Budgie newbies

[ruffleton]

Hi all,

My wife and I are so glad we came across your forum. Lots of helpful information here for potential first timers. We'd love to buy a couple of budgies but have a few questions hope you can answer please:

can they drink still/mineral water or tap water?
how often do i need to take them to vet to have their claws clipped?

why do they have to have their wings clipped? does it help them?  ( (although i'm sure I read a post on her recommending against clipping))
how often and what duration should they be taken out of their cage?

is it better to buy from petshop or breeder?

best way to prevent mites?

the two cages we like the look of are:

www.ferplast.com/gb/canary-exotic-birds-cages/piano-6.html

www.parrotessentials.co.uk/hagen-vision-ii-bird-parrot-cage-large-single-height/

any opinions on these?

The room we would keep them is in our lounge as it is actually the least used room in our home.  So a good amound of space for them to fly around.We are now both at home 99% of the time due to working from home which is now a long term thing.

We're from the UK.

Thank you.

[karen101]

Hello Ruffleton

I am sorry I don't really have any helpful advice but just wanted to say that I am in the same position as you in that I am planning on getting two budgies in about seven weeks, I have found a breeder as I have experience of buying budgies from pet shops (many years ago) and whilst there were lovely, they were so hard to tame so I decided to find a breeder this time as I'd love them to be able to fly around the room and to interact with me/my family.

Will be following this thread closely as you ask some really good questions.

Thanks!

[blue48]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

There are experts here to give you good advice but I can answer some of your questions.

They can drink tap water.
They shouldn't need their claws clipped but if they do, just the very.very tip. There is a vein in the claw that you must avoid cutting but the vet will do it if needs be. Natural perches usually ensure their claws wear down naturally.

Please don't get their wings clipped. They are birds, they fly.

They should come out of their cage when they want to and when it's safe for them to do so. My boy is only shut in at night and when I'm out.

Helpful threads:
budgerigarsforum.proboards.com/thread/3542/buying-caring-first-budgie

budgerigarsforum.proboards.com/thread/15459/10-reasons-buy-bird

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

[jellybean]

Hi ruffleton, welcome to the forum, glad to have you join us.

I have two budgies, both boys, Ben & Sam, and I give them boiled water (cooled), which I leave in a covered jug so that I can change the water when needed throughout the day.

If you provide natural wood perches of differing diameters to give their feet exercise, there should be no need to visit a vet to have their nails clipped.

They don't need to have their wings clipped, and in my opinion should NEVER have their wings clipped, but it's something some breeders/pet shops still do unfortunately. It is sad to see a birds right to free flight taken away from it.

My birds have almost 12 hours of free flight every day, but how many hours depends on your particular circumstances.

Any birds I've ever had have all been from breeders, they will know more about the history of the bird than any pet shop, but there are members here who have happy healthy birds bought from pet shops, so it's individual choice.

Mites are easily treated, with 0.1% INVERMECTIN,  if your birds are unfortunate enough to get them.

Cages....buy the biggest and best that your pocket allows.
I have a HAMBERLEY cage for my two boys which I think is the best, but.....That's only my opinion.


www.littlepetwarehouse.co.uk/products/hamberley-single-metal-large-cage.html

I  hope some of this has been helpful. Good luck in your search, they are delightful little creatures, I'm sure you and your wife will enjoy having them.

[Hezz]

Great advice from jellybean. I agree with everything she has said.

I would only add that an indoor, pet bird is very unlikely to get mites, and although a good breeder will not have them in his flock, it does sometimes happen.

[ruffleton]

Thanks all for your help