mess if the bidgie is let out of the cage to fly about. Lots of things to consider.


QUOTE=Pechow;65446292]Well, what specifically? Generally-pet stores don't usually know or care about proper bird/parrot keeping, and usually give bad advice in regards to the kind of food, size of cage, etc. so don't rely on what they have to say. Would you get one bird, or two? Do you want a tame bird? Budgies from pet stores are almost always untamed, and while it isn't impossible to tame one of these it can be difficult. If you want a friendly one, you'd be better off finding a breeder/someone who hand raises them.

Budgies are parrots (really), just in one of the tinier packages They have amazing talking abilities-a male budgie holds the world record for the largest vocabulary, over a thousand words-http://naturesscrapbook.blogspot.com/2012/02/bird-with-largest-vocabulary-in-world.html They need toys to play with, a good size cage to move around in. Usually the absolute minimum size for one budgie is given as 18x18, or 45cm x 45cm. For more than one, you want bigger: http://emilysaviary.weebly.com/your-cage.html ideally get the largest you can afford, with appropriate sized bar spacing. Your bird will love you for it.

People usually feed them seed diets, and while their species can do better on a seed based diet than most, it definitely shouldn't be the only thing they have and you should find a really good quality mix, or feed pellets. They also need fresh fruit/veg, and other things like grains, sprouts, etc.

They can live up to 21 years in captivity, but often a lot less than that due to poor diet, breeding, etc.

http://www.beautyofbirds.com/companionbird.htm
http://www.beautyofbirds.com/budgieinfo.htm

I also recommend getting: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Parrots-For-Dummies-Nikki-Moustaki/dp/0764583530/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1399330887&sr=8-1&keywords=parrots+for+dummies Despite being of the "For Dummies" series, it's a very good reference for almost everything, written by someone who knows what she is talking about.

They have an image of being really easy to care for, simple pets, but they're a lot more complex than most people give them credit for. Though, once you read everything and know what's what, it sounds a lot harder than it is. A little tame parrot friend (or even a cage of untame but happy birds) is worth it. [/QUOTE]

Pechow

You can tame as an adult, and even when there are more than one bird, it's just harder and requires a lot of patience, so if you want a tame bird it's better to find a hand raised one. If you get two tamed ones to keep each other company when you are busy or not around (which honestly is what I would suggest, they are flock animals and need a lot of interaction really) then they won't revert to being untame if you regularly handle and interact with them.

They're not loud in volume, but they're noisy in terms of constantly chattering, especially if you have more than one. Females are quieter than males, but much less likely to talk. I generally prefer male birds also because then there's no potential problems with eggs to deal with-egg laying is hard on the body, stressful on the bird, produces all sorts of hormones which can cause unwanted behaviour, there's the risk of things going wrong, etc... and there are so many budgies already in existence, hatching the eggs isn't great either. You'll need to look up how to reduce triggering breeding behaviour (for males too), it's included in that book and site I linked. Things like no nests, 12-14 hours of darkness every day, etc

Most of the mess would be from seed hulls blown about, or feathers when moulting. A lot of birds tend to poo in certain spots, and you can tell when they're about to go when they do a funny squatting motion. I've trained one of my parrots to go on command, and another one refuses to poo outside of his cage if he can help it. Put down a tea towel or paper towel on the spot that they like to perch to catch it, no problems

monty-doggy

My love birds are tame and in a pair. They are well bonded with me and my oh but I would hate to have only got one and it be lonely when I'm at work. Mine compete with the tv noise wise but as they need 12-14 hours of darkness input a dark blanket over them early eve and they are quiet. If we are home in the day and want the tv on we just move the cage. To be honest I rarely have the tv on in the day anyway.

My two ALWAYS poo on the tv so before I let them out I cover it with a towel!

Hillbilly2

Please get a pair at least. Budgies are flock birds.


In the wild they travel hundreds of miles to find a flock rather than be on their own.


Bird behaviourists would class it as cruelty to keep a flock bird on its own.