May 24, 2021 8:01:19 GMT
obionee
Brand New Budgie
New Flight added to our Avery
Posts: 28
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Post by obionee on Jul 1, 2021 9:45:04 GMT
So my first post to this forum, our story.... A little over a month ago while walking our dogs we came upon a horrible scene where a magpie had managed to bring down a very young budgie. Needless to say we saved the little fella (who in turn gave me a really good bite). We looked at re-homing, with no joy, so we bought a cage that contained two more budgies to keep our "friend" company. Now I was in the opinion that they should be outdoors and free to make as much noise as they wanted - so we built an aviary (images included). But the aviary looked huge for three birds and.... Now we have ten!! They are all insane, they all have very different personalities - I have included images of our first three bandits (the bright yellow one being the original biter and our aviary (please feel free to pass on suggestions to improve). We are now in learner mode as they all have decided to start "families", so new nest boxes and all that goes with it. Needless to say they are all firmly part of the family and thanks for all of the information shared within this forum - it really continues to help - although I am looking for the therapy thread.......
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Post by ffiscool on Jul 1, 2021 11:02:15 GMT
Wow. Well firstly, welcome and secondly how lucky you saw what you did and saved the poor budgie.
Did you want to breed? There are ways to mostly stop that if not
Look forward to hearing more about them all and photos.
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Post by ladybird on Jul 1, 2021 11:11:03 GMT
Well done for saving the baby budgie. I am definitely not an expert regarding an outdoor Avery. On first glance, I wonder what it is painted with and where do the budgies go from protection from the elements? Do you quarantine the new ones you get? And they don’t seem to have many natural perches. I don’t know anything about breeding them…….I am sure you will get some better advise from our more knowledgeable members soon….
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Post by willowsmum on Jul 1, 2021 11:11:29 GMT
Welcome to you obionee and your flock. It's lovely to meet you all!
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May 24, 2021 8:01:19 GMT
obionee
Brand New Budgie
New Flight added to our Avery
Posts: 28
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Post by obionee on Jul 1, 2021 12:39:53 GMT
Wow. Well firstly, welcome and secondly how lucky you saw what you did and saved the poor budgie. Did you want to breed? There are ways to mostly stop that if not Look forward to hearing more about them all and photos. Hi thanks for the response - we thought about breeding down the line BUT..... they decided for us. I will share more images as we go.
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May 24, 2021 8:01:19 GMT
obionee
Brand New Budgie
New Flight added to our Avery
Posts: 28
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Post by obionee on Jul 1, 2021 12:56:11 GMT
Well done for saving the baby budgie. I am definitely not an expert regarding an outdoor Avery. On first glance, I wonder what it is painted with and where do the budgies go from protection from the elements? Do you quarantine the new ones you get? And they don’t seem to have many natural perches. I don’t know anything about breeding them…….I am sure you will get some better advise from our more knowledgeable members soon…. Hi thanks for the response. The aviary is stained with bird safe colouring. Protection from the elements.... The far right hand side is an enclosed area (I will provide images) where they can access through two holes BUT..... They won't go in (other than for treats) and seem to love the breeze in the garden and the interaction with all of the birds who visit during the day (mostly to eat the seed dropped from the aviary). There are lots of natural perches in both flight areas, all with differing diameters. The flight area to the left is very much open to the elements and they mix their time between both - but if it rains they are out and love the rain. There is a sheltered area at the back of the flight area and they will congregate there as they feel inclined. The right hand flight is fully shaded (they mostly sleep here at night). Quarantine - have to admit we did not, as the additional 7 birds are from single dealer.
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May 24, 2021 8:01:19 GMT
obionee
Brand New Budgie
New Flight added to our Avery
Posts: 28
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Post by obionee on Jul 1, 2021 12:59:38 GMT
Welcome to you obionee and your flock. It's lovely to meet you all! Hi thanks for the kind welcome and support as we go forward. We are really enjoying the experience - its like having a live TV set in the garden, they are completely nuts.
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Post by tweetiepiesmom on Jul 1, 2021 16:16:36 GMT
That's too funny - starting with one rescue budgie and ending with a whole aviary and a flock! I can imagine how fun they are to watch. You might think about adding some toys especially ones that you can hide some millet in for them to engage their minds finding the treats. These toys can be things you make, like stringing together cupcake papers with paper twine and put a little millet in. Start with simple foraging toys, gradually making them more difficult so the budgies have to work for their treats. Enjoy your new hobby!
