Budgie

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Budgerigars :- are probably the most popular cage bird in the UK - as they are easy to keep, sociable, live up to 15 years and can be taught to talk.
Choosing your pet :- there are many colour variations and the colour you choose is down to personal preference.
If you are looking for a bird to hand-tame and teach to talk, you should choose one that is around six to eight weeks old. For breeding birds of one year are preferable.
Taking home :- small birds are best transported to your home in a cardboard box. Most pet shops will supply a ventilated box for this purpose.
It is best to have the cage ready prepared for the birds arrival. Make sure there is food and fresh water, sprinkle a little seed and grit on the cage floor until the bird finds it’s way round it’s new home.
A healthy bird will be lively and alert, with ‘tight’ plumage. There should be no discharges from it’s eyes, nasal tubes (above the beak) or vent (beneath tail feathers).
If you arrive home in the dark let the bird have a few hours of artificial light so it can find find some food and settle in it’s new home. keep an eye on your bird and make sure it can find the water.
Suitable home :- a budgie or pair of budgies should be housed in a suitable size cage giving your new pet room to climb and fly freely, rectangular cages with horizontal bars are better than round cages.
Make sure there are plenty of perches of various thickness so your bird can grip the perch easily and not strain it’s feet.
Natural perches such as branches can be used as long as they are clean and free from pesticides and parasites.
Cages must be kept clean and free from rust. The floor of the cage should be covered with sand or sand sheets, this will make the cleaning out process a lot easier.
Feeding your bird :- a good seed mix is the main diet, special dry foods for breeding and rearing young chicks.
They also like other soft foods and egg, this type of food must be changed regularly as it may go off quickly.
Some fresh vegetables, such as small amounts of lettuce or a piece of carrot will be welcomed.
Budgies need certain minerals to remain healthy. Cuttlefish bone and iodine block are good for keeping their beaks trim.
Grit is required to act as millstones in the bird’s crop, grinding down seed so the bird can digest it. This is available from the pet shop.
Bath time :- budgies originate from Australia so can go long periods without water, but have access to moist food. However in a cage they must have clean fresh water at all times, water drinkers are best for this purpose.
Most budgies also like to bathe, you can provide a bird bath that clips to the door area. The water in this must be clean and fresh and warmed in colder weather so the birds don’t catch cold, also keep your room warm to allow the bird to dry.
Taming :- talk to your bird, offer titbits through the cage wire, then put your hand inside the cage with a titbit or seed. When the bird is hand tame you can start letting it out for exercise, make sure to cover windows with netting and close doors