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Post by stace on Feb 12, 2012 6:02:27 GMT
I probably know the answer to these questions, but just want to see what you guys reckon. My neighbours' single budgie died last night, which was very upsetting for me and them. He's gone out straight away and bought two new budgies, who I've not yet met. Their previous cage, while not really small, wasn't as big as it should have been, given the bird didn't get free flight time. I want to encourage them to get the biggest cage possible, and want to suggest this type of thing as an option: www.largebirdcages.com.au/open-top-bird-cages/mayfair-bird-cage.htmlWhat do you think? Remember, they may not get out to fly, so I'm really trying to get my neighbour to get the best for them. Money isn't a big issue, but they have two big dogs and an open plan space that can't be closed off, so nowhere safe for the birds to fly. I'd like to do this now, so they don't go off and buy something wildly inappropriate, just because they don't know better. Not sure how old the birds are or their sex yet. But I'd like to get them comfortable with taming the birds enough so they don't freak out if they have to hold them. I was thinking of showing them how to firstly be okay with their hands using millet treats and what not, and also how to catch them up safely in the cage. It would be good, not just for emergencies, but also I thought they could catch them up and put them both in the smaller cage to sit out on their balcony to catch some sun once in a while. I'll get them sorted with good natural perches and will donate some safe toys, as I have more than Boo could ever need. Any suggestions welcome. |
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Post by Rachael Kellett on Feb 12, 2012 9:32:57 GMT
That looks like a great cage but it says that the bar spacing is an inch! I'd say this cage is aimed at bigger birds, budgies if small enough could squeeze through these gaps I imagine. I do think you are doing a great thing though in trying to educate them on how to look after their budgies  Keep going with it  |
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Post by stace on Feb 12, 2012 11:07:33 GMT
That looks like a great cage but it says that the bar spacing is an inch! I'd say this cage is aimed at bigger birds, budgies if small enough could squeeze through these gaps I imagine. I do think you are doing a great thing though in trying to educate them on how to look after their budgies Keep going with it Drat. I was reading that in cms. What's the recommended spacing for budgie bars? |
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Post by Rachael Kellett on Feb 12, 2012 11:43:16 GMT
That looks like a great cage but it says that the bar spacing is an inch! I'd say this cage is aimed at bigger birds, budgies if small enough could squeeze through these gaps I imagine. I do think you are doing a great thing though in trying to educate them on how to look after their budgies Keep going with it Drat. I was reading that in cms. What's the recommended spacing for budgie bars? If I remember correctly it is half an inch but I'm sure someone will come and along and be able to tell you for definite. My brain doesn't want to work today lol. Its shame about that cage though, it would have been perfect. |
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Post by stace on Feb 12, 2012 12:20:44 GMT
Simply can't find a really big cage with smaller bar spacing. This is infuriating. I'm searching high and low. Hezz?  Any ideas? |
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Post by Rachael Kellett on Feb 12, 2012 12:40:08 GMT
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Post by Hezz on Feb 13, 2012 1:46:00 GMT
Simply can't find a really big cage with smaller bar spacing. This is infuriating. I'm searching high and low. Hezz? Any ideas? One and Half cm is budgie size spacing, and forget the dome - wasted space. I got mine from Pet Stock - flight cage that is, they had the best price, but the other pet stores in town had them as well. www.petstock.com.au/ I do remember trying to access their catalogue recently but couldn't, so see if you have better luck. I am really happy with my cage, and I think it was the only one with suitable spacing around when I was looking, but big enough to give decent flutter space. Nice idea them getting the birds used to their hands, but if the birds are not at all tame, they are going to run the risk of them scooting out the door while they try to tame them. Even though I am expecting him to and have a fair bit of experience with containing Sparky at will, there are the odd times when Sparky skips past me out the door, even if I have the door shut on my arm he squeezes out and is off. He isn't afraid of me and occasionally has flown into my face and scarpered - he is just so very quick...... so the neighbours birds could very easily do the same thing and next minute, dog food.  Couldn't they take the birds into a bedroom and close the door to allow them time out for a fly? Maybe you could suggest that to them. Hope that helps.  |
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Post by stace on Feb 13, 2012 2:40:50 GMT
"I am really happy with my cage, and I think it was the only one with suitable spacing around when I was looking, but big enough to give decent flutter space."
This seems to be a problem in my searching. Big cages all have big bar spacing.
I'm trying to do the best for these birds, without seeming like I'm meddling or being judgemental. And it's not easy. Uggh.
I met the two new budgies yesterday. Two show type birds, a breeding pair, around 11 weeks old they've been told. Since they've lost their bar heads I can't tell. Just beautiful though.
They've named the hen Benji, after the poor budgie who died on Sunday, and the cock is Boo, after my budgie. Their little girl named him Boo, after meeting my bird in the weekend. So I said the cock bird is like Boo Two.
They don't seem scared of humans, so must have been handled by the breeder. They have a nestbox in the little cage, which I've said to remove unless they want babies, like next week!
And what's the age for breeding a hen? Six months? This is not my area of expertise.
What concerns me is that they used to have one of those terrible small round cages for the other budgie. I said they needed a better, bigger, wider cage, and that I could help them source one. Next thing I know, they gone out to the petstore and been given what the petstore said was the perfect cage. Essentially a tall cage that was no wider than the last one. Grrrr, petstore people, grrrrr.
Now this cage is what two are in, and I'm worried the same thing will happen. The guy that sold them the bird has now told them their cage is fine, and it is not. And I fear they see these people as experts over me.
Sometimes I wish I didn't care so much. The previous bird's living conditions, then death really upset me. I just want these new birds to be happy, and for my neighbours to be happy.
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Apr 30, 2024 3:35:37 GMT
Deleted
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Feb 13, 2012 15:17:45 GMT
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Post by sarah*glittergirl2212 on Feb 13, 2012 19:25:34 GMT
Why don't you offer to help them get the birds as friendly and tame as Boo, and pop over a few times to show them the things that worked with him? They'd be idiots not to bite your hand off! Then you can suggest helpful bits of advice as you go rather than hitting them with it one go which may make them just go whoah!! Ferplast make a beautiful cage called the Piano 7 - can you get it in Oz?
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Post by stace on Feb 13, 2012 21:51:48 GMT
Never seen a Ferplast here. But I'm sure there's something like those Montanas. I keep seeing knock-off Montanas type cages, made really cheaply in China, that are not so well thought out and made.
Shall report back....
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Post by Hezz on Feb 14, 2012 1:30:48 GMT
The experts on here all say don't breed under twelve months! How can someone sell 11 week old chicks as a breeding pair? ? I really think these people have been taken for a wild and very hairy ride! I am horrified. |
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Keep going with it 
Any ideas?
