Oct 30, 2013 9:15:14 GMT
andi
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 19
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Post by andi on Nov 7, 2013 14:22:23 GMT
We will be getting our first budgie later today, hurray! I've bought the Vision 2 Medium sized cage from Hagen for it. Right now, all I have in it is the original set up (2 bowls and perches) plus a ladder going from the cage bottom to the side and iodine block and cuttlefish bone. I have a trapeze with a bell on order, but I thought that for a new young bird getting used to things, this would probably be enough. Would this be correct? I'll post a picture in a minute with my phone.
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Oct 30, 2013 9:15:14 GMT
andi
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 19
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Post by andi on Nov 7, 2013 14:39:38 GMT
Aha, I can't seem to see how to post other than from a link, so just imagine this with a wooden ladder!
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Post by ffiscool on Nov 7, 2013 14:52:53 GMT
hi, how exciting! Welcome. Looking forward to seeing the pictures.. have you a name chosen?
Have you bought wooden perches? I think most of us on here have those as better for the buds' feet.
Cheap from places like Pets At Home and can be cut to the right size.
When I got Bailey, I had a few perches, food and water and a swing. it took him ages to use the swing but he loves it.. Oh and a mirror.
Whatever you do have in there will seem very alien to the bud unless it has come from a smaller equipped cage already and hand tamed etc etc
So expect a few days of possibly a sheer terror look.
Others on here will be able to give you much better advice than me...
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Sept 15, 2013 16:23:58 GMT
GoldieNYC
Normal Green
http://youtu.be/F9ADEs8IHJk Here's a new video, featuring the little yellow bird.
Posts: 449
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Post by GoldieNYC on Nov 7, 2013 15:12:30 GMT
I've got the Vision M01 here, and it's a great cage. As you can see, I've customized my perches - expanding the perfectly-useful plastic perches with branches, pieces of suit hangers, and chop sticks -- whatever can be utilized. I keep a more traditional perch in the auxiliary cage and always have one free for fetching or moving Goldie. I tie it all together with Velcro straps - safe for her. She knows to hop on it when it's placed before her. Otherwise - the interior space of the Vision is enormous. You can fill it with any kind of hanging thing imaginable. I even experiment with food bowl placement - not just using the native ones. She used to have to figure out how to get down to her food, and felt this was kind of tough on her, so I opted for a couple of very cheap hanging containers. She enjoys them. I did opt to buy a tub (not seen here). I've had great success with the water-and-romaine-lettuce combination. She has ladders to get down to that more comfortably. Just browse the pet shop, if you have the chance. Best of luck, and remember to get a good cover. Such a cavernous space needs a little intimacy too.
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Oct 30, 2013 9:15:14 GMT
andi
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 19
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Post by andi on Nov 7, 2013 15:36:37 GMT
I plan on using some branches from the damson (a type of small plum for those not familiar) tree in our yard for natural perches. Just wanted to get the budgie settled first before too much came its way.
I don't think we have a name yet. My 6 year old has been saving money for the bird and has been given the privilege of naming it, but it has been different nearly every time I've asked. Hopefully tomorrow!
GoldieNYC, you don't use the feeders provided? I was a bit concerned that they might be too deep for the bird, but since I'm such a newbie, I really don't know.
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Post by mizloco on Nov 7, 2013 16:29:11 GMT
Hello Andy and welcome. I will post a few threads that may help. basic help
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Post by mizloco on Nov 7, 2013 16:32:12 GMT
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Post by mizloco on Nov 7, 2013 16:36:16 GMT
There is one somewhere about which wood is safe to use but I can't find it maybe Marianne Marlow would know. Anyway glad you found us.
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Post by ffiscool on Nov 7, 2013 16:48:31 GMT
Bailey wasn't keen on his feeding dishes that came with his cage so I just got one that hangs on the bars and have it level with his perch. Just a cheap plastic one, but it works.
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Oct 30, 2013 9:15:14 GMT
andi
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 19
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Post by andi on Nov 7, 2013 16:52:21 GMT
Hmm, just read on this list of wood for birds that stone fruit wood can release cyanide if digested. I knew it was in the stones but didn't realise the wood would have it too. Still not happy about paying silly money for simply a branch, so I'll investigate what other trees we have that might be safe to use. Looks like my grape vine prunings should be okay, so that's good news.
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Post by ffiscool on Nov 7, 2013 17:38:04 GMT
Where do you live? The branches I bought and perches came to about £15 for all he needs and a spare.
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Sept 15, 2013 16:23:58 GMT
GoldieNYC
Normal Green
http://youtu.be/F9ADEs8IHJk Here's a new video, featuring the little yellow bird.
Posts: 449
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Post by GoldieNYC on Nov 7, 2013 18:18:42 GMT
I must be lucky in that the parks nearby feature non-toxic wood. Now and then, I'll see an ideal branch and retrieve it. andi - I felt sorry for Goldie - struggling to get down to the floor of the cage just to eat. They've cleverly covered the feeding troughs, and there's a nice pair of access doors, but I don't see the point. She's happier feeding up high in the cage, which is where she spends most of her time, anyway. Birds need lateral space and tend to gravitate upward toward safety. She uses ladders to get at the tub of water and lettuce. No - she doesn't fly in the cage, as a rule, though she can. The point of the Vision cage is to keep the bird happy during longer stays when necessary. It's roomy to be sure. It's also harder for her to own the space, as flying is difficult, and she can't just crawl freely from wall to top like she did in the simple wire cage. She did, incidentally strip the bark off of her favorite perches. You'll just have to see how it goes, but you have a great many possibilities here. Incidentally, the plastic perches are a perfect width for his/her feet. They're also more hygienic than the standard wood perches.
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Post by birdguhl on Nov 7, 2013 22:27:15 GMT
Welcome to the forum, Andi - looking forward to hearing how your new family member settles in!
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Post by BudgiesBuddy on Nov 8, 2013 9:37:03 GMT
Hi Andi and welcome to forum
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Oct 30, 2013 9:15:14 GMT
andi
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 19
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Post by andi on Nov 8, 2013 9:54:06 GMT
The budgie is here! My daughter thinks she has settled on the very original "Tweetie" as a name, but did have second thoughts this morning, so I've given her until after school to make it final. Tweetie spent all up on the other perch, basically frozen in spot from what I could tell, but has perked up today. He or she (only 9 weeks old so we're not sure yet but think it's a boy) has perked up this morning though, flying from one perch to the other and even gave a couple of chirps while watching me on the computer. Tweetie also felt comfortable enough to fly down to the bottom of the cage and try some of the seed mix I scattered on the newspaper on the floor. Not sure what do on the floor actually. There is wire mesh the same as on the sides of the cage for the floor and it's raised off the base, which seems easier for it to move around. But if I put seed down there, it will fall through and I don't see how Tweetie can get it down there. Doing that until Tweetie finds the feed bowl. But with the newspaper on top of the wire, it seems a bit slippery for the budgie to move around on. Which way is best?
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