Does anyone here have budgies?

hamtarokid · 08-31-2016, 07:44 AM

So my partner and I are going out of town tomorrow and we just got back from dropping Ambrose (our winter white) off at a friend's for hamster-sitting. I knew our friend had pet budgies, but I didn't realize she has about 50 of them!

So many birds. We ended up staying for a couple hours so we could play with the birds and learn more about them. Now we've kind of decided we're going to get a budgie when we get back from our trip.

I was hoping there might be an ErinsAnimals of budgie care, but there doesn't seem to be. Does anyone here know anything about budgies?

CMB · 08-31-2016, 09:08 AM

Yes. I have a budgie indoors at the moment. I also had an outdoor aviary with budgies.
I used to breed my budgies to.

What would you like to know?

hamtarokid · 08-31-2016, 10:29 AM

Well, part of what was nice about ErinsAnimals when it came to getting a hamster was that she answered all the questions I didn't think to ask. :P

I've never had a bird before, so I don't really know how to take care of one. From what I've read/watched today, they look like they require about the same amount of care as a hamster, except for needing way more socialization.

Is there anything you wish you had known when you got a budgie?

AmityvilleHams · 08-31-2016, 12:12 PM

I'm not particularly a budgie person,but something I wish I knew about birds in general is that wing clipping is actually not necessary if you can get an aviator harness as well as have the bird recall trained!In fact,wing clipping inhibits a lot of natural behaviors and can even be more dangerous to your bird(s) than having unclipped birds.Dogs,cats,and other predators can kill birds easier if they can't fly away,and also a lot of other household dangers are even more of a risk for clipped birds.

CMB · 08-31-2016, 01:38 PM

I had read a lot before getting my first budgie. I was suppressed at how noisy a budgie can be. My budgie makes a lot of noise while the vacuum cleaner is on.

Hens bite really hard, males are more gentle.

Cages sold in pet shops are often to small. A longer cage is better than a tall cage.

Young budgies that have left the nest and are weaned are easier to tame than older budgies.

They need a budgie seed mix, grit, mineral block and cuttle fish and water. They also have veg and fruit.

Keep birds away from the kitchen. Cooking pots and pans can give off toxic fumes.

Let a new bird settle in for a week. Talk to the bird and avoid sudden movements. Once settled in, slowly put your hand in the cage with your index finger sticking out. Touch that finger under the birds tummy and it should step onto your finger. Let it stay there then lower the finger so it steps off. Keep practicing until the budgie is happy to get on and off.

Then you can bring the budgie out of the cage whilst sitting on your finger. Close Windows,doors,curatains/blind before letting the budgie out to fly around so they don't try to fly through the glass window. They may need help finding their way back into the cage.

A single budgie will play more with toys than a pair will. Balls, mirrors chewable toys. Toys that have moving parts are enjoyed.

Wing clipping is temporary. The feathers regrow. Wing clipping can help with taming a difficult bird and stop escapes. You clip just enough of the feathers to allow limited flight.

Perches of various diameter and texture help keep nails short.

Bathing - a bird bath that fits on the cage door, a spray bottle or a bowl of water are required 2 times a week. Bath allowed in the morning, but removed in the afternoon to allow the budgie to dry off before night time/sleeping.

Budgies can learn to associate words with actions like dogs.

I use

Up to ask the budgie to step on my finger
down to ask the budgie to step off my finger.

Come means fly to me
Go means fly away from me
Off is used to get the budgie to fly away from anything dangerous. Like radiators, lights

Unless you want to take your bird outside without being in it's cage I wouldn't use a bird harness. Some birds won't want to wear a harness and will bite if they get stressed.

Some plants are toxic to birds, so keep house plants out or reach.

If there are any other questions. Just ask.

badwolf · 08-31-2016, 02:21 PM

Budgies can be amazing pets. There was always one in the house when I was growing up. One of them took to me especially and would come to me and sleep whenever he was sick. I miss him

They always used to just wander about the house, like dogs. If we were in the kitchen, they'd fly in from the living room for a nosey

I wish I had the space and time for one right now.

hamtarokid · 09-02-2016, 12:35 PM

Thanks for the advice, guys.

We will have to do more research into wing clipping before we make a decision regarding that.

That's a lot of really good information, CMB! I'm really excited to have a bird that we can interact with and talk to a lot. I talk to my hamster, but I don't think he cares. :P He doesn't really like interacting with people.

AmityvilleHams · 09-02-2016, 12:39 PM

Try and look into other species as well!You don't necessarily have to go for a budgie if you would prefer another species,as long as you are compatible with both the individual bird and the species as a whole

I know sometimes it can feel like you have to go with the so called "starter birds" or you're somehow doing something wrong,but ultimately compatibility is far more important than anything.

CMB · 09-02-2016, 01:13 PM

A young budgie may learn to talk. Budgies talking are harder to understand than parrots.

Teaching a budgie to talk.

Similar to teaching a child. When I give my budgie or parrots anything I say the word. My budgie does say a few words but my parrots say a lot more and understand more.

I say hello when entering the room my budgie is in and goodbye when leaving the room. Good morning when I first see him and goodnight before going to bed.

Toys are need to whilst playing with them.

hamtarokid · 09-03-2016, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CMB

A young budgie may learn to talk. Budgies talking are harder to understand than parrots.

Teaching a budgie to talk.

Similar to teaching a child. When I give my budgie or parrots anything I say the word. My budgie does say a few words but my parrots say a lot more and understand more.

I say hello when entering the room my budgie is in and goodbye when leaving the room. Good morning when I first see him and goodnight before going to bed.

Toys are need to whilst playing with them.

Yeah, I don't expect to have a conversation with it. :P I'm just always chatting to my hamster and he doesn't care, but budgies usually like the socialization.

What kinds of toys do you think are best?