|
Post by Hezz on Oct 30, 2018 19:49:34 GMT
Budgies actually eat a lot of the same grasses that the finches do. In fact finch seed mixes are often a better choice for budgies than budgie mix - less fatty or oil seeds added. I can't give you names of particular grasses, but anything that is a natural field/meadow/paddock grass is fine. The only recommendation is don't feed any ornamental grasses. Apparently these can contain certain toxins. Stick with the wild stuff. And just experiment. I know that mine have favourites, but they get whatever it is that I can get. I am sure they pick out the best first, but they will go back time and time again. It may take some time for your birds to take on a grass bundle, but generally speaking they seem to recognise grass as a food, unlike trying them with vegetables for the first time. They also like having them wet down on a warm day and rubbing themselves in the water droplets - this is their evolved way to bath, being a desert bird who see not much rain. I hope your birds enjoy their grass! But be a little patient with them if they don't get all excited the first time.
|
|
Mar 16, 2018 18:32:14 GMT
shaggywillow
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 57
|
Post by shaggywillow on Oct 30, 2018 21:51:17 GMT
What (most) Budgies Love3. Plenty of stimulating toys – bells, swings, mirrors, rope perches and ladders, things to chew. Extras2. Rock salt Hezz - I've only just seen the list of things budgies need, etc., and it's incredibly helpful! Thank you! Just to clarify:- - What are rope perches? And if they are what I think they are, could the budgie's nails get caught on the rope strands? - what do you mean by rock salt? Is it the same as sea salt which we can buy from the supermarkets? And how much rock salt should I give my budgie? Thanks again.
|
|
|
Post by Hezz on Oct 31, 2018 19:34:13 GMT
What (most) Budgies Love3. Plenty of stimulating toys – bells, swings, mirrors, rope perches and ladders, things to chew. Extras2. Rock salt Hezz - I've only just seen the list of things budgies need, etc., and it's incredibly helpful! Thank you! Just to clarify:- - What are rope perches? And if they are what I think they are, could the budgie's nails get caught on the rope strands? - what do you mean by rock salt? Is it the same as sea salt which we can buy from the supermarkets? And how much rock salt should I give my budgie? Thanks again. Not sea salt, but rock salt; it is usually Himalayan. Contains lots of good minerals, but it is not a necessity, particularly if their diet is good. Budgies in the wild have access to a bush that actually has a salty crust on the leaves. For one bird on a good diet, I wouldn't worry about it too much. It is one of those things that many breeders use, so probably more relevant to an aviary situation rather than a single budgie at home. Rope perches - most store bought rope perches are cotton, and you are so right - budgies can get their claws caught if the perches get old and frayed or chewed on, so you do need to be aware and check them regularly. As new, the fibres are wound together tightly and I don't know of this happening to a budgie unless the rope was frayed. I prefer to use a sisal rope and plait several strands together to give different size perches. Sisal has short fibres, is an all-natural fibre (not processed like the cotton is) and doesn't cause the same problems of impaction of the crop that cotton can.
|
|
Mar 16, 2018 18:32:14 GMT
shaggywillow
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 57
|
Post by shaggywillow on Nov 1, 2018 12:26:17 GMT
Hezz - thanks for clarifying what rock salt is. I feel so stupid thinking it's the same as sea salt As for rope perches - hmmm... my concern would be that Willow would attempt to destroy the cotton strands and one day get her claw trapped! I guess vigilance is the key. Thanks for recommending sisal. Owning a budgie is such a big responsibility - but such a great delight too! I can't imagine life without Willow.... Here she is, daydreaming of escaping:-
|
|
Oct 6, 2011 7:41:27 GMT
Marianne Marlow
Administrator
George, Daisy, Iris, Billy, Peter, Chipper, Dinku, Barney, Ayla and Rocky
Posts: 28,752
|
Post by Marianne Marlow on Nov 1, 2018 12:37:31 GMT
Willow is a beauty and looks very content.
|
|
|
Post by OP on Nov 1, 2018 12:37:34 GMT
Great picture there. I'm sure she would escape if she could. A lovely looking budgie too.
|
|
Oct 6, 2011 7:41:27 GMT
Marianne Marlow
Administrator
George, Daisy, Iris, Billy, Peter, Chipper, Dinku, Barney, Ayla and Rocky
Posts: 28,752
|
Post by Marianne Marlow on Nov 1, 2018 12:41:43 GMT
Regarding salt. I have noticed that if I have been eating wotsits (a cheesy corn puff snack) Hector will try and lick the residue off my fingers. Even if I have washed my hands, he manages to find some under my nail.
|
|
Mar 16, 2018 18:32:14 GMT
shaggywillow
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 57
|
Post by shaggywillow on Nov 1, 2018 17:29:34 GMT
OP Marianne Marlow - thanks for saying Willow is lovely. She is! But a typical female - moody Hezz - is this the kind of sisal perch that's safe for budgies? www.scarlettsparrotessentials.co.uk/zig-zag-jute-sisal-perch-small - so, if her nail does accidentally get caught in one of the strands OR if she ingests some of the strands it won't be a danger (compared to cotton)? Thinking of buying this perch as well as some sisal rope for toy-making. How about these (see photos) - would these be safe/ok?
