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Post by ariella on Jun 28, 2016 16:02:53 GMT
Hi everyone. I have been dreaming of getting a budgie for a long time but circumstances just weren't right. However they soon will be and I am excitedly looking at cages and stands, reading up on nutrition and so on.
I grew up with budgies as pets as a child and had my own two separate budgies when I was in my teens. One of which was a wonderful talker and imitated the phone ringing perfectly.
It's now 24 years on and I'm sure a lot of changes have been made to the ideal husbandry so I am doing my research before buying all the essentials.
I am planning on having a single male budgie, one that I can interact with a lot throughout the day and hopefully tame. I have been looking at cages and this one has been suggested: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000K67UF2/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=346K7EJ9PTU37&coliid=I2ODKSJUX1A44E&psc=1
If anyone has any thoughts on this cage or other suggestions, I'd be very grateful to hear them.
My budgie wouldn't have free flight throughout the day due to my youngest son having autism but would come out in the evening and spend a few years with myself and my husband.
So at this stage I would be interested in advice regarding the cage, what is best to line the bottom of the cage (it was sandpaper last time I had a budgie) the best seed to buy (it was Trill back in the 80's/early 90's) and the healthiest treats, fruit and vegetables to offer and whether there are any breeders in the south west region. I would be willing to travel a little to buy from a breeder rather than a pet shop.
I'm looking forward to getting to know you all.
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Post by starlingqueen on Jun 28, 2016 16:33:33 GMT
Hello, you made it at last. The cage you have in the link is very good but the perches are not recommended. Plastic is not good for their feet. The best perches are natural wood from safe trees or you can buy them ready made from www.naturalbirdco.co.uk/ or other pet shops. The link is very good for toys too. As for sand sheets, they are a big no no these days, they can cause bumblefoot, which you will know about being a chicken owner. So, newspaper is the covering of choice for most of us. There are lots of different seeds to choose from, Trill recently changed their formula for the worst so it is not as good any more. I'll get back to you on the food, or someone else will, I'm cooking dinner at the moment. Good to have you on board.
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Post by ariella on Jun 28, 2016 16:51:16 GMT
Thanks for letting me know that newspaper is fine - I had thought about it so it's good to have it confirmed. The perches are made to sound so good in the editorial for that cage but I'm sure they're easily replaced. Thanks for the link for naturalbird. I'll buy some from there when I get the cage.
I look forward to hearing some recommendations regarding diet as and when anyone has time. I'm still some weeks off being able to get everything so plenty of time for research and advice. Then I should be all set to find a budgie.
Good to be back sharing a forum with you!
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Post by suesbird on Jun 28, 2016 18:27:26 GMT
Hi and Welcome, my two eat Haiths Bravo seed, two days a week they have the Haiths tonic seed, and they love it. Others use different ones and will tell you later. Haiths has to be ordered on line, they are very quick and good at delivering by Fedex.
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Post by Hezz on Jun 29, 2016 7:35:19 GMT
Can't help you with the seed, but here is a link to look at regarding fresh food for your soon-to-be budgie: budgerigarsforum.proboards.com/thread/509/fresh-foods-offer-budgie Get him eating them as soon as possible. Most budgies prefer their veggies to fruit, but once you have that great bond going, anything that is your food, he will be willing to try. The biggest cage you can afford in money and space is recommended. I am a big fan of the flight cages .... I don't know the names for them in UK, although some of the members have what they call a Hamberley, these are great cages! ..... here is a link, might be a bit old but I tried ...... www.ebay.com.au/itm/271064279418?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&rmvSB=trueGo easy on the oats and millet for your birdy, millet is a great training tool, so use as a treat; oats are very high in fat, and most budgies luurrve them, and will pick them out of their seem in preference. And, hello and welcome to the forum.
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Post by samwiseg on Jun 29, 2016 8:18:35 GMT
Hi and welcome ariella Glad you found us and looking forward to hearing about you and your new addition! Hopefully you will find the forum a happy and informative place to be
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Oct 6, 2011 7:41:27 GMT
Marianne Marlow
Administrator
George, Daisy, Iris, Billy, Peter, Chipper, Dinku, Barney, Ayla and Rocky
Posts: 28,770
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Post by Marianne Marlow on Jun 29, 2016 9:56:16 GMT
Welcome to the forum!
Looking forward to hearing more about your budgie when you get him/her.
I use Avia bird seed, I used to use Trill but the quality has gone down and it's also a bit dusty these days.
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Post by starlingqueen on Jun 29, 2016 10:18:31 GMT
As you can see there are lots of seed brands now, I use Rob Harvey and there is also Johnston and Jeff. Unlike Trill, these seeds don't contain D3 so a supplement or lighting needs to be used but you know all about that. Also, all the weeds you feed to the tortoises can be fed to your budgie along with seeding grasses. So you are already half way there with the food.