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Post by blueelephant on Jul 1, 2021 17:56:55 GMT
Budgie ownership is a slippery slope and you seem to have headed headlong down it at speed. Congratulations on your flock. The initial baby budgie fell on his feet finding you guys and then a whole bunch of friends to boot.
I've found this forum really helpful and have learned lots about how best to care for my birds here. I'd recommend asking questions and reading the pinned posts to find out more if it's new to you. I hope to hear more about their antics as the months go on!
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Post by Hezz on Jul 1, 2021 21:54:46 GMT
I seriously wouldn’t look at adding any more birds to this aviary; I really don’t think it is big enough to have more and still give everyone the space they need. I’ve already commented on your other thread in the breeding section. Budgies don’t need to breed to be able to live happily in a flock, instead breeding can be fraught with more dangers than not.
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May 24, 2021 8:01:19 GMT
obionee
Brand New Budgie
New Flight added to our Avery
Posts: 28
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Post by obionee on Jul 2, 2021 12:25:35 GMT
I seriously wouldn’t look at adding any more birds to this aviary; I really don’t think it is big enough to have more and still give everyone the space they need. I’ve already commented on your other thread in the breeding section. Budgies don’t need to breed to be able to live happily in a flock, instead breeding can be fraught with more dangers than not. Hi - we are not planning on adding any more birds at all. This was a rescue mission turned into trying to provide as much comfort as possible to our new friends. We are not in this to breed and or make money on the side, we want and are enjoying the antics within the community.
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May 24, 2021 8:01:19 GMT
obionee
Brand New Budgie
New Flight added to our Avery
Posts: 28
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Post by obionee on Jul 2, 2021 12:29:08 GMT
Budgie ownership is a slippery slope and you seem to have headed headlong down it at speed. Congratulations on your flock. The initial baby budgie fell on his feet finding you guys and then a whole bunch of friends to boot. I've found this forum really helpful and have learned lots about how best to care for my birds here. I'd recommend asking questions and reading the pinned posts to find out more if it's new to you. I hope to hear more about their antics as the months go on! Slippery slope we seemed to have crashed down!! We did lots of reading and now have a fully fledged asylum - how can they all be so different? They have also worked us out and recognise what we mean to them - my wife with the treats, usually accompanied by high levels of exited noise. The original bird is really crafty and you can see him working things out - there's a brain there.
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May 24, 2021 8:01:19 GMT
obionee
Brand New Budgie
New Flight added to our Avery
Posts: 28
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Post by obionee on Jul 2, 2021 12:36:01 GMT
That's too funny - starting with one rescue budgie and ending with a whole aviary and a flock! I can imagine how fun they are to watch. You might think about adding some toys especially ones that you can hide some millet in for them to engage their minds finding the treats. These toys can be things you make, like stringing together cupcake papers with paper twine and put a little millet in. Start with simple foraging toys, gradually making them more difficult so the budgies have to work for their treats. Enjoy your new hobby! We will be investing in toys at some point I am certain, but want to encourage as much natural behaviour we can in an unnatural environment. In the covered area in the bottom is a deep tray, with a deep hay base - within this the birds are having to find treats etc - they make a real racket and seem to enjoy. We try different food stuffs such as live meal worms Vs dry, silk worms all supplementing the normal staple seed diet. I can see an extension to the aviary, but no further additions to the current company of lunatics.
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Post by ariella on Jul 2, 2021 13:03:18 GMT
I love how you went from 1 to 10. They are wonderful pets and so entertaining. I have no experience of an outside aviary other than what I’ve read on the forum but having been a chicken keeper for 10 years, hay is not a great substrate because when wet it can harbour mould spores and can affect the respiratory system of birds. Also it can get pretty dusty; again a potential respiratory system risk. I’m assuming this is the same for budgies too but am open to correction. I’d be worried about mice being attracted to it from the dropped food and then nesting in it too. The last thing you need is mice!
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Post by Hezz on Jul 3, 2021 0:56:00 GMT
I seriously wouldn’t look at adding any more birds to this aviary; I really don’t think it is big enough to have more and still give everyone the space they need. I’ve already commented on your other thread in the breeding section. Budgies don’t need to breed to be able to live happily in a flock, instead breeding can be fraught with more dangers than not. Hi - we are not planning on adding any more birds at all. This was a rescue mission turned into trying to provide as much comfort as possible to our new friends. We are not in this to breed and or make money on the side, we want and are enjoying the antics within the community. You will adding more birds if you allow these ones to breed. That is what my comment was referring to.
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