Post by Hezz on Jun 17, 2016 10:01:09 GMT
The Things Budgies Need
1. A good-sized cage that allows plenty of movement and exercise; bar spacing of no more than 12mm (half inch in the old money)
2. Good quality seed mix containing at least five different varieties of seed.
3. Fresh water daily
4. Perches of various diameters and textures, preferably natural branches from budgie-safe trees, to ensure healthy feet.
5. Cuttlefish bone for added calcium and beak trimming.
6. Oystershell, or soluble, grit. Also adds calcium to their diet.
7. Iodine/Mineral block, to provide minerals missing from a basic diet.
8. Toys to relieve boredom, including chew toys for beak health.
9. Fresh vegetables and fruit to provide the micro-nutrients missing from an all-seed diet.
10. Supervised free-flying time for exercise. If this is not possible the cage needs to be of very generous proportions to allow for an active life.
11. Some form of Vitamin D.
12. A good night’s sleep – follow the seasons as much as possible.
The Things Budgies Shouldn’t Have
1. A small cage.
2. Sand sheets – cause bumblefoot; very painful and very hard to cure.
3. Sand perches – for the same reason.
4. A nest box, unless you are wanting to breed.
5. Plastic perches.
6. Snuggle huts, or anything similar.
7. Long tassels left on rope toys – claws and feet can become entangled, they can even become wrapped around the bird’s neck and throttle it.
8. Clipped wings.
9. Unsupervised time with other pets.
10. A careless owner.
What (most) Budgies Love
1. Companionship
2. Seeding grass in season
3. Plenty of stimulating toys – bells, swings, mirrors, rope perches and ladders, things to chew.
4. Noise
5. A bath, or a misting, when moulting.
6. Shredding – anything from newspaper to bark, balsa wood, the furniture.
7. An out-of-cage area that is all theirs – a play gym, a perching tree etc
8. Free flight.
9. Anything that is yours.
Extras
1. Plenty of toys and perches for variety.
2. Rock salt
3. Scratches around the facial feathers, particularly when pin feathers are present
4. A bath in the sun.
5. Grow your own grass, sprouts, millet, herbs etc
6. Find a good vet, just in case …..
7. Health check by a good vet.
8. Pet insurance/separate fund for vet bills.
9. Vigilance by the owner; daily overview of your bird can pick up subtle differences in their demeanour, physical appearance, lumps and bumps that might be just starting. The earlier these sorts of things are picked up, the better the outlook for the bird.
10. Getting your bird used to being handled, so that #9 is an easy thing for both of you. Have them used to being held, handled makes things like vet visits much less stressful for all concerned.
1. A good-sized cage that allows plenty of movement and exercise; bar spacing of no more than 12mm (half inch in the old money)
2. Good quality seed mix containing at least five different varieties of seed.
3. Fresh water daily
4. Perches of various diameters and textures, preferably natural branches from budgie-safe trees, to ensure healthy feet.
5. Cuttlefish bone for added calcium and beak trimming.
6. Oystershell, or soluble, grit. Also adds calcium to their diet.
7. Iodine/Mineral block, to provide minerals missing from a basic diet.
8. Toys to relieve boredom, including chew toys for beak health.
9. Fresh vegetables and fruit to provide the micro-nutrients missing from an all-seed diet.
10. Supervised free-flying time for exercise. If this is not possible the cage needs to be of very generous proportions to allow for an active life.
11. Some form of Vitamin D.
12. A good night’s sleep – follow the seasons as much as possible.
The Things Budgies Shouldn’t Have
1. A small cage.
2. Sand sheets – cause bumblefoot; very painful and very hard to cure.
3. Sand perches – for the same reason.
4. A nest box, unless you are wanting to breed.
5. Plastic perches.
6. Snuggle huts, or anything similar.
7. Long tassels left on rope toys – claws and feet can become entangled, they can even become wrapped around the bird’s neck and throttle it.
8. Clipped wings.
9. Unsupervised time with other pets.
10. A careless owner.
What (most) Budgies Love
1. Companionship
2. Seeding grass in season
3. Plenty of stimulating toys – bells, swings, mirrors, rope perches and ladders, things to chew.
4. Noise
5. A bath, or a misting, when moulting.
6. Shredding – anything from newspaper to bark, balsa wood, the furniture.
7. An out-of-cage area that is all theirs – a play gym, a perching tree etc
8. Free flight.
9. Anything that is yours.
Extras
1. Plenty of toys and perches for variety.
2. Rock salt
3. Scratches around the facial feathers, particularly when pin feathers are present
4. A bath in the sun.
5. Grow your own grass, sprouts, millet, herbs etc
6. Find a good vet, just in case …..
7. Health check by a good vet.
8. Pet insurance/separate fund for vet bills.
9. Vigilance by the owner; daily overview of your bird can pick up subtle differences in their demeanour, physical appearance, lumps and bumps that might be just starting. The earlier these sorts of things are picked up, the better the outlook for the bird.
10. Getting your bird used to being handled, so that #9 is an easy thing for both of you. Have them used to being held, handled makes things like vet visits much less stressful for all concerned.