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Post by ariella on Jun 29, 2016 10:46:33 GMT
As you can see there are lots of seed brands now, I use Rob Harvey and there is also Johnston and Jeff. Unlike Trill, these seeds don't contain D3 so a supplement or lighting needs to be used but you know all about that. Also, all the weeds you feed to the tortoises can be fed to your budgie along with seeding grasses. So you are already half way there with the food. D3 as in nutrobal? Do I just add it to the seed?
I've been looking at seeds and wondered what quantity you'd recommend buying for a single bird? I don't know what the use by date is like on them or how much a single bird will get through in a month, so not sure whether to get a bigger quantity (if the use by dates are usually lengthy) or just buy smaller quantities each month.
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Post by starlingqueen on Jun 29, 2016 11:33:21 GMT
As you can see there are lots of seed brands now, I use Rob Harvey and there is also Johnston and Jeff. Unlike Trill, these seeds don't contain D3 so a supplement or lighting needs to be used but you know all about that. Also, all the weeds you feed to the tortoises can be fed to your budgie along with seeding grasses. So you are already half way there with the food. D3 as in nutrobal? Do I just add it to the seed?
I've been looking at seeds and wondered what quantity you'd recommend buying for a single bird? I don't know what the use by date is like on them or how much a single bird will get through in a month, so not sure whether to get a bigger quantity (if the use by dates are usually lengthy) or just buy smaller quantities each month.
Yes nutrobal is fine. Or you can get feather up, which helps with moulting and condition too, it's what I use. There are lots of supplements available, it's just finding what suits you. Guardian angel is a good one to have on hand, it helps with any little problems that may arise. Try this site, it has loads of stuff, even for your tortoises. www.birdcareco.com/English/TheBirdCareCompany/ProductInformation/Guardian-AngelYou can buy as much seed as you want, you can freeze it which helps kill any would be insects in it. I buy mine by he sack for my birds but you won't need that much. Save
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Post by ariella on Jun 29, 2016 13:07:13 GMT
Thanks, I will add Feather Up and Guardian Angel to my list. I didn't know you could freeze bird seed but it makes sense to, to kill any insects. How long does it need to defrost? I guess I can get a larger quantity, split it into separate bags and pull it out the freezer as and when the current seed bag gets low. Brilliant idea.
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Jun 10, 2016 11:01:41 GMT
Daisy
Normal Violet
Posts: 227
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Post by Daisy on Jun 29, 2016 14:47:59 GMT
Hello Ariella Buy a budgie from a breeder and, if you can, one that has been hand reared. This means you will get a bird that has been handled from a young age and it will be easier to tame. Also you will have the family history, if needed. Hens will tame fairly easily too. My Smokey Jo was a boy to begin with! She says a few words, or did till I got her a mate. Females bite more and harder than males, but I ignore SJ and she isnt too bad. Enjoy your new budgie they're great little birds
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Jun 10, 2016 11:01:41 GMT
Daisy
Normal Violet
Posts: 227
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Post by Daisy on Jun 29, 2016 14:52:04 GMT
Hello Ariella Buy a budgie from a breeder and, if you can, one that has been hand reared. This means you will get a bird that has been handled from a young age and it will be easier to tame. Also you will have the family history, if needed. Hens will tame fairly easily too. My Smokey Jo was a boy to begin with! She says a few words, or did till I got her a mate. Females bite more and harder than males, but I ignore SJ and she isnt too bad. Enjoy your new budgie they're great little birds didnt see the bit that said you would buy from a breeder , sorry :-(
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Post by milliej on Jun 29, 2016 15:41:50 GMT
Hi and welcome to the forum, I use Johnson & Jeff's budgies seed which was what the breeder I got my two from used. I also get Haith's bravo on-line and mix it plus they have dried egg food.
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Post by ariella on Jun 29, 2016 15:54:12 GMT
Hello Ariella Buy a budgie from a breeder and, if you can, one that has been hand reared. This means you will get a bird that has been handled from a young age and it will be easier to tame. Also you will have the family history, if needed. Hens will tame fairly easily too. My Smokey Jo was a boy to begin with! She says a few words, or did till I got her a mate. Females bite more and harder than males, but I ignore SJ and she isnt too bad. Enjoy your new budgie they're great little birds didnt see the bit that said you would buy from a breeder , sorry :-( No problem. I've been looking for breeders in my area. Can anyone recommend the best place to look other than Gumtree, etc. please? I want to be certain that I use a reputable breeder.
I'll ask the breeder what seed they use before buying any and if it's one of the recommended ones on here I'll stick with it - I want to make sure my new budgie has the very best start.
Thanks for your advice.
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