New Budgie Owner - So Many Opinions

[sjdean]

Hi,

Im a new budgie owner.

My partner got a budgie and he's a cute little thing. But I thought he looked kind of lonely and with her giving her attention to the budgie, I thought I'd get another with a view of keeping them together.

I was trying to adjust the cuttlefish in his cage and the little bligher escaped his cage and went flying round the house. He left him alone for a good few hours but he didn't go back to his cage, but he was interested in my partners budgie. You can see they like each other.

I think I spooked him, as he went flying again and smacked himself into the window a couple of times. A little blood on his forehead, but he seems alert and stable. I got a towel over him and put him back in his cage and placed a towel over.

An hour later he was still good. I gather most likely blood feathers.

An hour after this, he was prancing around his cage, climbing over the bars and even found his real food. He had up until that point, only been chewing on the tasty treat. 

So Im happy with that.

He seems mostly comfortable with my finger, but doesn't want me to touch him. And he'll nibble things held in my finger.

Anyhow. That aside.

There seems to be a million and one opinions on cages. Everything I've read suggests no bird grit as budgies don't need it, and don't use sandpaper sheets as it irritates their feet. But my other half is adamant that they do need grit and you should use sandpaper and you shouldn't leave the metal grid in there between the cage and the tray bottom. Having had an escapee though, Im not sure how to get it out.

There's even a company that makes sandpaper sheets specifically for budgies.

Im going to get some toys for him and maybe a coconut shell. I saw them playing with one of those in the pet shop.

Any basic cage setup tips? Sandpaper? Sand? Grit? Other basic necessities (apart from food, water, cuttlefish and iodine blocks)

Thanks
Simon

[ladybird]

Hello sjdean, someone will be along soon to help you, but I can answer just a few of your questions......oystershell is a good ( grit ) to use.....you need a mineral block . And you could place newspaper over the grid. Could you put a photo of your cage so that you can get more help how to set it up?........Welcome to the forum.

[Moogie]

dont use any sand paper including the sand paper perches as it gives them bumble foot,,just cover the grate at the bottom with paper,,

[Hezz]

Budgies absolutely, and no pet bird ever, should be subjected to sand sheets. As Moogie has said, these can cause terrible sores on the bottom of their feet called bumblefoot. Budgies don't need oyster grit, soluble grit, but it can be a great source of calcium for them. Mine prefer oyster shell grit to a cuttlebone. Two types of grit - soluble and non-soluble. Soluble grit is the oyster shell grit at will be broken down in their digestive tract. Non-soluble grit is dangerous to parrots. It consists of tiny pebbles that do not break down. Birds such as pigeons and doves, who don't husk their seed, are the ones who need the non-soluble grit.

Another thing to note is not to take any notice of what store employees may tell you is a good cage, toy etc for your budgies. They are there to sell things and overall know very little about the true value of bird-related things.
Read through the links below. It might you both understand more the needs of your new feathered friends.

budgerigarsforum.proboards.com/thread/13493/essential-budgie

budgerigarsforum.proboards.com/thread/13365/budgie-safe-toys-equipment