May 11, 2020 21:47:47 GMT
rosebunting
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 68
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Post by rosebunting on Jul 12, 2020 20:36:57 GMT
Hello! I've had my first budgie, Arthur, for almost three months now. He's made a lot of progress since he showed up outside of my window, but one thing I've noticed is that he doesn't seem as curious/exploratory as many other budgies. He has one perch he likes, and he will often ignore the other perches unless he is going to eat/get water, or if he's tempted with some millet. As a result, I'm worried that he is not getting the proper enrichment Here is his current cage setup: Again, I am a new budgie owner, so I would be very grateful for any advice, whether it's suggestions for the cage setup or anything else you think might help! Thanks!
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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: 28,737
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Post by Marianne Marlow on Jul 12, 2020 21:27:07 GMT
I was going to suggest millet or perhaps some dill in the area that you want him to explore. Also, budgies like to usually spend their time high up, so move his food and water higher (this will prevent it getting pooped in)
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Post by birdguhl on Jul 13, 2020 10:46:58 GMT
Hi rosebunting I'm guessing that because Arthur found you you don't know much about his history.
I'm wondering if he was used to living with other budgies and may be missing them. Or he might have been used to being on his own.
Good suggestions from Marianne. I don't see a mirror in your cage. It may be that he would respond to being able to chat to the mirror budgie?
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Post by Hezz on Jul 13, 2020 20:23:39 GMT
I'd also put that main branched perch up towards the top part of his cage - as Marianne Marlow has already said, budgies like to be up high. Get him more toys - mirror (a small one perhaps), swings, bells, things he can rattle and clang, try a kebab of fresh veg to see if he is familiar with eating his greens. Have you tried playing music to him? Some budgies love music or else try him with budgie sounds and see what his reaction is.
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May 11, 2020 21:47:47 GMT
rosebunting
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 68
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Post by rosebunting on Jul 16, 2020 18:10:33 GMT
Thank you all so much for your insight! Apologies for taking so long to get back to you all, I wanted to try and few things and give him a little time to adjust.
I have not moved the big perch yet, as he is very uncomfortable and unhappy when I try to add or change anything in his cage, even something as little as refilling his paper ball (which is his favorite toy). Does anyone have any recommendations on how I should go about that? Same thing with the food and water.
What I have been trying is encouraging his interaction with toys and perches by placing some millet, as well as by playing some budgies sounds every once in a while. Both of those things seem to have made him much more comfortable with the different parts of his cage, and he's certainly been exploring more! I also put his swing back in, which he doesn't like to swing on but likes to spin around, haha
I do not know anything about his history, unfortunately. I have been trying to get him to eat fruits and vegetables, but unfortunately the only things he has really eaten has been radicchio and blueberries. We're trying something different every day though, to get him used to the different foods. He likes to throw most of the greens on the floor more than he likes to eat them, but we're working on it, haha.
I'm going into the city on Saturday, so I'm planning to get a mirror and some additional toys then! Also, is the number of perches good once I move the large on up? Or should I look for another one?
Also, he does really enjoy music, which is a good thing, because I like to listen to music from the moment I get up until I go to sleep!
Again, thank you all! I think I'm getting a lot better understanding about him!
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Post by ffiscool on Jul 16, 2020 23:49:57 GMT
You’re doing great given he found you. When you’re out, perhaps leave a radio on for him. It’s company. I think he may do well with a mirror, if he either had other buds or mirrors where he came from before. He’s lucky you saved him from possible other outcomes
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Post by Hezz on Jul 17, 2020 0:37:55 GMT
I would get him a few (3?) more perches - he could do with another one in the cage anyway, and it is good to have a few spares so that you can swap them around every week or so, also allows you to give them a good clean without leaving him with nothing to perch on. The same with toys and swings. Have two lots, and not necessarily all the same things, so that you can swap things around. While he might be a little frightened at the moment when you fiddle with his cage, he should settle down as he gets to realise that he is safe once more. When you do have to do things in his cage (food, water etc) just move slowly and constantly talk to him quietly, telling him what you are doing or any other nonsense that comes into your head.
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Apr 5, 2019 23:14:31 GMT
reenie
Normal Green
Posts: 300
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Post by reenie on Jul 17, 2020 7:45:12 GMT
Hi rosebunting He's a lovely wee thing! I'm not an expert, so prepared to be corrected, but my first impression when looking at the cage was that he's not got a 'safe space'. What I mean is that the cage looks quite open. I'm thinking if he was in the wild there's nowhere a predator wouldn't see him easily. If he's quite a nervous bird, that might make him anxious. I would think about a high corner of his cage with a per h and lots of toys all around the sides and on the roof. It might feel less exposed. Does that make sense?
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Post by Hezz on Jul 17, 2020 10:38:42 GMT
Budgies do not need a "safe space" inside the cage. Their cage is their safe space, if needed, and this little guy has been there for three months now, so not new to the space.
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May 11, 2020 21:47:47 GMT
rosebunting
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 68
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Post by rosebunting on Jul 22, 2020 15:59:05 GMT
Thank you all again for your suggestions and advice! I moved the big perch up and got some new perches and a few more toys the other day, and he's been adapting great!
He's been using much more of the cage, now spending his time across three perches plus a ladder, rather than just staying on the same perch all the time. I still might have a little more shifting to do, primarily with setting up his final ladder and moving some toys, but he already seems happier with this setup! He actually investigated a toy the day I put it in, which would have been unheard of before!
I'm going to try to add a picture when I get a chance, and I'd love to hear what you think of his new setup!
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Post by Hezz on Jul 22, 2020 23:50:14 GMT
That's great news, rosebunting. So pleased that he is happy with his new toys and perches. You will find that you'll fiddle with the set-up for quite some time before you get it right, so nothing gets pooped on and everything gets used. Some photos will be welcome.
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May 11, 2020 21:47:47 GMT
rosebunting
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 68
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Post by rosebunting on Jul 23, 2020 4:31:36 GMT
Here's his new setup! His new favorite past time is running up and down his ladder while watching himself in the mirror
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Post by birdguhl on Jul 23, 2020 8:16:48 GMT
That sounds and looks really great rosebunting! Glad to hear that Arthur has responded to the changes so quickly.
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Post by Hezz on Jul 23, 2020 20:06:11 GMT
Looks much better now. I do notice the tassels on his triangle rope swing, though. You would be better off putting a cable tie around the strands as close as possible to the knot or ring, whatever holds them all together and cutting off the tassels close up. The little birds can get themselves tangled up in these tassels, losing toes and breaking legs, even wrapped around their necks and strangled.
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Apr 19, 2024 11:22:21 GMT
Deleted
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jul 24, 2020 10:13:03 GMT
Hi rosebunting, Arthur's a lovely-looking budgie I hope things are going well with him! I really like the cage, what type is it, please?
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