|
|
|
Post by Hezz on Nov 2, 2018 8:02:17 GMT
Regarding the photos ... I like the second one, but not the first - I don't like the cotton rope holding the first all together. If the blurb on the link is correct, that rope perch should be fine. You still would want to be vigilant regarding any strands being pulled off it, just to make sure that the strands are not of any great length.
|
|
Mar 16, 2018 18:32:14 GMT
shaggywillow
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 57
|
Post by shaggywillow on Nov 2, 2018 10:29:59 GMT
Regarding the photos ... I like the second one, but not the first - I don't like the cotton rope holding the first all together. If the blurb on the link is correct, that rope perch should be fine. You still would want to be vigilant regarding any strands being pulled off it, just to make sure that the strands are not of any great length. Hezz - Before I saw your response, I tried to put both toys in her cage. Guess which one she liked a lot??? The swing with the knotted cotton rope!!!! She loved it - preening it, trying to work on unknotting the knot. She ignored the second toy (ladder). Anyway, these were in her cage for only 10 minutes - I quickly removed the swing. I think I'll remove the cotton rope, get some budgie-safe toy parts and attach them to the swing. Why does she have to like cotton/fabrics so much? !!! Anything soft, cottony, fabric-y, she just loves. I know it's not safe to use those "cuddle tents" they sell at pet shops, but if I were to put one in her cage, I'll bet she'd be obsessed with it. Thanks for your effort to respond to my queries. You're so helpful and kind!
|
|
|
Post by OP on Nov 2, 2018 10:44:26 GMT
Willow will have a chew at anything you put in the cage, its what hens do. To make the swing safer you could cut off the long tassles. Put a plastic cable tie as close as you can to the last not, make real tight then cut the tassle close to the cable tie. Not too close or else the cable tie will fall off. You will need to keep a close watch on the exposed cotton to make sure she hasn't liberated any strands. Once she has made it her swing she may not chew it quite so much. Just keep a close eye on it.
|
|
|
Post by Hezz on Nov 2, 2018 10:56:35 GMT
Regarding the photos ... I like the second one, but not the first - I don't like the cotton rope holding the first all together. If the blurb on the link is correct, that rope perch should be fine. You still would want to be vigilant regarding any strands being pulled off it, just to make sure that the strands are not of any great length. Hezz - Before I saw your response, I tried to put both toys in her cage. Guess which one she liked a lot??? The swing with the knotted cotton rope!!!! She loved it - preening it, trying to work on unknotting the knot. She ignored the second toy (ladder). Anyway, these were in her cage for only 10 minutes - I quickly removed the swing. I think I'll remove the cotton rope, get some budgie-safe toy parts and attach them to the swing. Why does she have to like cotton/fabrics so much? !!! Anything soft, cottony, fabric-y, she just loves. I know it's not safe to use those "cuddle tents" they sell at pet shops, but if I were to put one in her cage, I'll bet she'd be obsessed with it. Thanks for your effort to respond to my queries. You're so helpful and kind! Instead of throwing the swing with the cotton rope out, I would replace the cotton rope with sisal. Yes it is a bit of a pain, yes it is a bit of a waste of money, but better safe than sorry and why not use the bits that she loves and remake the original in better form?
|
|
Mar 16, 2018 18:32:14 GMT
shaggywillow
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 57
|
Post by shaggywillow on Nov 2, 2018 14:40:23 GMT
Willow will have a chew at anything you put in the cage, its what hens do. To make the swing safer you could cut off the long tassles. Put a plastic cable tie as close as you can to the last not, make real tight then cut the tassle close to the cable tie. Not too close or else the cable tie will fall off. You will need to keep a close watch on the exposed cotton to make sure she hasn't liberated any strands. Once she has made it her swing she may not chew it quite so much. Just keep a close eye on it. OP - hi again! I'm not sure I understand what you mean by putting a plastic cable tie close to the knot.... How does it help make the cotton knot/tassels safe? Sorry - I'm a bit thick
|
|
|
Post by Hezz on Nov 3, 2018 0:34:41 GMT
I should say, also, look at getting some paper rope. I just mentioned this on another thread, and realised that I hadn't mentioned it to you. You can get it in different thicknesses, so look for something thin rather than the thicker stuff.
|
|
|
Post by OP on Nov 3, 2018 7:37:27 GMT
shaggywillow, sorry for not being more explicit in my post. The suggestion I posed will make the thing safe by not having the dangling tassels. They pose the risk of Willow getting her claws caught up in them. Cut the tassels off and that can't happen. By putting a cable tie next to the knot will stop the whole thing unravelling. I hope I am making sense this time.
|
|